Russian FM slams NATO calls for Qadhafi's ouster

Berlin, April 16, IRNA -- A joint demand by Britain, France and the US for Libyan ruler Colonel Moammar Qadhafi to leave power has been met here on Friday with strong criticism by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov told media representatives at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin that such a demand was not mandated by the UN Security Council resolution on Libya.

He made clear that the UN Security Council had no mandate for a 'regime change' in the Arab country.

'I have urged our NATO partners to strictly and responsibly adhere to the mandate of the UN Security Council,' said Lavrov after NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen echoed also US, British and French calls that Qadhafi had to go. .

The demand of Qadhafi's ouster came in an open letter signed by the US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and said that leaving Qadhafi to rule Libya 'would be an unconscionable betrayal.'

Meanwhile, Lavrov said he had 'heard' weapons had been delivered to Libya rebels, saying this was 'a violation of the Security Council resolution.'

Lavrov reiterated the 'utmost importance to accelerate the search for a political solution' of the Libyan conflict.

Russia's top diplomat backed calls by the African Union for a ceasefire in Libya.

Lavrov emphasized also the UN resolution did not authorize the use of
ground troops in Libya./end