20110407
presstv
Russia says it will not entangle itself in the NATO-led war in Libya, but will comply with a UN resolution calling for a no-fly zone over the North African country.

Speaking at a meeting with senior Russian military officials in Moscow, President Dmitry Medvedev reaffirmed his country's non-interference stance regarding the ongoing conflicts sweeping across the Middle Eastern and North African countries, a Press TV correspondent reported on Wednesday.

"Russia will not take part in the military operations that are currently taking place in this troubled region. This will be the main position in our foreign policy and internal decisions," Medvedev stated.

The Russian president, however, underlined that Moscow will proceed from this standpoint towards implementing the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1973, which imposed a no-fly zone over Libya .

The Security Council resolution adopted on March 17 also allows for "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's forces on opposition-controlled towns.

Medvedev made the remarks as hundreds of Tomahawk and Storm Shadow missiles fired from submarines in the Mediterranean and an array of fighter jets mounting military strikes over several Libyan cities do no seem to come to an end anytime soon.

This has raised grave concerns about the rising number of civilian casualties as the result of the NATO-led aerial strikes.

"We assume that a number of ongoing conflicts should be settled peacefully, without the participation of troops, and on a basis of international mediation," the Russian president emphasized.

Meanwhile, some analysts argue the revolution in Libya was an internal issue between Gaddafi and the opposition, and should not be spread out into an international conflict.

"As for the Europeans and the United States, they must not interfere themselves. To help the Arab and Muslim countries it is possible. But they must respond to the ideas that are adopted by the Muslim and Arab countries," Viktor Nadelin-Rayevsky with the Institute of World Economy and International Relations told Press TV.

Many civilians have reportedly been killed since the Western-led war on Libya began last month.

NATO, which assumed command of the aerial onslaught on Libya a week ago, has dismissed the criticism, saying its airstrikes against Gaddafi forces have increased on a daily basis.

There are many speculations about the real motive behind the war in Libya, with many analysts saying that under the guise of protecting civilians, Washington and its Western allies are actually seeking control of the North African country's vast oil reserves.