No Fly Zone over Libya - Rhetoric/Implications

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The rhetoric in the US concerning a no fly zone over Libya has been turned up high the last couple of days by President Obama. A vote in the UN is scheduled within a couple of hours. http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/03...authorizes-pl/

Speaking at a joint press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Obama said he had instructed the Departments of State and Defense to present him with a "full range of options," explaining that he did not want the United States to be "hamstrung" in any possible situation.

Like many, the idea of further US military action in this region is quite troubling for many reasons. Obviously, a US action of any kind without Arab nation support would be negative.

It would be great to get the thoughts of members from all over the world (we have a very geographically diverse geographic membership). Certainly those with military backgrounds (and family members serving) might have a lot to say.

Separating rhetoric and news "bite" angles is important- so, post your thoughts, ideas and sources. I would like to hear what others have to say about this.

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http://www.nypost.com/Page/Id/5.4.41...C7F81F8229C72E

More Print The United Nations Security Council authorized military strikes on Libya Thursday evening, as US and European officials said air attacks against Col. Moammar Khadafy's forces were possible "within hours."

The Pentagon was already fine-tuning military options for "serious" strikes against ground and air targets should the White House order them, said US defense officials.

They said options included using cruise missiles to take out fixed Libyan military sites and air-defense systems.

President Barack Obama late Thursday spoke to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy about the UN Security Council resolution authorizing military strikes on Libya.

A Libyan rebel loads ammunition in the center of Benghazi.
In the phone calls, the leaders agreed to coordinate closely on the next step to take and to continue working with Arab and other international partners, the White House said.

Manned and unmanned aircraft could also be used against Khadafy's tanks, personnel carriers and infantry positions, with sorties being flown out of US and NATO bases in the southern Mediterranean.

"There is significant, serious planning going on right now," a US official said. The options would be "more aggressive than a show of force."

The assertive US posture marked a turnaround from the early days of the month-old Libyan crisis, when President Barack Obama's administration seemed reluctant to embrace military action.

The president appeared to have found himself facing two unpleasant possibilities: Adding a third military commitment to the wars already underway in Afghanistan and Iraq, or watching Khadafy defeat -- perhaps brutally -- a rebellion sparked by regional pro-democracy uprisings.
"If Gadhafi stays, he will do terrible things to Libya and her neighbors," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during a visit Thursday to Tunisia, Libya's neighbor to the west.

The UN vote came on a day in which Gadhafi's forces advanced amid heavy fighting towards Benghazi, the de facto capital of rebels.

Officials said the goal of international military action would be to protect civilians in Benghazi, push the government's forces back, and sow enough confusion and disorder within Libyan military ranks that officers would turn against the longtime dictator.
"The US doesn't want a war," an Obama administration official said. "But we want to prevent a slaughter."

Celebratory gunfire erupted in eastern Libya after satellite TV channels reported the approval of the Security Council resolution, with rebel supporters chanting "God is Great" and the Arab revolutions' slogan, "The People Want the Downfall of the Regime."

The US, UK, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Colombia, South Africa and Portugal all approved the resolution.
Dr. Khalid Kaim, Libya's Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, appeared before the media in Tripoli after the vote to thank China, Russia, Brazil, Germany and India -- the five counties that abstained.

Kaim said the resolution threatened the unity of Libya and said any country that armed rebel forces was inviting Libyans to kill one other.

In Benghazi, under threat by Khadafy's troops, the rebel administration unleashed fireworks seconds after the vote. In the port city of Tobruk, tracer bullet volleys lit up the sky.

The US has enough planes and military assets in place to begin strikes almost immediately, a defense official said. A European official said the rapid advance of Gadhafi's forces on rebel strongholds meant that allied nations would need to move quickly.

The officials said this would include both the establishment of a no-fly zone to neuter the Libyan government's air force and offensive attacks to push back loyalist positions approaching Benghazi.

"We will have to take action within hours, not days," said the European official.

The status of Arab participation in any military action in Libya was unclear. US and European officials stressed the importance of having Arab states take part in any coalition, both logistically and financially, after the Arab League backed the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were among countries that discussed the possibility of assisting the US and French governments in Libya, according to Arab and European diplomats.


Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/interna...#ixzz1GudM6uZW

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http://abcnews.go.com/International/...ry?id=13164938

Obama Gives Gadhafi the Ultimatum: Stop Violence or Face International Military Action
U.S. President Stressed that Europe, Arab States Would Lead Military Action Against Libya, if Needed


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Other news says there has been a cease fire.

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http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...tml?id=4470418

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42164455...ica/?gt1=43001

Allies launch first attacks against Gadhafi forces in Libya
French jets fire on alleged military vehicle as West seeks to halt advance on key city

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/0...72J47020110320