20110401
presstv
Russian foreign minister has voiced his country's opposition to suggestions by the US-led alliance to supply the Libyan opposition with arms, criticizing Western military operations in the country.

protect the population and not to arm it, and here we completely agree with him,” said Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, after the US, France, and Italy announced readiness to supply Libyan revolutionaries with arms.

Lavrov further insisted that foreign countries have no right to supply the anti-government forces in Libya with arms under the mandate approved by the UN Security Council.

The foreign ministry also called for a cease-fire and for all concerned countries to take part in a political dialogue in order to reach a solution, instead.

China, the Arab League, and the African Union have also condemned Western airstrikes.

Moscow says that military operations in Libya should end as soon as possible.

Experts say the main motive behind the Western attack on Libya is the vast oil reserves of the North African country.