South Africa urges to probe possible human rights violation in Libya
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Xinhua, August 25, 2011
The International Criminal Court (ICC) should probe possible human rights violations committed by NATO forces in Libya, South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has said.
The New Age newspaper reported Thursday that Motlanthe told the Parliament that the NATO alliance is creating an impression that the Libyan rebels are acting on their own without any military support on the ground.
"We note they (NATO) are attempting to create the impression that the rebels are acting on their own in their attacks in Tripoli but there are clear links and coordination at that level," Motlanthe told parliament on Wednesday in response to lawmakers' questions.
"The question is whether the (court) will have the wherewithal to unearth that information and bring those who are responsible to book, including the NATO commanders on the ground," the local press quoted him as saying.
His comments may be interpreted as another indication that South Africa is going to have a cold relationship with the rebel movement that is poised to take over the government in Libya, the New Age said.
South Africa, a temporary member of the UN Security Council, voted in favor of the air exclusion zone over Libya which has enabled air strikes under NATO command.
While the United States, Britain and France pushed for the adoption of resolution 1973 at the council, these countries had abused the resolution.
"It creates a problem for future interventions," Motlanthe said.
"As you are aware, the situation in Syria is also of great concern, but precisely because of this precedent created in Libya the Security Council is not being able to agree on how to intervene there."
South African President Zuma on Tuesday said the NATO-led use of force has undermined Africa's peace efforts.
South African Press Association (SAPA) reported that Motlanthe said the air strikes have made it more difficult to adopt new UN resolutions.
