YAROSLAVL, September 7 (Itar-Tass) —— The world community should take into consideration the mistakes, made in Iraq and Afghanistan, and should not impose on Libya the European-style democracy, Senator Mikhail Margelov, special representative of the Russian President for Africa, said at the Global Policy Forum here on Wednesday.
“It is the very time for Libyans to start the formation of a new government and extensive talks. Talks should be held with former supporters of Gaddafi, with tribes, Liberals, ·migr·s and representatives of the royal dynasty. The unity of Libya is at stake,” he stressed.
According to Margelov, “the world community, and primarily Europe, should take into consideration the mistakes made in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is necessary to show patience, not to destroy all power structures indiscriminately and not to impose on Libya the democracy of the European type, for which that country is hardly ready.”
At the same time, Margelov did not make any forecasts about the way the situation would develop in Libya. “If Gaddafi remains alive and at large, the civil war may be continued by guerrilla and terrorist methods,” he believes.
Commenting on Russia’s stand on the situation in Libya, Margelov said that Moscow “refrains from resolute actions with regard to the Arab world and the Greater Middle East in general.” “Russia does believe that sanctions could be an effective way of influencing this or that country. We opposed the strange way in which NATO interpreted Resolution No. 1973 of the U.N. Security Council. Nevertheless, we were invited to Paris to take part in the Friends of Libya conference,” he continued.
Margelov, who represented Russia at the Paris conference and who made a number of trips to the zone of the Libyan crisis with a view to finding ways of its settlement, reminded that Russia had recognized the Transitional National Council (TNC). “I met TNC representatives at the official and unofficial levels. They say that they are willing to observe all the contracts and treaties, that were signed by Russia with the ousted regime, including in the sphere of economy,” he said.