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Red Cross: Libya in 'Civil War;' France Recognizes Opposition As 'Legitimate' Voice Of People

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 10.03.2011 14:55
By RFE/RL

Battles are under way on both military and diplomatic fronts today between loyalists of Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi and opposition forces who seized cities across the country last month.

Jakob Kellenberger, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said in Geneva today that Libya is now engaged in a "civil war" and that a "further intensification of the fighting" is expected:

On the diplomatic front, opposition envoys from Libya's eastern town of Benghazi successfully lobbied French President Nicolas Sarkozy today to obtain French recognition of their so-called "National Council" as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Sarkozy's office said France plans to send an ambassador to opposition-held Benghazi and also to receive an envoy from Libya's opposition as an ambassador in Paris.

In Brussels, European Union foreign ministers and NATO defense ministers met to discuss preparations for possible military action ahead of an EU leaders' summit on March 11.

EU and NATO nations have been united in calling for Qaddafi to leave power. But there appear to be divisions over implementing stronger measures such as an air-exclusion zone.

NATO: ‘A Range Of Options’

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen today warned that the alliance is monitoring all military actions Qaddafi's regime takes against Libyan civilians and was reading to support "a range of options" -- suggesting a no-fly zone or even military strikes by NATO were not being ruled out:

He said that any operation NATO takes would need to respect key principles, including a clear legal basis and firm regional support.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton stressed that it was "critical" to keep in constant touch with diplomats from the Arab League so that any international response has legitimacy:

On the ground in Libya, pro-Qaddafi forces today launched what was described by correspondents as a major new offensive against opposition forces at the eastern oil port of Ras Lanuf.

Pro-Qaddafi troops reportedly were trying to advance toward Ras Lanuf from three directions: along the coastal highway from the west, from across open desert to the south, and using Libyan warships in the sea to the north.

Government troops were firing heavy artillery barrages into Ras Lanuf for the first time today, as well as continuing to use mortars and rocket launchers against opposition fighters.

Libyan air force jets were continuing to bomb oil terminal facilities at Ras Lanuf for a second day -- reportedly leaving dozens dead and sending enormous plumes of black smoke into the sky from burning oil storage tanks. But Libyan officials stressed that the fires were burning relatively tiny oil storage tanks rather than a major crude oil storage facility that contains much more oil.

Opposition forces were fighting back at Ras Lanuf with missile launchers, rockets and antiaircraft guns.

Meanwhile, opposition fighters trying to advance on the nearby government-controlled town of Bin Jawad were repelled today by air strikes and direct fire from Libyan army tanks.

To the west of Tripoli, there are conflicting claims about who controls the city of Al-Zawiyah. Pro-Qaddafi troops claimed to have retaken the city in the last 24 hours after a five-day siege involving tanks, truck-mounted multiple-fire rocket launchers, and air strikes.

But opposition fighters said they retook parts of Al-Zawiyah from government forces today.

Signs Of Nervousness

Opposition leaders in Libya were showing signs of nervousness about the new government offensive -- renewing their calls for the international community to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and bring an end to air strikes by the Libyan air force.

France and Britain have been among those backing a United Nations Security Council resolution that would impose a no-fly zone. Other countries, including the United States, say a no-fly zone must be assured of broad international backing -- including support from regional leaders in North Africa and from Arab states.

Russia has rejected the idea of a no-fly zone. But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today joined international efforts to isolate Qaddafi's regime economically for attacks on Libyan civilians.

Russian Embargo

Medvedev -- joining other UN Security Council permanent members in ordering an arms embargo against Libya and other sanctions against Qaddafi's family -- signed a decree in Moscow that bans the "export, sale, and delivery to Libya of all kinds of weapons and associated materials."

Medvedev's decree stipulates that all cargo to or from Libya will be carefully inspected if there is "information that gives reason to believe that the cargo carries material subject to the ban."

The German government today ordered a freeze on bank accounts in Germany that are held by the Libyan central bank and the Libyan Investment Authority. That move is seen as additional pressure aimed at cutting off potential sources of income for Qaddafi.

Germany's economy ministry said the freeze came in response to a European Union decision this week to clamp down on Libyan state bank funds that are controlled by Qaddafi. The ministry also said the freeze would be imposed on the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio and the Libyan Foreign Bank.

written by Ron Synovitz with agency contribution

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/libya_fighting_ras_lanouf_eu_nato_no-fly_zone/2333416.html

Copyright (c) 2011. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.