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Russia expects NATO to apologize for civilian casualties in Libya

“We are certain that the case must be taken to a logical outcome" - Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia expects that NATO will recognize its air strikes in Libya caused civilian casualties and apologize for them, as well as pay proper compensations, Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said at a meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Libya on Wednesday.

“We are certain that the case must be taken to a logical outcome, and the responsibility for that should be placed not only on NATO or the Security Council, but on the new Libyan authorities as well,” the Russian diplomat said. “Their attention to the civilian casualties of air strikes would be evidence of commitment to the noble principles of human rights protection and serve the cause of national reconciliation and accord.”

Russia’s permanent representative urged the UN secretary-general to use the provisions of the joint declaration of the UN and NATO secretariats “to dot all the i’s regarding the problem of victims of NATO’s air strikes.”

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