David Cameron backtracks on Libya no-fly zone plan as US distances itself

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

David Cameron's suggestion of establishing no-fly zone over Libya and arming rebels rejected by US and France

Ewen MacAskill in Washington, Peter Beaumont in Tripoli, Nicholas Watt | Tuesday March 01 2011 21.50 GMT

Britain has backtracked from its belligerent military stance over Libya after the Obama administration publicly distanced itself from David Cameron's suggestion that Nato should establish a no-fly zone over the country and that rebel forces should be armed.

As senior British military sources expressed concern that Downing Street appeared to be overlooking the dangers of being sucked into a long and potentially dangerous operation, the prime minister said Britain would go no further than contacting the rebel forces at this stage.

The marked change of tone by the prime minister, who told MPs on Monday that Britain did not "in any way rule out the use of military assets", came as the British-educated son of Muammar Gaddafi mocked Cameron for trying to act as a hero. Saif al-Islam told Sky News: "Everybody wants to be a hero, to be important in history."

In Libya, Gaddafi appeared to settling into a deeper stalemate as attacks by his forces failed to dislodge the opposition from areas of several cities that they hold. A convoy of government aid, which Gaddafi's government said was bound for the eastern city of the rebel-held eastern city of Benghazi, set out from Tripoli . The 20 trucks were carrying food and medicine.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/01/cameron-backtracks-libya-zone-us

[maddezmom]

1. UK Clashes With UN Over Libya No-Fly Zone

William Hague's claim that the UK may go it alone and impose a no-fly zone over Libya without the UN sounds eerily familiar.
Remember Tony Blair's headlong dash to invade Iraq in 2003 without a second United Nations resolution?

In a surprise move, the Foreign Secretary said that while "ideally" a no-fly zone would be sanctioned by a resolution of the UN Security Council, it was not necessarily essential.

"There have been occasions in the past when such a no-fly zone has had clear, legal, international justification even without a Security Council resolution," he said. "It depends on the situation on the ground."

Mr Hague's threat came after Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, dismissed David Cameron's call for plans to be drawn up for a no-fly zone, saying that the idea was "superfluous".

more:http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Jon-Craig-On-William-Hague-Suggesting-Libya-No-Fly-Zone-May-Go-Ahead-Without-UN-Support/Article/201103115943784?lpos=Politics_Second_Home_Page_Feature_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15943784_Jon_Craig_On_William_Hague_Suggesting_Libya_No_Fly_Zone_May_Go_Ahead_Without_UN_Support

[Democat]

2. Suprised Cameron hasn't challenged Gaddafi to a boxing match!

Is he drunk?

[Turborama]

3. The Guardian: David Cameron gains taste for military action after slow start to Libya crisis

Thisn is from yesterday before the backtracking, but still worth a read...

A week after telling Middle East that democracy cannot be dropped from 40,000ft,
prime minister turns to the military: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/mar/01/davidcameron-libya

[Baclava]

4. God save British Petroleum!

signed - The Queen

[Bragi]

5. Neocon Cdn PM also keen for war

Canada girds for substantial military role in North Africa

Canada is beefing up its military presence in the region around Libya, dispatching a patrol ship and special forces to prepare for more muscular evacuations that could evolve into major aid lifts or even a blockade to hem in the Gadhafi regime.

It marked a move to a more pointed role and a longer Canadian commitment to the Libyan crisis, as major powers also stepped up their presence. However, there was no consensus for a direct intervention such as enforcing a no-fly zone.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-girds-for-substantial-military-role-in-north-africa/article1925022/


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Having missed out on all the fun in Iraq, I'm sure our Bushian PM would love to send troops to occupy Libya.