Libya mandate 'stretched' - Jackson

Veteran US civil rights campaigner the Rev Jesse Jackson has warned against excessive use of international military force in Libya and other parts of the Middle East.

Addressing the Trinity College Historical Society in Dublin today, Mr Jackson said he was very concerned the UN mandate had been "stretched" beyond its original purpose to protect the Libyan people from the humanitarian threat posed by Col Gadafy to his people.

"Something had to happen to stop the genocidal march. On the other hand the UN's resolution was about containment and cessation not about aggression. It was not a resolution to wipe out Gadafy but a humanitarian mission to save the victims of genocide," he said.

"It seems that the definition of the mission has been stretched beyond its original intent. Therefore we are getting closer and closer, from oversight, to more action on the ground."

It was particularly worrying, he said, the multinational coalition had gone from imposing a UN mandated no-fly zone to attacking Col Gadafy's compound in Tripoli. This action meant there was a real risk the situation would worsen, he said.

"To attack the compound were Gadafy essentially lives, that's going beyond what that mandate was, and that is compounding the crisis and is opening up another war front."

The international community had moved themselves into a situation where by if they killed Col Gadafy they would be in serious violation of the UN mandate, and if he survived they would face a "more entrenched enemy" who would expand the sense of tension in the areas, Mr Jackson said.

"Foreign policy must not be foreign to our values," he added.

Developed countries had been slow to challenge totalitarianism in the Middle East and Africa where it suited their purposes and had chosen "convenience over democracy and self gratification over sacrifice".

He said he prayed the march towards democracy in the Middle East would follow the pattern of Egypt and people would achieve self determination through non-violent resolution.

Mr Jackson was presented with the College Historical Society's Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse, recognising his contribution to civil rights discourse and American political discourse in general.