EU concern at prolonged Libyan war

A PROLONGED conflict in Libya would result in increased civilian casualties and humanitarian problems, Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore said, amid fears that a stalemate was developing in the country.

At a meeting of European Union foreign ministers, he said Ireland had been very supportive of an approach that avoided civilian casualties, protecting civilians and dealing with the humanitarian situation.

The EU debated providing military protection for refugees and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged city of Misrata.