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Use of force against separatists in Libya may cause tragedy - Churkin

Russia has called upon Libya’s new authorities for resolving all of the country’s problems through a dialogue

UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia has called upon Libya’s new authorities for resolving all of the country’s problems through a dialogue. Russia’s permanent representative at the UN Security Council, Vitaly Churkin, drew the UN Security Council’s attention to “dangerous manifestations of separatism”, which manifested themselves in the east of the country. The Russian diplomat stated with alarm that in response “there followed threats to use force.”

“We support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Libya, but we are certain that all problems must be resolved politically, through a dialogue,” Churkin said, adding that “a new march on Bengazi would spell tragedy.”

The tribal chiefs and field commanders of eastern Libya met last Tuesday to declare the creation of a semi-autonomous region of Barca (Cyrenaica). About 2,000 delegates from the special Congress of the People of Cyrenaica formed a Supreme Transitional Council under Sheikh Ahmed al-Zubair al-Senussi – former dissenter, currently member of Libya’s Transitional National Council. In the meantime, the TNC has warned that it would be prepared to use force to prevent the declaration of Cyrenaica’s independence.