Iran warns Libyans of West's 'colonial' intentions
Foreign Ministry spokesman says Western countries 'enter with seductive slogans, but follow their own interests.' Turkey's Erdogan urges Gaddafi to give up power
Iran warned Libyans on Sunday not to trust Western powers launching air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's troops, saying their aim was to gain neo-colonial control over the oil-rich nation.
Tehran has voiced support for the uprising against the Libyan leader, part of what it considers an "Islamic awakening" in the Arab world.
But as a long-time foe of the United States which in recent years has invaded and stationed troops in two of its neighbors, Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran expressed deep suspicion over Western military intervention in Libya.
"The records and the actions of the dominant countries in occupying oppressed countries means their intentions in such moves are always in doubt," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by students' news agency ISNA.
European and US forces began bombing Libyan targets after a UN Security Council vote endorsed intervention aimed at protecting civilians at risk from Gaddafi's violent suppression.
While Iran's position "is always to support the people and defend their legitimate demands", Mehmanparast warned Libyans against an eventual occupation by the Western countries which are claiming to protect them.
"These countries enter usually with seductive slogans of supporting the people but they follow their own interests in ruling the countries and continuing colonialism in a new form," he said.
While voicing support for demonstrators in the Arab world, and condemning government repression, Iran has crushed protests at home and jailed scores of demonstrators since 2009.
Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan urged Gaddafi to give up power and called for an immediate end to the violence.
Gaddafi has no official government position but is known as the "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution".
Asked by reporters during a visit to Saudi Arabia whether Gaddafi should step down, Erdogan said Sunday: "He has already passed that period, he is contradicting himself.
"Gaddafi's first words were important when he said he does not have an official position. If he does not have an official position then he should hand the country over to whoever does have legitimacy."
Erdogan repeated that he had called Gaddafi several times this month and suggested he appoint a president with popular backing as a way to end the crisis.
NATO-member Turkey said late on Saturday it would make the necessary and appropriate national contribution to implementing the UN-authorized no-fly zone over Libya and measures to protect civilians.
"I wish to see an end to the bloodshed and to see the will of the Libyan people dominant," Erdogan said.
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