As coalition forces have launched new strikes against Libya, Pope Benedict XVI issued an urgent appeal to military and political leaders to consider the safety of Libyan civilians and ensure they have access to emergency aid, in his first public comments on the conflict.
Benedict said the outbreak of hostilities had sparked "great fear and alarm" in him and said he was praying for peace in the region.
Benedict didn't identify which political or military leaders he was referring to in comments.
Rather, he directed his appeal to those who have the political and military responsibility to take to heart the safety and security of citizens and guarantee that they have access to humanitarian aid, APTN reports.
Chavez condemns military strikes on Libya
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez condemned what he called "indiscriminate bombing" by the US and its allies in Libya, saying Sunday that the assault is causing civilian casualties.
Chavez said the US is after Libya's oil, and warned President Barack Obama not to try any similar intervention in the South American country.
"With Venezuela, don't even think about it, Mr. Obama," he said.
Chavez, who has long-standing ties to Libyan leader Gaddafi, demanded the airstrikes be halted in Libya and echoed claims of civilian victims by its government, as APTN reports.
During his speech, Chavez held up a newspaper showing an explosion on the front page with a headline reading "Libya is under imperial fire. Nothing justifies this."
Arab League criticises western air strikes
The Arab League has criticised western military strikes on Libya, despite Britain and France indicating that Arab involvement was imminent, and even though it had itself urged a no-fly zone.
"What has happened in Libya differs from the goal of imposing a no-fly zone and what we want is the protection of civilians and not bombing other civilians," Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa told AFP.
"From the start we requested only that a no-fly zone be set up to protect Libyan civilians and avert any other developments or additional measures," he added.
On March 12, the 22-member Arab League urged the United Nations
to impose a no-fly zone on Libya and said Gaddafi's regime had "lost legitimacy" as it sought to snuff out a rebellion designed to oust him from power.
Russia, which abstained in last Thursday's Security Council vote instead of using its veto, called for an end to "indiscriminate use of force" by the coalition, citing the casualties reported by Tripoli of 48 dead and 150 wounded.
China also voiced regret over the air strikes, saying it opposed the use of force in international relations.
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