CANBERRA, Feb. 21-- Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday condemned the violence in Libya and urged Australians in Libya to get out while they can.
According to Australia Associated Press, more than 200 people are believed to have died in Libya, since security forces started cracking down on anti-regime street protests that began last week.
The protesters, who took control of the second city, Benghazi, want an end to strongman Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule, but the regime has vowed to crush the revolt and "fight to the last bullet".
Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has blamed foreigners for fomenting the unrest which he warned could lead to civil war.
Rudd condemned the violence and slammed suggestions foreigners were behind the protests.
"That's just not true," he told reporters in Canberra of Australia on Monday.
"And what Colonel Gaddafi needs to have a look at is his own backyard where people are rising with the legitimate aspiration for freedom."
Rudd said Gaddafi should embrace democratic reform, and a violent response will make the situation worse and Libya will be effectively exiling itself from the rest of the international community.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its travel warning for the North African nation as deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces intensify.
Rudd said there were just under 100 Australians registered with Australia's diplomatic mission in Tripoli of Libya.
"If you are there and it is commercially possible and safe for you to exit you should exit now," Rudd told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
"And if you're thinking of traveling to that part of the world, reconsider it now. It's a difficult, dangerous and bloody place."(Xinhua/sp)
Sources: http://www.dap-news.com/en/rigionalnews/11-rigionalnews/3876-australian-fm-condemns-violence-in-libya-.html
According to Australia Associated Press, more than 200 people are believed to have died in Libya, since security forces started cracking down on anti-regime street protests that began last week.
The protesters, who took control of the second city, Benghazi, want an end to strongman Muammar Gaddafi's four-decade rule, but the regime has vowed to crush the revolt and "fight to the last bullet".
Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has blamed foreigners for fomenting the unrest which he warned could lead to civil war.
Rudd condemned the violence and slammed suggestions foreigners were behind the protests.
"That's just not true," he told reporters in Canberra of Australia on Monday.
"And what Colonel Gaddafi needs to have a look at is his own backyard where people are rising with the legitimate aspiration for freedom."
Rudd said Gaddafi should embrace democratic reform, and a violent response will make the situation worse and Libya will be effectively exiling itself from the rest of the international community.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has upgraded its travel warning for the North African nation as deadly clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces intensify.
Rudd said there were just under 100 Australians registered with Australia's diplomatic mission in Tripoli of Libya.
"If you are there and it is commercially possible and safe for you to exit you should exit now," Rudd told reporters in Canberra on Monday.
"And if you're thinking of traveling to that part of the world, reconsider it now. It's a difficult, dangerous and bloody place."(Xinhua/sp)
Sources: http://www.dap-news.com/en/rigionalnews/11-rigionalnews/3876-australian-fm-condemns-violence-in-libya-.html
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