TFLE01: LIBYANS SUMMON P-5 COM'S TO DEMAND ACTION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TRIPOLI 000377

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA, NEA/MAG, NEA/ELA, NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/31/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER LE IS LY
SUBJECT: TFLE01: LIBYANS SUMMON P-5 COM'S TO DEMAND ACTION ON
IMMEDIATE LEBANON CEASEFIRE


CLASSIFIED BY: GREG BERRY, CDA, Embassy Tripoli, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) Summary: Libyan MFA U/S Obeidi called in the P-5
Ambassadors and COM's July 31 to condemn the Israeli bombing in
Qana and to call for an immediate ceasefire UNSCR. CDA
responded by citing the Secretary's statement about an emerging
consensus on the necessary elements of a ceasefire and lasting
settlement. UK Ambassador said a UNSCR should address root
causes of the conflict. French Ambassador said France was
working for an immediate ceasefire. End Summary.


2. (C) General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and
International Cooperation (MFA) Under Secretary for European
Affairs (and Qadhafi advisor) Abdelati Al-Obeidi summoned the
P-5 Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission to hear Libya's urgent
call for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Al-Obeidi was sent up from the
alternate capital in Sirte, specially to deliver the demarche.
He did so in two separate meetings with 1) the Russians and
Chinese and 2) the U.S., UK and France.


3. (C) In our meeting, Al-Obeidi said that the Libyan Arab
Jamahiriyya condemns the attack against civilians in Qana. He
said there is no defense and no explanation under international
law for what can only be seen as an act of state terrorism. He
argued that the kidnapping of two soldiers does not justify the
destruction of a country and its infrastructure and the killing
of women and children. He noted that many countries have
already condemned the attack and he requested an international
investigation and a trial of the perpetrators. Targeting
Hizballah fighters might have been expected, but not the
targeting of infrastructure and civilians.


4. (C) He criticized the UN Security Council for failing to pass
a resolution July 30 on the situation in Lebanon and for failing
to condemn the killing of the four UN peacekeepers. He said the
SC Presidential Statement was inadequate. The UNSC must take
firm action to impose a ceasefire on both sides, including
Hezbollah, he said. It is wrong to say that the time is not yet
right for a ceasefire, when civilians are being killed, he
added. "When will the time be right? After Lebanon is destroyed
and all the civilians are dead?" he asked. Al-Obeidi said
issues cannot be worked out under fire and therefore the
ceasefire should be unconditional. He noted that the Israelis
have unilaterally ceased fire for 48 hours and said that could
easily be extended indefinitely.


5. (C) Al-Obeidi said people will lose faith in the UNSC as an
institution if they see that it can only impose resolutions on
places like Iran, Sudan, and North Korea, but not in this
situation. He added that statements coming from Israel and
"some members of the Security Council" are not encouraging. He
cited recent Al-Qaeda statements, and said the absence of action
by the Security Council will only encourage extremism. Even
moderate individuals and governments are beginning to question
their moderation, he said. He called on the UNSC to speak with
one voice, act under Chapter VII and find a peaceful solution.


6. (C) CDA responded that the U.S. was deeply distressed by the
images of suffering in the region, and was working for a
sustained and genuine cessation of hostilities. He cited the
Secretary's statement concerning an emerging consensus on the

SIPDIS
necessary elements of a ceasefire and lasting settlement. He
noted that we are deeply engaged at the UNSC.


7. (C) The French Ambassador said France shared Libya's concern
and was working for an immediate ceasefire resolution. The
British Ambassador said the UK shares Libya's distress including
on the killing of the four peacekeepers and was working for an
early UNSCR to end the fighting and address its causes.

BERRY