• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

UN Poised To Vote On Libyan No-Fly Zone, As U.S. Urges Stronger Action

March 17, 2011

By Nikola Krastev

UNITED NATIONS -- The United States, in a reversal of its previous position, now says the UN Security Council should consider more than a no-fly zone to protect civilians in Libya.

The remarks by U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice come as the council prepares to vote as early as today on a draft resolution that would authorize an air-exclusion zone over the North African country.

The discussions come amid a counteroffensive by forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi, who have dealt significant setbacks to opposition forces seeking to end his 41-year rule.

Rice's statements mark a significant shift in the position of Washington, which had earlier reacted cautiously to calls for a no-fly zone from France, Britain, and the Arab League.

"We are discussing very seriously and leading efforts in the council around a range of actions that we believe could be effective in protecting civilians," Rice told reporters. "Those include discussion of a no-fly zone. But the U.S. view is that we need to be prepared to contemplate steps that include, but perhaps go beyond, a no-fly zone.”

Still, some resistance to the draft resolution remains.

Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said his country had proposed an immediate adoption of a cease-fire resolution that would have forced both sides to stop military operations. He expressed regret that it did not gain sufficient support.

Worsening Situation

Moscow’s proposal came on the heels of a similar proposal made by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who appealed to both sides to immediately cease hostilities.

Asked about the merits of the Russian draft, Rice said it does not contradict the proposals and the spirit of the no-fly zone draft resolution and that it can be incorporated in the final text.

The worsening situation on the ground in Libya -- with the continued advances by forces loyal to Qaddafi -- has led to a quick readjustment of positions within the council.

The rebels have been driven back from towns they seized at the height of the uprising, and pro-Qaddafi forces are now threatening Benghazi, the opposition's eastern stronghold.

People in the city have been told the army is on its way, though Qaddafi said on Lebanese television he did not expect a battle in Benghazi as people there have been helping get rid of "Al-Qaeda" elements.

But even if UN Security Council agreement is reached and a no-fly zone resolution is adopted, the question remains -- will it be too late?

'As Soon As Possible'

Ibrahim Dabbashi is Libya's deputy ambassador to the UN. His credentials have been revoked by Tripoli but not yet by the UN and he is now representing anti-Qaddafi forces.

"Matters of urgency usually need a resolution to be adopted as soon as possible," Dabbashi said. "But anyway, we are not really counting on the Security Council or counting on international forces. We are counting on our own forces, but certainly we are counting on the international forces to limit the number of the victims."

The shift of the U.S. position, which now allows for the possibility of military strikes in Libya, finally aligns it with France, Germany, and some Arab states.

The United States, however, remains opposed to the idea of ground troops and would prefer air strikes to stop a possible offensive of pro-Qaddafi forces toward Benghazi.

with agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/libya_benghazi_un_no-fly_zone/2340871.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.