UNCLEAR UN RES & MASS MEDIA SET UP TO ACCUSE GADDAFI FOR NATO BOMBING OF LIBYA

UNCLEAR UN RES & MASS MEDIA SET UP TO ACCUSE GADDAFI FOR NATO BOMBING OF LIBYA
HAZ, MARCH 18, 2011

U.N. APPROBES MILITARY FORCE as Gaddafi threatens rebels
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110318

People in Misrata said the rebel-held western Libyan city was being pounded by Gaddafi's forces on Friday morning.

"They are bombing everything, the houses, the center of the city," rebel Saadoun told Reuters by phone. "We believe they want to enter the city at any cost before the international community starts implementing the U.N. resolution.
"We call on the international community to do something before it's too late. They must act now."

[[NOTE: THAT WAS A FALSE ALARM. THE SENSE OF THE RESOLUTION WAS TO PROHIBITED LIBYA AIRFORCE TO BOMB THE REBEL SITES AS IT DID NOT HAPPENS DURING THE WEEK ]]

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LIBYA DECLARES CEASEFIRE AFTER U.N. RESOLUTION
TRIPOLI | Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:56am
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110318

Reuters) - Libya declared a ceasefire in the country to protect civilians and comply with a United Nations resolution passed overnight, Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said Friday.

"We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he told reporters.

"(Libya) takes great interest in protecting civilians," he said, adding that the country would also protect all foreigners and foreign assets in Libya.
(Reporting by Maria Golovnina and Michael Georgy. This source was later deleted by Reuters and other -the doctorate video- was placed instead) Shame of Reuters!
[[NOTE: THE LIBYAN DECLARE OF CEASEFIRE WAS TRUE]]

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ARABS ARE NOT SUPPORTING NATO BOMBING OF LIBYA NOR THEIR INVASION

Analysis: Arabs not eager to join military action in Libya
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-arabs-idUSTRE72H48R20110318
By Alistair Lyon, Special Correspondent

BEIRUT | Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:11am EDT

Reuters) - Arab states that urged the imposition of a U.N.-backed no-fly zone on Libya showed little enthusiasm Friday for joining any military action there -- even before Libya surprised the world by declaring a ceasefire.

The wary Arab response to a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces reflected Arab queasiness about Western military intervention in another Muslim country.

"People talk of Arab honor, solidarity and dignity. Nobody has trampled on those things in the last 40 years more than Muammar Gaddafi," said Beirut-based commentator Rami Khouri.

He was speaking before Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said his country had declared a ceasefire to protect civilians and comply with the United Nations resolution adopted overnight.

Arab League chief Amr Moussa said the U.N. resolution aimed to protect civilians, not to authorize any invasion of Libya.

The participation of any Arab country in any action would be discussed bilaterally because the League's own resolution backing a no-fly zone had not specified other steps by states.

"We don't want any side to go too far, including Libya, by attacking the civilian population. Our main task is to protect the Libyan civilian population," Moussa told Reuters in Cairo.

The Cairo-based League suspended Libya over its handling of the revolt and called for a no-fly zone on March 12, a step that was crucial in securing U.S. and European backing for the move.

Only Qatar had vowed to join "international efforts aimed at stopping the bloodshed and protecting civilians in Libya," but the Gulf state did not say if this would include military help.

EGYPT ARMING REBELS
The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt's military had begun sending weapons across the border to Libyan rebels with Washington's knowledge.


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ANALYST VIEW: Air strikes authorized against Libya
LONDON | Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:08am EDT
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-analysts-idUSTRE72H2B820110318

(Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council has authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and air strikes to protect civilians against Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-libya-analysts-idUSTRE72H2B820110318
Below is a roundup of analysts' views:

BENJAMIN BARRY, A LAND WARFARE EXPERT AT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, said:

"Will it be NATO-led, US-led, UK-France-led? And how quickly can the minimum force level be assembled to kick this off? Do you issue an ultimatum to Libyan forces - either 'go back to barracks', or 'keep 100 km from Benghazi'? Or do you neutralize the Libyan army?

"What isn't as clear as it should be is the political strategy. We've had general statements to the effect 'Gaddafi out, representative government in'. It may be that people are working on the hoof. To judge by the rhetoric it may be French led."

HENRY WILKINSON, SENIOR ANALYST AT JANUSIAN SECURITY CONSULTANTS, said

"This may have come a bit too late. Gaddafi's forces are reportedly close to Benghazi and he will probably try to press his advantage while he still can.
"(Despite the UN resolution) It looks likely that Gaddafi will stay in power in Tripoli for some time to come and a form of stalemate will emerge, bringing a partition between the east and west."

SHASHANK JOSHI, A FELLOW AT ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE, said:

"I think the strategy now is regime breakdown rather than a rebel victory. You'll see simultaneous military and political pressure in hopes either that Gaddafi steps aside, or there's a coup from within his circle.

"At the same time Benghazi will be secured as a safe haven. We see signs that Egypt is already supplying arms to the rebels despite having voted against the resolution.
[[THIS IS ALSO RELIABLE: THE US-EGYPT BROKE THE PREVIOUS UN RES TO AVOID ARMS INTO LIBYA]]

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CHINA VOICES "SERIOUS RESERVATIONS" on Libya no-fly decision

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/18/us-china-libya-idUSTRE72H12K20110318
BEIJING | Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:54am EDT

The U.N. Security Council should seek to "resolve the current Libyan crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means," Jiang said in a statement on the ministry website (www.mfa.gov.cn).

"We oppose the use of armed force in international relations, and have serious reservations about some of the content of the resolution."

The resolution could lead to a dramatic escalation of international involvement in the conflict that erupted last month between Gaddafi loyalists and rebels trying to topple him. China has long said that it opposes armed international intervention in other countries' internal conflicts.

At the United Nations headquarters in New York, Russian and Chinese envoys said the resolution's backers failed to explain adequately how the no-fly zone would work and what the rules of engagement would be.

But the Arab League had requested that the no-fly zone be imposed. Jiang made clear that this weighed on China's decision to abstain, rather than oppose, the resolution.
"In view of the concerns and stance of the Arab countries and African Union and the special circumstances that currently apply in Libya, China and other countries abstained, and did not block the passing of the resolution," said Jiang.
U.N. diplomats said they understood the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan were among Arab League members prepared to take part in enforcing the no-fly zone.

In February, China joined a unanimous Security Council resolution for an arms embargo and other sanctions targeting Gaddafi and 15 members of his inner circle.
(Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Ken Wills and Jeremy Laurence)