President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated the readiness of its mediation mission for a peaceful settlement in Libya during a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, ITAR-TASS reports.
According to Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov - who also met Gates today - an immediate ceasefire and dialogue between the warring parties should ensure the safety of the civilian population. Gates, in turn, said that, as it seems, many in Russia understand that the regime of Gaddafi is lying when reporting numerous civilian casualties. The head of the Pentagon promised to reduce the intensity of the strikes on Libya.
The question of Russia's participation in any form in the actions of a coalition was not discussed", stressed the Kremlin.Medvedev suggested the mediation efforts, speaking on the eve of a statement on Libya. In a statement the president has called an inappropriate the comparison of operations in Libya with the crusade, made earlier by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
According to Medvedev, the Gaddafi regime deserves to be overthrown, as Gaddafi went to war against his own people. However, Medvedev said that could not support the methods of operation, that is massive missile strikes against targets in Libya.
