Before:
– Libya: world leaders reject military intervention (Telegraph – Mar 16, 2011?):
France and Britain failed to persuade other powers meeting in Paris to impose a no–fly zone over the country, where pro–Gaddafi forces claimed to have taken the last major town before the rebel stronghold.
The no–fly proposal was absent from the G8 foreign ministers’ closing statement in Paris, following resistance from Russia, Germany and the US. China, a United Nations security council veto–holder, is also opposed
– Muammar Gaddafi’s Son Says Sarkozy’s Election Campaign Was Funded By Libya, Threatens To Publish Details Of Bank Transfers (Guardian – 16 March 2011)
Now:
– UN Approves No-Fly Zone Over Libya (Guardian)
Strikes imminent: A French Air Force Mirage 2000 (AFP Photo: Jeff Pachoud, file photo)
NATO leaders are gathering to discuss missions to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, after the French government reportedly said strikes could come “within hours”.
NATO warplanes are expected to take the lead in the operation after the UN Security Council cleared the way for air strikes by approving “all necessary measures” to impose a no-fly zone.
The Agence France Presse news agency reported that French government spokesman Francois Baroin had said the strikes will come “rapidly … within hours”.
Mr Baroin said the French military would take part in the operation but would not give details of what the targets could be.
A NATO spokeswoman said the alliance would meet to debate the crisis from 9.30am GMT (8.30pm AEDT).
The ambassadors from the 28-nation military organisation will deliberate whether three conditions have been met for NATO to act, spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said, noting that the alliance acts by consensus.
“For any NATO operation, there needs to be a demonstrable need for the alliance to act, firm regional support and a clear legal basis,” she said.
“Under those three conditions, NATO stands ready to act as part of the broad international effort.”
The United Nations authorised military strikes to protect Libyan civilians (Gilad Atzmon: What About A No Fly Zone for The Palestinians?) and curb leader Moamar Gaddafi’s forces this morning, hours after Mr Gaddafi threatened to storm the rebel bastion of Benghazi.
Read moreFrance: Military strikes on Libya within hours
