Russia warns over new UN resolution on Libya

Moscow, 26 Apr – (ANA) - Russia said today it will not support any United Nations Security Council resolutions which could escalate the conflict in Libya, local news agencies have reported.

"If a resolution leads to a further escalation of a civil war by any means, including outside intervention, we will not be able to support this," Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

Russia, a veto-wielding permanent U.N. Security Council member, abstained last month from the vote on a resolution authorising force to protect civilians in Libya by enforcing a no-fly zone.

But Russia's leaders have repeatedly criticised the extent of the coalition operation.

Initially, leaders of the NATO Western military alliance had ruled out sending ground troops to Libya, but EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said last week the bloc's members would consider such a step if the U.N. requested it. (ANA)

FA/ANA/26 April 2011--------