Attack on Libya imminent?

cont'd........China, India, and Brazil were against it because of some of the clauses in the resolution. I would have liked to see China and Brazil get involved, countries that don't have a reputation of taking advantage of the sovereignty of other nations. But oh well, things will get worse in that country, not better. You will see western ground troops enter that country eventually, book it.

 

Tu entends quoi par "tergiverser"?

 

This is about the best situation that can happen. The UN has authorized a no-fly zone, the US isn't taking the lead militarily, Europe is, and Gadaffi has declared a cease fire.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42145571/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa

Libya declares cease-fire, foreign minister says
Move comes in wake of United Nations' authorization of no-fly zone

Libya declared a cease-fire Friday and promised to stop all military operations in a bid to fend off international military intervention after the United Nations authorized a no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to prevent the regime from striking its own people.

Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said the decision would "take the country back to safety" and ensure security for all Libyans.

"We decided on an immediate cease-fire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters.

"(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya.

The announcement followed a fierce attack by Gadhafi's forces against Misrata, the last rebel-held city in the western half of the country. A doctor said at least six people were killed.

In addition, Al Arabiya television said at least 70 people were wounded and several mosques, schools and residential buildings badly damaged in the attack on the city of 300,000, about 130 miles east of Tripoli.
Advertise | AdChoices
Advertise | AdChoices
Advertise | AdChoices

The U.N. Security Council resolution, which was passed late Thursday after weeks of deliberation, set the stage for airstrikes, a no-fly zone and other military measures short of a ground invasion. Britain announced that it would send fighter jets and France was making plans to deploy planes, but the U.S. had yet to announce what its role would be. NATO also held an emergency meeting.

Earlier Friday, Al Arabiya quoted one of Gadhafi's sons as saying Libya was not afraid of the U.N.'s no-fly zone resolution. Al Arabiya did not say where or when Saif al-Islam made the remark.

Libya also closed its air space to all traffic Friday, European air traffic control organization Eurocontrol said. Eurocontrol said it had received information from Malta that Tripoli air traffic control had put out a notice saying it was not accepting any aircraft into Libyan airspace "until further notice."

The Libyan Defense Ministry had warned of swift retaliation, even beyond Libyan frontiers, against any military action against the oil-exporting nation, which is fighting rebels trying to end Gadhafi's four-decade rule.

City pounded
People in Misrata said the rebel-held western city was being pounded by Gadhafi's forces on Friday morning.

"There have been heavy bombardments since 7 o'clock (1:00 a.m. ET) this morning. They are bombing everything, the houses, the center of the city," a rebel who gave his name as Saadoun told Reuters by phone.

"It's the heaviest bombardment I have seen so far." The sound of heavy artillery could be heard in the background.

Misrata is the last big opposition stronghold in western Libya; Gadhafi's forces also have been advancing in the east of the country, heading to the rebels' biggest prize, the nation's second-largest city, Benghazi.

Also Friday, The New York Times said four of its journalists who were reported missing while covering the Libyan conflict had been found. The Times reported on its website that the four were captured by forces loyal to Gadhafi and would be released Friday.

The Times said Al-Islam, Gadhafi's son, gave the information to Christiane Amanpour in an ABC News interview.

'Within a few hours'
Meanwhile, the United States, France and Britain were making plans to prevent Gadhafi's forces from attacking Libyans after the U.N. Security Council authorized the no-fly zone.

The U.N. vote on Thursday night was 10-0 with five countries abstaining including Russia and China. India, Germany and Brazil also expressed misgivings about approving military action.

President Barack Obama telephoned the leaders of Britain and France after the vote, the White House said. U.S. officials speaking after a closed-door briefing in Congress said the attempt to ground Gadhafi's air force could begin by Sunday or Monday with the use of jet fighters, bombers and surveillance aircraft.
Slideshow: Unrest in Libya (on this page)

However, U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would send Typhoon and Tornado fighter jets "in the coming hours" to help enforce the no-fly zone.

He said the operation was intended to stop Moammar Gadhafi from launching "a brutal attack using air, land and sea forces" on the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Cameron said the move was about saving lives and protecting people in Libya and insisted it was "not about choosing the government of Libya."

French government spokesman Francois Baroin also told RTL radio Friday that military action could come "within a few hours," AFP reported.

In Brussels, NATO envoys were considering ways to enforce the U.N. resolution. Aircraft flying from NATO bases in Sigonella, Sicily, Aviano in northern Italy, and a U.S. carrier in the Mediterranean could enforce the no-fly zone.

Norway said on Friday it would join international military operations, possibly by sending in fighter aircraft.

"We will contribute to the operation," Defense Minister Grete Faremo told the daily VG. "But it is too early to say exactly in what way. Sending air capabilities would be natural."

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told state broadcaster NRK that the NATO member was prepared to send transport aircraft and F16 fighters to Libya.

France will also take part, French government spokesman Francois Baroin said.
"The French, who led the calls (for action), will of course be consistent with military intervention," Baroin told French radio RTL. Asked to specify what that meant, he said "they will participate" in operations.
Video: Gadhafi asks supporters to sacrifice their lives

Libya's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi, whose support for the opposition inspired many Libyan diplomats around the world to demand Gadhafi's ouster, had called on the world to respond "immediately."

Clinton speaks
Still, China said Friday it had "serious reservations" about the Security Council's action, with the Foreign Ministry saying China opposes using military force in international relations. It said China has consistently stressed respect for Libya's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue.

The U.S. backing for international action came after several administration officials questioned the plan for providing aerial cover, with the Pentagon perhaps the most vociferous in its skepticism. It has described the no-fly zone as a step tantamount to war, and a number of U.S. officials have expressed fears that involvement in Libya could further strain America's already stretched military and entangle the country in an expensive and messy conflict in another Muslim country.

Just Thursday, speaking in Tunisia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said a no-fly zone would require action to protect the planes and pilots, "including bombing targets like the Libyan defense systems." But pressed on by Britain and France, and buoyed over the weekend by the surprise support of the Arab League, the no-fly option gained traction and led to a swift reversal in position from the administration.

Five nations abstained on the vote, including Russia and China. But the fact that neither exercised their right to veto the resolution represented a major victory for the U.S. and its allies, who have often been stymied at the global body by countries fearful of granting powers that infringe on national sovereignty.
Slideshow: Moammar Gadhafi through the years (on this page)

For Obama, the shift to international action comes as he faced increased criticism for not moving aggressively enough to help the rebels trying to topple Gadhafi, long counted as among the world's most ruthless dictators. Some U.S. lawmakers demanded the no-fly zone, while others have proposed more strident measures such as supplying the opposition with arms.

 

I would have like to see Iran, Syria and North Korea support Ghadafhi. They wont do it publicly.

 

UZA NEEDZ LEEDAZ LICKE FISCHING LADYZ

 

What a joke. That's hilarious. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

This is from the link you posted

She proposed it 2 days AFTER it was already brought up 2 days earlier with a UN representative.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proposed_Libyan_no-fly_zone

So she parroted what was already brought up, and somehow it's her doctrine?

With thinking like that, no wonder she's your candidate of choice.

 

Didn't I say something about this.

From the Halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean:
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

It's in the Marine Hymn, of course we're going to attack them.

 

What was wrong with this thread? http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=199822&page=56 it got us through Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, and assorted others.

 

In two days it will be known as the Palin Doctrine.

 

After Michael Palin I would assume.

http://www.palinstravels.co.uk/book-2185

 

Would you just shut up for 10 mins and let him finish?

My goodness!

 

Yep, the US war machine must be fed.

 

The Palin Doctrine being originated 2 days after someone else originated the idea is your idea of swift. We get it.

 

Are you really that dense?

Unfortunately, I ended up missing a chunk of the speech because the U-Verse guy was at my house.