BRUSSELS (MNI) – The ruling regime of Muammar al-Qadaffi in Libya
must stand down immediately, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the
European Council, said Friday.
He added that those responsible for attacks on civilians would face
“grave consequences” and that the EU was considering all necessary
options concerning those attacks.
Van Rompuy also called for a “rapid” summit among leaders of the
EU, Arab League and African Union.
Speaking at a news conference at the end of an extraordinary summit
of EU leaders here to discuss the situation in Libya, Van Rompuy said:
“The current leadership must give up power without delay. All 27 [EU
member states] say it loud and clear.”
He added: “In order to protect the civilian population, member
states will examine all necessary options provided there is a
demonstrable need, a clear legal basis and support from the region.”
Questioned by journalists about the nature of such a legal basis,
he said that a resolution from the United Nations Security Council would
be one example.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the news
conference: “This is no time for ambiguity. The problem has a name:
Qadaffi. He must go.”
[TOPICS: M$X$$$,MGX$$$]
