Russian president condemns use of force against civilians in Libya

Russia condemns the use of force against civilians in Libya. Extermination of the civilian population will be qualified as a crime, President Dmitry Medvedev said, RIA Novosti reports.

The president’s statement conveys that Moscow is seriously concerned about the events taking place in Libya, especially about numerous casualties reported by the media.

The question of sending EU battle groups to Libya has not yet been discussed, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said today.

Riots in Libyan provinces started on February 15 and are aimed at overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi, who has been in power for the past 42 years. According to media reports and human rights organizations, up to 2 thousand people were killed during the riots. Foreign countries launched a mass evacuation of their fellow citizens from Libya, while the Libyan authorities threatened to un