NRO: What We Can Do in Libya

[visionary]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12754519

Libya: UK, France and Lebanon table no-fly zone plan

Britain, France and Lebanon have tabled a draft United Nations resolution which would impose a no-fly zone on Libya.

The draft resolution would also ban commercial flights from bringing arms and mercenaries into Libya.

Britain and France have led moves to prevent air attacks on rebels by pro-Gaddafi forces - Germany and Russia are said to oppose plans.

The Arab League has backed the idea but a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Paris earlier failed to do so.

It comes as fierce fighting continues between Colonel Gaddafi's troops and opposition groups. Government planes have been bombing the outskirts of Ajdabiya, the last town before the rebel base in Benghazi.

Talks on a no-fly zone have been held in recent days between British representatives at the UN and their US, German and Lebanese counterparts.

Nick Robinson said he understood that the US had not yet agreed to the plan - but Britain and France were tabling it anyway, to "force the pace"

[The Brave Little Toaster Oven]

Great news - I'm excited to see Lebanon is on board with it

[visionary]

Great news - I'm excited to see Lebanon is on board with it

Not too many other people seem to be so far though.

It does seem more promising than earlier though.

[visionary]

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/UN-Security-Council-Reviewing-Libya-No-Fly-Zone-Proposal-118048114.html

Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said after the closed-door session that there was a good response from other council members to the draft text. He said they expressed urgency about the deteriorating situation on the ground and the need for the Security Council to take rapid action.

But there has also been division within the Council on a No-Fly Zone and the British ambassador acknowledged that some members still have questions. "A lot of questions were asked, particularly about the implementation of a No-Fly Zone - who would be participating and how it would work and questions like that, perfectly reasonably questions. And obviously we will be going through all that in more detail tomorrow," he said.

France’s Ambassador Gerard Araud said his government’s goal remains the speedy authorization of a No-Fly Zone. While Germany’s Ambassador, Peter Wittig, said he raised questions he felt were not fully answered, including whether Arabs would participate in such a mission.

Asked whether authorization of No-Fly Zone at this point would be too late to be effective for opposition forces, Lebanon’s ambassador said "nothing is too late, but it may not be enough."

The council will reconvene Wednesday morning to begin negotiations of the text, after having the evening to go back to their capitals for instructions.

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http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

10:49am Several Arab nations are prepared to take part in a military operation in Libya to stop the advance of Gaddafi's forces, Alain Juppe, French foreign minister, wrote on his blog on Wednesday.

11:06am Ali Tarhouni, member of the Economic and Oil Committee in liberated Libya says pro-democracy Libyans want a no-fly zone.

Voice of America reports that the opposition member says Libyans will remember those who supported them in their time of need.

12:14pm Rashid Khalikov, a United Nations envoy found heavy destruction and silent streets in the centre of the Libyan town of Zawiyah, captured by Gaddafi's forces last week, an official report said on Wednesday.

Abdel-llah Al-Khatib, another UN official, met Moussa Koussa, Gaddafi's foreign minister in Tripoli and called on the Libyan authorities to cooperate "on human rights and humanitarian concerns".

Khatib urged the Libyan authorities to put an immediate end to the violence and asked for "unfettered access" for all UN humanitarian agencies "in order to assist the Libyan people and alleviate the suffering of those affected"

3:27pm David Cameron, the British prime minister, has urged world leaders to match their rhetoric on Libya with action.

Speaking from London, Cameron said that while there were a wide range of views on how best to move forward, it was essential for that "we show some leadership on this issue and make sure that we can get rid of this regime".

At his weekly question-and-answer session in parliament, he said:

If at the end of this he is left in place that will send a terrible message not just to people in Libya but to others across the region who want to see greater democracy, greater openness in their societies."

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

4:15pm Mohammed El Senussi, Libya's exiled crown prince, has urged the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over his country. He has slammed the United States, Russia and other governments for being "uncaring" owards Libyans.

El Senussi says he has written to Ban Ki-moon, the the UN secretary-general, "imploring urgent intervention to put an end to the killings being undertaken by the murderous regime of Colonel Gaddafi".

He praised Britain, France and Lebanon for putting forward a draft UN resolution on a no-fly zone, while criticising the United States, Russia, China, India and Germany for hestitating to back or openly opposing such a move. He estimated that up to "10,000 people may have been killed and several tens of thousands injured in the past weeks".

4:25pm The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) says that it will be holding an urgent ministerial meeting on Saturday to "discuss developments" in Libya, AFP reports.

In a statement from it's base in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the OIC said the meeting would discuss developments in Libya and "take appropriate resolutions regarding the situation".

The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers of the OIC's executive committee - Egypt, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Syria and Tajikistan.

4:30pm Italian oil company Eni has called on Europe to abandon sanctions against Libya.

"Whatever happens, imposing sanctions is shooting ourselves in the foot, because by not taking this gas, we are not ensuring our energy security," Paolo Scaroni, Eni's chief.

Asked if he believed that relations with Libya had been hurt by recent developments, he said: "Absolutely not, I don't consider that they have been compromised at all. We have maintained relationships with the National Oil Corporation (NOC), which is our main interlocutor."

Eni is the biggest foreign oil company in Libya, with billions of dollars invested in the country, from which it buys approximately 500,000 barrels of oil every day.

4:34pm Members of the European Parliament have blasted the European Union for a weak response to the crisis.

Guy Verhofstadt, a former Belgian prime minister, said, to repeated rounds of applause: "This makes me sick!"

In Libya we can change the course of events. There are thousands of heroes. We know who they are but Gaddafi knows as well. He knows their names and their families. If he takes Benghazi it will be nothing more than a massacre, a new Srbrenica, a new Rwanda, a new Darfur.

"This makes me sick of the EU. We have learnt nothing at all of history. When Gaddafi is back shall we say business as usual? Are we going to close our eyes again? Will we add one black page more to European history?"

Rebecca Harms, a German MEP, said the EU was "refusing to line up on the right side, on the side of the just, and the Arab world will not forget or pardon this weakness from Europe".

Jose-Manuel Barroso, the head of the European Commission, defended the union by saying that the fault lay in the fact that member states could not agree on a united, common position.

4:46pm France says that it is confident it will secure agreement for a draft resolution declaring a no-fly zone over Libya.

"I have several reasons to think we will achieve our objective," Alain Juppe told parliament. "We will only act with a UN Security Council mandate and with not only the support, but the active participation of Arab countries."

4:56pm US independent Senator Joe Lieberman has warned that the US may well pay a steep price if Gaddafi remains in power.

"The situation is getting more critical, the consequences of Gaddafi coming back to power are far-reaching and long-lasting - all of the consequences in my view are bad," Lieberman said.

Republican Senator Lindsay Graham says that the US risks sending the "wrong message" to other governments if Gaddafi remains in power.

"The noose is not tightening on Kadhafi, apparently, it's tightening on his own people, and we seem to not be able to make a decision," he said.

---------- Post added March-16th-2011 at 11:52 AM ----------

5:46pm More from the UK government on the need for urgency in declaring a no-fly zone. Mark Lyall Grant, the UK's ambassador to the UN says:

What we want to do is move as fast as possible and we will be stressing the urgency of the need for action this morning."

He added that if the vote took place today then "obviously we would be delighted by that" but that it would "not [be] the end of the world" if envoys had to return to their capitals and get further instructions overnight to vote tomorrow.

[visionary]

http://twitter.com/NicRobertsonCNN

As UN is considering No Fly Zone over #Libya, State TV reported Gadhafi met with Russian, Chinese and Indian ambs last night 5:06 AM Mar 14th via web

Gaddafi said yesterday that countries who support him will be rewarded with massive oil contracts.

He specifically singled out Russia, China, and India as having a lucrative future with him.

[/color]

6:16pm A spokesperson for the UN secretary-general says that Ban Ki-moon has remained "closely abreast of the situation in Libya and the critical discussions under way in the Security Council over measures aimed at protecting civilians".

Abdu Ilah Khatib, the secretary-general's special envoy, has now left Libya after two days of discussions with Libyan officials aimed at ending the violence and allowing humanitarian agencies access to those affected.

A statement from the spokesperson added:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the increasing military escalation by government forces, which include indications of an assault on the city of Benghazi. A campaign to bombard such an urban centre would massively place civilian lives at risk. The Secretary-General is urging all parties in this conflict to accept an immediate cease fire and to abide by Security Council Resolution 1970.

"Those responsible for the continuous use of military forces against civilians will be held accountable."

---------- Post added March-16th-2011 at 12:44 PM ----------

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

Mark Kornblau, a spokesperson for the US mission to the UN says:

As you know we are actively engaged now on a text of a resolution and we are hoping to focus the international community’s efforts on - we are hoping to focus the efforts of the international community on actions that will have a real influence on events. In terms of process.. we are about to get started.”

6:38pm "Paragraph by paragraph" deliberations of a UN draft resolution on Libya are now underway.

Nawal Salam, the Lebanese Ambassador to the UN says:

One, it’s the Libyans themselves who are the first to ask for a no-fly zone. Mr. Dabbashi… three weeks ago, here at this very stakeout, called for a no-fly zone. Two, the Arab League, which for Libyans is not a foreign entity, asked the Security Council for a no-fly zone. A no-fly zone authorised by the council is not foreign intervention... An NFZ authorised by the council on the basis of the charter and international law in no way could qualify as a foreign intervention.”

---------- Post added March-16th-2011 at 01:25 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/arwaCNN

one man said he himself would stitch the stars on the #america flag to hang from the courthouse in#benghazi if US wld support #libya 8 minutes ago via web

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

6:58pm Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. In a statement read out by Martin Nesirky, his spokesperson, he said he was "gravely concerned" about signs of an impending assault on Benghazi.

He urged all parties in the conflict to accept an "immediate ceasefire".

7:00pm Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has called on the UN security council tp pass a resolution setting up a no-fly zone in Libya.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, told a US television network today that Gaddafi appeared determined to turn back the clock in Libya and kill "as many [Libyan citizens] as possible".

What you're seeing today is a recognition that whatever is decided in the UN security council must include Arab leadership and Arab participation, she told CBS, according to Reuters.

"Many different actions are being considered, yes, a no-fly zone, but others as well to enable the protection of Libyan citizens against their own leader, who seems determined to turn the clock back and kill as many of them as possible."

7:08pm More from that Clinton interview, conducted by CBS from Cairo:

We want to do what we can to protect innocent Libyans against the marauders let loose by the Gaddafi regime ... And, yes time is fast upon us. There is an urgency to it."

Hillary is really coming out swinging today.

Although it is rather late, but better than never I suppose.

---------- Post added March-16th-2011 at 01:28 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/ShababLibya

NY Times: 4 journalists are missing Anthony Shadid, Stephen Farrell, Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario #Libya #Feb17 #gaddaficrimes 4 minutes ago via web

---------- Post added March-16th-2011 at 01:30 PM ----------

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

7:24pm Hillary Clinton says that she hopes a vote on a "broad range of actions, not just a no-fly zone by other actions as well" will be taken at the UN "no later than tomorrow".

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

8:13pm Rebels in the city of Misurata say they are "fed up" of waiting for the international community to act against Gaddafi. Saadoun al-Misrati, a rebel spokesman in the city, told the Associated Press:

People are fed up. They are waiting impatiently for an international move. What Gaddafi is doing, he is exploiting delays by international community. People are very angry that no action is being taken against Gaddafi's weaponry."

8:20pm More on that White House statement regarding the missing New York Times journalists in Libya:

"Our overall stand is very firm that American journalists need to be allowed to do their work, not (be) harrassed or detained," Jay Carney, the White House spokesman said.

He referred questions regarding specific journalists and efforts to trace them to the US State department.

8:36pm The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it has withdrawn its aid workers from the opposition stronghold of Benghazi to the eastern oil town of Tobruk.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today (Wednesday) transferred its staff in Benghazi to the eastern city of Tobruk, where it will continue to assist victims of the conflict," the Geneva-based agency said in a statement.

"As we leave Benghazi and Ajdabiya after almost 20 days, we are extremely concerned about what will happen to civilians, the sick and wounded, detainees and others who are entitled to protection in times of conflict," said Simon Brooks, head of the ICRC mission in Libya.

"The ICRC once again calls on all those taking part to spare civilians and medical staff," he said.

9:32pm Simon Brookes, head of the ICRC mission in Libya, has just been speaking to Al Jazeera about his organisation's decision to pull back to Tobruk from Benghazi.

As you know the security sitaution in Libya at the moment is uncertain has been uncertain ... we've been there for nearly three weeks responding to the humanitarian needs in partnership with the Libyan Red Crescentbut I think we've reached a moment in the conflict where it is a little difficult ... my concern is obviously for my team, and we need a little bit more certainty to be able to re-establish ourselves in Benghazi.

"The humanitarian situation in Benghazi at the moment I think it's tenable. We are really concerned about the situation to the west, but at this stage ... - as I say, we've been supporting hospitals, we've just brought in today 180 tons of supplies (food and non-food items) to feed about 15,000 people based on a contigency basis. But how things are going to develop? Well, we are concerned, but its a little difficult to speculate at this point."

Asked if the ICRC's decision would send a negative signal to Libyan pro-democracy activists, who are already disillusioned with the foreign response to the crisis, he said:

Look, I don't know whether or not people feel that that's the case, but I can assure you that the ICRC stands firmly ready to continue its operations. We are here in Tobruk, we're building up a large logistics base here, we do continue to provide relief and humanitarian assistance both in Benghazi and in other areas.

"The ICRC is not just expatriates. We have a very strong network of national staff, Libyans who in fact are maintaining our operations there, we're in close contact with them. And they are responding. Our operations continue, and you can rest assured for as long as this conflict continues, we will be there to support the humanitarian needs of the Libyan people."

This article suggest Egyptian military intervention against Gaddafi's forces.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/eo20110316gd.html

The Egyptian Army would probably not need to go all the way to Tripoli, although it could easily do so if necessary. Just the fact of Egyptian military intervention would probably convince most of the Libyan troops still supporting Gadhafi that it is time to change sides.

Arab League support for the intervention would not be hard to get, and the Libyan rebels are now desperate enough that they would quickly overcome their natural distrust of their giant neighbor. As for internal Egyptian politics, what better way for the Egyptian Army to establish its revolutionary credentials and protect its privileged position in the state than by saving the revolution next door?

It is very much in the interest of the Egyptian revolution that Gadhafi does not triumph in Libya, and even more that the forces of reaction do not win in the broader Arab world. For the first time since Gamal Abdul Nasser in the 1950s, the giant of the Arab world would also be its moral leader.

It would be nice if the Tunisian Army could intervene from the west at the same time as the Egyptian Army went into Libya from the east, but it is a far weaker force belonging to a far smaller country: Tunisia only has twice Libya's population, whereas Egypt has 12 times as many people. No matter. Egypt would be enough on its own.

Only do it fast. A week from now will probably be too late.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16

10:43pm In an interview with the French Le Figaro newspaper, Muammar Gaddafi says he will win "because the people are with me". He has dismissed the idea of dialogue with the opposition, saying that there can be no dialogue with "al-Qaeda".

He also alleges that pro-democracy activists in Benghazi are "gangs" who are "likely to use citizens as human shields".

Gaddafi claims that soldiers who now refuse to accept his authority and have joined the opposition were "forced" to do so by "terrorists" who "did not let them have a choice".

He says that the government is still not using force, and that its current strategy is to "progressively dismantle armed groups through various means", including encircling cities and sending in negotiators.

In a particularly strange remark, Gaddafi responds to a question about who exactly his opponents are by saying that there is "no opposition".

"All events you see today are organised by the masses who support me. We have no opposition in Libya. These are only armed groups who occupy certain streets and some buildings in some cities."

Gaddafi dismissed the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia as "not real revolutions", as they resulted in "a transfer of power from one president to another president", while he was hoping that their revolutions would be along the lines of "Libya's revolution".

He has again reiterated that he has "no connection with politics and power. So I have no power to leave. I have no job to quit."

There's about a dozen contradictions in there somewhere.

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http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

1:29am The AFP news agency reported on Wednesday that the UN Security Council have reached an agreement on the text of a draft resolution on Libya, which will be put to a vote on Thursday, diplomats said.

1:53am The UN Security Council may need to take measures in Libya that go beyond a no-fly zone in Libya, the US envoy to the United Nations said Wednesday.

3:00am France, Britain and the United States have pressed for a UN Security Council vote on Thursday on a no fly zone to halt Muammar Gaddafi's attacks on rebels.

Council ambassadors met behind closed doors to debate the text for more than eight hours on Wednesday, and said they would return on Thursday morning.

3:30am Al Jazeera’s Scott Heidler said that Rice’s call for “a resolution that should go beyond a no-fly zone, is something that we haven't heard before.

“We are hearing from diplomatic sources that change came over night on Tuesday when an initial draft resolution presented and discussed yesterday afternoon.

“She came into the discussions today [Wednesday] with a different point of view. And that was yes no-fly zone and even a step further beyond a no-fly zone.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/March_16_LibyaDraftResolution2011_1.pdf?tag=contentMain;contentBody

(the UN draft resolution)

http://twitter.com/LibyaFeb17_com

Denmark promises four F-16 fighter jets to help enforce No-Fly Zone - #feb17 #libya - http://t.co/K1cxrtl about 12 hours ago via Tweet Button

[twa]

I agree ,If you are gonna stop him it will need to go beyond a no fly zone

[visionary]

I agree ,If you are gonna stop him it will need to go beyond a no fly zone

Supposedly the things they have discussed beyond it are air strikes (possibly on troop buildups) and stopping his ship movements.

In other news:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

3:44pm Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO's secretary-general, has warned that the UN Security Council must act quickly to agree a resolution on Libya, as "time is running out" to stop Muammar Gaddafi from prevailing over opposition fighters.

3:45pm The statement from NATO chief Rasmussen:

Time is of the essence, time is rapidly running out, but I don't think it's too late. Very much will depend on the UN Security Council decision.

"I can imagine the international community and the United Nations standing strongly together behind the Libyan people if the weakened regime continues to attack its own people."

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 10:14 AM ----------

4:00pm That statement from NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen:

It is absolutely outrageous to see the Libyan regime systematically attack its own civilian population. These acts may amount to crimes against humanity."

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

4:48pm William Burns, the US Undersecretary of State has warned that Muammar Gaddafi's forces are making "significant" gains. He was speaking to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Gaddafi's forces have made significant strides on the ground. I believe they are only about 160km from Benghazi right now."

4:50pm Guido Westerwelle, the German foreign minister, has proposed a strengthening of sanctions on Libya, while US Undersecretary of State Burns says that the US wants "an active Arab partnership" regarding further steps in Libya.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

5:02pm Reuters reports that France wants the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution authorising a no-fly zone, according to Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the UN.

I would say that we are asking for a vote at 6:00pm [2200 GMT]. You know the United Nations, it can drift but we are going to ask for a vote at 6:00pm."

Members of China's delegation to the UN have told Al Jazeera that they, too, will be looking for consensus to be reached today, though they did not say if they would now be back the imposition of a no-fly zone, a step they had expressed concern over earlier.

5:06pm General Norton Schwartz, the chief of the US air force, says that imposing a no-fly zone over Libya would "not be sufficient" to reverse the advance of Muammar Gaddafi's forces on opposition strongholds.

Speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said that it could take "upwards of a week" to set up a no-fly zone.

He said that if the US were to get involved in international efforts to set up the no-fly zone, aircraft based in Europe and in the United States would be use, but some resources currently being used in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq would also be used.

5:11pm More from that continuing statement from US Undersecretary of State William Burns. He says that there is a "danger of [Gaddafi] returning to terrorism and violent extremism" if he suceeds in his battle against opposition forces.

5:32pm The possible direct involvement of Arab nations in any international military intervention in Libya is currently being discussed, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, says during a press conference in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.

5:38pm US State department official William Burns says the opposition Libyan National Council may set up an office in Washington DC, the American capital.

5:34pm New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch warns of "atrocities" if Benghazi is taken by forces loyal to Gaddafi.

Fred Abrahams, a special advisor to the group, says:

Our main concern is the extreme violence and potential for retribution by Gaddafi's forces if he succeeds in retaking the area. This is a clarion call given the potential for very grave and very widespread abuses if he retakes Benghazi.

"He [Gaddafi] won't hesitate to use violence against this rebellious city ... we're simply saying that Benghazi and the eastern cities face the risk of serious violations, perhaps even atrocities.

"We know that the rebels in Benghazi are better armed and more professional, not like the other young men who ran to the front. We know the people who started this will stay until the end, but people are deeply afraid. They know Gaddafi and they know this kind of rebellion can only end in victory or defeat."

5:44pm Consultations on the draft UN Security Council resolution in New York have just begun.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 12:21 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/evanchill

Kerry says congressional authorization for military action against Libya would be "better" but not necessary. 32 minutes ago via HootSuite

Sen. Kerry pushing back against need for declaration of war or cessation of diplomatic relations with Libya, citing Kosovo. 34 minutes ago via HootSuite

I would tweet the highlights of what Sen. Lugar just said, but I can't say I understood him. 18 minutes ago via HootSuite

Just saw pic of missing NYT photog Lynsey Addario and realized I went through Dubai + Cairo airports with her, saw her on frontlines often. 14 minutes ago via HootSuite Retweeted by acarvin and 2 others

http://twitter.com/ChangeInLibya

Gaddafi is stockpiling bodies of people he kidnapped & executed in Tripoli over last 4 weeks & will try to claim these are NFZ deaths #libya 18 minutes ago via web

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

6:16pm The Pentagon has voiced "concern about conducting military operations inside Libya".

"It would be logical if one of [uS Defence Secretary Robert Gates'] concerns about a no-fly zone is the element of attacking Libyan air defenses, then an option of air strikes would be pretty similar," Colonel David Lapan, a spokesman, said, adding that there was concern regarding the conduct of such operations.

Interesting:

http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1226374/denmark-ready-for-intervention-in-libya/

17:00 Politiken.dk An overwhelming majority of the Danish Parliament is prepared to send the Danish Air Force to Libya to enforce a no-fly zone, even if the United Nations is unable to agree on intervention.

“The United Nations Security Council has been asleep. And in the meantime only one thing has happened – Gaddafi has built up increasing momentum against the pro-democratic forces,” says Liberal Foreign Policy Spokesman Michael Astrup Jensen.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

6:21pm Egypt says that it will not intervene militarily in Libya. Responding to Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state's, comments earlier about possible "Arab involvement" in military action, Menha Bakhoum, an Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters:

Egypt will not be among those Arab states. We will not be involved in any military intervention. No intervention, period."

Egypt is getting a lot of heat over this on twitter now.

6:37pm At least two Arab states have said they will participate in a no-fly zone over Libya, the Arab League says.

Yahya Mahmassani, the bloc's envoy to the United Nations, said that the United Arab Emirates and Qatar "may be" among those participating.

http://twitter.com/ksnavarra

#Libya dissidents report two ships have left #Greece laden with fuel and destined to #Libya forces about 3 hours ago via TweetDeck

Reports that 'overseas intelligence' alerted #Malta on #Yahia Ibrahim #Gaddafi arrival from #Morocco about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck

@veniviedivici this is the same man who recruited mercenaries in #Morocco and paid them through #Tamoil about 2 hours ago via TweetDeck in reply to veniviedivici

#Libya dissidents protest at #Malta Oil Tanking and say Yahia Ibrahim #Gaddafi has consignment of fuel on #Malta flag #Turkey owned ship 14 minutes ago via TweetDeck

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

7:05pm Muammar Gaddafi is likely to "cause trouble" for neighbouring countries if he is allowed to stay in power, Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, says. During a televised question & answer program with Tunisians, she said:

Tunisia knows very well that if Gaddafi does not go, he will most likely cause trouble for you, for Egypt and for everybody else. That is just his nature. You know, there are some creatures that are like that."

7:09pm A UN draft resolution to be discussed in New York today by the UN Security Council must authorise action against Libya, "including a no-fly zone", Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, says.

Our goal in the Security Council today is to convince the Security Council to authorise more actions, including a no-fly zone, but other actions as well, and then to see how many countries are willing to actually do what the Security Council has authorised us to do."

http://twitter.com/LibyaFeb17_com

A plane carrying tens of tons of humanitarian aid on its way from Qatar to Libya - #feb17 #libya - http://t.co/K1cxrtl 2 minutes ago via Tweet Button

http://twitter.com/BaghdadBrian

Hearing rumors form international contacts of #NFZ near approval and airstrikes tomorrow morning hope its reliable #Libya #Benghazi 3 minutes ago via web

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 01:25 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/LibyaInMe

Want to watch the UN debate live? http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/ #libya #feb17 3 minutes ago via web

Ok, I'm watching for a minute or two...but they're talking about Afghanistan.

Is this from earlier?

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 01:30 PM ----------

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

7:21pm The official Jana news agency reports that Libya is warning it could target air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean if a foreign military intervention is staged.

Meanwhile, Russia says that it still has unanswered questions regarding the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.

"What type of control mechanisms ... does it have? Who will be implementing it, by what means, in what format?," foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich demanded.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

7:51pm The UN Security Council session has been adjourned until 2200GMT, when ambassadors will go straight into a vote, Benedict Moran, an Al Jazeera producer in New York, reports.

8:01pm Jay Carney, the White House spokesperson, says the US is acting with "urgency" on the situation in Libya.

We are very concerned about the situation in Libya and the violence that is being perpetrated by the Gaddafi regime against its people. We are acting with a great sense of urgency together with our international partners to take the kinds of actions that we believe will protect Libyan citizens and move towards a situation where Gaddafi is no longer in power."

8:05pm Diplomats have told Al Jazeera that there has been agreement over most of the draft resolution, but there is still concern over one paragraph, reproduced below, which deals with taking "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians, short of an "occupation force".

Authorises member states that have notified the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, acting nationally or through regional organisations or arrangements, and acting in cooperation with the S-G, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of Resolution 1970, to protect cilivians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamarhiya, including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force and requests the member states concerned to inform the S-G immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorisation conferred by this paragraph which shall immediately reported to the security council.

http://twitter.com/LibyaFeb17_com

BREAKING: USA gives Transitional Council assurances that the UN resolution will pass - #feb17 #libya - http://t.co/K1cxrtl less than a minute ago via Tweet Button

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

This below refers to Gaddafi's speech to Benghazi citizens on state tv and radio a little while ago.

9:17pm Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera's senior political analyst, says that this speech will likely affect the deliberations at the United Nations, emphasising the urgency that is required regarding action to safeguard civilians.

He also opines that this will be seen as an "act of desperation".

9:39pm Citing sources in the French government, AFP reports that air raids on Libyan army positions could begin as soon as the UN Security Council approves the use of force in Libya.

"From the moment the resolution is adopted, military actions could begin in the hours that follow," a diplomatic source said.

9:47pm AFP now quotes Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, as saying that military strikes could quickly follow after a UN security council resolution on Libya.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 04:37 PM ----------

UPDATE

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17

10:27pm Francois Fillon, the French prime minister, has added his voice to French chorus asserting that his government wishes to see immediate military action of the UN Security Council adopts a resolution on Libya.

Those French war mongers.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 04:43 PM ----------

http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/17-march-updates/

22:24 BBC has just announced that diplomatic sources tell them that 5 countries are expected to abstain from voting including Russia and China

http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/17-march-updates/

22:36 The Guardian Britain, France and the US, along with several Arab countries, are to join forces to throw a protective ring around the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi as soon as a UN security council vote on military action is authorised, according to security council sources.

A source at UN headquarters in New York said military forces could be deployed soon after a new security council resolution calling for states to protect civilians by halting attacks by Muammar Gaddafi’s forces by air, land and sea.

[Larry]

Unfortunately, the impression I get is that we're two weeks (if not more) too late.

[visionary]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/mar/17/raf-no-fly-zone-libya

RAF ground attack aircraft are ready to help impose a no-fly zone over Libya as ministers ordered defence chiefs to finalise plans enabling Britain to take part immediately in military action against forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.

Tornado all-weather attack aircraft, equipped with precision weapons, were almost certain to be the first British assets used in any military operation, officials said. They are based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Though due to phased out under the government's defence their performance has been tested in operations over decades. It was not immediately clear whether they would fly from a military base in southern France or from RAF Akrotiri, in one of Britain's sovereign base areas in Cyprus.

It was also unclear whether Eurofighter Typhoons would take part in an operation. Britain has two ships off the Libyan coast, and Chinook helicopters and early-warning aircraft equipped with long-range radar based in Malta, but would need permission from the Maltese government to use them in action over Libya.

For this reason, it would be easier for British aircraft to be based in Cyprus or France, which also strongly supports a no-fly zone. British forces could also use bases in Egypt if the new government there agreed.

Britain and France could begin operating a limited no-fly zone over the rebel stronghold of Benghazi with little or no US support, according to analysts at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), though it may have only a limited impact on Gaddafi's brutal crackdown on the rebels. However, they warned that it would not stop Gaddafi's ground forces, which are leading the assault on the rebels with tanks and artillery.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 05:51 PM ----------

Unfortunately, the impression I get is that we're two weeks (if not more) too late.

I think we're too late to save some cities and a lot of people who were killed.

I don't think it's too late quite yet to save the East and to help the opposition topple Gaddafi.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 06:13 PM ----------

WTF: I just heard a clip from earlier of Gaddafi saying that US and European soldiers would come into Benghazi with underwear on their heads.

[visionary]

http://www.extremeskins.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=344798

UN authorises no-fly zone over Libya

Security Council imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and authorises "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voted on a resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" - code for military action - to protect citizens.

Ten of the council's 15 members voted in favour of the resolution, with Russia, China and Germany the five that abstained.

No votes were recorded against the resolution, which was co-sponsored by France, Britain, Lebanon and the United States.

The resolution fulfills a long-standing demand from pro-democracy opposition forces in Libya asking for a no-fly zone to be established in order to prevent Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, from using fighter jets to bombard their positions, as they have been doing.

It comes just a few hours after Gaddafi warned residents of Benghazi, an opposition stronghold, that his forces would show "no mercy" in an impending assault on the city.

The draft of the resolution was prepared by the United Kingdom, France and Lebanon, and in the hours ahead of the meeting the United States appeared to have changed its stance on the issue by actively backing calls for not just a no-fly zone, but also strikes against Libyan military targets that could be mobilised against civilians.

I'm watching what might be the entire population of Benghazi out in the streets celebrating right now on Al Jazeera.

http://twitter.com/LibyaInMe

Chants from Benghazi: One, two, three ... thank you Sarkozy. #Libya #Feb17 11 minutes ago via web Retweeted by LibyaInMe and 16 others

Libya owes it to Sarkozy & Cameron...We couldn't have done it without them. Much respect and love #libya #feb17 5 minutes ago via web

http://twitter.com/evanchill

Germany, Brazil, India, Russia and China abstained from voting on the UNSC resolution. 3 minutes ago via HootSuite

AJE splitscreen between Benghazi and Libyan State TV echoes split between Tahrir Square and Egypt State TV; the new order vs. the old. 7 minutes ago via HootSuite

http://twitter.com/libya_Horra

@evanchill united states have definitely won a few points in the arab world after this vote.. #libya #feb17 #gaddaficrimes 6 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® in reply to evanchill Retweeted by evanchill and 17 others

[Larry]

Wondering if some of the neighbors, like Egypt, would allow the use of their airbases.

[twa]

Wondering if some of the neighbors, like Egypt, would allow the use of their airbases.

Hillary was supposedly trying to get Egypt's approval,personally I'd prefer to let the others handle it as much as possible

they need the practice

[visionary]

Wondering if some of the neighbors, like Egypt, would allow the use of their airbases.

I really wish Tunisia and Egypt would get involved.

So far Tunisia has done a lot on their side of the border humanitarian-wise, but not much else.

No idea if they would help with this or not.

Egypt said they would not intervene militarily or at all.

So I don't see them being much help...officially at least.

There may be some in Egypt who will help on their own, but I don't know about bases.

I'm not sure how much more useful bases way past the eastern border of Libya would be anyway.

I guess they would be in keeping Gaddafi planes off of the eastern coast cities.

On the other hand, I do know Italy has said all their bases are available for usage.

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 08:44 PM ----------

http://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak

European Union endorses UN Security Council resolution on Libya and says it is "ready to implement" it 9 minutes ago via SkyNews Alerts - Breaking

AFP: Canada to send warplanes to enforce Libya no-fly zone 23 minutes ago via SkyNews Alerts - Breaking

http://twitter.com/LibyaFeb17_com

Canada to send six CF-18 fighter jets for Libya 'no-fly' mission - #feb17 #libya - http://t.co/0mY73h5 2 minutes ago via Tweet Button

Egypt's military has begun shipping arms over the border to Libyan revolutionaries - #feb17 #libya - http://t.co/0mY73h5 24 minutes ago via Tweet Button

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 09:07 PM ----------

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/germany-rules-out-libya-military

Germany's foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, has declared the country remains strongly opposed to air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces or any other military intervention in Libya.

Speaking to the Guardian, Westerwelle warned the results of western military intervention were "unpredictable" and could have consequences for freedom movements in the Arab world.

"Your own instinct is to say 'We have to do something.' But military intervention is to take part in a civil war that could go on for a long time.

"Germany has a strong friendship with our European partners. But we won't take part in any military operation and I will not send German troops to Libya."

Westerwelle said other options could be used against Libya including "targeted sanctions, political pressure and international isolation".

(this was supposedly from before the vote though)

---------- Post added March-17th-2011 at 09:19 PM ----------

update

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-18

3:16am the wall street journal, citing us and libyan officials, is reporting that egypt's military has begun shipping arms over the border to libyan rebels, with us knowledge.

the shipments - mostly small arms such as assault rifles and ammunition - appear to be the first confirmed case of an outside government arming the rebel fighters. those fighters have been losing ground for days in the face of a steady westward advance by forces loyal to [gaddafi].

[OnlySkins4ever]

We have no right interfering with their affairs. Even if their dictator is a loony weirdo. Although I do agree with us interfering with Iraq. I know, I know, I don;t make any sense.