BRUSSELS - Germany defended its decision not to back Western-led air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi, but joined other European Union countries on Monday in tightening sanctions against the Libyan government.
Berlin broke ranks with the United States, France and Britain last week, joining China, Russia, India and Brazil in abstaining on United Nations vote authorizing the use of force to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya and protect civilians.
Arriving at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting, Germany’s Guido Westerwelle said Arab League criticism of the air strikes had vindicated Germany’s reluctance to back the action.
"We calculated the risk. If we see that three days after this intervention began, the Arab League already criticizes (it), I think we had good reasons," Westerwelle told reporters.
Berlin had long said it did not believe a no-fly zone or air strikes would be successful in driving Gaddafi out or protecting Libyan civilians.
On Sunday, the Arab League said it was concerned about the French- and British-led bombing of targets in Libya, saying it could lead to civilian casualties. But the League’s secretary general, Amr Moussa, clarified on Monday that he still respected the U.N. resolution authorizing military action.
Westerwelle stressed Germany strongly supported EU efforts to oust Gaddafi through economic and financial sanctions, saying that should be the focus of efforts to end his 41-year-old rule.