UN approves air strikes on Libya, assets freeze on NOC
By Margaret McQuaile in London
March 18, 2011 - The United Nations Security Council on March 17 approved the setting up of a no-fly zone over Libya and the use of "all necessary measures" to enforce it, paving the way for air strikes against the military forces of Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi.
Resolution 1973 also imposes an assets freeze on Libya's National Oil Corporation and five other entities, including the central bank and the Libyan Investment Authority, but adds that the various assets frozen "shall, at a later stage, as soon as possible be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya."
French government spokesman Francois Baroin, quoted by AFP, said the military action against Libya would come "rapidly...within a few hours.
Norwegian defense minister Grete Faremo, who said the deployment of Norway's F-16 fighter jets was a real possibility, also said any action against the Qadhafi military could be swift.
"It can happen pretty quickly. The most important thing right now is to consult with our allies about how we can best contribute to the campaign," she told Norwegian daily Verdens Gang, adding: "...everyone sees the urgency. There is no doubt."
British government sources quoted by French news agency AFP, however, played down the suggestion that military action could begin within hours.
Just hours after the UN resolution was approved, Libya shut shut down its air space to all traffic until further notice, AFP reported, citing Europe's air traffic agency, Eurocontrol.
Citing information from Maltese authorities, Eurocontrol said in a brief statement on its website that Tripoli "does not accept traffic UFN (until further notice)."
Britain's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said the resolution ruled out an invasion of Libya. The resolution "demands that Colonel Qadhafi implements an immediate ceasefire," "imposes a no-fly zone to prevent the Qadhafi regime using air power against the Libyan people," and "authorizes member states to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack," he said.
Occupation ruled out
But, the British envoy continued, "it rules out a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory."
Germany abstained from the UN vote, citing the danger of being drawn into a protracted military conflict. Its ambassador to the UN, Dr Peter Wittig, said the aim was "to promote a political transformation of Libya" and that "strong sanctions backed by the whole international community" would be an effective way of achieving this.
"Germany thus fully supports the package of economic and political sanctions in the resolution just adopted," Wittig said late Friday as the vote was approved.
But, he added, "we very carefully considered the options of using military force, its implications as well as its limitations. We see great risks, the likelihood of large-scale loss of life should not be underestimated. If the steps proposed turn out to be ineffective we see the danger of being drawn into a protracted military conflict that would affect the wider region."
"We should not enter a military confrontation on the optimistic assumption that quick results with few casualties will be achieved. Germany therefore has decided not to support a military option as foreseen [in certain "operative" paragraphs of the resolution]. Furthermore Germany will not contribute to such a military effort with its own forces. Germany has therefore decided to abstain."
China, Russia, India and Brazil also abstained.
Russia on Friday ruled out taking part in a military operation against Libya.
"No, this is ruled out," chief of staff General Nikolai Makarov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency, monitored by AFP.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin warned during Thursday's debate at the Security Council of the the humanitarian consequences of military action against Libya.
"Responsibility for the inevitable humanitarian consequences of the excessive use of outside force in Libya will fully rest on the shoulders of those who resort to such actions," he said, quoted by AFP.
"Should this happen, then not only will the civilian population of Libya seriously suffer, but so will the interests of preserving the peace and security in the entire North African and Middle Eastern region."
China, Poland and Australia have also indicated they will not help to enforce the no-fly zone, AFP reported.
But tiny Gulf emirate Qatar said it would contribute to international efforts to protect Libyan civilians and urged swift action to implement a no-fly zone on its fellow OPEC member, AFP reported.
"Based on the UN Security Council resolution, Qatar has decided to contribute in the efforts aiming at stopping bloodshed and protecting civilians in Libya," official news agency QNA quoted a foreign ministry official as saying.
The UN vote to impose a no-fly zone over Libya came eight years after the start of the US-led war on Iraq.
International crude prices have been volatile in the hours following the UN approval of the no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to enforce it, North Sea Brent trading as high as $117.29/barrel and as low as $114.50/b by 1043 GMT on March 18.
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