No military intervention in Libya: European Council

Budapest: Military intervention in Libya, at present, was not an option, the president of the European Council has said.

Hermann Von Rompuy told the press in Budapest: "We don't live in a colonial era any more where foreign powers intervene where they like."

Von Rompuy said options beyond economic and political sanctions would be taken if deemed necessary, and if they had the backing of countries in the region.

"If the civilian population's safety is in danger we must examine what options exist," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.