NATO says it will not intervene in Libyan uprising

[News_Editor]

NATO says it will not intervene in Libyan uprising

2011-02-24 22:04:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIEV, UKRAINE (BNO NEWS) -- NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday said the alliance will not intervene in Libya, where security forces have launched a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Rasmussen made the statements at a press conference in Kiev in response to a question asked by a Reuters journalist. He said that, while there may be negative repercussions, the situation in Libya does not pose a direct threat to NATO allies.

"I cannot consider the situation in Libya a direct threat to NATO or NATO Allies, but, of course, there may be negative repercussions," Rasmussen said. "Such upheaval may have a negative impact on migration, refugees, etc., and that also goes for neighbouring countries."

He added: "But I would like to stress that NATO as such has no plans to intervene. We have not received any request in that regard and any actions should be based on a UN mandate."

Libya has been plunged into chaos as massive anti-government protests continue nationwide, resulting in a violent crackdown by security forces which included aerial bombardments on protesters. At least 300 people and as many as more than 1,000 people have been killed in the uprising, but confirmed information has been difficult to obtain due to reporting restrictions by Libyan authorities.

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