Brussels, 28/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Union will keep pressure on Libya until its leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, leaves power, EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Tuesday 28 June, a day after an international warrant was issued for his arrest on suspicion of crimes against humanity. “The military pressure will remain as long as Gaddafi stays. The European Union is preparing with international partners the post-Gaddafi democratic transition”, he told members of the European Parliament. He made no direct mention of the warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, which also targets Gaddafi's son Saif and intelligence chief Abdullah Al Sanousi. On Monday, High Representative Catherine Ashton said the EU “has taken note” of the decision, and underlined that the EU supports the ICC and expects full cooperation with it.
Their reactions were subdued in contrast to those from Britain and France, who lead a military effort to police the UN-mandated no-fly zone over Libya, aimed at stopping the authorities in Tripoli from shooting at civilians. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said the warrant “confirms that the question is not whether Gaddafi should leave power, but when he will leave power”. Britain also welcomed it, and called on members of the regime to abandon him. The United States said it was another sign that the Libyan leader had lost legitimacy. At their summit last week, EU leaders renewed calls for him to step down, and threw their support behind the rebel Transitional National Council. (LoC)