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Turkey against arming Libyan rebels: PM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, March 31, IRNA -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that his government was opposed to arming Libyan rebels fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi from power, opening possible divisions with other NATO members, including Britain and the US.

'Doing that would create a different situation in Libya and we do not find it appropriate to do that,' Erdogan told reporters at a joint press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron in London.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said that Turkey's view on arming the Libyan rebels is 'negative' because there was no party state and could create conditions 'conducive to terrorism' and is why they looked to NATO to take precautions to protect civilians.

The Turkish premier also said that he did not want to see the situation in Libya to 'resemble Afghanistan.' He wanted a solution 'in line with the wishes of the Libyan people' and 'in the shortest time possible.'

Both the US and UK have suggested that UN resolution can be interpreted to permit the arming of rebels, by allowing 'all necessary measures' to be taken to protect civilians in Libya, but that no decision has yet been made.

During the press conference, Erdogan was fiercely critical of the EU with regard to its long-drawn out accession talks and in particular about Turkey being no longer invited to European summits.