Germany, France highlight differences over Libya strategy
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, April 14, IRNA -- Germany and France here Thursday highlighted differences regarding a western strategy on Libya only hours before the start of a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin.
Speaking at a press briefing in the German capital, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his French counterpart Alain Juppe made clear that while both of them supported a future 'democratic and free Libya without (Moammar) Qadhafi' they disagreed on the means of achieving that goal.
'The only difference (between Germany and France) is about the way towards reaching that goal,' Juppe said.
Meanwhile, Westerwelle warned against 'dramatizing' the row between both countries over Libya, saying it was a 'practical test for the deep and close friendship' between Berlin and Paris.
France has lambasted NATO for 'not doing enough' in the Libyan conflict, while Berlin has been pushing for a political rather than a military solution and is not participating in NATO air attacks over Libya.
Deep differences over the western Libya policy was set to to NATO foreign minister
talks in Berlin on Thursday and Friday.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen who will co-host the NATO meeting with Westerwelle, would have his hands full to find a unified political stance on the Libya conflict.
Rasmussen has also reiterated military force alone would not be sufficient to restore peace in the North African country.
Rasmussen has also voiced concern over a possible 'military stalemate or de facto division of Libyan society.'
He has warned Libya could become a 'failed state and a breeding ground for terror groups.'
NATO has formally taken over full command of air strike missions against Libya on March 31.
The western military pact is enforcing a UN-mandated arms embargo, a no-fly zone and actions to protect civilians and civilian centers in Libya.
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