Dear editor,
Dialogue is better than force. Use of power often provides nothing except deaths and destruction. The recent worst situation in Libya is again showing the double standards of the U.S. and its allies. According to media reports, France and Italy have already accepted Libya’s opposition interim national council and vow to provide more support to the rebel forces.
Britain also announced that they will provide communication equipment to anti-government forces in Libya. U.S. secretary of State Hillary Clinton also urged Moammar Gadhafi to leave office for the better interests of his country. Insurgent forces in Libya are now also getting military training and weapons from Western countries.
NATO is also targeting military and other targets loyal to Gadhafi government in Benghazi and other cities of Libya. Despite foreign and internal pressure Gadhafi has refused to step down and end his 43-year-long rule. Rebel forces also said that they will not accept any solution which includes Gadhafi and his sons in future government.
Due to the ongoing fighting, Libya’s oil production is already in crises and its economy suffered badly. Unfortunately ordinary people have been caught between Gadhafi and foreign forces, paying a high price. The killing of civilians in NATO air strikes is becoming a daily routine in the country.
Even the nation’s main oil facilities are not safe from NATO attacks and oil production suffered badly due to unrest in Libya. Oil prices in international market have already touched $120 per barrel, and small and poor countries are paying a high price.
The recent situation of Libya is also showing double standard of Western countries. These countries are targeting Libyan cities but sitting silent and doing nothing against military regime of North Korea and Myanmar.
Khawaja Umer Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia