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Events in Libya developed into civil war with Western intervention – Russian FM

Bogdanov also said that Moscow will actively cooperate with the National Transition Council in Libya in order to overcome the dire humanitarian crisis in the country

MOSCOW, September 7 (Itar-Tass) —— The events in Libya have resulted in civil war with direct intervention by the West, and this scenario should not be repeated, Russsian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Itar-Tass in an interview.

"Of course, the dramatic events taking place now in the Arab world, and their possible implications for the overall regional situation are causing our great concern,” the diplomat said. “In essence, in a vast geopolitical space there emerged a situation of an acute crisis, there is a chain reaction of breaking long-standing principles and regimes."

"First and foremost very worrisome is the fact that social protest often goes beyond the legal space and, unfortunately, is accompanied by fighting, bloodshed, and victims," said Bogdanov. "In Libya, with direct intervention by the West they have developed into a civil war. Surely, the Libyan scenario should not be repeated."

Bogdanov also said that Moscow "will actively cooperate with the National Transition Council (NTC) in Libya in order to overcome the dire humanitarian crisis in the country."

"On September 1 Russia decided to formalize the recognition of NTC as the current government in Libya,” recalled the diplomat. “Now, we will actively cooperate with the new Libyan leaders in the interests of promoting a full-scale national political process in that country, the establishment of government institutions, restoring the ruined economy, and overcoming the acute humanitarian crisis. Of course, we count on continued interaction with the Libyans in the bilateral sphere, including economic cooperation."

"In line with our fundamental policy we intend to provide support and all conceivable help for the Libyan people,” Bogdanov said. “This is especially necessary for the Libyans at a time when the new authorities are working hard to create new structures of governance, above all - security agencies and law enforcement, to reconcile tribal and clan interests, and rebuild infrastructures and the economy of the country."

"Unfortunately, we cannot but see as warnings against excessive optimism on that score in frequent cases of pillaging and looting, and of course, in the remaining threat of an upsurge in activity by various Islamic extremist groups and terrorist militants, including al-Qaeda," Bogdanov said.