Libya:

Libyans get help from Gulf

Tuesday 22 Mar, 2011

The head of the Gulf’s main political bloc has underscored the commitment of the UAE and Qatar to the international military coalition striking Libya, but stressed the mission seeks only to protect civilians.

The reaffirmation of the Gulf states’ backing for the multinational force follows criticism by the Arab League’s chief over the heavy missile barrages by US and European forces against Libyan air defences, tanks and other targets.

“What is happening now is not an intervention. It is about protecting the people from bloodshed,” said Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al Attiyah, secretary general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

He would not clarify the role of the UAE or Qatar in the Libyan operations.

Qatar’s state news agency said the country’s aircraft are taking part in the no-fly zone but gave no further details.
The UAE has not publicly outlined its contribution to the international mission.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan was at a weekend meeting in Paris to coordinate the coalition effort.
US, British and French planes targeted Gaddafi’s anti-aircaft sites for a second night on Sunday and also destroyed a line of his tanks moving onto the rebel capital in eastern Libya.

They came after the Arab League chief, Amr Moussa, raised questions about Arab participation in the coalition after saying the attacks on Gaddafi’s forces go beyond the mandate to impose a no-fly zone to halt Libyan air raids on rebel strongholds.

But yesterday he tried to smooth over the controversy over his statement, saying the league respects the Security Council resolution.

“We have no conflict with the resolution, especially as it confirms that there is no invasion or occupation of Libyan territory,” Moussa said.

Libya has claimed dozens of civilians have been killed in the strikes by the US and European forces.

...As long fight is predicted and rebel forces strike back
The international military intervention in Libya is likely to last “a while” a top French official said, echoing Colonel Gaddafi’s warning of a long war ahead as rebels, energized by the strikes on their opponents, said they were fighting to reclaim a city under siege from the Libyan leader’s forces.

Burned-out tanks and personnel carriers littered the main desert road leading southwest from Benghazi, the rebels’ capital in the east of the country - the remains of a pro-Gaddafi force that had been besieging the city until it was pounded by international strikes this week.

Rebel fighters in Benghazi had now pushed down that highway to the outskirts of the city of Ajdabiya, which pro-Gaddafi forces have surrounded. New fighting also broke out in Misrata, the rebel-held city in western Libya.

(source:Tuesday 22 Mar, 2011)

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