France urges 'political' coordination in Libya
Two US airforce F16 sits on the tarmac as a C17 takes off at the Aviano air base yesterday.Photo: AFP
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday said coordination of the international campaign in Libya must "remain eminently political" even if Nato takes military command of operations.
"Operational, technical coordination will be at Nato level, but political coordination... will be at the level of the coalition" launched by the United States, Britain and France, he said at a European Union summit.
"Everyone must understand that coordination must remain eminently political even if it rests on Nato machinery," Sarkozy said at a briefing closing a first day of talks at the two-day summit.
That would enable non-Nato members, such as Arab partners, to take part in political decision-making, he said.
Citing Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which have pledged aircraft to support the Libya campaign, he said: "They will have to participate in the coalition's political coordination."
Meanwhile, Sarkozy yesterday said France and Britain were readying a "political and diplomatic" solution on Libya.
Referring to talks in London next Tuesday, Sarkozy said "there will certainly be a Franco-British initiative to clearly show the solution is not only military but also political and diplomatic."
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton underscored "crucial" Arab support Thursday for the allied military effort in Libya, hailing Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for joining the coalition.
"We have always said that Arab leadership and participation is crucial," Clinton said, describing an Arab League statement of support for military intervention last week as a "pivotal" moment in the process.
"We are deeply appreciative of their continuing contributions including aircrafts and pilots from Qatar," Clinton said.
"This evening, the United Arab Emirates announced they are joining the coalition and sending planes to help protect Libyan civilians and enforce the no-fly zone. We welcome this important step," she said.
Sarkozy said the six-day military campaign had prevented "thousands and thousands" of deaths.
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