- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Sarkozy Calls on Arab World to Join 'Third World War' Against Daesh

© AP Photo / Jacques BrinonFrench Former President Nicolas Sarkozy
French Former President Nicolas Sarkozy - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has called on the Arab World to step up its support for military action on the ground against Daesh, also known as ISIL, in what he described as the "Third World War."

Then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, left, is welcomed by then French President Nicolas Sarkozy before a crisis summit on Libya at the Elysee palace in Paris, Saturday, March, 19, 2011. - Sputnik International
Clinton Emails: Adviser Accused France of Bombing Gaddafi for Libyan Oil
His words will ring hollow in Libya, which is still mired in warring factions as Daesh continues to make ground over the oilfields in the wake of the 2011 invasion by the West to topple Muammar Gaddafi, after which Sarkozy promised Libyans peace and liberty. Libya has been in a state of civil war for four years, during which Daesh has been able to make significant inroads into the country.

Speaking in the United Arab Emirates, Sarkozy said that following the November 13 Paris attacks in which radicalized Muslims killed 130 people and injured hundreds more in a series of rampant attacks:

"There can be no such thing as a compromise between us and them. I would describe this as a third world war. We have to wage a total war and wage it now. We need to wipe these savages from the face of the earth."

France is part of the US-led coalition currently carrying out airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Libya. It is also part of the alliance of nations finally trying to restore peace in Libya and push back Daesh from taking possession of more oilfields.

© AP Photo / Hussein MallaIn this March 5, 2011 file photo, an anti-government rebel sits with an anti-aircraft weapon in front an oil refinery, after the capture of the oil town of Ras Lanouf, eastern Libya.
In this March 5, 2011 file photo, an anti-government rebel sits with an anti-aircraft weapon in front an oil refinery, after the capture of the oil town of Ras Lanouf, eastern Libya. - Sputnik International
In this March 5, 2011 file photo, an anti-government rebel sits with an anti-aircraft weapon in front an oil refinery, after the capture of the oil town of Ras Lanouf, eastern Libya.

Boots on the Ground

However, like many western nations, France is unwilling to put boots on the ground and Sarkozy called on Arab Nations to step up the Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Arab forces to deploy troops in the region.

"We need to strike from the air, but also occupy on the ground. Troops on the ground are necessary and they can only be Arab. This is first and foremost your war… and it is a war between civilization and barbarity," Sarkozy said.

Sarkozy's tough talk comes as he begins his campaign for the Presidency of France in 2017, as he tries to rekindle his popularity following the fall off Gaddafi. 

Due to negligent policies of Western countries Libya is on the verge of being engulfed by terrorism and becoming the new stronghold of Daesh (Islamic State), Olivier d’Auzon wrote for Le Huffington Post. - Sputnik International
Africa
Hotbed of Terrorism: Post-Gaddafi Libya is Becoming New Daesh Stronghold
 In 2011, France was part of the initial alliance of forces — along with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Qatar, Spain, UK and US —  that invaded Libya in support of a civil uprising against Gaddafi.

Following the fall of Gaddafi, Sarkozy joined UK Prime Minister David Cameron on a visit to Tripoli and Benghazi, where Sarkozy told crowds: "You wanted peace, you wanted liberty, you want economic progress. France, Great Britain and Europe will be on the side of the Libyan people."

© RIA Novosti . Sergei Yelkin Headline: Sarkozy and Libya
Headline: Sarkozy and Libya  - Sputnik International
Headline: Sarkozy and Libya

Despite a request by the interim government for western forces to remain in Libya to stabilize the country, the UN Security Council voted to withdraw, leaving the country in disarray and triggering a civil war which created a vacuum that Daesh has been quick to occupy.

"There will be no peace north of the Mediterranean if there is no peace south of the Mediterranean," Sarkozy told his audience ironically. 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала