UN Security Council Clashes Over Libya War

China Warns Over Worsening Crisis

The United Nations Security Council today entered into contentious debate over the ongoing war in Libya. A number of the nations expressed concern that the war, which began on March 19, seems not to have progressed at all and no efforrt is being made to reach a peace deal.

Russia and China were the two permanent members openly criticizing the war, with Russian envoy slamming the growing civilian casualties on both sides. China, for its part, warned that the UN resolution used as a pretext for the war was being misinterpreted.

The African Union attempted to broker a ceasefire in early April, and managed to get the regime to agree in principle. The rebels in East Libya rejected the deal entirely, however, and no suggestions have come up since that new deals are in the offing.

France, for its part, condemned the calls to end the conflict, saying that the international community “has a duty to intervene” and that they would continue doing so. The US demanded that Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi resign as a requirement for ending the war.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.