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{{wikinews|UN Security Council approves Libya no-fly zone }}
{{wikinews|UN Security Council approves Libya no-fly zone }}
{{Main|United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973}}
{{Main|United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973}}
On March 17, 2011, the [[United Nations Security Council]] approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favor, zero against, and five abstentions via a [[United_Nations_Security_Council_resolution|UNSC Resolution]]. The [[Libyan no-fly zone]] was approved by the [[United Nations Security Council]] on March 17, 2011 by way of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973]].
On March 17, 2011, the [[United Nations Security Council]] approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favor, zero against, and five abstentions via a [[United_Nations_Security_Council_resolution|UNSC Resolution]]. The [[Libyan no-fly zone]] was approved by the [[United Nations Security Council]] on March 17, 2011 by way of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973]]<ref name=UN News Centre>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1= |title=Security Council authorizes ‘all necessary measures’ to protect civilians in Libya |author=UN |date=17 March 2011 |work=UN News Centre |publisher= |accessdate=17 March 2011}}</ref><ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/un-security-council-resolution|publisher=Guardian.co.uk|title=UN security council resolution on Libya – full text}}</ref>.


== Criticism ==
== Criticism ==

Revision as of 01:00, 18 March 2011

The Libyan no-fly zone is a no-fly zone over Libya that was approved by the United Nations Security Council on March 17, 2011 by way of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. The no-fly zone was proposed during the 2011 Libyan uprising to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on rebel forces.

On 12 March, the Arab League called on the United Nations Security Council to impose the no-fly zone.[1][2] On 17 March 2011, the Security Council voted 10-0 to approve the no-fly zone. There were five abstentions, including permanent members China and Russia who have veto power and often oppose military intervention against a sovereign country.[3][4][5]

Although the no fly zone is immediately enforcable, and several countries have prepared to take immediate action, it is unclear how long the operation will take to enforce the measures. Some reports state this could be 'within hours', wheras previous reports hinted at several days. Which nations and their roles in applying these measures thave not yet been specified, although France and the UK have stated their intention to uphold them as a matter of urgency, and Lebanon and the US heavily backed the resolution.[6][7]

Proposal

Several Libyan and international politicians, diplomats and organisations have called for a no-fly zone over Libya.

Libyans

On February 21, 2011, Libyan deputy Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi "[called] on the UN to impose a no-fly zone on all Tripoli to cut off all supplies of arms and mercenaries to the regime."[8]

On March 9, 2011, the head of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, "pleaded for the international community to move quickly to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, declaring that any delay would result in more casualties".[9] Three days later, he stated that if pro-Gaddafi forces reached Benghazi, then they would kill "half a million" people. He stated, "If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gaddafi's regime, and his ships are not checked, we will have a catastrophe in Libya."[10]

On March 12, thousands of Libyan women marched in the streets of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. One of the protestors, Nada el-Turki, stated, "We don't want foreign intervention, we just want a no-fly zone and our boys will do the rest. But they have light weapons in the face of air strikes."[11]

International

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron.

On February 28, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, proposed the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Muammar Gaddafi from airlifting mercenaries and using his military aeroplanes and armoured helicopters against civilians.[12]

On March 7, US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder announced that NATO decided to step up surveillance missions of E-3 AWACS aircraft to 24 hours a day. On the same day it was reported that an anonymous UN diplomat confirmed to AFP that France and Britain were drawing up a resolution on the no-fly zone that would be considered by the United Nations Security Council during the same week.[13][14] The Gulf Cooperation Council also on that day called upon the UN Security Council to "take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya."[15]

By March 9, the United States had naval forces positioned off the coast of Libya, as well as forces already in the region - including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Canada had dispatched naval frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFH 339) to the area, reinforcing the display of western power. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay stated, "We are there for all inevitabilities. And NATO is looking at this as well... This is taken as a precautionary and staged measure." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that the Canadian Air Force is ready to contribute to setting up a no-fly zone if the UN and NATO decided to do this.

Wikinews has related news:

On March 12, the Arab League "called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in a bid to protect civilians from air attack".[2][1][16] The Arab League's request was announced by Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, who stated that all member states present at the meeting agreed with the proposal.[2]

On March 15, a resolution for a no-fly zone was proposed and tabled by Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations. The resolution was immediately backed by Britain and France.[17]

On March 17, the Arab League envoy to the United Nations said the UAE and Qatar may participate in a no-fly zone. Egypt said they themselves would not.[18]

Enforcement

Planning for a possible NFZ was made in late February and early March by NATO,[19] especially by NATO members United Kingdom and France.[20] The United Kingdom and France want to establish a no-fly zone but they may not have enough fighter and supporting aircraft available to enforce it because of defense cuts and other obligations such as the occupation of Afghanistan. The US has the air assets needed, but is cautious about establishing a no-fly zone without a legal basis.[13]

Because of the sensitive nature of military action by the US against an Arab nation, it is possible that the US is looking for a joint NATO/Arab enforcement of the no-fly zone. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are possible partners. Since the UAE is the only country without internal unrest and depends on the US for protection against Iran, it is a likely candidate for enforcing the no-fly zone with NATO. [21][22] On Saturday 12 March the foreign ministers of the Arab League agreed on asking the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. This brings a joint NATO/Arab enforced fly-zone closer to establishing.[13]

UNSC Resolution 1973/2011

Wikinews has related news:
Main article: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973

On March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favor, zero against, and five abstentions via a UNSC Resolution. The Libyan no-fly zone was approved by the United Nations Security Council on March 17, 2011 by way of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).[23].

Criticism

An act of war

According to former United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Jed Babbin, the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya would be "an irresponsible act of war" against the country.[24]

At a congressional hearing, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that "a no-fly zone begins with an attack on Libya to destroy the air defenses ... and then you can fly planes around the country and not worry about our guys being shot down. But that's the way it starts."[25]

Foreign Minister of France Alain Juppe stated that "intervening means waging war".[26]

If the United States were to enforce a NFZ over Libya, it is unclear if it would require an authorization from Congress to use force or authorization by the United Nations. Any such authorization was not granted by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 adopted on February 26, 2011.[27]

Perception of interference

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that: "The tough issues about how and whether there would be any intervention to assist those who are opposing Libya is very controversial within Libya and within the Arab community".[28]

Complexity of operation

According to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, a no-fly zone would be "an extraordinarily complex operation to set up."[29]

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that more air assets would need to be moved into the vicinity of Libya and that the operation also would require "more airplanes than you would find on a single aircraft carrier ... it is a big operation in a big country."[28]

On March 9, Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed that "the imposition of a no-fly zone would be quite a complicated undertaking".[30]

According to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, establishing and maintaining a no-fly zone over Libya could cost the US Department of Defense up to $300 million a week (or around $15 billion a year) under scenarios formulated by the think tank.[31]

On the contrary, Gen. Merrill McPeak, a former US Air Force chief of staff, said: “I can’t imagine an easier military problem.” He suggested concentrating flights over those parts of the country that Muammar Gaddafi doesn’t control. That would remove the need to attack and take out Libyan air defense systems.[32]

Questionable effectiveness

United States (US) Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder stated that: "[I]t's important to understand that no-fly zones...really have a limited effect against the helicopters or the kind of ground operations that we've seen, which is why a no-fly zone, even if it were to be established, isn't really going to impact what is happening there today. And the kinds of capabilities that are being used to attack the rebel forces and, indeed, the population will be largely unaffected by a no-fly zone."[33]

According to Richard Haass, the president of the US think tank Council on Foreign Relations, "there is no reason to believe a no-fly zone would be decisive. In fact, we have every reason to believe it would not be, given that aircraft and helicopters are not central to the regime's military advantages." Haass argues that regime could defeat the opposition with no air support, simply by exploiting its advantages in terms of ground forces.[34]

At a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on March 10, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded the audience that:

...we had a no-fly zone over Iraq. It did not prevent Saddam Hussein from slaughtering people on the ground and it did not get him out of office. We had a no-fly zone and then we had 78 days of bombing in Serbia. It did not get Milosevic out of office. It did not get him out of Kosovo until we put troops on the ground with our allies.[35]

Risk of co-option

Richard Haass argues that:

"It is one thing to acknowledge Moammar Gadhafi as a ruthless despot, which he has demonstrated himself to be. But doing so does not establish the democratic bona fides of those who oppose him. And even if some of those opposing him are genuine democrats, there is no reason to assume that helping to remove the regime would result in the ascendancy of such people."

According to Haass, removing Gadaffi by force could "easily set in motion a chain of events in which a different strongman, with the backing of a different tribe, took over" or create a power vacuum exploitable by al Qaeda and similar groups.[34]

On a per capita basis, twice as many foreign fighters in the Iraqi insurgency came from Libya as from any other Arab country—most of them from Darnah or Benghazi, the locus of the current uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.[36][37] However, according to National Journal, "[reports] from the ground in Libya suggest that Islamic groups in eastern Libya are working closely with secular rebels in the fight against Gaddafi and have made no effort to take control of the situation or impose strict Islamic law in the areas they control."[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Perry, Tom (2011-03-12). "Arab League calls for Libya no-fly zone-state TV". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c "Arab states seek Libya no-fly zone". Al Jazeera English. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "UN authorises no-fly zone over Libya". Al Jazeera. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  4. ^ Mark Mardell (2011-03-17). "Libya: UN backs action against Colonel Gaddafi". BBC News. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  5. ^ "U.N. Security Council approves no-fly zone over Libya". CNN. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  6. ^ "BBC News - Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote". BBC News. BBC. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  7. ^ DeYoung, Karen (17 March 2011). "Europeans say intervention in Libya possible within hours of U.N. vote". Washington Post. Retrieved 18 March 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "Libyan Ambassador to UN urges international community to stop genocide | Libya Politics". Global Arab Network. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  9. ^ By the CNN Wire Staff (2011-03-09). "Rebel leader calls for 'immediate action' on no-fly zone - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ "Gaddafi's army will kill half a million, warn Libyan rebels". The Guardian. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Thousands of Libyan women march for "no-fly zone"". NOW Lebanon/AFP. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2011-03-13. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Cameron Doesn't Rule Out Military Force for Libya". The Wall Street Journal. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  13. ^ a b c "Libyan Air Force during the revolt: timeline of events". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 15 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Pierre-Antoine Donnet (2011-03-07). "Britain, France ready Libya no-fly zone resolution". AFP via Google. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  15. ^ "Gulf states back Libya no-fly zone - The West Australian". Au.news.yahoo.com. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  16. ^ "BREAKING: Arab League calls on UN to impose No Fly Zone on Libya". 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Denselow, James (2009-09-21). "Libya and Lebanon: a troubled relationship". The Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  18. ^ Libya Live Blog - March 17, Al Jazeera English, 17 March 2011
  19. ^ Julian Borger, diplomatic editor. "Nato weighs Libya no-fly zone options | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  20. ^ "BBC News - Libya: UK and French no-fly zone plan gathers pace". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  21. ^ "UAE afraid of Iranian air attack". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 11 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "Libyan Air Force During the Revolt: Timeline of Events". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 11 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "UN security council resolution on Libya – full text". Guardian.co.uk.
  24. ^ May, Caroline (2011-03-04). "No-Fly Zone Libya | Critics Call Libyan No-Fly Zone Act Of War | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  25. ^ "U.S. mulling military options in Libya - CNN". Articles.cnn.com. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  26. ^ Embassy of France (2011-03-01). "Libya/refugees – Military options - No-fly zone – UfM role - France in the United States/ Embassy of France in Washington". Ambafrance-us.org. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  27. ^ Sanger, David E.; Shanker, Thom (March 2, 2011). "Gates Warns of Risks of a No-Flight Zone". New York Times.
  28. ^ a b From Elise Labott, CNN Senior State Department Producer (2011-03-03). "U.S. mulling military options in Libya - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ "News Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon". Defense.gov. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  30. ^ "NATO chief says no plans to intervene in Libya | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  31. ^ Bennett, John T. "Defense group: Libyan no-fly zone could cost $300 million a week". TheHill.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  32. ^ Kristof, Nicholas D. (March 9, 2011). "The Case for a No-Fly Zone". New York Times.
  33. ^ Rogin, Josh (2011-03-07). "U.S. Ambassador to NATO: No-fly zone wouldn't help much". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  34. ^ a b Haass, Richard N. "Richard Haass: The U.S. Should Keep Out of Libya - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  35. ^ "Clinton warns against unilateral U.S. move on Libya | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  36. ^ "The Rebels Love Us, Right?". Center for a New American Security. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
  37. ^ a b "Once-Secret Iraqi Documents Offer Lesson for Libya". NationalJournal.com. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
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