Breaking News – United Nations Sanctions Libyan No-Fly Zone
[UPDATE: Gaddafi's spokesman has just given a press conference promising an immediate ceasefire]
The United Nations council has backed a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya; with a rather open ended ‘all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian areas’, but excludes an occupation force.
The UK, France and Lebanon proposed the resolution with support from the US. Five nations abstained including Russia and China, but the resolution passed with 10 votes for and 0 against.
It calls for an immediate ceasefire and allows for a tightening of sanctions against Gaddafi but the main point was the sanctioning of the long talked about no-fly zone.
Col. Gaddafi’s army have recently made inroads against the rebel army allegedly re-taking several towns, and now threatening the large city of Benghazi which is home to a million people and has been central to the uprising.
Earlier Gaddafi had told the people of Benghazi that his soldiers were coming tonight and that there would be no mercy.
Such talk, and the very real possibility of a blood bath as he continues to attack civilians with his heavy weapons, could explain why there were no votes against and none of the permanent UN members choose to use their veto.
Now the resolution has finally been passed events are expected to move quickly, it is likely that the no-fly zone will be mainly implemented by the British and the French with backup from the US and Arab countries.
Western countries are very wary of this being seen as a Western scheme and have made strenuous efforts to involve and get support from the Arab nations. This is likely to continue as the plan is implemented.
In Benghazi there were cheers, fireworks and celebratory gunfire as the news was announced. The impetuous of their cause has just been given a life line.
Photo: Vibracobra23
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