Arabs Reject 'Foreign Intervention' in Libya-Iraq

CAIRO - The Libya crisis is an internal Arab affair and there should be no foreign intervention, the Iraqi foreign minister told the opening session of an Arab League meeting in Cairo on Wednesday.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari, delivering the opening remarks at the Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, said the Libyan leadership must make brave decisions to stop violence and respect the "legitimate rights" of the people.

He called on the ministers to stand in silence in memory of Arabs killed in a wave of pro-reform protests that have swept the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia from power and are challenging the rule of others in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen.

"We hope the Libyan people can overcome these difficult conditions, and that the Libyan leaders take brave stands to stop bloodshed and respect the legitimate desires and rights of its people to live in a free, democratic nation," Zebari said.

He said the Arabs confirmed their "desire for no foreign intervention" in Libya.

Wednesday's meeting is expected to reiterate the body's condemnation of Gaddafi, but the draft resolution will also stress "the unity and integrity of Libyan soil."

The league had suspended the Libyan delegation's participation in the Cairo-based body, as condemnation for the violent crackdown Gaddafi forces were using to quell popular unrest.