Crazy move by Sarkozy on Libya: Dutch Premier

Europeans must decide their measures in the EU meeting,and not the day before.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy faced increasing pressure from fellow EU leaders on Friday as they complained he was out of line to suddenly give a Libyan Opposition group diplomatic recognition before Europeans could discuss an emergency plan.

Sarkozy’s decision the day before today’s European Union summit caught other leaders off guard,and overshadowed attempts to show unity in declaring Moammar Gaddafi’s reign effectively over and slapping further sanctions on the strongman’s regime.

Other EU member states insist that only nations should get diplomatic recognition and urged caution during the volatile days of continued fighting and conflicting information.

Story continues below this ad

France recognised Libya’s Interim Governing Council,an umbrella group of rebels based in the eastern city of Benghazi,which was taken over in a deadly uprising that has spread throughout much of the oil-rich North African country. “I find it a crazy move by France,” Dutch Premier Mark Rutte said as he arrived for the meeting in Brussels. “To jump ahead and say ‘I will recognise a transitional government,’ in the face of any diplomatic practice,is not the solution for Libya,” he said.

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker argued “it is good for Europeans to decide their measures in the meeting,and not the day before.”

EU leaders say their primary goals for the meeting are to put pressure on the Gaddafi regime and help with assistance to those in need,though for the moment the humanitarian crisis has eased.

All options,including a no-fly zone,something the US has said it will not participate in,are on the table.

Story continues below this ad

“It’s important that the countries of Europe show political will,show ambition and show unity in being clear that Colonel Gaddafi must go. His regime is illegitimate,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said.

“We are going to step up today,in the European council,measures to isolate that regime,” Cameron added.

Even so,the prospect of the quick imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya to protect the civilian population from the Gaddafi regime’s fighter jets appeared to be fading,with German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere insisting that the Arab League must first make clear what it wants.

The Arab League meets on Libya in Cairo tomorrow,and is not expected to support a no-fly zone,which would render the point moot.

Story continues below this ad

“The situation right now in Libya does not justify a military intervention by NATO,” de Maiziere said at a NATO meeting being held across town.

In Athens,meanwhile,three Dutch marines who were captured after a botched evacuation mission in Libya last month arrived on board a Greek military transport plane after their release.

The Dutch troops and their helicopter were seized February 27 by armed forces loyal to Gaddafi after landing near Sirte,Libya,to help evacuate people from the country as the rebellion gained steam.