Russia 'regrets' Libya invasion

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170813.html

Russia says it regrets that the Western countries decided to take military action against Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, who has been cracking down on revolutionaries in the country.

A statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich on Saturday said, "Air force units from a host of countries began military actions in Libya on March 19. Moscow regrets this military action," Reuters reported.

On Thursday, Russia, along with four other nations, abstained from the UN Security Council's vote to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

The UN resolution granted permission for necessary action against Gaddafi and his loyal forces including military intervention.

Reports say Gaddafi declared a ceasefire on Friday as a response to the Council's resolution.

On Saturday, French warplanes launched an attack on the Libyan territories. France says the attacks are aimed to protect the Libyans from Gaddafi's strikes.

Earlier in the day Colonel Gaddafi intensified attacks on the eastern city of Benghazi, killing more than two dozen revolutionaries.

The regime's troops also downed an aircraft operated by revolutionary forces.

On March10, Moscow banned any supply of weapons to Libya and suspended its arms contracts with Tripoli in response to Gaddafi's brutal crackdown on revolutionary forces.