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France, Norway Will Join Military Intervention in Libya

   VOA News  March 18, 2011

   France  and  Norway  say  they  will  join  the international military
   intervention  in  Libya  after  the  United  Nations  Security Council
   authorized a no-fly zone over the country.
   French  government  spokesman  Francois  Baroin and Norweigian Defense
   Minister Grete Faremo announced their countries' participation Friday.
   French diplomatic sources say international military action would come
   "within  hours"  to stop forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi
   from hurting civilians.
   Ten  council  members voted in favor of the resolution Thursday and no
   country  voted  against  it.   Five members - Brazil, China, Germany,
   India, and Russia - abstained.
   The   resolution  authorized  U.N.  members  to  take  "all  necessary
   measures"  to  protect  civilians, including a ban on all flights over
   Libya.  Those  measure  are  likely to include targeted air strikes on
   Libya's military defenses.
   The  resolution  also  expresses  grave  concern  at the deteriorating
   situation  in  Libya  and calls for an immediate cease-fire to end all
   violence against civilians.
   Thousands  filled  the streets of Libya's rebel stronghold of Benghazi
   Thursday,  applauding  the U.N. vote with cheers, celebratory gunfire,
   and fireworks.
   Gadhafi has warned the rebels to surrender or face an imminent attack.
   He  said his forces will show no mercy and dismissed the resolution as
   worthless.
   The  United  States  has  started plans for enforcing the no-fly zone.
   Italy  is  offering  the  use of its Sigonella air base on Sicily, and
   Canada has announced it will send six fighter jets to the region.
   U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Susan Rice, announced after the vote that
   Gadhafi has lost his legitimacy.  She added there is no justification
   for his continued leadership.
   French  Prime  Minister  Francois  Fillon said his government supports
   military action against Libya as quickly as possible.
   Despite  Gadhafi's  remarks  about  the U.N. resolution, Libyan Deputy
   Foreign  Minister  Khaled  Kaaim said Libya wold react "positively" to
   the measure and is willing to guarantee protection for civilians.
   Thursday's  resolution  also stresses the need to find solution to the
   Libyan  crisis that responds to the "legitimate demands" of the Libyan
   people.  It calls for stronger enforcement of an arms embargo against
   Libya  and  adds more names and companies to those subject to an asset
   freeze.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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References

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