China: Libya

People's Daily

Obama presses Libyan leader to leave

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday stepped up pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, saying that he should leave now.

In a telephone call to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the situation in Libya, Obama said the Libyan leader "has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now," the White House said in a statement.

They discussed "appropriate and effective ways" for the international community to respond, the statement said.

Obama ordered on Friday to freeze assets of the Libyan government, Gaddafi and his family following the suspension of U.S. embassy operations in Tripoli earlier in the day.

Gaddafi has said that he would not leave his country but rather die "as a martyr".

Source: Xinhua


http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7301773.html


China calls for immediate end to violence in Libya

China on Saturday called for efforts to put an immediate end to violence in Libya, to restore stability and normal order as soon as possible and to solve the current crisis through peaceful means such as dialogue.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7301593.html

China appreciates international support in Libya evacuations

China appreciates the warm and considerate support of other countries in the evacuation of Chinese nationals from Libya, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Thursday.

Ma said at a regular press briefing in Beijing that China was cooperating with other countries to evacuate its nationals in Libya.

He said the support of other countries fully reflected the spirit of international cooperation.

"The Chinese people also have a tradition of lending assistance to other countries in times of need," Ma said.

Ma said China was closely following developments in Libya. He expressed the strong wish that Libya restore social stability and order as soon as possible, and earnestly guarantee the safety of foreign nationals and institutions.

China had made clear its stance at a closed door meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, calling for early resumption of social stability in Libya and urging Libya to earnestly guarantee the safety and lawful rights of foreign nationals. China also called for all parties to facilitate the evacuation of Chinese nationals.

Ma said China's stance had been included in the statement released by the chairman of the Security Council after the meeting.

According to Ma, more than 4,600 Chinese had so far been evacuated from Libya.

Source: Xinhua


http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7299253.html