EU hails UN resolution; asks Gaddafi to relinquish power

The European Union has endorsed the UNSC resolution, which approves a no-fly zone over Libya, and asked its leader Muammar Gaddafi to relinquish power immediately and embark on an orderly transition to democracy through broad-based dialogue.

"The European Council has called on Col Gaddafi to relinquish power immediately and urged Libya to rapidly embark on an orderly transition to democracy through broad-based dialogue," President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

The EU called for concerted efforts to ensure that the UN resolution is enforced in Libya. "We must ensure that we continue to coordinate closely, together with the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union and other international partners on how we can best contribute as soon as possible to the implementation of the decisions of the Security Council."

Welcoming the UN resolution, the EU officials said they fully endorse the UN demand for a complete end to the violence and all attacks against and abuses to civilians.

The European Council of 24-25 March and the Foreign Affairs Council of 21 March will discuss the situation in Libya and adopt the necessary decisions in this regard, they said.

Rompuy and Ashton stress their grave concern for the situation of the population. "We reiterate the 11 March Declaration of the European Council that the safety of the people must be ensured by all necessary means. Resolution 1973 provides a clear legal basis for the members of the international community to provide protection to the civilian population.

The EU also lauded Arab League, which had asked for no-fly zone over Libya. "We underline the important role of the Arab League and our Arab partners. Their cooperation is essential and their role is clearly recognised by the Resolution," it added.