Moscow, March 25: Libyan civilian casualties and to stick to the goals set by the United Nations.
“The Russian president especially noted the need to avoid casualties among the civilian population and the priority of achieving goals set by UN Security Council Resolution 1973,” the Kremlin statement said.
During a telephone call on Thursday, Medvedev spoke with Obama amid Russian worries that the US-led no-fly zone air offensive in Libya could move into a ground campaign, and concerns inferring civilians are being killed.
During a meeting in Moscow this week, Medvedev raised issue with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates about “the indiscriminate use of force by the aviation” in Libya.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has staunchly opposed the Libyan no-fly zone initiative, comparing the UN resolution to the medieval crusades.
Russia, along with four other nations, refrained from participating in the UN Security Council’s resolution vote to impose a no-fly zone over Libyan airspace.
Reports show that dozens of civilians have already been killed in Libya since the US, Britain, France and other Western countries started their enforcement of the no-fly zone.
Experts say the ultimate motive behind the attack is aimed at controlling the vast oil reserves in the North African country.
———-Agencies