Moscow and the Vatican agree: Halt the NATO air strikes

Moscow and the Vatican agree: Halt NATO air strikes

Friday, May 6th, 2011

The Vatican’s delegate in Tripoli is calling for a halt to Nato air strikes in Libya and for the West to negotiate with Muammar Qaddafi’s government.

Bishop Giovanni Martinelli’s outspoken criticism of the human toll the war is taking has given the impression the Vatican’s longtime apostolic vicar supported Gaddafi’s 42-year regime. That was fueled further by his presence at the funeral for Qaddafi’s son.

Martinelli told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is speaking according to his own conscience but has taken inspiration from Pope Benedict XVI’s own calls for diplomacy to prevail.

The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, praised Martinelli as an authoritative voice on the situation in Libya who is tending as a pastor to his people under difficult circumstances. He said the Holy See in no way distances itself from his remarks.

Martinelli attended the funeral of Gaddafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren and earlier was at the morgue with clergymen from other denominations, a scene broadcast on Libyan state TV. The group stood near metal gurneys holding two adult-sized bodies covered with green Libyan flags and two smaller bundles covered by white sheets.

“The bombardments were clearly seeking to remove the leader — and I cannot share this position on eliminating the leader,” Martinelli told The AP in a telephone interview from Libya. “It is the people that must be able decide whether or not to change him.” He said he interprets Benedict’s calls for diplomacy to prevail as a clear indication that the pope opposes the NATO strikes and supports negotiations with Qaddafi — though Benedict has not spoken in such direct terms.

Meanwhile Russia has also criticised NATO bombing for causing civilian casualties. According to Moscow, the alliance is using disproportionate force and going beyond the terms of Resolution 1973.

“The disproportional use of force, all the more so, beyond the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1973, which in no way stipulates the replacement of the Libyan leadership, is leading to harmful consequences and the death of civilians,” a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

“We are again calling for strict compliance with the provisions of the decisions made by the international community on the Libyan conflict, for an immediate ceasefire and the start of a political settlement without any preconditions,” the statement added.

Sources