Turkey Seeking Humanitarian Operation In Libya Under UN Auspices

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said today that the United Nations should be the umbrella for a solely humanitarian operation in Libya.

Erdogan told deputies of his ruling AK Party that Turkey, a NATO member, would not participate in any military action in Libya. Turkey, he said, “would never ever be a party to pointing weapons at the Libyan people."

Erdogan said Turkey would spell out its position when NATO officials resume talks in Brussels after failing to reach agreement on March 21.

He said he had spoken to U.S. President Barack Obama and the British and Dutch prime ministers on the telephone about the conflict in Libya and Turkey’s position.

compiled from agency reports