COPENHAGEN, 22 February 2011 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou today released the following statement regarding the situation in Libya.

“I strongly condemn the use of force against people exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly. Violence must stop now. After much bloodshed and threats of a civil war in Libya, it is clear that major changes are needed to achieve a government with real legitimacy. All parties should now begin a calm dialogue aimed at transitioning Libya to democracy. We mourn the loss of lives and applaud the courage shown by those in all fields who are standing up for fundamental rights and democratic principles.

“As Libya shares a border exceeding 2,500 kilometers with OSCE partners Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt, we at the OSCE have been closely monitoring events and have made the unrest in the region the focus of a special debate among more than 240 parliamentarians at our Winter Meeting in Vienna, on Friday.

“I call on parliamentarians from all OSCE countries to join us in providing the necessary support to turn the current political movements into functioning political parties that can shape new, real democratic systems in the region.”