Libyan No-Fly Zone res. passed by UN

[heartc]

Just now on CNN Int.

10 for, 0 against, 5 abstentions.

Edit: I meant to say "Libyan". Sorry for this, I always get that wrong... Maybe a mod wants to correct it, I don't know if I can / how to edit that line.

[Blood_splat]

Too late?

[heartc]

That could very well be the case. Let's hope it's not.

[heartc]

Now it's on their website:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/17...ne-over-libya/

[joegrundman]

the cynical side of me says this is all a show - i mean it's for real, but it came after giving the libyan government forces the time to gain enough superiority to be able to finish on the ground, and that this was intentional, but now we have to demonstrate our moral superiority so we have to do something "serious"

and the reason is,firstly, our good allies, the saudis are in bahrain, right now, helping the bahrainians (or whatever you call them) put down their rebels the hard way. And we also intend to let the saudis put down any rebellion in their own land, should it arise.

secondly, we have doubts as to what it would mean if the rebels succeed. in egypt it's ok, because the rebellion didn't really do anything, the army is still in control. tunisia doesn't matter anyway. But Libya? who knows? gadafi is weird, sure, but he wants to do business and hasn't done anything we find objectionable for 20 years or more.

my guess is then, that this is a negotiation, and if gadaffi grounds his planes now, and continues to squash the rebellion on foot - we'll let him.

but the truth will out

[August]

Originally Posted by joegrundman

the cynical side of me says this is all a show - i mean it's for real, but it came after giving the libyan government forces the time to gain enough superiority to be able to finish on the ground, and that this was intentional, but now we have to demonstrate our moral superiority so we have to do something "serious"

and the reason is,firstly, our good allies, the saudis are in bahrain, right now, helping the bahrainians (or whatever you call them) put down their rebels the hard way. And we also intend to let the saudis put down any rebellion in their own land, should it arise.

secondly, we have doubts as to what it would mean if the rebels succeed. in egypt it's ok, because the rebellion didn't really do anything, the army is still in control. tunisia doesn't matter anyway. But Libya? who knows? gadafi is weird, sure, but he wants to do business and hasn't done anything we find objectionable for 20 years or more.

my guess is then, that this is a negotiation, and if gadaffi grounds his planes now, and continues to squash the rebellion on foot - we'll let him.

but the truth will out

I think you're right on the mark Joe.

[Bilge_Rat]

The resolution is wider than just a no-fly zone. I understand that the US is toying with the idea of "surgical" strikes against Gaddafi's armour force, but wants arab states in the region to commit their military also.




ps - I often spell it "Lybia" as well since in french it is "Lybie".

[Molon Labe]

Considering the context of the Libyan revolt and the Arab Spring in general, I really hope that countries like the US, France, and the UK (or anyone else that had a hand in setting up and maintaining the rather autocratic governments that are on the way out) do NOT end up taking the military lead on this. The trust just isn't there. But I haven't heard anything in the news to suggest that regional powers like Egypt or Turkey are going to step up to the plate here. FNC suggesting Europe is going to take the early lead.

I also wish that if "we" were going to go this route, we would have done it weeks ago.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by heartc

That could very well be the case. Let's hope it's not.

I hope so too. May it give the rebels a chance to win.