‘Avoid civilian casualties’

RUSSIA: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has urged US counterpart Barack Obama to avoid civilian casualties in Libya and limit the international campaign to the goals set by the United Nations.

Obama thanked Medvedev for “positive statements” about the mandate of a UN resolution implementing a no-fly zone over Libya, but his statement did not mention the issue of civilian casualties.

The Kremlin said Medvedev called Obama on Thursday to discuss the Libyan crisis amid Russian worries that the air offensive could soon spill over into a ground campaign specifically aimed at removing strongman Moamer Kadhafi from power.

MOSCOW, Friday, AFP