Libya: Arab League calls for United Nations no-fly zone

The Telegraph ^ | 12 March 2011 | Colin Freeman, Nick Meo and Patrick Hennessy

[Racehorse]

As Colonel Gaddafi’s jets and tanks continued to gain ground against rebels in the east of the country, ministers from the 22-nation League agreed to call for action after emergency talks in Cairo. Officials said the body had already been in touch with the rebels about the situation on the ground.

Before the meeting, Amr Moussa, the secretary general of the Arab League and one of its most influential diplomats, had thrown his weight behind the air exclusion zone, saying it was the only way to protect Libyans from Gaddafi’s “disdainful” regime.

In a statement after a six-hour long meeting, he added: “The Arab League has officially requested the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone against any military action against the Libyan people.”

His comments came as the Gaddafi regime declared victory in the battle for the oil port of Ras Lanuf in eastern Libya, where it had fought with artillery, tanks, ships and planes to eject rebels for most of the last week

[Racehorse]

With 21 member nations, seems like the Arab League might volunteer their combined Air Forces to get the job done. Why wait on the West?

[pallis]

I agree. Egypt could supply the staging point. Let the Muslims handle their revolution.

[The Free Engineer]

Excellent point. Egypt has lots of F-16’s. The Saudi’s have F-15s and AWACS and experienced pilots. Should be no problem.

[NWFLConservative]

It is time for these diaperheaded people to start POLICING THEIR OWN, rather than relying on us and the UK to do their dirty work for them. If they had done it with Hussein, there would never have been a need for OIF.

The thing is that they are all too chickenshit to stand up against rogue countries, which is why Iran has gotten away with murder and until 2003, so did Iraq.

[Cheetahcat]

They could get out their flying carpets and get on with it! Leave us out of this, unless they want to chip in Big $$$$$

[FightThePower!]

The last thing the USA needs is another war. Let the Arabs handle their own mess.

[maddog55]

Arab League ready to enforce the no-fly zone:

[American Dream 246]

The last thing the USA needs is another war. Let the Arabs handle their own mess.

Fully agree! Why don't they do it themselves??? They need US to do it and the day after they burn our flag? Tell them to get lost and be responsible for their own people. For once I am almost happy we have a no show pres. First time I don't agree with Sarah. I don't want to see one more US soldier die for these barbarics. Period.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

United Nations Security Council

In other words, a US supplied no-fly zone. Of course, we might have a multi-national force to do it. you know: 7 brit planes, 3 french planes and 90 US planes. All on the US tab of course.

Not if I'm asked. Of course, WE THE PEOPLE are never asked. That's why the politico's have run the richest country in the world, literally into the ground.

[elpadre]

tell them we will put a no-fly zone in Libya the day the Arab League vows on the Koran to declare Israel’s right to exist and will never persecute a Jew - so help you allah!!!

[DUMBGRUNT]

“why they might harpoon us but they dang sure ain’t gonna spot us on no radar screen!”

[CardeadInKy]

Well Arab league...if you want a no-fly zone. Do it. Don’t ask someone else.