Russia and China abstained in Thursday's Security Council vote on the no-fly zone but issued trenchant criticism of the operation, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin comparing the air campaign to "medieval crusades."

The divisions, which have affected European allies, NATO and the Arab world, reflect diverse domestic agendas and foreign policy goals.

Arab League chief Amr Moussa said he respected a U.N. resolution authorizing military action in Libya, having questioned at the weekend the need for a heavy bombardment he said had killed many civilians.

The Western air campaign, led by France, the United States and Britain, has divided NATO member states with Germany saying the Arab League's criticism of the operation vindicated its decision not to get involved.

"We calculated the risk. If we see that three days after this intervention began, the Arab League already criticizes (it), I think we had good reasons," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters. "We see that we have reasons for our concern."

"Our biggest desire is for the Libyan people to determine their own future."

Reuters