MOSCOW, April 26 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he opposes international military efforts to depose Libya's Moammar Gadhafi.
Putin, speaking to reporters following talks with Denmark's prime minister in Copenhagen, said Gadhafi may be an "imperfect" ruler but says there are many such rulers in the world, citing Somalia as an example, ITAR-Tass reported Tuesday.
"So, should we interfere in all of them?" he asked rhetorically.
Putin questioned the expanding nature of the airstrikes in Libya under the umbrella of the United Nations Security Council resolution providing for a no-fly zone, the Russian news agency said.
"They were speaking about the skies closed. But now they are bombing the palaces," Putin said. "Are they disinfesting them of mice?"
Gadhafi, he said, "escaped [his palaces] long ago and is hiding in the shelter."
"Who believes himself empowered to execute a person no matter who he is? Did he stand the trial?" Putin asked.
