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Libyan President Moamar Gadhafi defied a UN resolution and continued to drive his forces in the city of Benghazi prompting the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to launch airstrikes on Libya.
Backed by the Arab League and a United Nations mandate, the Allied Forces swiftly launched “Odyssey Dawn” Saturday. Ironically, it was initiated by France, who was one of those who opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. The decision to launch airstrikes was made in an emergency summit held in Paris involving 22 nations.
A French fighter plane kicked off the operation when it conducted an airstrike against a Libyan military vehicle near Benghazi, the center of the uprising against Moamar Gadhafi. This was followed by the dispatching of more than a hundred cruise missiles from US and British ships.
With a resurgent Gadhafi, the 22-nation Arab League called for the UN Security Council to enforce a “no-fly” zone on Libya. Arab support was crucial to Odyssey Dawn since any intervention would have been seen as a Western invasion. The British and French government called for a stronger resolution. The US, initially reluctant, said that enforcing a “no-fly” zone is insufficient and created a draft calling for “all necessary measures” to protect civilians.
French President Sarkozy hastily called for a summit of 22 countries Saturday. The meeting was attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, and top leaders from EU and Arab countries. After ninety minutes, the French military launched the first strike.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), an umbrella organization made up of 57 countries, called on other member countries to help enforce the UN resolution. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also supported the resolution and called Gadafhi’s declaration of ceasefire as a “lie from the onset.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported the resolution but did not pledge its troops.
On the other hand, Gadhafi’s ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that the US and its allies are only after Libya’s oil and that the UN has “infringed on its fundamental principles.” Cyprus did not want any involvement. While Qatar and UAE are taking part in the operation, it is not clear whether bigger Arab countries Saudi Arabia will join.
NATO is undecided whether to play an active role or contribute to troops already taking part in the operation. A decision is expected to be made on Sunday as to the extent of NATO’s participation in Odyssey Dawn.
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