There is NO military solution for Libya. There was not one for Iraq, either.
NATO's actions have CAUSED civilian deaths. That is a concern. We do not want to enhance the effort for the Gadhaffi regime while weakening the Liberation Rebels opposing him. If civilians die it will diminish the 'credibility' of NATO and escalate support for extremists like al Qaeda. If extremism receive support, then the opposition rebels won't be safe.
Libya needs serious diplomatic efforts, not military intervention (click here)
Abdel Bari Atwan writes: It has now become imperative to find a suitable exit for Gaddafi and ensure a peaceful transition of power
By Abdel Bari Atwan, Special to Gulf News
Published: 00:00 April 24, 2011
...Resolution 1973 allowed for a no-fly zone to protect Libyan citizens and it succeeded in averting the imminent massacre in Benghazi. Now, however, Gaddafi has adapted his military tactics to evade aerial bombardment — by hiding tanks and taking the battle to the heart of the cities for example — and the world can only look on in horror as his forces slaughter the citizens of Misrata.
Whilst considering what steps Nato might take next I remembered a curious tale I heard from a British taxi driver in 1991 during the first Gulf War. His late father, an architect, had been involved in the 1930s construction of King Gazi's Flowers Palace, in Baghdad; the day before I met him, the taxi driver's home had been visited by MI6 agents who were hoping the family had kept some of the architect's plans of the palace. They wanted to pinpoint possible hiding places of Saddam Hussain who had hunkered down in it.
The idea that foreign special forces might assassinate or spirit Colonel Gaddafi away is not as far-fetched as it may sound. Only last week, French agents kidnapped the stubborn ex-president Laurent Gbagbo of the Ivory Coast who refused to leave office despite having lost the election. The pointed reference to the International Criminal Court in their Op/Ed may suggest that Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy hope to see an abducted Gaddafi brought before it....
There is no support in Arab countries for invasion into Libya. Invasion by sophisticated military troops is not necessary in Libya. The opposition rebel forces have secured many areas for themselves with help from "The No Fly Zone." If NATO forces would enter Libya it would 'ignite' a war that may not be quelled in any short period of time, such as in Iraq, and many, many more civilians would die. WE KNOW THAT FOR A FACT.
The Neocon Congressmen are grossly in error on all counts in regard to NATO's success and the USA support of that effort. It is a success and millions of people are alive to prove it.
If there are forces within NATO, such as Italy, France, Great Britain that need more military jets or technology, they don't have to look far to find it. Nor does it take much to ask for assistance. Nor would they be refused if they wanted to purchase weapons and weapon technology from the USA. So, the 'idea' the European allies of the USA are weak and lack determination is a flat out lie. The TRUTH is that European alllies to the USA are CAREFUL, something the Bush Regime never appreciated.
No one is happy about the continued deaths of civilians in Miserata. No one. But, all realize to enter with sophisticatd troops and weapons will only bring 'the equivalent' of the same from extremists that will parlay this into an attack on Islam.
Libyan troops easing Misrata siege to allow tribal talks, regime claims (click title to entry - thank you)
Deputy foreign minister says frustrated tribal leaders will attack rebels themselves if deal not done by Monday night
guardian.co.uk,
In an acknowledgement that loyalist troops had failed to take control of the city after two months of the siege, the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Kaim, said: "The tactic of the army was to have a surgical strike but, with the [Nato] air strikes, that doesn't work."
He said tribal leaders had set a 48-hour deadline – due to expire on Monday night – to strike a deal with the rebels, who hold the port area of Misrata and have made gains in the centre of the city in recent days.
If the talks failed, the tribal leaders would launch a military assault on the rebel strongholds, Kaim said. He warned that could be "very bloody"....
I am quite confident Gadhaffi forces are using this opportunity to gather intelligence and redress the circumstances rather than resolving tribal issues under his Bedowin tent.
The opposition rebels need to be smarter, negotiate in good faith, but, realize this is more an opportunity than it is a profound resolution to the hostilites.
The American Necon Politicians need to take their politics elsewhere, this is NOT our fight.
