Posted on 03/18/2011 2:08:20 AM PDT by marthemaria
The Agence France Presse news agency is reporting that the French government has said military action against Libya will come within "hours".
The strikes will come "rapidly... within a few hours," government spokesman Francois Baroin reportedly told RTL radio after the UN Security Council cleared the way for air strikes by approving "all necessary measures" to impose a no-fly zone on Libya.
"The French, who led the calls [for action], will of course be consistent with military intervention," Mr Baroin added.
Asked to specify what that meant, he said "they will participate" in operations.
However, the UK and US have played down the prospect of immediate action, with NATO heads to meet tonight to discuss their options.
Mr Baroin said the goal of the military action would be to "protect the Libyan people and to allow them to go all the way in their drive for freedom, which means bringing down the Gaddafi regime."
The United Nations authorised military strikes to protect Libyan civilians and curb leader Moamar Gaddafi's forces this morning, hours after Mr Gaddafi threatened to storm the rebel bastion of Benghazi.
It approved a resolution permitting "all necessary measures" to impose a no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on government forces.
Diplomats have indicated that air strikes from a coalition led by Britain, France and the United States could be imminent. However, the resolution rules out sending in foreign ground troops.
Canada has offered the use of its bases and the British government will be holding a cabinet meeting later today to decide what to do.
Norway's defence minister Grete Faremo has confirmed his country will also contribute to the operation, but says: "It is too early to say exactly in what way. Sending air capabilities would be natural".
In response to the UN's resolution, Mr Gaddafi's son Saif said his family was "not afraid".
"We are in our country and with our people. And we are not afraid," he told ABC America from the Libyan capital Tripoli.
"We will not be afraid. Come on! We will not be afraid. I mean, you are not helping to the people if you are going to bomb Libya, to kill Libyans. You destroy our country. Nobody is happy with that."
Earlier the news of the Security Council resolution was greeted with wild celebrations in the remaining rebel strongholds of Libya, with crowds in Benghazi and Tobruk swarming into the streets to chant slogans, wave flags, fire weapons and let off fireworks.
As rebel fighters in Benghazi readied themselves for an assault by Mr Gaddafi's forces, the Libyan dictator broadcast a chilling warning to the city, saying his forces would be there by "tonight" and would show "no mercy" to the "rats and dogs" ranged against them.
- ABC/AFP
Who put moxie in France’s cheese?
Must be a full moon madness? Obviously any country most directly affected by a loss of Libyan oil should take more direct action.
1. Ghaddaffi's troops take Benghazi before the no-fly zone gets into effect
2. Arab fighters are leading this attack -- it must not be seen as a "western-imperialist-crusader" colonial effort
3. The US doesn't have to pay in lives or $$s for this -- let the Arabs pay.
Abbott and Costello.
Clinton and Obama.
It will probably be another month of “meetings”, “studies” and consultation with allies before any strikes take place.
At another FR post it is reported that Egypt is sending arms and supplies. They had 1 million workers in Libya, not doubt sending money home. This should strongly motivate them to get this over with and Egyptians back to work. Then, while Libya only produces 2% of world oil, Europe gets 10% of their oil from Libya.
In a world lead by Obama, even the french would grow balls...
Let's not forget the Second Rule of French Warfare: France's armies are victorious when her allies do most of the fighting. However we should also consider the First Rule of Muslim Warfare: We can always beat the French!
“the French government has said military action against Libya will come within “hours”. “
“We’ll come in low, out of the rising sun...” - Airplane
Nothing like telegraphing your punch, eh?
2. Arab fighters are leading this attack — it must not be seen as a “western-imperialist-crusader” colonial effort
I hope the rebels get the snop beat out of them to the point of collapse. Then, I hope they stage a comeback and beat the snot out of government troops. Then, I hope it goes back the other way — all this until they are all gone.
They got Sarkosky and we got ZERO.
Ever thought that on of the best leader in the Western world would be from France?
So the French are going to have people stand out side and point in the direction of Libya. So pilots know which direction to the bad guys. Do they have any white sheets incase a missile hits Paris.
WHY do I have this awful feeling that this will be a total catastrophe?
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