UN agree no fly zone over Libya

Rogerdoger


Joined: 04/09/2008
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 11:08

The United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone over his country and threatened air strikes on his troops.



American and European officials said attacks could take place within HOURS.



The dramatic UN move, which defied expectations, is to protect cornered rebel fighters and civilians. In the US, the Pentagon was preparing for "serious" attacks. Officials said options included using cruise missiles to take out fixed Libyan military sites and air defence systems.



A US official said it would be "more aggressive than a show of force". Another said: "The US doesn't want a war. But we want to prevent a slaughter."

begonia


Joined: 19/05/2009
Posts: 229

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 11:11

Well here we go again. At least it is a UN decision this time.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 13:12

Why do you think US and UK held back for so long? We won't be accused of ulterior motives in Libya as we have been in Iraq and Afghanistan.

elko2



Joined: 24/07/2007
Posts: 4400

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 13:17

As ı understand it a "No fly Zone" means that Libyan airraft will not be allowed to fly i.e. shot down in air. Does this give them the right to hit their bases? I doubt it but it suits US to knock them off on ground and then sell them new ones.

ismet

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 13:48

Msg 4 so true



The EU granted export licenses for €834.5m worth of arms exports in the first five years after the arms embargo was lifted in October 2004

2009 is the highest amount ever: €343.7m

• Italy is the top exporter, with €276.7m over the five years

• The UK got off to a big start in 2005, with €58.9m of the €72.2m total. UK licenses over the five years are worth €119.35m

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/mar/01/eu-arms-exports-libya#data

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 14:05

Ismet..



The Russians and Chinese abstained in the 'no fly zone' vote..





I think they will be better placed to sell hardware - if the current regime survives .



As I understand it tanks can be attacked from the air - as well as planes ?...

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 14:12

Interfearing west will open another can of worms, rather have mad Gadafi in than an unknown Islamic nutcase sponcored by Iran. Suprised with Camerons sabre rattleing when we don't have a sabre to rattle. Its all good fun till sombody loses and eye, as Uncle Percy used to say.



D.N

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 14:50

#

BREAKING NEWS: Libyan government calls an immediate ceasefire, saying it is acting to protect civilians in acordance with the UN Security Council resolution.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 15:08

Excuse me Dixie...



re msg 7





if 'interfering west' included Arab Nations ( Arab League) and the resolution has REALLY stopped military action how is this a 'bad' thing ? !

Dixie Normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 15:35

MMMMMM



Let the Arabs sort it, playing the worlds policeman has given the west more than the occasional slap in the face. The Russians and Chinise will sit back, say nowt, then pull in a few multi billion contracts, the Uk will spend what it has'nt got and will be called worse than rotten for not acting quick enough and doing it all for oil. As for the ceasefire old Gaddafi is well versed in pulling the wool over the eyes, he's done it for years.



D.N

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 15:50

I thought the UK was skint - we all have to cut back - we are in it together - where is Cameron finding the money from. Has it thought this through - as usual the coalition will go in with out a strategy -once it is over and the UK skint tax payer will be left to pick up the pieces.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 16:02

Dixie re 10



The Arabs ASKED for and GOT help.. the THREAT of the zone seems to have cut the rhetoric from Gaddafi and we'll see if he 'delivers'.. early doors, yet...



The Arabs.. just like with Kuwait.. ARE on board..



re msg 11 Briggus .. we ARE Skint .. we can't afford it... what would YOU suggest - sit back and what Gaddafi carry out his threats?



I hope you'll find that standing up to bullies with a united - legal, front - might SAVE money and LIVES..



Please tell us what YOU would do if PM..? did you HEAR the opposition spokesperson praise the action of the British and French govt ?

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 16:24

Gaddaffi declares ceasefire ! At least some lives will be saved.



Yes, only the Communist block and a few others did not support the no-fly zone.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 16:46

More money for the UK taxpayers to cough up!

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 17:12

re msg 13



Phylray



http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1=



The abstentions included China and Russia, which have the power of veto, as well as Brazil, Germany and India.



The only 'Communist' country - China (?) isn't strictly speaking Communist ..



Interesting that the Germans abstained... is this a carry over from past times ?

Zoots


Joined: 05/02/2011
Posts: 669

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 18:27

mmmmmm,



Do you mean certain German pronouncements in ex-Yugoslavia which then led to you-know-what?

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 18:44

Yes, I agree with the (?) about China, although they would claim to be Communist.

I should not have included Russia either, as they are not supposed to be either!!??



At least the others didn't veto it.



Why is it we always seem to be able to help when a country has oil, and not when it

hasn't? i.e. Rwuanda, Zimbabwe etc.

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 20:58

MMM Mess 12 - suggest another country picks up the tab insetad of us playing the big I am.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
18/03/2011 21:43

re msg 18.. you mean like Spain, Italy, France, Spain... ?

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 11:58

msg17phylray.....The Yanks are certainly Interested...



All together Now... "From the Hall's Of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we fill fight for oil in battle on the Land and on the Sea" etc.........

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 12:04

Well, it now looks like Gaddafi's troops are now in Benghazi 'defending themselves' and a Jet has been shot down..



I HAD (foolishly) hoped the threat would be enough.. it seems Gaddafi's forces want 'human shields' ..



Hoping, the Jet shot down wasn't a coalition one and the supply chain from the West can be cut to 'even' thing up.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 13:18

As to who pays for the UKs involvement, I suggest that we give whoever takes over in Libya the bill, once Gaddafi is gone.

We should have also done this in Iraq, as these two countries are oil rich and can afford it - we can't.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 13:25

The rebels now saying the plane was one of theirs ! I wonder who shot it down ? !

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 15:28

re 18



Briggus



You appeared to critize the coalition for 'interfering'.. may be you were atempting to make some sort of 'polotical capital'.. I don't know..



Please note that Ed Miliband has backed the decision to 'interfere' " world would judge Colonel Gaddafi "on what he does not what he says". Backing government moves to intervene in Libya, he told his party's spring conference in Glasgow: "We know in our hearts and our heads when we see Gaddafi murdering his own people it is right to take this action. Labour stands for the people of Libya in their hour of need." He paid tribute to the "brave men and women who may be asked to serve in Libya", including those from RAF bases in Scotland."



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 17:00

Well Sarkozy is now giving a press conference at this moment. Looks like french aircraft are going in.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
19/03/2011 17:03

French military jets are already preventing pro-Gaddafi forces from attacking rebel positions, French President Nicolas Sarkozy say



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
20/03/2011 12:36

Watched UK, Russian, French and Arab News channels thsi am.. VERY 'interesting' to view the different editorial at work.



Only Russia Today is condemning the 'coalition' action - calling on all sides to obey the ceasefire ...



Didn't they have anyone in Benghazi, on Saturday 19th ?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
20/03/2011 12:47

From someone who was in Benghazi yesterday..



http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/03/in-benghazi-air-strikes-and-casualties.html