(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A French official said Tuesday his government had "taken note" of the Libyan government's call for an international force to return security to the volatile country, but he said this call would have to be discussed by the international community, and firstly by the UN.
Violence has wracked several parts of Libya for months as rival groups vie for power. Clashes have been most violent in Benghazi and in Tripoli for the past few days, with heavy fighting around the airport and some government buildings.
"We have taken note of the call of the Libyan government for an international force. A return to a secure (situation) in Libya is a priority for France. This is a subject we consult on regularly with our principal partners," Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said in a briefing.
But the French official stressed that the Libyan appeal was not addressed to France but to the international community.
"It should be examined by the competent international bodies with priority given to the United Nations," he added.
France took a leading part in an international coalition that carried out intense air strikes to support rebel movements that ousted Libyan dictator Muammer Gaddafi over three years ago and France has also been active in offering support to help train Libyan security personnel, although a large programme to train 1,000 policemen has been postponed.
"France has an active bilateral cooperation with Libya, notably in security matters. This cooperation will continue," Nadal affirmed.
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