Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia objects to violence in Libya and suggests national reconciliation, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said here on Monday at a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives.

The minister also suggested that the UN holds a peacekeeping mission in Libya soon to ensure the implementation of a ceasefire in that country. "We have conveyed Indonesia`s stance towards the Libyan issue during the UN International Human Rights Assembly sometime ago," the minister said.

Marty said the recent clashes between anti-and pro-government groups plus the involvement of foreign forces in Libya had affected 65 thousand Libyans.

"We see the need for all parties to allow humanitarian approach in Libya to ensure the safety of the residents there. A political dialogue must be promoted there," Marty said.

During the meeting, Marty also said that Indonesia last February 24 had sent an official letter to the UN Secretary General regarding its concern toward the situation in Libya.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission I Mahfudz Siddiq said the sending of UN peacekeeping forces to Libya must be in line with the spirit to protect civilians there.

Mahfudz also urged the need to ensure that colonization by foreign forces in Libya must be prevented.

NATO is taking over command of military operations in Libya from the coalition forces, the world media reported Sunday (March 28).

The UN Security Council imposed a no-fly zone over Libya on March 17, and ordering "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from Muammar Gaddafi`s attacks on rebel-held towns.

Twenty-eight NATO ambassadors met on Sunday to decide on further military plans in Libya.

The United States transfers the command for a no-fly zone over Libya to NATO, while the coalition forces will continue protecting civilian population from attacks of Gaddafi forces.

The military operation in Libya, codenamed Odyssey Dawn, has been conducted jointly by 13 states, including the United States, Britain and France.

NATO members decided on Thursday to assume responsibility for the enforcement of a no-fly zone in Libya, but could not agree on taking full command of all military operations in the country.

Meanwhile, leaders of 27 European Union states on Thursday issued a statement saying the EU stood ready to assist in building a new Libya "in cooperation with the United Nations, the Arab League, the African Union and others."
(Uu.A051/H-NG/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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