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Report: Libya seeks Greece mediation with NATO

Apr 24, 2011, 1:28 GMT

Athens - A top Libyan official has sought Greek mediation to end the bombardment against Libya by NATO, the Greek state news agency ANA reported overnight Saturday.

Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi's forces have been battling rebels since February. The NATO military action was authorized by the United Nations Security Council to enforce a no-fly zone and prevent attacks against Libyan civilians.

Libyan Prime Minster al-Baghdadi al-Mahmudi made a telephone call Saturday to Greek Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, seeking Greek mediation to end the NATO bombardments, ANA reported.

During the call, Papandreou called on Libya to halt violence against Gaddafi's opponents.

Greece, which has long had friendlier relations with the Gaddafi regime than other Western governments, has kept lines of communication open with Tripoli.

Meanwhile, Athens has allowed NATO to use key based on the Greek island of Crete and the Peloponnese peninsula. As a NATO member, Greece has sent a frigate, helicopter and surveillance plane to participate in the alliance's military operations against Libya.

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