France maintained diplomatic initiative with Libya following the imminent demise of the Qaddafi regime, with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé calling for an immediate ceasefire. France also committed itself to hosting an international meeting of the Libya contact group in Paris next week.
The group includes the United States, Britain, Arab states such as Qatar as well as the United Nations and Arab League. Mahmoud Jibril, leader of Libya’s National Transitional Council was also invited to Paris by the French President to discuss Libya’s future. Sarkozy was one of the first world leaders to recognize the rebels and to call for Qaddafi to step down.

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If confirmed, France’s supply of arms to Libyan tribes is a clear violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday. Reports in French media suggested that arms were distributed to Berber tribal militia in the mountains southwest of the capital Tripoli without the knowledge of other coalition partners participating in the campaign against Col. Qaddafi. Reports claimed the weapons included light armored vehicles and anti-tank rockets. Thierry Burkhard, spokesperson for the French general staff, admitted Wednesday that weapons distribution did take place but said that only light arms were airdropped.

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