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Medvedev says NATO abused UN mandate in Libya

“We are not satisfied with the implementation of Resolution 1973”, the president said

MOSCOW, September 9 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia is dissatisfied with the implementation of the UN resolution on Libya as NATO has abused the mandate of the international community in the country, President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with Euronews TV channel aired on Friday.

“We are not satisfied with the implementation of Resolution 1973” which envisaged a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent civilian casualties, the president said.

“It is a past affair as the situation in Libya has radically changed. Nevertheless we believe the mandate of the Resolution 1973 on Libya was exceeded,” he said.

Russia abstained during the vote on the resolution in the Security Council and warned against exceeding the no-fly zone mandate.

However NATO actually sided with insurgents against Muammar Gaddafi triggering a tough reaction from Moscow. “They turned a good resolution into a piece of paper to cover senseless military operation. We insist that resolutions shall be interpreted literally rather than in an expanded manner,” Medvedev said in an interview.