US State Secretary Hillary Clinton.
World intervenes in Libya, with unusual speed
In diplomatic terms, international military action against Libya's leader went from the brainstorming stage to the shooting-at-tanks stage with stunning speed.
Saturday's launch of military strikes by French, ritish and U.S. forces with Arab backing and U.N. mandate was not universally endorsed. And it's unclear whether it will be fast enough to do what its proponents want, to shore up rebel forces and oust Libya's leader Moammar Gadhafi.
But the cascade of quick, weighty decisions getting there was unusual - ust one of the unusual things about this dramatic operation.
It has the backing of the Arab League, which has balked at other interventions in the Arab world and is known more for lengthy deliberations than action.
And it was initiated by the French, who famously opposd the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
It was French President Nicolas Sarkozy who announced that 22 participants in an emergency summit in Paris on Saturday had agreed to launch armed action against Gadhafi's military. And a French fighter jet reported the first strike Saturday afternoon, against a Libyan military vehicle in or near Benghazi, the heart of the uprising against the longtime leader, before over a hundred cruise missiles fired from U.S and British ships slammed into this north African nation.
The action in Libya came after the international community was slow to respond to swelling protests in Tunisia and then Egypt in January and February that toppled longtime autocrats and sparked uprisings around the Arab world.
Leaders and diplomats dawdled less when Libya's Gadhafi started shooting at protesters.
On Feb. 26, the U.N. Security Council imposed sanctions on Gadhafi's regime after just about two days of discussion, and as rebel forces gained ground against the Libyan military.
On March 10, France recognized the opposition Interim Governing Council as the "legitimate representatives of the Libyan people." The next day, the 27-nation European Union offered the opposition similar support.
Support in Arab countries mounted for a no-fly zone. Some members wanted to make sure there was no full-blown Western invasion, and hoped endorsing a no-fly zone would give them more leverage with the West on military plans.
With Gadhafi's forces showing signs of a resurgency, the 22-member Arab League called March 12 for the U.N.'s Security Council to impose a no-fly zone.
That was a crucial moment, especially for the United States. Without Arab support, any intervention would have risked being seen as a Western occupation.
France and Britain pushed for a new, stronger U.N. resolution. Washington, initially reluctant, said even a no-fly zone wouldn't be enough, paving the way for authorization of a draft calling for "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.
That resolution won U.N. adoption Thursday, March 17.
On Friday, the U.S., France and Britain sent Gadhafi a letter telling him a cease-fire must begin immediately, or risk the consequences.
On Saturday morning, Gadhafi's forces defied their own cease-fire, aiming new strikes on Benghazi.
Western warplanes and warships amassed around the Mediterranean, from Canada, Britain, Denmark, the United States.
Sarkozy hastily gathered 22 high-powered guests for a lunch summit Saturday: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, and top officials from around Europe and Arab countries.
After lunch, Sarkozy announced that the political leaders had agreed to launch military action. French planes, he said, were already in the air.
Ninety minutes later, French military officials reported their first strike.
This was all very different from past protracted, divisive U.N. debates over military intervention. In 2002-2003, France especially was vehemently opposed to action in Iraq, and Britain was forced to withdraw a U.N. resolution authorizing force against Saddam Hussein. The United States then organized a coalition without U.N. approval.
On Saturday, the U.N. chief hailed the Paris summit on Libya as a success.
It's "never too late" to undertake an operation like this, Ban said. "Arab countries, Europeans, Americans - they were all in one voice," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said "we have every reason to fear that left unchecked, Gadhafi will commit unspeakable atrocities."
Cameron said after the summit: "We have to make it stop. ... The time for action has come, it needs to be urgent."
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, also in Paris, said Gadhafi's claim of a cease-fire "was an obvious lie from the beginning."
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), an umbrella organization representing 57 Muslim nations, called on member states to help implement the U.N. resolution and to establish contacts with the Libyan opposition.
But several countries remain cautious or openly critical about the risky operation.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said it noted the launch of operations "with regret," and noted that the U.N. resolution authorizing them was "hastily approved."
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has longstanding ties to Gadhafi, said the U.S. and its allies simply want to "seize Libya's oil" and that the United Nations has "infringed on its fundamental principles."
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said she backed the operation but added, "We will not participate with our own soldiers." Cyprus, in the Mediterranean northeast of Libya, said it didn't want to get involved.
NATO is divided over whether it should take a leading role or just provide support to air forces already engaged in the mission.
In Brussels, NATO's top decision-making body appeared poised to decide on Sunday "if and how the alliance will join" the effort, said Martin Povejsil, the Czech Republic's envoy to NATO.
While Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are taking part, according to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, it's unclear whether bigger Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia could join in.
Sarkozy acknowledged the risks of the operation, and insisted it did not amount to an international occupation force.
"There is still time for Col. Gadhafi to avoid the worst by complying without delay and without reservations to all the demands of the international community. The door of diplomacy will reopen at the moment when the aggressions cease," Sarkozy said.
Canada's Harper acknowledged that the diplomatic push will result in bloodshed.
"We should not kid ourselves," he told reporters in Paris. "One cannot promise perfection, or that there will not be casualties on our side."
But he added, "We're dealing with a regime that will not be satisfied with the reimposition of its authority. ... They will massacre every single individual they remotely suspect of disloyalty." Associated Press and Jakarta Post, 20 March 2011.
Comments:
There is nothing to comment except that when it comes to Israel-Palestine conflict, every UN resolutions has been ignored or defied by Israel. And nobody seems to care, and surely not from the West. But look at the speed of the UN resolution of No-Fly-Zone on Libya. Who will be the victims: The Libyan people: Loyalists to the Libyan President and the so-called pro-democracy groups (the rebels).
Monday 21 March 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
BLOGGER'S CORNER
-
-
NUBE takes 3 unions to task for siding with HR Minister on duit raya for bank employees - *Updated: *In *NUBE on a warpath against HR Minister Steven Sim*, writer/seeker/teacher *TheRealNehruism* highlighted the National Union of Banking Emplo...1 week ago
-
HARGA BUFFET RAMADHAN - SUDAH pasti mereka yang menjamu selera sambil berbuka puasa menerusi hidangan buffet adalah dalam rangka beramal kerana harga yang perlu dibayar adalah ma...1 month ago
-
-
Genset 20 KVA: Sumber Daya Listrik Tangguh untuk Berbagai Kebutuhan - Listrik adalah salah satu kebutuhan pokok dalam kehidupan sehari-hari kita. Hampir semua aspek kehidupan modern bergantung pada pasokan listrik yang and...5 months ago
-
-
Perubahan apa Bang Non? - Bulan lepas China tutup lgbt centre yang terakhir di negara itu yang selama ini menjadi rumah selamat untuk geng pelangi..dan perkahwinan sesama jenis te...6 months ago
-
เปิดประวัติ นักกีฬา ‘ กอล์ฟหญิง ’ ไทย -คว้าแชมป์ได้หลากหลายทัวร์นาเม้นต์ - หากจะกล่าวถึงนักกีฬา‘ กอล์ฟหญิง ’ ที่สามารถทำผลคะแนนกอล์ฟออกมาได้ดีนั้นคงจะหนีไม่พ้นกลุ่มสาวๆเหล่านี้เป็นแน่ๆ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น โปรเหมียว – โปรเม – โปรโม- โปร...1 year ago
-
Kembalikan Kuasa Mutlak Raja - Kita kembali kepada asalSistem Raja Berperlembagaan sudah tidak relevan. Kita sudah boleh kembali kepada sistem Raja dengan kuasa mutlak atau Beraja Mutlak...1 year ago
-
Sidang Media Terakhir Hamid Bador, Peperangan Antara Dr Mahathir Dengan Mahiaddin Atau Hamid Bador Dengan Hamzah Zainuddin? - Sidang media terakhir TS Hamid Bador sebagai Ketua Polis Negara berjaya mendapat perhatian seluruh negara. Mungkin bagi sesetengah pihak yang masih lagi ...2 years ago
-
-
Cakap serupa bikin? - Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin is at a crossroad to put money where his mouth is, in the perspective of integrity and proper governance. The ...3 years ago
-
CILI KASI TARUK! BLOG LAGI BAIK DARI FACEBOOK HARAMI - Lama aku tak update blog, rindu pulak rasanya, memang best platform BLOG, lagi best dari FACEBOOK milik Mark Zuckerberg yang kuat mengampu Donald Trump y...3 years ago
-
SKANDAL TABUNG HAJI: MUJAHID BAGI ALASAN KENAPA BELI MAHAL MENYEBABKAN PAKATAN KENA JUAL MURAH HARTA-HARTA UMAT ISLAM ITU!!! - Apabila Najib Razak mempersoalkan tentang rasional pelupusan lebih 76% aset Tabung Haji melibatkan tanah perladangan, menteri yang paling banyak cakap, pal...4 years ago
-
20+ Fantastic Ideas African Queen Latest Afro Hairstyles 2019 - If you are looking for *African queen latest afro hairstyles 2019* you've come to the right place. We have collect images about African queen latest afro...4 years ago
-
Tiga Pengumuman Tergempar Dato Seri @NajibRazak Buat Rakyat Malaysia - Tiga Pengumuman PM Buat Malam Ini 1) Rakyat Malaysia berusia 26 tahun ke bawah tidak dikenakan cukai pendapatan. Malah cukai yang telah dibayar tahun lep...5 years ago
-
Cari jalan keluar mengatasi isu anak luar nikah -- Usah zalimi anak zina - Cari jalan keluar mengatasi isu anak luar nikah -- Usah zalimi anak zina *BANYAK respons diterima mengenai isu `Anak zina boleh bin kepada bapa' yan...6 years ago
-
Seni dan Politik - Laundering: Real Estate and ArtTheir laundering functions replicate a fund which in 1MDB’s balance sheet is deemed as investments. Once the London mansion ...7 years ago
-
PELACUR UMUM BERTANDING CALON PILIHAN RAYA - Seorang pekerja seks di Peru, Angela Villion Bustamante bertanding dalam pilihan raya umum negara itu pada tahun ini. Pekerja seks selama 30 tahun itu me...8 years ago
-
JANGAN KENA TIPU LAH DGN PROPA DAP. - http://thekl-chronicle.blogspot.com/2015/01/dapmalaysia-cuba-menipu-rakyat.html?m=19 years ago
-
MH370: Krisis komunikasi seperti isu kangkung - Pada pandangan saya kelemahan Kerajaan di dalam menangani krisis #MH370 berkisar kepada kegagalan komunikasi. Implikasinya menunjukkan seolah wakil Badan P...10 years ago
-
Kajang O Kajang: Kipas vs Kelapa Muda dan Teropong Bambu: Mana yang lebih berbisa? - *Suddenly, Kipas menjadi senjata ampuh calon PKR di Kajang dan Bomoh yang dikatakan dihantar DSAI ke KLIA menjadi cerita panas*. Di mana sahaja calon PKR...10 years ago
-
Akramsyah: Proud son of NEP - 'I Am The Son Of New Economic Policy And Proud Of It' *Malaysia Digest* Monday, 23 September 2013 08:20 *KUALA LUMPUR:* Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah S...10 years ago
-
Penasihat PM Harus Dipecat-Tun Daim Zainuddin - Veteran Umno Tun Daim Zainuddin menyifatkan usaha Pakatan Rakyat menghimpunkan sejumlah besar rakyat untuk menunjukkan sokongan terhadap pembangkang sew...10 years ago
-
Sultan Johor Atau Kerabatnya? (Part 64) - *Sultan Johor Atau Kerabatnya? (Part 64)* *Tan Sri Abdul Gani bin Patail* Apa dah jadi.... Semua yang dibuat dan dirancang tak menjadi? Letak jawatan adala...11 years ago
-
Ramuan Untuk UMNO Menang Di Dalam PRU. Mereka Tidak Perlu Terlalu Dominan Dalam BN…. - Salam semua®… Penulis amat bersetuju dengan pendapat Dr Mohd Khir Toyo (Khir) bahawa adalah perlu bagi BN memperkukuh MCA, MIC dan Gerakan dengan memben...12 years ago
-
-
We should have a clear goal and don't go off tangent! - "You should have a clear goal and don't go off tangent. With a better sense of direction, I am sure many of you will be successful" said Deputy Prime Mini...17 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
POLITICIAN GAZEBO
-
Affidavit vs counter affidavit.The truth is butchered - 1. Reading between the lines, T. Zafrul seems to suggest that Zahid lied about the existence of an addendum that allowed Najib to serve the remainder of hi...9 hours ago
-
Karpal Singh a towering Malaysian — Malaysia needs more towering Malaysians - Karpal Singh is a towering Malaysian whose commitment and dedication to justice, the rule of law and good governance must be borne by the new generation of...1 day ago
-
Keseruan dan Keuntungan Berlimpah dari Bermain Slot Gacor Online - Keseruan dan Keuntungan Berlimpah dari Bermain Slot Gacor Online – Di era dimana teknologi memudahkan segala aspek kehidupan, bermain judi slot kini tak ...6 months ago
-
万恒娱乐官方网站-河南实行省内黄河流域环境资源案件集中管辖 - 万恒娱乐官方网站-河南实行省内黄河流域环境资源案件集中管辖 河南实行省内黄河流域环境资源案件集中管辖 新华社郑州8月17日电(记者双瑞)记者从河南省高级人民法院获悉,自2020年9月1日起,河南将...3 years ago
-
LAFAZ AMPUN MAAF AHLI PPBM - Kami, ahli-ahli UMNO telah mendengar permintaan kamu dan di bawah ini kami drafkan LAFAZ AMPUN MAAF untuk dibacakan oleh Tun Dr Mahathir dan ahli-ahli Ppbm...4 years ago
-
Jho Low's Capture Could Mean Early End of Najib - What former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun could not do in 1 year since the new government took over, it seems the new IGP Abdul Ha...4 years ago
-
Suzuki Kembali Pamerkan Mesin Turbo buat Motor - sewa motor di pontianak sewa motor pontianak Rental motor di pontianak Rental motor pontianak Ojek motor pontianak Ojek Online pontianak Suzuki memang suda...5 years ago
-
AL-AQSA MENANGIS DARAH! - *Bersama Syeikh Yusuf Abu Sunainah - Imam Masjid Al-Aqsa As-Syarief, Baitula-Maqdis* *AL-AQSA MENANGIS DARAH!!!** *Al-Aqsa* *Bumi para anbiya* *Kelahiran...8 years ago
-
Catatan Di Belakang Tirai Besi - Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera, 1. Ketika anda membaca catatan ini saya mungkin sudah ke penjara kerana saya jadualkan tulisan ini diterbitkan selepas...8 years ago
-
Homestay Pak Lang 2 - Tuisyen Inggeris - *Kelas tuisyen bahasa inggeris* *untuk pelajar sekolah rendah,akan mula pada 4 okt 2015…* *Tempat : Homestay Pak Lang 2* * 16 Taman Jaya ...8 years ago
-
Tak payahlah kita rasa malu.. Sesetengah kawasan di Penang tak kibar pun JALUR GEMILANG - Sungguh memalukan ! Pulau Pinang di bawah kerajaan Lim Guan Eng dan DAP menghalalkan pesta tak bermoral di negeri ini? Inilah yang hangat diperkat...9 years ago
-
Will Razaleigh replace Anwar? - *ALLAH ISSUE*': *Anwar has fallen out of favour with Pas, says MP* KUALA LUMPUR: TALKS about Pas enticing Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to lead the...11 years ago
-
-
Tactegau dychryn ac y grefft o rhyfel - Ofn a phryder wedi bod yn elfen hanfodol mewn unrhyw strategaeth gyffredinol ers y wawr o amser. Roedd yr ymerodraeth Asyriad a ffurfiwyd yn ôl pob sôn drw...12 years ago
-
-
-
-
Arab nations, wake up!
ReplyDeleteIt's the rich oilfields the West is after. And next on line would be Yemen and Syria.
ReplyDeleteDunia kini dikuasai oleh 15 negara dalam Majlis Keselamatan dengan lima yang mempunyai kuasa veto.Yang lain, minta maaf sahajalah. Teruskanlah mengikuti telunjuk kuasa-kuasa besar ini, terutama Amerika Ayarikat, Peranchis, United Kingdom Rusia dan China. Dan tentunya Israel dengan Amerika Syarikat berdiri teguh di belakangnya.
ReplyDeleteWhat can we say?
ReplyDeleteGeorge W. Bush must be the happiest person on earth for two reaons: Guantanamo Bay prison has not been closed as promised by Barack Obama and Obama finally follows his footsteps by subduing another Arab nation. The end result, both Bush and Obama would say: Make no mistake. We will not tolerate anyone who does not follow our global agenda and hegemony. Not even our closest ally, except of course the beloved Israel.
ReplyDeleteYes, after all this is what politics of democracy is all about. Survival of the fittest and the strongest and the annihilation of the weakest and the good-for-nothing nincompoops.
ReplyDeleteAnyone buying? Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the CBS program "Face the Nation" the air mission in the North African country has a clear, limited scope.His statement was reported by Reuters.com today.
ReplyDeleteMullen also said the outcome of military action in Libya was "very uncertain." Asked if it could end in a stalemate with Gaddafi, Mullen replied: "I don't think that's for me to answer. Certainly, I recognise that's a possibility."
Gates said the United States wanted Libya to remain a unified country, saying partition into a rebel-held east and Gaddafi-controlled west "would be a real formula for enduring instability."
Why can't the West leave the Libyan people alone to chart their own destiny.
ReplyDeleteArab Nations should unite against the hypocrisy of the West and not let yourselves to be rediculed.
ReplyDeleteBarulah Liga Arab sedar bahawa mereka dipermainkan Barat dalam Resolusi No-Fly-Zone PBB. Liga Arab harus sedar tentang "The Name of the Game" Barat terhadap Libya. Sekarang Barat bertindak melampaui batas-batas resolusi ibarat beri betis hendakkan peha untuk memusnahkan Libya semuanya atas nama ingin melindungi rakyat Libya daripada the so-called brutality of Moammar Gadhafi.China dan Russia yang menggunakan undi berkecualinya dalam Majlis Keselamatan dalam meluluskan resolusi terhadap Libya apa cerita? Menyesal dan terpaksa ikut saja?
ReplyDelete