Russians think that the world community should not intervene in the situation in Libya. None of the parties involved in the conflict is supported by Russians.

MOSCOW, March 24, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how Russians explain what is happening in Libya, which side they favor, whether the world community should intervene in the conflict, and what Russia should do.

What is happening in Libya is due to the fight of people against authoritarian regime (19%), low living standards and high social stratification (14%). Rarer Russians name redistribution of power (7%), and resources (6%), provocations of western special services (4%), stagnation in the country (2%), and chain reaction across the Arab world (1%) among reasons behind the conflict. Only 12% heard about the war for the first time during the polling.

Russians are in favor of ordinary citizens of Libya (36%). They are CPRF party supporters (47%) and Russians with low level of education (50%). The rest of respondents support the opposition (13%), rather than the Gaddafi`s regime (7%). LDPR adherents (24%) and Russians with high level of education (18%) favor insurgents, whereas the Libyan government is supported by communists and non-parliament parties` representatives (14% for each). Eleven percent of respondents are neutral. 

Most of Russians think other countries should not intervene in the conflict and leave the citizens of Libya tackling their problems alone (62%). Those who share such a stance are Fair Russia party supporters (80%), rural area residents (69%) and respondents aged above 35 (62-65%). The number of those who think the world community should intervene is 27%: mainly non-parliament parties' representatives (50%), supporters of United Russia party (29%), Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (38%), and young Russians (32%). 

Most of Russians do not support the international military operation in Libya (64%). Negative attitudes are expressed by basically residents of small cities and rural area residents (67-69%), LDPR (78%) and Fair Russia (76%) supporters. Only every fifth respondents approves of the international military actions in Libya (20%). They are mainly Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (29%), and adherents of non-parliament parties (32%).

An overwhelming majority of Russians considering the conflict in Libya to be the internal problem of the country oppose the international military operation (85%). Those who think that the international community should intervene are split in their opinions: 61% support the military operations, while 28% oppose them.

From the point of view of the majority of Russians, Russia should be neutral with respect to what is happening in Libya and should not intervene in the conflict (56%). Those who think so are mainly supporters of LDPR party (71%) and Russians living in middle cities (61%). Eighteen percent of respondents consider Russia should influence Gaddafi and his supporters to set a dialogue with the opposition. This stance is shared by Fair Russia party and non-parliament parties` adherents (29% for each), as well as Muscovites and St.Petersburgians (31%).  Much rarer respondents think Russia should support the opposition (11%) or the Gaddafi`s regime (6%).

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on 19-20 March, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!