People’s Revolution In Libya

Siddhi B. Ranjitkar

Using the mercenaries and their airpower, Gaddafi and his sons have been ruthlessly hitting the rebel-held areas but their achievement is just temporary and will certainly led them to the destiny of Saddam Hussein and his sons in Iraq a few years ago or to the destiny of Slovadan Milosevic of Serbia at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. The international community is slow to act on the ground but it does not mean that Gaddafi and his sons can what they want with impunity. The international community has already punished Gaddafi, his sons and people of his inner circle imposing sanctions against them. Time will come when these guys surrounding Gaddafi will soon feel that their safety is leaving Libya and living in the country where they are still welcomed. The UN Security Council has passed a resolution authorizing "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya from pro-Gaddafi forces on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

Gaddafi has been ordering his mercenaries to finish off the people uprising against him. So, his air force has been bombing the rebel-held areas caring least for the civilians and showing no interest in whether all people die in those areas by his military campaign.

The rebels are ill equipped. They have no arms at all; they have been fighting with the arms they have captured from the Gaddafi’s army. The relentless attacks launched by Gaddafi can keep the mouth of the opposition shut up for some time but not all the time. They will certainly speak up and the rebels will continue to fight. Only the question is whether the rebels need to switch on to the guerrilla warfare or continue to fight the conventional war with Gaddafi.

Even if Gaddafi and his men win the war with the rebels, they face the criminal charges. The International Criminal Court based in The Hague will not let them go killing the civilians with impunity. The prosecutors will charged them with committing crimes against humanity and prosecute them at the International Criminal Court.

Several Arab nations have been prepared to assist the rebels in fighting against the Gaddafi’s air force. UK and France have been insisting on imposing a no-fly zone on Libya but some European countries especially Germany and Russian have been strongly resisting such an action against Gaddafi.

US President Barack Obama is the winner of the peace prize. So, he is certainly reluctant to impose a no-fly zone on Libya not to mention sending ground forces for protecting the civilians and rebels from the killings by Gaddafi and his army in Libya. At the same time, President Obama says that he is tightening the noose around the neck of Gaddafi but how he does not elaborate it. His defense secretary is not for such an adventure in Libya while his secretary of state goes on saying imposing a no-fly zone cannot stop Gaddafi from butchering the civilians in view of the past experiences of such an action in Iraq and Serbia. Can the international community remain the mute spectator of butchering of the Libyans by the man labeled as a ‘mad dog’ by former US President Ronald Regan in mid eighties of the last century?

“Mr. Gadhafi has lost legitimacy and he needs to leave, and that we as an international community have to speak firmly against any violence that's directed at civilians; that we have to make sure to provide humanitarian assistance, both inside of Libya as well as along the border regions where so many people have left; and that it's going to be very important for us to look at a wide range of options that continue to tighten the noose around Mr. Gadhafi and apply additional pressure,” said US President Barack Obama on March 16, 2011.

On Thursday, March 17, 2011, the 15-member UN Security Council has passed the resolution on Libya with 10 to none votes; five members have abstained from voting. UN Security Council permanent members such as Russia and China could have used their veto power but they have chosen to abstain from voting. Brazil, Germany and India have also abstained from voting on the resolution.

BBC NEWS, AFRICA of Friday, March 18, 2011 provided the following clause-by-clause analysis of the UN Resolution 1973 (2011):

Expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties…

Considering that the widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity...

Analysis: These first two highlighted sections emphasize that this is all about defending the civilian population in Libya from attacks by its own government. One of the conditions for action set out by NATO countries has been "a demonstrable need" to intervene.

Expressing its determination to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian populated areas and the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance and the safety of humanitarian personnel...

Analysis: An assertion, as the British Prime Minister David Cameron has just put it, that the international community intends to back its words with action.

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Determining that the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations…

Analysis: The first of a number of clauses emphasizing that this is not about invading or seeking to divide or dismember Libya. The specific mention of the situation in Libya as "a threat to international peace and security" paves the way for action under Chapter VII of the UN Charter which authorizes the use of force.

1. Demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians;

Analysis: The overriding stated aim is to halt the fighting and to achieve a ceasefire. It does not explicitly call for the removal of Col Muammar Gaddafi though one can assume that this is what the countries promoting this resolution would like. Many of their leaders have said so quite explicitly.

2. Stresses the need to intensify efforts to find a solution to the crisis which responds to the legitimate demands of the Libyan people and notes the decisions of the secretary-general to send his special envoy to Libya and of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to send its ad hoc High-Level Committee to Libya with the aim of facilitating dialogue to lead to the political reforms necessary to find a peaceful and sustainable solution;

Analysis: This indicates that a final settlement to the crisis in Libya must be political and reached by the parties to the conflict themselves.

Protection of civilians:

4. Authorizes member states that have notified the secretary-general, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, and acting in co-operation with the secretary-general, to take all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 (2011), to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory, and requests the member states concerned to inform the secretary-general immediately of the measures they take pursuant to the authorization conferred by this paragraph which shall be immediately reported to the Security Council;

Analysis: This is the essential paragraph in the resolution. It "authorizes member states to take all necessary means" to protect civilians. This gives wide latitude for operations, for example, against ground units attacking Libyan towns. It specifically mentions the city of Benghazi, the pro-Gaddafi forces objective, and the center of gravity of the rebel resistance. Crucially it excludes any "foreign occupation force" in sweeping terms. This is a message to the Arab world - this is not another Iraq. This is an operation with a clear limit. Is occupation too specific a term? Might it allow some ground operations like the deployment of Special Forces? There certainly is no appetite for ground operations in any of the countries backing this resolution.

5. Recognizes the important role of the League of Arab States in matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security in the region, and bearing in mind Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, requests the member states of the League of Arab States to co-operate with other member states in the implementation of paragraph 4;

Analysis: This brings the Arab League states firmly into the fold. This is not just a western action. Indeed the Arab League's support for a no-fly zone was a crucial factor leading to the adoption of this resolution. Explicitly requests Arab States to be involved in any practical steps that may be involved.

No-fly zone
6. Decides to establish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civilians;

Analysis: This is the no-fly ban that has been most discussed ahead of the passage of this resolution. Military experts believe that Col Gaddafi air force is not the decisive element in his armory - that is his ground forces - but a no-fly zone will clearly constrain and probably halt the use of his fixed wing aircraft. "A ban on all flights" indicates helicopters are included too but these are sometimes harder to control.

Authorizes member states… to take all necessary measures to enforce compliance with the ban on flights imposed by paragraph 6 above,

Analysis: Again that phrase "to take all necessary measures" meaning that force can be used to impose the no-fly zone.

Authorizes member states to use all measures commensurate to the specific circumstances to carry out such inspections;

Analysis: This paragraph provides teeth for the enforcement of the existing arms embargo in force against Libya, for example the stopping and inspection of ships on the high seas.

With the UN Security Council passing this resolution, the noose around the neck of Gaddafi and his sons has been really tighten. Gaddafi and his sons are over and only some time left for them to stay on in Libya despite the foreign minister of Gaddafi announcing an immediate ceasefire. Gaddafi’s defense minister continue shooting at the civilians on the fronts in fighting with the people that have demanded fundamental human rights and appropriate share in their national wealth. They have turned off water and electricity to the civilians in cities to stop the people protesting against the Gaddafi’ rule.

Before, his foreign minister has announced the ceasefire, referring to Benghazi, Gaddafi said, “We will come house by house, room by room; we will find you in your closets. We will have no mercy and no pity.” In a television broadcast later, referring to the UN Security Council resolution, he said, “The world is crazy, and we will be crazy, too.”

Now, Gaddafi’s foreign minister has declared a ceasefire; so the concerned parties need to talk to each other for settling the issues. The opposition has been demanding Gaddafi to leave the country and let the people run the country democratically. So, Gaddafi has no choice but to leave.

On the state-run TV, Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa told reporters in Tripoli that the Government has decided an immediate cease-fire and the stoppage of all military operations. He also has said that Libya is a member of the United Nations, so obliged to accept the Security Council resolution that permits the use of force to protect the civilian population. The government will protect civilians and provide them with humanitarian assistance and protect all foreigners and their assets. The Libyan foreign minister has expressed disappointment to the imposition of a no-fly zone, saying it will hurt the civilian population. He also has said any use of military power against his country will be against the U.N. charter.

People in Benghazi have been jubilant at the news of the UN Security Council passing the resolution 1973 (2011). Now, the rebels feel that they are not alone. Spokeswoman for the national council in Benghazi Imam Bugaighis said, “The people are euphoric. Although a bit late, the international society did not let us down.”

In case, violating the ceasefire announcement, if Gaddafi’s forces move forward to crush the rebel-held areas, then the international community will hit the forces to stop them from advancing and certainly destroy them ultimately ending the Gaddafi regime. Ultimately the rebel forces will capture Gaddafi and his sons and people of their inner circle and bring them justice. The destiny of these guys is either to leave the country or to take refuge in a friendly country or face the rebel justice.

CNN has reported that even after the Libyan foreign minister has announced the ceasefire, the Gaddafi forces have continued the assault on the people in Misrata. "Misrata is on fire," said an opposition member, tanks and vehicles with heavy artillery shot their way into the city last night and the assault continued on Friday. He has said that the Gaddafi regime has announced a cease-fire to buy time for it. "Please help us."

News posted on the Voanews.com say that Pro-Gadhafi forces bombarded the western rebel-held town of Misrata on Friday, March 18, 2011 as NATO envoys in Brussels discussed ways to enforce the U.N. Security Council resolution.

The rebels don’t believe Gaddafi and his foreign minister. According to the BBC news reports, Khalifa Heftir told reporters: "Gaddafi does not speak any truth... All the world knows that Muammar Gaddafi is a liar. He and his sons, and his family, and all those with him are liars."

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said that Britain will judge Col Gaddafi "by his actions not his words". "What is absolutely clear is the UN Security Council resolution said he must stop what he is doing, brutalizing his people. If not, all necessary measures can follow to make him stop."

Mr. Cameron told the House of Commons that the British Air Force would deploy Tornado jets and Euro fighter Typhoon warplanes, “as well as air-to-air refueling and surveillance aircraft.” “Preparations to deploy these have already started, and in the coming hours they will move to airbases from where they can take the necessary action," Mr. Cameron said according to the news posted on nytimes.com on March 18, 2011. The Typhoon is a fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles for shooting down airplanes, as well as laser-guided bombs for targets on the ground. The Tornado is especially well suited for attacking runways — that was its first combat mission, in the Persian Gulf war, when the planes swooped in to bomb runways in Iraq, facing thick anti-aircraft defenses that shot down several of the planes.

The Libyan government "must immediately cease all hostilities against the civilian population," U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said in Madrid on Friday, March 18, 2011 and the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has said that the international community will not be fooled by the government's cease-fire declaration, CNN reports.

Speaking in an interview with RTL radio in Paris on Friday, March 18, 2011, spokesman for the French government Francois Baroin has said that military actions against Libya will come "within hours" and France will participate in the actions. Spokesman Baroin has also said that the actions are entirely for protecting Libyan civilians, not for any sorts of occupation of the Libyan territory.

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua has reported on Friday, March 18, 2011 that China has serious reservations with part of the latest U.N. resolution on Libya. "We oppose the use of force in international relations and have some serious reservations with part of the resolution," spokeswoman for Foreign Ministry Jiang Yu said in a statement on Friday. "Considering the concern and stance of Arab countries and the Africa Union as well as the special situation in Libya, China and some countries abstained from voting on the draft resolution," Jiang said. "We support the commitment of the UN Secretary General's special envoy for Libya, the Africa Union and Arab League to deal with the current crisis in Libya in a peaceful way," Jiang said. China has always maintained that actions of the UN Security Council should follow the objective and principle of the UN Charter and international laws, respect Libya's sovereignty, independence, unification and territorial integrity, Jiang said. "The current crisis in Libya should be resolved through dialogue and by other peaceful means," Jiang said.

China supports the UN "Security Council's adoption of appropriate and necessary action to stabilize as soon as possible the situation in Libya and to halt acts of violence against civilians," but "China has serious difficulty with part of the resolution," Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, said at UNITED NATIONS, New York on Thursday, March 17, 2011.

Li made the statement at the Security Council after he abstained from voting on a draft resolution that authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and called for "all necessary measures," excluding troops on the ground, to protect civilians under threat of attack in the North African country.

"Meanwhile, China attaches great importance to the relevant decision by the 22-member Arab league on the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya," he said. "We also attach great importance to the position of African countries and the African Union." The Arab League endorsed the no-fly zone over Libya in its March 12 decision at the end of a meeting on the situation of the North African country.

"In view of this and considering the special circumstance surrounding the situation in Libya, China abstained during the vote on the resolution, Resolution 1973," he said. "We support the secretary-general's special envoy for Libya and the African Union and the Arab League in their continuing efforts to address by peaceful means the current crisis in Libya."

President Obama said today (March 18, 2011) that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi must honor his commitment to a cease-fire or face military action and a no-fly zone from the United States and its allies, though he ruled out the idea of American ground troops in Libya, according to the news posted on Usatoday.com on March 18, 2011. "Once again, Moammar Gadhafi has a choice," Obama said, adding that "all attacks on civilians must stop" and Libyan troops must pull back from positions that threaten rebel strongholds. "Let me be clear," Obama said during brief remarks at the White House. "These terms are not negotiable." If Gadhafi does not follow through, Obama said, the U.N. resolution "will be enforced through military action." "Left untouched," Obama said, "we have every reason to believe Gadhafi would commit atrocities against his people."

After a meeting of the leaders of the Arab nations, European and North American nations held in Paris, France on March 19, 2011, British Prime Minister has said that Gaddafi has broken his words, has lied to the international community and has continued to slaughtered his own people and has flouted the UN resolution. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said that the murderous madness of violence against his own people has continued; so the actions of the international community are urgently needed; however, Gaddafi has still time to comply with the UN resolution. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that if Gaddafi is left unchecked he will cause an unbelievable atrocity on his own people. Russian foreign minister has regretted the action of the international community on enforcing the UN resolution.

Col. Gaddafi has written three letters: one to US President Barack Obama, another one each to British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy warning them of unforeseeable consequences in a last moment attempt on dividing them on enforcing the UN resolution.

To end the violence against its own people, after a meeting of the eighteen leaders of the Arab nations, European and North American nations held in Paris, France on March 19, 2011, they have agreed to jointly enforce the no-fly zone in Libya following the UN Security Council resolution 1973 (2011) after finding that Gaddafi has not enforced the ceasefire his foreign minister has announced and Gaddafi forces have continued to slaughter the civilians. Even German abstained from voting for the UN resolution has agreed on supporting the international actions on enforcing the UN resolution. France has taken the lead. British and Canada have followed suit. Gaddafi is well on the way to exit. This is the relevancy and effectiveness of the UN.

March 19, 2011