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France: NATO Not Doing Enough in Libya

   VOA News  April 12, 2011
   French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe (file photo)

Photo: Reuters

   French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe (file photo)

   France has criticized NATO for failing to do enough to protect
   civilians in Libya.
   French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told French radio that NATO must
   fully play its role and do more to destroy Libyan leader Moammar
   Gadhafi's heavy weaponry.
   Juppe said he would raise the matter during a meeting of EU foreign
   ministers Tuesday and with NATO ministers later in the week.
   NATO war planes began airstrikes last month after the United Nations
   passed a resolution authorizing a "no-fly" zone over Libya in an effort
   to protect civilians under attack by Gadhafi's forces.
   Despite the airstrikes fighting continues on two fronts between rebels
   and pro-Gadhafi forces.
   On Monday, Libya's rebel interim government rejected a cease-fire plan
   proposed by the African Union, calling the option "outdated" because it
   does not meet their basic demand that Gadhafi and his sons leave power
   - and the country - immediately.
   African Union officials said that in addition to an immediate
   cease-fire, the proposal calls for talks between rebels and the
   government, protection of foreign nationals in Libya and humanitarian
   assistance to civilians. They said the plan had been accepted by
   Gadhafi.

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