Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be familiar with the wording of UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorised all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat and attack in Libya, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory. I acknowledge that the situation in Libya is completely unacceptable. The European Union is deeply concerned by the current crisis and has consistently called for a ceasefire. The situation in Libya has been repeatedly discussed by the Foreign Affairs Council, with conclusions adopted at its most recent meeting on 9 February last. The UN Special Representative in Libya, Mr. Bernardino León, is leading efforts to secure a negotiated settlement. However, his work, although showing an element of progress, is yet to bear real fruit in the form of a sustained ceasefire. What the UN is doing is the focus of our efforts to achieve a political solution.

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