The most prominent defector from Muammar Qaddafi's regime has warned that Libya could become like war-torn Somalia unless all sides stop the current conflict in the country from descending into civil war.
Former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, in a prepared statement for the BBC, called for Libyan unity.
He said a civil war "will lead to bloodshed and make Libya a new Somalia."
Koussa, who had been a close adviser to Qaddafi since the 1970s, also said he was no longer in contact with Qaddafi's regime.
It was Koussa's first public statement since he defected to Britain last month.
British officials have said Koussa is not being detained by Britain but officials have declined to discuss his talks with British authorities or say where he is staying.
Koussa is the most prominent of a number of Libyan ministers and ambassadors who have resigned since the Libyan conflict began. Some of these officials have joined the opposition to Qaddafi.
Meanwhile, France's foreign minister said today NATO is not doing enough to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, in an interview with French radio today said NATO was not doing enough to prevent Qaddafi's forces from using heavy weapons to shell rebel-held cities.
NATO foreign ministers are set to meet in Berlin on Thursday and Friday, with the situation in Libya high on the agenda.
compiled from agency reports
Former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, in a prepared statement for the BBC, called for Libyan unity.
He said a civil war "will lead to bloodshed and make Libya a new Somalia."
Koussa, who had been a close adviser to Qaddafi since the 1970s, also said he was no longer in contact with Qaddafi's regime.
It was Koussa's first public statement since he defected to Britain last month.
British officials have said Koussa is not being detained by Britain but officials have declined to discuss his talks with British authorities or say where he is staying.
Koussa is the most prominent of a number of Libyan ministers and ambassadors who have resigned since the Libyan conflict began. Some of these officials have joined the opposition to Qaddafi.
Meanwhile, France's foreign minister said today NATO is not doing enough to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by Muammar Qaddafi's forces.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, in an interview with French radio today said NATO was not doing enough to prevent Qaddafi's forces from using heavy weapons to shell rebel-held cities.
NATO foreign ministers are set to meet in Berlin on Thursday and Friday, with the situation in Libya high on the agenda.
compiled from agency reports
