The ruling coalition of the Social Democrats and the Leftist-Greens once again have a difference of opinion, this time over NATO air attacks on Libya.
As many around the world are aware, NATO forces have begun military operations against Libya, in response to what many countries see as the north African nation’s deliberate targeting of its own civilians in the midst of popular protests.
Iceland, being a NATO country, is technically supporting the air strikes, but the Social Democrats and Leftist-Greens appear to be in disagreement over the matter.
Leftist-Green chairman Steingrímur J. Sigfússon said in parliament on Monday that he had not even been informed of how Iceland’s representative to NATO had responded. The Leftist-Greens, which have been anti-militarist and against Iceland being a NATO country since their inception, had just days previously issued a statement condemning the NATO strikes.
Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir appeared unfazed by the reaction, telling RÚV in part, “The Leftist-Greens have made their remarks about [the airstrikes], and that’s their matter.”
Steingrímur emphasised his party’s position to the press, saying that Iceland is a military-free country, and that its people do not believe war is an answer to anything.
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