If Libya, why not Bahrain, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast? Runs one of the arguments against implementation of resolution 1973; another is why no such NFZ exists over Gaza, Bahrain, Ivory Coast?
Perhaps the political posturing and confusion, and the media’s attempts to unpick the resolution, explains why the UN is so reluctant to act decisively in a humanitarian crisis.
First there was Egyptian presidential candidate, Amr Moussa, who is also the chair of the Arab League, claiming that the organisation did not vote for anything more than a NFZ. Which technically is correct, the inclusion of ground attacks to protect civilians was added later. But as Moussa attended the strategic discussions prior to action being taken, and was presumably aware of the text jointly drafted by Arab league member Lebanon, it does seem a little disingenuous for him to claim ignorance in the wake of the attack on a convoy of Gaddafi’s tanks threatening Benghazi.
Today prime minster Putin repeated Gaddafi’s claim of a ‘western crusade’ being launched against Libya. Only for him to be slapped down by president Medvedev, who called Putin’s remarks ‘unacceptable’ as the UN operation was not a clash of civilizations.
And now a furious row has broken out between France and Italy. The Italians are demanding to have a clearly defined chain of command imposed on operations, and the Italian foreign minister Frattini, has threatened to prevent the planes engaged in operation Odyssey Dawn from using Italian airbases.
The move comes on a day when president Berlusconi chose to attend a cabinet meeting, rather than the opening day of his trial for bribery. Amid rumblings of discontent from his political allies the Northern League.
Latest reports from the beleaguered town of Tintan in western Libya say the water and power has been cut off, the town is being bombarded with tanks and rockets and an ultimatum has been delivered, demanding surrender or else.
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