World powers rally behind Libya rebels

DOHA, April 13 (AFP): World powers rallied behind Libyan rebels as they guested a global stage for a first time Wednesday, with Italy and Qatar saying they need arms to defend themselves and Britain urging regional aid. UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned meanwhile, as the Libya contact group meeting kicked off in Doha, that as many as 3.6 million people, or more than half of Libya's population, could need humanitarian assistance. Ban, addressing the gathering, also urged the international community to "speak with one voice," on Libya, as a rift appeared to be opening between EU partners, with Belgium expressing opposition to arming the rebels and Germany insisting there could be "no military solution." "The discussion about arming the rebels is definitely on the table ... to defend themselves," Italy's Maurizio Massari said ahead of the meeting. "The UN resolution ... does not forbid arming" the rebels fighting Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's forces, he told reporters, while adding that a decision was unlikely to be taken at the meeting in the Qatari capital. "We need to provide the rebels all possible defensive means," he said, singling out communication and intelligence equipment. Qatar's crown prince, also addressing the gathering of some 20 countries and international organisations, said the Libyan people must be supplied with the means to defend themselves. "The main aim of our meeting is to help the Libyan people decide their own fate... and to help the Libyan people defend themselves so they can decide on their future," said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.