Pat Dollard

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BRITISH, FRENCH and US military aircraft are preparing to protect the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi after the UN Security Council last night voted to establish a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” to protect its citizens from harm at the hands of Col Muammar Gadafy’s forces.

Ten of the council’s 15 member states voted in favour of the resolution, with Russia, China and Germany among the five that abstained.

The measure allows not only a no-flight zone but effectively any measures short of a ground invasion to halt attacks that might result in civilian fatalities.

Jets could take off from French military bases within 24 hours of the passing of the resolution. France, which along with Britain had led the calls for a no-fly zone, has offered the use of military bases on its Mediterranean coast, about 1,200km from the Libyan coast. Several Arab countries would join the operation.

The finalising of military preparations came as Col Gadafy’s forces closed in on Benghazi yesterday and issued a strong warning that it would target all maritime traffic in the Mediterranean if it is targeted by foreign forces.

In a statement broadcast on Libyan television the defence ministry said: “Any foreign military act against Libya will expose all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean sea to danger and civilian and military [facilities] will become targets of Libya’s counterattack.”

A security council source said the resolution would impose a no-fly zone over Libya but that was no longer enough. “The resolution authorises air strikes against tank columns advancing on Benghazi or engaging naval ships bombarding Benghazi,” he said.

A source at UN headquarters in New York said military forces could act soon after the resolution, which called for states to protect civilians by halting Col Gadafy’s forces attacks by air, land and sea.

Nato would have to meet after the vote to review military planning that has already been completed.

British prime minister David Cameron spoke to leaders of Arab countries on Wednesday night and yesterday to persuade them to take part in a no-fly zone.

The US had demanded Arab involvement to ensure the West could not be accused of imposing its will on the Arab world. Mr Cameron also spoke to African and European leaders. Nigeria, Gabon, South Africa and Germany currently have seats on the security council.

Germany is opposed to the no-fly zone. Its foreign minister Guido Westerwelle said Berlin remained strongly opposed to any military intervention in Libya or the use of air strikes. He warned that the consequences of western military intervention were unpredictable and could affect freedom movements in the Arab world.

After weeks of procrastination by the US, Washington backed the resolution after the Arab League joined the calls for a no-fly zone. The Obama administration was stalled by a split between secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who favoured a no-fly zone, and defence secretary Robert Gates. The White House, caught in the middle, dithered.

Mr Gates, although opposed to the no-fly zone, redeployed US naval vessels close to the Libyan coast and told the president that, though heavily engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military was capable of fighting on a third front.

Speculation as to which countries would participate included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. There is no plan to send in ground troops other than for isolated incidents such as rescuing downed pilots.

– (Guardian service)
the Irishtimes.com