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Zambia to determine ties with Libya after UN council

Zambia to determine ties with Libya after UN council
By Kombe Chimpinde
Wed 02 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande says a decision whether or not to cut ties with the Libyan regime will depend on resolutions passed by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

But Southern Africa for Constructive Conflict Resolution of disputes (SACCORD) has called on the Zambian government to follow Botswana by immediately severing ties with Libya on account of breaches in human rights and the continued killing of people protesting against leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Pande said in an interview that several issues would have to be considered before the government made a final decision.

“There are a lot of forces at play other than the issue of violation of human rights so I think it will be better for us to make a decision after the Human Rights Council passes its resolutions,” Pande said.
He said Zambia would not make a decision based on the actions of other member states, including Botswana.

“Zambia is a sovereign state and it should therefore be left to make a decision based on an informed and well-scrutinised position. Nobody can force diplomatic ties with anyone and we must make it clear we do not fear being pushed away by anyone over our decisions,” Pande said.

Pro-democracy demonstrators have now taken control of a number of towns in Libya demanding that Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, step down.

SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda said in a statement that the government should demonstrate Zambia's commitment and claims to democratic governance and respect for human rights by denouncing violations by the Libyan regime.

He said the action would be in line with the country's foreign policy.

Labels: KABINGA PANDE, LIBYA, MUAMMAR AL-GADDAFI

posted by MrK @ 8:13 PM