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The Libyan no-fly zone is a no-fly zone over Libya approved by the United Nations Security Council on March 17, 2011. The no-fly zone was proposed during the 2011 Libyan uprising to prevent government forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi from carrying out air attacks on rebel forces.
On March 12, the Arab League called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone. On 17 March 2011, the Security Council voted 10-0-5 to approve a no-fly zone through Resolution 1973. There were five abstentions, including Brazil, Russia, India and China who often oppose military intervention against a sovereign country.
Although the no-fly zone is immediately enforceable, and several countries have prepared to take immediate action, it is unclear how long the operation will take to enforce the measures as of March 17, 2011. French officials previously stated that this could be 'within hours', although British officials had cautioned against this suggestion.
Which nations and their roles in applying these measures have not yet been fully specified, although France and the UK have stated their intention to uphold them as a matter of urgency, and Lebanon and the US heavily backed the resolution.
On March 18, the Libyan foreign minister, Mussa Kussa, declared ceasefire, attributing the UN resolution.
Proposal
Several Libyan and international politicians, diplomats and organisations have called for a no-fly zone over Libya.
Libyans
On February 21, 2011, Libyan deputy Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi " on the UN to impose a no-fly zone on all Tripoli to cut off all supplies of arms and mercenaries to the regime."
On March 9, 2011, the head of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, "pleaded for the international community to move quickly to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, declaring that any delay would result in more casualties". Three days later, he stated that if pro-Gaddafi forces reached Benghazi, then they would kill "half a million" people. He stated, "If there is no no-fly zone imposed on Gaddafi's regime, and his ships are not checked, we will have a catastrophe in Libya."
On March 12, thousands of Libyan women marched in the streets of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, calling for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. One of the protestors, Nada el-Turki, stated, "We don't want foreign intervention, we just want a no-fly zone and our boys will do the rest. But they have light weapons in the face of air strikes."
International
On February 28, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, proposed the idea of a no-fly zone to prevent Muammar Gaddafi from airlifting mercenaries and using his military aeroplanes and armoured helicopters against civilians.
On March 7, US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder announced that NATO decided to step up surveillance missions of E-3 AWACS aircraft to 24 hours a day. On the same day it was reported that an anonymous UN diplomat confirmed to AFP that France and Britain were drawing up a resolution on the no-fly zone that would be considered by the United Nations Security Council during the same week. The Gulf Cooperation Council also on that day called upon the UN Security Council to "take all necessary measures to protect civilians, including enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya."
By March 9, the United States had naval forces positioned off the coast of Libya, as well as forces already in the region - including the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Canada had dispatched naval frigate HMCS Charlottetown to the area, reinforcing the display of western power. Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay stated, "We are there for all inevitabilities. And NATO is looking at this as well... This is taken as a precautionary and staged measure." Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stated that the Canadian Forces Air Command is ready to contribute to setting up a no-fly zone if the UN and NATO decided to do this.
On March 12, the Arab League "called on the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya in a bid to protect civilians from air attack". The Arab League's request was announced by Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, who stated that all member states present at the meeting agreed with the proposal.
On March 15, a resolution for a no-fly zone was proposed and tabled by Nawaf Salam, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Nations. The resolution was immediately backed by the United Kingdom and France.
On March 17, 2011, the United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone by a vote of 10 in favor, zero against, and five abstentions, via United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). Less than 24 hours later, Libya announced that it will halt all military operations in the country in response to the Security Council resolution.
Enforcement
Planning for a possible NFZ was made in late February and early March by NATO, especially by NATO members United Kingdom and France. The United Kingdom and France were early supporters of a no-fly zone and have sufficient airpower to impose a no-fly-zone over the rebel-held areas, although might need additional assistance for a more extensive exclusion zone.
The US has the air assets necessary to enforce a no-fly zone, but was cautious to support such an action prior to obtaining a legal basis for violating Libya's sovereignty. Because of the sensitive nature of military action by the US against an Arab nation, the US has sought Arab participation in the enforcement of a no-fly zone.
At a congressional hearing, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates explained that "a no-fly zone begins with an attack on Libya to destroy the air defenses ... and then you can fly planes around the country and not worry about our guys being shot down. But that's the way it starts."
Forces committed to the no-fly zone
Belgium: Defence Minister, Pieter De Crem, stated that 6 F-16 fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component, currently stationed in Greece for exercises, are available for the no-fly zone over Libya. Furthermore the minehunter M923 Narcis is in the area to assist if necessary. According to Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere there is a large majority in parliament that would approve the operations.
Canada announced that it would deploy 6 CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce the UN's just-approved no-fly zone over Libya. The jets would take at least 24 hours to arrive at their destination, which has yet to be determined, but defence sources stated that Malta and Italy were possibilities. Between 100 and 200 support personnel would be involved.
Denmark: Foreign Minister, Lene Espersen, reported to a Danish Foreign Affairs Committee on 14 March that the Danish Air Force is preparing 4 F-16 fighter jets and 90 crew to take part in an internationally-backed no-fly zone over Libya. 18 March Defence Minister Gitte Lillelund Bech reported that Denmark will provide seven aircraft and ground crews; 6 F-16 fighters and a military transport aircraft.
France: Likely to deploy Mirage and Rafale aircraft based at domestic air bases at Marseille and Istres (90 minutes flying time from Libyan airspace) or from Corsica (60 minutes flying time). Air to air tankers are already in Istres. The aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in Toulon, and could be made available. François Baroin, budget minister, told RTL Radio that France will contribute to the operation, and that air strikes will take place "swiftly", within "several hours" after the UN vote.
United Kingdom On 18 March, UK Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that Royal Air Force Typhoon and Tornado fighter aircraft will be committed to the operation, along with air-to-air refueling and surveillance aircaft. He said, in an address to The House of Commons, that assets will be deployed to airbases in the region "in the coming hours" so they can "take the necessary action" over Libya.
Additional countries possibly enforcing the no-fly zone
Middle East
United Arab Emirates/
Qatar: The Arab League stated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have indicated their willingness to take part in the efforts to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. Since the UAE and Qatar are the only Arab countries without internal unrest and both depend on the US for protection against Iran, they are likely candidates for enforcing the no-fly zone with NATO.
Europe
Greece: The Greek armed forces will contribute to a possible no-fly zone operation, with 4 F-16s, a frigate with two helicopters and an Embraer R-99.It will also provide 2 Air Bases: Souda Air Base and Aktion Air Base.
Italy: An Italian government source has stated that Italy is ready to make its military bases available to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya. An airbase at Sigonella in Sicily provides logistical support for the United States Sixth Fleet and is one of the closest NATO bases to Libya.
Netherlands: Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal said that the Netherlands is prepared to provide as-yet unspecified support to forces enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.
Norway: Defence minister Grete Faremo announced that Norway will contribute to the operation, albeit in a currently-undefined fashion.
Spain: Spanish defence minister Carme Chacon announced that Spain would allow NATO use of Rota Air Base and Morón Air Base and would provide air and naval assets for air operations.
Criticism
An act of war
On March 4, former United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Jed Babbin, claimed that the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya would be "an irresponsible act of war" against the country.
On March 8, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said: "This is a civil war. It is not invading another country. I think is an act of war and particularly the no-fly zone is ."
On March 14, U.S. Congressman Ron Paul said that "for the US to establish a 'no fly' zone over ... Libya would constitute an act of war" and " any kind of military presence in the sovereign territory of Libya will require committing troops to engage in combat against the Libyan air force, as well as anti-aircraft systems."
U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar, the Ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that: "If the Obama Administration is contemplating this step ... it should begin by seeking a declaration of war against Libya that would allow for a full Congressional debate on the issue."
U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich stated that: "A no-fly zone begins with an attack on the air defenses of Libya. It is an act of war that can only be approved by Congressional action, not by any international body. There is a civil war in Libya, which must be resolved by Libya."
Possible perception of interference
Russian NATO ambassador Dmitry Rogozin stated that: "A ban on the national air force or civil aviation to fly over their own territory is ... a serious interference into the domestic affairs of another country".
John Rees, co-founder and national officer of the British Stop the War Coalition, said that in the Middle East, 'no-fly zone' means "what happened after the first Gulf War, it means a disastrous policy of sanctions that killed a million in Iraq, it means the prelude to a new war."
On March 3, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that: "The tough issues about how and whether there would be any intervention to assist those who are opposing Libya is very controversial within Libya and within the Arab community. So we are working closely with our partners and allies to try to see what we can do and we are engaged in very active consideration of all the different options that are available."
Complexity of operation
According to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen, a no-fly zone would be "an extraordinarily complex operation to set up."
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that more air assets would need to be moved into the vicinity of Libya and that the operation also would require "more airplanes than you would find on a single aircraft carrier ... it is a big operation in a big country."
On March 9, Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen stressed that "the imposition of a no-fly zone would be quite a complicated undertaking".
According to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, establishing and maintaining a no-fly zone over Libya could cost the US Department of Defense up to $300 million a week (or around $15 billion a year) under scenarios formulated by the think tank.
On the contrary, Gen. Merrill McPeak, a former US Air Force chief of staff, said: “I can’t imagine an easier military problem.” He suggested concentrating flights over those parts of the country that Muammar Gaddafi doesn’t control. That would remove the need to attack and take out Libyan air defense systems.
Effectiveness of operation
United States (US) Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder stated that: "t's important to understand that no-fly zones...really have a limited effect against the helicopters or the kind of ground operations that we've seen, which is why a no-fly zone, even if it were to be established, isn't really going to impact what is happening there today. And the kinds of capabilities that are being used to attack the rebel forces and, indeed, the population will be largely unaffected by a no-fly zone."
According to Richard Haass, the president of the US think tank Council on Foreign Relations, "there is no reason to believe a no-fly zone would be decisive. In fact, we have every reason to believe it would not be, given that aircraft and helicopters are not central to the regime's military advantages." Haass argues that regime could defeat the opposition with no air support, simply by exploiting its advantages in terms of ground forces.
At a hearing before the House Appropriations Committee on March 10, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reminded the audience that:
...we had a no-fly zone over Iraq. It did not prevent Saddam Hussein from slaughtering people on the ground and it did not get him out of office. We had a no-fly zone and then we had 78 days of bombing in Serbia. It did not get Milosevic out of office. It did not get him out of Kosovo until we put troops on the ground with our allies.
Risk of co-option
Richard Haass argues that:
"It is one thing to acknowledge Moammar Gadhafi as a ruthless despot, which he has demonstrated himself to be. But doing so does not establish the democratic bona fides of those who oppose him. And even if some of those opposing him are genuine democrats, there is no reason to assume that helping to remove the regime would result in the ascendancy of such people."
According to Haass, removing Gadaffi by force could "easily set in motion a chain of events in which a different strongman, with the backing of a different tribe, took over" or create a power vacuum exploitable by Al Qaeda and similar groups.
Analyses of the so-called "Sinjar documents" captured from an Al Qaeda cell during the Iraqi insurgency revealed that, on a per capita basis, twice as many foreign fighters listed in the documents came from Libya than from any other Arab country — most of them from eastern Libya (52 from Darnah and 21 from Benghazi), the locus of the current uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. However, according to National Journal, " from the ground in Libya suggest that Islamic groups in eastern Libya are working closely with secular rebels in the fight against Gaddafi and have made no effort to take control of the situation or impose strict Islamic law in the areas they control."
See also
- Operation Deny Flight, a similar operation carried out over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Operation Southern Watch/Operation Northern Watch, two similar operations carried out over Iraq.
References
- http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2011/sc10200.doc.htm
- ^ Perry, Tom (2011-03-12). "Arab League calls for Libya no-fly zone-state TV". Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Arab states seek Libya no-fly zone". Al Jazeera English. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "UN authorises no-fly zone over Libya". Al Jazeera. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- Mark Mardell (2011-03-17). "Libya: UN backs action against Colonel Gaddafi". BBC News. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- "U.N. Security Council approves no-fly zone over Libya". CNN. 2011-03-17. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- "BBC News - Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote". BBC News. BBC. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- DeYoung, Karen (17 March 2011). "Europeans say intervention in Libya possible within hours of U.N. vote". Washington Post. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12787056
- "Libyan Ambassador to UN urges international community to stop genocide | Libya Politics". Global Arab Network. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- By the CNN Wire Staff (2011-03-09). "Rebel leader calls for 'immediate action' on no-fly zone - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - "Gaddafi's army will kill half a million, warn Libyan rebels". The Guardian. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Thousands of Libyan women march for "no-fly zone"". NOW Lebanon/AFP. 2011-03-12. Archived from the original on 2011-03-13. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - "Cameron Doesn't Rule Out Military Force for Libya". The Wall Street Journal. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Libyan Air Force during the revolt: timeline of events". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Pierre-Antoine Donnet (2011-03-07). "Britain, France ready Libya no-fly zone resolution". AFP via Google. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- "Gulf states back Libya no-fly zone - The West Australian". Au.news.yahoo.com. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
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- "UN security council resolution on Libya – full text". Guardian.co.uk.
- http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/2011318124421218583.html
- http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14922684,00.html
- Julian Borger, diplomatic editor. "Nato weighs Libya no-fly zone options | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - "BBC News - Libya: UK and French no-fly zone plan gathers pace". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- "U.S. mulling military options in Libya - CNN". Articles.cnn.com. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/9616/Onrust-in-het-Midden-Oosten/article/detail/1237810/2011/03/18/Zes-Belgische-F-16-s-klaar-om-ingezet-te-worden-in-Libie.dhtml
- http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/17/libya-red-cross031711.html
- http://www.cphpost.dk/news/international/89-international/51195-denmark-ready-with-f-16s-to-defend-libyan-people.html
- Denmark to send squadron on Libya op
- The Guardian (retrieved 18 March 2011)
- "France, Norway Will Join Military Intervention in Libya VOA News - Voice of America". March 18, 2011.
{{cite web}}: line feed character in|title=at position 56 (help) - CNN Wire Staff (March 18, 2011 -- Updated 0914 GMT (1714 HKT)). "France: Military action to take place 'swiftly' against Libya". CNN.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help); Check date values in:|date=(help) - BBC live parliamentary broadcast, 18 March 2011
- http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/18/c_13784580.htm
- "UAE afraid of Iranian air attack". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Libyan Air Force During the Revolt: Timeline of Events". Zurf Military Aircraft. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - http://www.skai.gr/news/politics/article/165299/i-rolos-tis-elladas-sto-endehomeno-epemvasis-sti-livui/?utm_source=rss_news_politics&utm_campaign=skai200905190000&utm_medium=rss
- http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE72G2HE20110317
- "Rosenthal bereid tot actie (Rosenthal prepared for action)" (in Dutch). March 18, 2011. Source: rtlnieuws.nl
- "Norway to join military intervention in Libya". Reuters. Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:55am GMT.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - "West Moves Towards Libya Action". BBC. Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:28pm GMT.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - May, Caroline (2011-03-04). "No-Fly Zone Libya | Critics Call Libyan No-Fly Zone Act Of War | The Daily Caller - Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/08/feinstein_us_intelligence_community_s_got_nothing_on_arab_revolutions
- http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1837&Itemid=69
- http://lugar.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=331873
- http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=229149
- Varner, Bill (2011-03-02). "China Joins Russia in Signaling Potential Opposition to Libya No-Fly Zone". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W50HsJbCp-8
- ^ From Elise Labott, CNN Senior State Department Producer (2011-03-03). "U.S. mulling military options in Libya - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - "News Transcript: DOD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Adm. Mullen from the Pentagon". Defense.gov. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- "NATO chief says no plans to intervene in Libya | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- Bennett, John T. "Defense group: Libyan no-fly zone could cost $300 million a week". TheHill.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- Kristof, Nicholas D. (March 9, 2011). "The Case for a No-Fly Zone". New York Times.
- Rogin, Josh (2011-03-07). "U.S. Ambassador to NATO: No-fly zone wouldn't help much". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Haass, Richard N. "Richard Haass: The U.S. Should Keep Out of Libya - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- "Clinton warns against unilateral U.S. move on Libya | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
- "The Rebels Love Us, Right?". Center for a New American Security. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ "Once-Secret Iraqi Documents Offer Lesson for Libya". NationalJournal.com. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
External links
- Viewpoint: Libya intervention 'brings huge risks', Steve Clemons, BBC News, 12 March 2011
