Foreign ministers of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) failed to reach consensus on the issue of Libya at a special meeting here Wednesday, despite long-time discussions.


Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman (R), Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota (C) and Maria Mejia, secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) have a talk in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, on Aug. 24, 2011. Foreign ministers of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) failed to reach consensus on the issue of Libya at a special meeting here Wednesday, despite long-time discussions. (Xinhua/Martin Zabala)
A number of countries led by Brazil declined to take a stand and called for prudence, while other countries led by Venezuela vowed not to recognize Libyan rebels, who have taken most of the capital of Tripoli and announced the end of Muammar Gaddafi's rule.


"It was not possible to reach a common position on the issue," said Guyana Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, whose country holds the rotating Unasur presidency.


Earlier on Wednesday, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said Caracas will only recognize the government of Gaddafi.


Unasur groups 12 South American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay and Venezuela.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet