Pressure mounts for Libyan no-fly zone
Source: Agencies |
March 15, 2011, Tuesday
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FRANCE and Britain stepped up calls yesterday for other world powers to isolate Libya's Moammar Gadhafi with a no-fly zone, amid diplomatic differences over how much backing to give Libyan rebels.
The accelerated push came as United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top diplomats from the Group of Eight prominent world economies were gathering in Paris for a previously planned foreign ministers meeting.
France, which has angered some -allies by offering diplomatic- -recognition to Libya's opposition, said it is urgent to act against "barbarity" by -Gadhafi's forces.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Libyans will face a "nightmare" if Gadhafi regains control, insisting that the world is "reaching a point of decision" on whether foreign forces will impose a no-fly zone.
Insurgents, who control much of eastern Libya, have called for a no-fly zone, as forces loyal to Gadhafi strike back with tanks and planes - pressing eastward against the rebels yesterday.
The Arab League has backed a no-fly zone, and Hague told BBC Radio yesterday that "in cases of great, overwhelming humanitarian need" one could be enforced without a United Nations Security Council resolution.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero pointed to an "urgency" to act because violence against civilians was increasing in Libya. He said France was also working on a list of sanctions against Gadhafi's government at the UN Security Council.
Other countries, including the US, have been more cautious.
Hague, who is due to attend the foreign ministers meeting, also said he "wouldn't exclude" amending a ban on arms exports to Libya so that weapons could be shipped to the rebels - but that talks with allies on that are needed.
The accelerated push came as United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other top diplomats from the Group of Eight prominent world economies were gathering in Paris for a previously planned foreign ministers meeting.
France, which has angered some -allies by offering diplomatic- -recognition to Libya's opposition, said it is urgent to act against "barbarity" by -Gadhafi's forces.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Libyans will face a "nightmare" if Gadhafi regains control, insisting that the world is "reaching a point of decision" on whether foreign forces will impose a no-fly zone.
Insurgents, who control much of eastern Libya, have called for a no-fly zone, as forces loyal to Gadhafi strike back with tanks and planes - pressing eastward against the rebels yesterday.
The Arab League has backed a no-fly zone, and Hague told BBC Radio yesterday that "in cases of great, overwhelming humanitarian need" one could be enforced without a United Nations Security Council resolution.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero pointed to an "urgency" to act because violence against civilians was increasing in Libya. He said France was also working on a list of sanctions against Gadhafi's government at the UN Security Council.
Other countries, including the US, have been more cautious.
Hague, who is due to attend the foreign ministers meeting, also said he "wouldn't exclude" amending a ban on arms exports to Libya so that weapons could be shipped to the rebels - but that talks with allies on that are needed.
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