UN Likely to Dispatch Int'l Police Forces to Libya

TEHRAN (FNA)- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underlined the necessity for unity and national reconciliation during transition era in Libya, and raised the possibility of deployment of the international police forces in the war-torn country.
"There is an urgent need to put an end to the conflict and restore order and stability. All agreed that, if the Libyan authorities request, we should be prepared to help develop police capacity, bearing in mind that the country is awash with small arms," Ban Ki-moon stated.

Speaking to reporters after the video-conference talks with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Erastus Mwencha, deputy chairman of the African Union commission, and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ban said he would soon make recommendations to the UN Security Council on the "urgent" need to send a UN mission to Libya.

Ban said no details on police numbers needed had been agreed and added that he would hold more talks at the international meeting on Libya in Paris on September 1.

Ban is to meet the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) leader, Mustafa Abdel Jalil in Paris meeting.

The African Union has refused to recognize the NTC government.

"I believe that Libyan authorities and the African Union should develop cooperative relations on the basis of this changing situation," Ban said.

"I believe that they will be able to have a better dialogue and a further dialogue."

At least 20 African countries from the 54-nation union have individually recognized the TNC.