French Parliament Backs Continued Support of NATO Operations in Libya

The French Parliament voted Tuesday to continue participating in NATO operations in Libya, which seek a political solution for the country torn by four months of bloodshed.

Both Sarkozy’s center-right UMP party and opposition Socialists backed the continuation with 482 parliamentary votes in favor and 27 against, France24 reported.

The French Senate also voted 311 to 24 in favor of continuing, according to the report.

Country law requires that Parliament evaluate and support any military operations France takes part in after four months of involvement.

The voting comes after a Libyan envoy was reported to have been in talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy over the weekend.

World leaders are looking for a peaceful political solution in Libya with Russia trying to mediate the situation despite abstention from backing a United Nations Security Council resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in March.

The United States has said it will support Russia’s mediation bid if it leads to the resignation of Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi.