Russia, NATO Still At Odds Over Libya

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Russia and NATO have failed to narrow their differences over the Western air campaign in Libya.
Speaking in the Black Sea city of Sochi after talks with the head of the alliance, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Sergei Lavrov said: "So far there is no common understanding over how the resolution is being implemented."
He was referring to the UN Security Council resolution that paved the way for the air campaign. Russia abstained in the resolution vote and has since expressed growing anger over the duration and intensity of the NATO-led air strikes against targets of Muammar Qaddafi's Libyan regime.
The NATO-Russia Council meeting was joined by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and South African President Jacob Zuma.
Meanwhile, NATO warplanes stepped up their bombing on Libya. Alliance data show it flew 71 strike sorties in 24 hours, nearly double the daily tempo seen in past weeks.
Differences between Russia and NATO also remained over a proposed missile-defense system in Europe, with Rasmussen saying: "Many key issues need to be addressed."
Russia is demanding to jointly run the system, while the United States and NATO are offering Moscow a more limited role.

compiled from agency reports