* Why this decision comes it now?
The changing situation on the ground was no longer wait. For nearly two weeks, the balance of power between the insurgents and the army loyal to Muammar Gaddafi has been reversed, the latter returning the land to the east, which was part of the insurgency. Thursday, March 17, the forces of "guide" Libya were located around Ajdabiya, key city located 160 miles from Benghazi, the "rebel capital." In an interview Wednesday, March 16 at Euro News, Saif al-Islam, a son of Gaddafi, had been particularly threatening: "In forty-eight hours, everything will be finished. Our forces are almost in Benghazi."
Why, in this case have long awaited? The West was largely divided on the question of military intervention. France and the United Kingdom actively campaigned for the establishment of a no-fly zone, while Russia, Germany or China saw no welcome a foreign action in Libya, considered as interference in domestic affairs.
Discussions were actually conducted in two stages. Monday 14, the foreign ministers of the G8 countries met in Paris to discuss the situation. No results. "For now, I did not believe," regretted the next day, Alain Juppe, the microphone of Europe 1, before resuming negotiations with his counterparts. In the evening the leader's speech to French diplomats wanted more optimistic: "We agree to ask the Security Council to increase its pressure on Colonel Gaddafi," he said, although no armed intervention n 'was then being discussed.
The discussions then moved to the United Nations. In order to validate the principle of military intervention by the Security Council without fear of Russian or Chinese veto, France and Great Britain had to weigh every word of their draft resolution.
* What does the resolution?
The decision Thursday, March 17 at night is, in its provisions, focusing on protection of civilians, which is a consensus among the major powers, not on the fall of Gaddafi, to avoid giving a political turn to the text.
Section 4 of the resolution and authorizes "member states (...) to take all necessary measures to protect civilian populations and areas at risk of attack (...), while excluding the deployment of a force foreign occupation in any form whatsoever.
In practice, this amounts to neutralize some military sites strategically important to the Libyan regime, as the military airport of Sirte. In the case where the army on the ground continue to advance, targeted strikes could take place in barracks, or even directly on the armor available to Gaddafi.
The no-fly zone, long discussed, was incorporated into the resolution. Specifically, such a device is to preclude the overflight of the country. The aircraft wishing to leave the territory of Libya should ask permission before taking off. Without authorization, they would be treated as enemy planes and could be slaughtered.
For Great Britain and France, joined by the United States, it was also essential that military intervention is not perceived as an action of the West in an Arab country. The Arab states were encouraged to take part in the offensive.
* Who will participate in the intervention?
On this question, we can distinguish three different positions.
Some countries have decided to participate directly in the implementation of the no-fly zone and strikes in Libya. This is the case of France, Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Belgium and Norway. As for Arab countries, Qatar and the UAE should also provide military means, and Saudi Arabia could join them.
In contrast, other countries chose not to intervene at all. China has expressed "serious reservations" about the UN resolution, saying he waived his veto because of the application for action made by the Arab League. "We oppose the use of force in international relations," said Jiang Yu, spokeswoman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, adding that the crisis in Libya should be resolved by "negotiation and other peaceful means ". Germany also expressed its skepticism on the subject, citing "considerable risks and dangers." Russia finally announced that its participation was "excluded". The Russian ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin said it was "regrettable" that "the passion for the use of force has prevailed."
In an intermediate position, Italy could not directly participate in strikes, but facilitate foreign intervention by providing its databases Birgi Trapani, Sicily, and Gioia del Colle, Puglia. A meeting of leaders in Italy on the Libyan crisis and a parliamentary hearing of the foreign ministers and defense are scheduled Friday in Rome to decide how Italy will participate in the implementation of the resolution.
Lucas
