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EU 'ready' to use military for Libya humanitarian aid

21 March 2011, 19:18 CET
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(BRUSSELS) - The European Union announced Monday it was ready to mobilise its military and civil defence assets to protect a humanitarian mission in Libya, if the United Nations requests it.

After a meeting of EU foreign ministers, the 27-nation bloc stated its "determination to contribute" to the implementation of the UN resolution that authorised "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya.

The EU "will support actions provided for by UN Security Council Resolution 1973 necessary to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack," the ministers said in their conclusions on Libya.

"While contributing in a differentiated way, the EU and its member states are determined to act collectively and resolutely, with all international partners, particularly the Arab League and other regional stakeholders, to give full effect to these decisions," they said.

EU states have been divided about the intervention led by Britain, France and the United States, with Germany among the nations that have refused to take part in the campaign.

The EU said it was "ready to provide" support under its Common Security and Defence Policy to humanitarian assistance upon any request from the UN and coordinated by the world body.

"Such actions will fully respect the UN guidelines on the use of military and civil defence assets," the ministers said.

After the Libya unrest broke out in the middle of last month, the EU coordinated the evacuation of Egyptians refugees fleeing the conflict.


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