SANYA – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday that a UN Security Council resolution on Libya did not authorise the use of military force — a position he said was backed by his BRICS partners.
“The Security Council resolutions should be implemented,” Medvedev told reporters after a summit with the leaders of Brazil, India, China and South Africa in southern China.
“They should be implemented in accordance with their letter and spirit,” said the Russian president.
“What have we got as a result (of voting on Libya at the Council)? As a result, we essentially have got a military operation. The resolution says nothing about it.”
“In this the BRICS countries are absolutely united,” Medvedev said.
South Africa was the only BRICS nation to approve the resolution establishing a no-fly zone over Libya and authorising “all necessary measures” to protect civilians, opening the door to coalition air strikes.
The other four countries have expressed concern that the NATO-led campaign — which aims to thwart Muammar Gaddafi’s assault on rebels seeking to end his 41-year rule — is causing civilian casualties.
China and Russia, which have veto-wielding power on the Council, chose to abstain from the vote.
Medvedev had already voiced dismay over what he called the “indiscriminate use of force” by coalition aircraft in Libya.
