Together with UN mandate and through NATO, Norway participated in bombardement of Libya in spring of 2011. During the operation, Norwegian pilots dropped 588 bombs on Libya.
Labor Party leader Jonas Gahr Støre, who was foreign minister that time, was central in taking the decision to participate in the UN Security Council’s resolution for the operation.
Now, four years later, Libya is described as a lawless society with major humanitarian challenges. Libya is now a country in total collapse. One of the many consequences is that traffickers are able to carry hundreds of thousands across the Mediterranean to Europe, says Mollekleiv.
The majority of people coming to Europe by boats travels from Libya, where lack of regulation allows traffickers to take control of the ports. EU estimates that over one million refugees will choose this road to get to Europe.
He also stated that Norwegian authorities should take a special responsibility for the humanitarian in the country, which has been marked by turmoil and violent clashes between small groups.
– Norway and other states that participated directly in attacks in 2011, must take special responsibility for the humanitarian suffering that civilians in Libya are now experiencing. As a party to the conflict, Norway and other countries have a responsibility for the consequences of military attacks, says Mollekleiv.
Howver, Støre, talking to Aftenposten, disaggrees with Mollekleiv.
Ap leader thinks Norway can not take an individual responsibility.
– A UN Security Council resolution was adopted for “all means available” to prevent massive abuses against civilians. We were dozens of countries who were involved in different ways. Even Vatican was on the end, he said.
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