Sarkozy Warns Arab Rulers About Libya Precedent

Adveniet autem dies Domini ut fur, in qua caeli magno impetu transient, elementa vero calore solventur, et terra et opera, quae in ea invenientur. (2 Peter 3:10)

The EUobserver reports French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned all Arab rulers that they risk Libya-type intervention if they cross a certain line of violence against their own people.

The French President told press at an EU summit in Brussels, that UN Security Council resolution 1973 authorizing air strikes on Libya, has created a legal and political precedent on the "responsibility to protect".

Referring to deadly violence in Syria, Sarkozy said: "Every ruler should understand, and especially every Arab ruler should understand that the reaction of the international community and of Europe will from this moment on each time be the same: we will be on the side of peaceful protesters who must not be repressed with violence".

Sarkozy continued: "In any democracy there can be demonstrations which can turn violent. But no democracy can accept that the army shoots live ammunition at protesters. This is the position of France and it does not change no matter what the country concerned".

It is a healthy and welcome statement of President Sarkozy, that political leaders should not use military force to kill peaceful protesters.

"Deo autem gratias, qui semper triumphat nos in Christo Iesu et odorem notitiae suae manifestat per nos in omni loco", 2 Corinthians 2:14.