Russia fears that the imposition of no-fly zones over Libya may prompt a large-scale military intervention in what will inflict suffering on the country’s civilian population. This came in a statement by the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin as he commented on the resolution on Libya that the UN Security Council adopted last night.
The resolution specifically provides for setting up no-fly zones over the territory of the Jamahiriya, likely military action against the Libyan Army and blocking the assets of the Libya National Oil Corporation and the country’s Central Bank.
Moscow is certain that the shortest path to Libya security is a cease-fire, rather than a military standoff, Churkin said. 10 of the 15 Security Council member-states voted for the new resolution. Russia, China, Germany, India and Brazil abstained.