Norway expects Libya to cooperate with the International Criminal Court

“We expect Libya to cooperate with the ICC. The warrants of arrest issued by the Court are based on serious charges against key Libyan leaders, and underline the importance of working to put an end to impunity for atrocities against civilians,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Yesterday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued warrants of arrest for Muammar al Gaddafi, Saif al Gaddafi and Abdullah al Senussi for atrocities against the Libyan people. The warrants are based on charges of crimes against humanity in the form of murder and persecution.

“Lasting peace cannot be built on impunity for atrocities committed by leaders against their own people. The authorities must halt all fighting and seek a long-term political solution to the conflict,” said the Foreign Minister.

Norway supports the work of the ICC in The Hague, and was one of the countries that advocated the establishment of an independent international court of this kind.

The UN Security Council unanimously referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court. Libya’s obligations derive from the UN Charter.

“Let me stress that it is important to ensure that disagreement about the warrants of arrest issued by the ICC does not lead to further violence in Libya or pose new obstacles to humanitarian work in the country,” said Mr Støre.