Gaddafi sends defiant letters to world leaders over U.N. resolution

Source:Led b2b   Date:2011-3-21  close   Printing

 

Mousa Ibrahim, the government spokesman, reads letters from the Libyan leader Gaddafi in Tripoli, Libya, March 19, 2011. Muammar Gaddafi on Saturday complained about "interference" in Libyan issues" in letters sent to western leaders and the U.N. secretary-general. (Xinhua/Yang Guang)

TRIPOLI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Muammar Gaddafi on Saturday complained about "interference" in Libyan issues" in letters sent to western leaders and the U.N. secretary-general.

At a news conference in the capital, Tripoli, a government spokesman read letters from the Libyan leader, to President Barack Obama as well as others involved in the international effort tied to a five-week rebel uprising in the North African county.

In his letter to Obama, Gaddafi said, "If you had found them taking over American cities with armed force, tell me what you would do."

"I have all the Libyan people supporting me and they are prepared

to die for me," he said, "I am facing al-Qaeda here."

Gaddafi said in a letter to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon that "Libya is not yours. Libya is for the Libyans. The Security Council resolution is invalid."

"This is injustice. This is clear aggression," Gaddafi said, "You will regret it if you take a step towards interfering in our internal affairs."

The U.N. Security Council Thursday adopted a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures," excluding ground troops, to protect civilians in the embattled country.