Libya hints at ceasefire as UN Security Council votes to approve no-fly zone

[JanDutchy]

Source: From: AFP

THE UN Security Council has cleared the way for air strikes to halt Muammar Gaddafi's offensive against embattled rebel forces in Libya, with the first bombing raids possible within hours.
It approved a resolution permitting "all necessary measures'' to impose a no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on Gaddafi's military.

Immediately after the announcement Libya said it was ready for a ceasefire with the rebels but wanted to discuss how it would be implemented.

The US, France and Britain pushed for speedy approval because Gaddafi's forces are advancing toward the opposition-held city of Benghazi.

CNN reported a short time ago that Gaddafi had decided to hold off on plans to send the army in to Benghazi and mercilessly crush all resistance, as had been promised by the dictator just hours before the UN resolution.


Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/un-security-council-votes-to-approve-no-fly-zone-over-libya/story-fn7ycml4-1226023883418

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A lot of changing minds today:

According to RNW

The Secretary General of NATO today on Twitter has an embarrassing mistake on the situation around Libya.
The Dane Anders Fogh Rasmussen twitterde: "# NATO stands ready to protect the civilian population against attacks from the regime. # Libya."

Within an hour this message disappeared and was replaced by a more nuanced statement: # NATO stands ready to protect the civilian population if there is a demonstrable need, clear legal basis and strong regional support. # Libya "

[El Supremo]

1. Please God!

[Tiggeroshii]

2. gee, if we had done this several days ago, maybe we would've gotten a ceasfire then?

:shrug:

[tabatha]

4. Do you know why it took this long?

Nations don't suddenly say a cease-fire and then the next day implement it.

A whole bunch of planning and data gathering has to be done first.

When the AWACs planes went up days ago, I knew they were starting to get enough info to implement a no-fly.

[Tiggeroshii]

5. A UN Resolution could have been passed a long time ago...

And if that did not happen, any country with the military capability(say France or Italy) could announce their intervention with air strikes. We've had ships off the coast of Libya for weeks. Why didn't we plan this a long time ago as a precaution? I feel as though if that happened, it would have the same results as now, with fewer losses on top of it.

[tabatha]

6. No, it could not.

They could only pass a resolution if they knew they could start immediately.

They needed to know what Gaddafi was doing, where his assets were, etc.

Try listening to Al Jazeera for informed commentary - from international figures.

In fact, listen to Ed as well. right now.

[Downwinder]

7. Could it have been due to settling Bahrain?

[tabatha]

8. Guess, guess, guess.

I get a lot of info from Al Jazeera where I heard Paul Eaton talk, amongst others.

[tabatha]

3. A good move.

But Gaddafi is trying to negotiate his staying; and if he does, then eventually there will be retribution.

Gaddafi has to go.

And the reason for the change of wording is because the three conditions - demonstrable need, clear legal basis and strong regional support - was the basis of the UN resolution. I don't think it was mind changing - it was reiteration in a better way.

[defendandprotect]

9. Sounds like good news -- !!

Should have been done three weeks or more ago --

especially before the protesters had to pick up arms to defend themselves

from Kaddafi's brutality -- and before so many more have been killed/wounded!

Questions still about the "no fly zone" operation --

[Turborama]

10. This article is inaccurate. Another Australian publication reported on the "ceasefire" before

Another Australian publication reported Gaddafi's supposed "ceasefire" BEFORE the resolution was passed:

Gaddafi calls ceasefire as tough UN action looms
Posted 9 hours 51 minutes ago
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167122.htm?section=justin

[rayofreason]

11. Using force against an Arab Dictator who...

...is committing abuses against his people, with the ultimate aim of his removal.


Oh, wait.....