Italy rules out joining Libyan invasion

[News_Editor]

Italy rules out joining Libyan invasion

2011-03-17 02:36:32 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- Italy on Wednesday ruled out joining a coalition to invade Libya and help to solve the armed conflict, the ANSA news agency reported.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini remarked that the "international community must not undertake military action" and added that Italy will not participate in any form in such campaign.

Frattini spoke in a session of the House and Senate foreign affairs committees and excluded Italy from any campaign that might be staged to topple Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Both the Arab League and the African Union have expressed that they are considering a possible military intervention in Libya to help solving the conflict. However, no official plans have been unveiled.

Frattini also considered that the rumored coalition of willing states is not probable "given that 'Europe is divided, the G8 is divided and NATO is divided." He remarked that no agreement has been reached on this subject.

"When the Arab League and the African Union talk about excluding any ground intervention on Libyan territory, it's clear that a no-fly zone is the prospect at the most advanced stage," added the Foreign Minister.

On the other hand, Frattini reiterated Italy's support to United Nations and European Union actions in relation to the Libyan crisis, such as financial sanctions in order to encourage Gaddafi to step down.

"International political and economic isolation is in store for Gaddafi if he manages to regain control over his country, with his loyalists having gained the upper hand against rebels trying to end his 40-year rule," added Frattini.

Gaddafi recently expressed that he felt betrayed by the lack of support of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. The Libyan leader added that Berlusconi was an alleged ally but turned against him in the wake of the rebellion.

The Libyan ruler even threatened to form an alliance with the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda if a military intervention was launched against his regime.

Italy had colonial control of Libya from 1991 to 1943. The European country has business ties with the North African country, including gas and oil imports which were suspended with the beginning of the armed conflict.

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