France says Gaddafi must go, as EU finalises sanctions
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday became the first EU leader to explicitly call for the resignation of Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi, as civilians continue to be shot on the streets of Tripoli.
"Our position is clear: Moammar Gaddafi has to go," Mr Sarkozy said during a press conference in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul. "The repeated and systematic violence against the Libyan people is unacceptable and will be the object of an international probe," he added.The remarks echoed similar comments made a few hours earlier by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who warned the dictator that "no one is beyond reach of international law."
In an emergency meeting of the UN security council in New York on Friday, the UK and France also pressed for a world-wide arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze against the Libyan hardman and his loyalists.
The EU is working on similar measures of its own. Diplomats said the legal details and the names to go on the list are to be finalised over the weekend and are likely to be adopted by next Wednesday. Germany also backs the initiative.
Earlier this week, foreign ministers failed to agree on sanctions, mainly due to reluctance from Mediterranean member states. Italy was the main anti-sanctions country, with Rome wary of provoking the unpredictable Libyan leader at a time when thousands of EU citizens were still in his domain.
Priscilla Darmenia •
Yes Mr Sarkozy, I agree that Mr Gaddafi must go. The majority of Libyan people also are of that opinion.
However the Libyan people alone cannot do it if Gaddafi uses the air force.
May I suggest to you to take a unilateral decision and order a “no flight zone” over Libya. Your country has the know-how and the assets to do it.
It seems the UN is not ready to take it yet. They may take it when it is too late. REMEMBER Kosovo?
I appeal to you and the top EU countries, don’t repeat the same mistake as Kosovo. Do it now before it is too late.
