Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned against Western military intervention in Libya in an interview with the Spanish TVE1 channel on Tuesday.
"Iraq and Afghanistan are real examples of the results of Western military intervention: thousands of civilians were killed," Ahmadinejad said. "We can use other mechanisms to control the situation in Libya."
Fierce clashes between Libyan rebels and forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi have been raging in Libya since mid-February, claiming thousands of lives. The G8 foreign ministers discussed implementing a no-fly zone over the north-African country on Monday and Tuesday in Paris, but were unable to reach an agreement.
The Iranian president accused Western powers of causing the Libyan unrest.
"Tell me, who has been supporting dictatorial regimes for the past 50 years?" Ahmadinejad asked. "Who sold the weapons to Libya that Gaddafi is now using to bomb his own people?"
Pro-Gaddafi forces attacked the rebel-held town of Zuwarah in northwestern Libya on Monday, forcing out rebel forces. They have also launched air strikes on the Libyan towns of Ajdabiya and Brega.
Nothing can justify Gaddafi's harsh military response to his adversaries, Ahmadinejad said.
"The one who bombs his own people should be condemned and receive a fair punishment," he said, adding "it is necessary to find dialogue with the people."
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, published on Tuesday, Gaddafi said the Libyan rebels were terrorists backed by Al Qaeda.
When asked by a journalist if he was ready to begin dialogue with rebels, Gaddafi answered: "Dialogue with whom? The people are on my side."
MADRID, March 15 (RIA Novosti)
