Former Arab League Ambassador to the UN Clovis Maksoud says the West's delay in condemning the recent repressions by the Libyan regime is partly due to its concerns over oil supplies from the country.
The West showed “reluctance” to denounce the repressions by Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi's regime “partly because of the oil factor … [and] that was one factor to inhibit many of those who are importing oil from Libya,” Maksoud said in an interview with Press TV.
This is while beleaguered Gaddafi “is presenting his people with two options … either he is allowed to govern them or he kills them,” he deplored.
Maksoud also warned against any unilateral action against the North African nation, saying any “enforcement method against Libya must be authorized by the UN” and it has to be in the form of an international force.”
The former Arab League envoy argued that military action or declaring Libya a no-fly zone should be decided collectively.
“It should be authorized by the Security Council without anybody vetoing it, which means that China and Russia have to be included in the decision," he noted.
The Libyan revolution, inspired by the recent revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, sparked nearly two weeks ago.
Brutal crackdown by the Libyan regime on anti-government protesters has left thousands of people dead so far.
Gaddafi, however, has vowed to stay in power despite the fact that most of the country, except for capital Tripoli, has come under the control of anti-government forces and the former justice minister has formed a transitional government.
Thousands of Libyan people have been fleeing to neighboring Egypt, Tunisia and other European countries like Italy.
The revolution in the North African oil-rich nation has also led to a significant hike in the global oil prices.
The United States and other foreign governments discussed military options for dealing with Libya on Monday as beleaguered Gaddafi scoffed at the threat to his government.
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