Sri Lanka condemns airstrikes on Libya

[News_Editor]

Sri Lanka condemns airstrikes on Libya

2011-03-24 01:18:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

COLOMBO (BNO NEWS) -- Sri Lanka on Wednesday condemned airstrikes on Libya saying they are contrary to the United Nations resolution, the country's Sunday Times newspaper reported.

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris told Parliament that the air strikes against Libya are contrary to the United Nations resolution that was adopted with the aim of alleviating the suffering of civilians in that country.

"These strikes are harming civilians and are also a violation of the territorial integrity of an independent country," Peiris said.

Peiris spoke during an adjournment motion moved by the ruling party, which condemned the attacks on Libya and called on other governments to do so as well. Opposition members refrained from making any comments.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 was approved last week and called for the establishment of a no-fly zone in Libya and for military forces to take "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians from government-led attacks.

Western-led military strikes against Gaddafi began on Saturday. Libyan state television reported that at least 60 civilians have been killed and over 150 wounded.

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