U.N. Security Council Authorizes No-Fly Zone in Libya
Published March 17, 2011
| FoxNews.com
The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution Thursday evening authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and other measures military action against Libya.
The vote was 10-0 with five abstentions, including Russia and China.
Congressional officials, speaking after a briefing for members of the Senates, aid they expected the effort to enforce a no-fly zone and ground Muammar al-Qaddafi's air force could begin within a few days.
Earlier Thursday, Libya's defense ministry warned that any military action against the Qaddafi regime will be met with retaliatory strikes on air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean region.
Reuters reported that a statement by the regime of Qaddafi broadcast on Libyan television warned that "the Mediterranean basin will face danger not just in the short-term, but also in the long term."
Clinton told reporters in Tunisia the specifics of international action against Qaddafi were still being negotiated at the United Nations in New York.
The move comes as Qaddafi forces have made "significant strides" against the rebels in Libya. Qaddafi forces said it would cease military operations on Sunday to give rebels a chance to surrender, without giving further details about the offer, Reuters reported, citing Al Arabiya TV.
The U.S. wants the Security Council to approve planes, troops or ships to stop attacks by Qaddafi on the rebels, according to a diplomat familiar with closed-door negotiations.
The Obama administration said it would not act without Security Council authorization, though it would be willing to cooperate on measures "short of boots on the ground." However, the diplomat said the U.S. insists on broad international participation, especially by Arab states.
Russia and China have expressed doubts about the U.N. and other outside powers getting involved and either one could veto a resolution.
That possibility spurred concerns by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who in particularly blunt terms questioned Undersecretary of State Williams Burns at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Thursday about whether the U.S. would have the wherewithal to take action absent approval from other nations. During the tense exchange, Rubio said Russia and China aren't interested in trying to end the violence in Libya, and asked if the U.S. doesn't step in, who would.
Burns responded that he is confident the U.N. Security Council will pass a resolution.
"I'm not assuming that it's going to fail," he said. "I think we can produce a resolution. I hope we can today."
The undersecretary noted that forces loyal to Qaddafi are roughly 100 miles from the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. Burns said Qaddafi is taking full advantage of his military firepower in turning back rebels in Libya.
Libyan rebels shot down at least two bomber planes that attacked the airport in their main stronghold on Thursday, according to residents who witnessed the rare success in the struggle against Qaddafi's superior air power.
Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain, who has been pushing the Obama administration to impose a no-fly zone for weeks, questioned Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at the committee hearing on why that move would now be too little too late.
Schwartz did not say that the U.S. military should have implemented a no-fly zone but he did agree that if one were to be imposed now it would require additional military action.
"A no-fly zone would not be sufficient," Schwartz said.
"As opposed to a few weeks ago when it would have been," McCain replied.
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