Global Arab Network | NATO to Take Military Action in Support of No-Fly Zone in Libya

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NATO to Take Military Action in Support of No-Fly Zone in Libya

Global Arab Network - - George Haddad

Friday, 18 March 2011 17:16

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed today the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Libya.

"The Resolution sends a strong and clear message from the entire international community to the Ghaddafi regime: stop your brutal and systematic violence against the people of Libya immediately," he said in a statement after an emergency meeting of the 28 ambassadors of the Alliance.

"NATO is now completing its planning in order to be ready to take appropriate action in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, as part of the broad international effort," he said.

"There is an urgent need, firm support from the region and a clear UN mandate for necessary international action. Allies stand behind the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for freedom, democracy and human rights," he added.

In UK, Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UN resolution on Libya is about “saving lives” and imposing a no-fly-zone is “the right thing to do”.

The “exceptional circumstances” in Libya justified action against Colonel Gaddafi, Mr Cameron said.

Speaking in the House of Commons following the UN resolution, the PM said all criteria for intervention had been met.

“…we’ve always been clear that preparing for eventualities which might include the use of force – including a no fly zone or other measures to stop humanitarian catastrophe – would require three tests to be met. Demonstrable need. Regional Support. And a clear legal basis.”

Earlier today, the Cabinet held an emergency meeting and agreed the UK will play its part.

“Our forces will join an international operation to enforce the resolution if Gaddafi fails to comply with its demand that he ends attacks on civilians.

“Preparations to deploy these aircraft have already started and in the coming hours they will move to bases from where they can start to take the necessary action.”

While Russia will not take part in any military actions against Libya, Russian Chief of Staff General Nikolai Makarov said on Friday.

Interfax News Agency quoted Makarov as saying that he ruled out any military participation of his country against Libya. Meanwhile, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said, in a statement issued on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website, that his country had abstained from the UN Security Council vote that approved potential air strikes against the Gaddafi regime, ignoring the Russian request of giving full explanation that would guarantee a no-fly zone over Libya.

The reason for this Russian opposition is that the UN Security Council's resolution would allow the possibility of a military intervention in Libya.

Global Arab Network

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