The Arab League is having a difficult time accepting that a no-fly zone against despot Moammar Gadhafi is a combat situation with consequences, even when precautions are taken.
The leader of the 22-nation organization threatened today to withdraw the Arab League's endorsement for the no-fly zone, angered by civilian casualties and the scope of the allied strikes on command and control and combat targets.
“What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone,” Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said in a statement issued through the state-run information agency. “And what we want is the protection of civilians and not the shelling of more civilians.”
It was a contrast from the cheers from grateful Libyans who feared they were about to be overrun by Gadhafi's forces.
"Thank you France, thank you America," Abdul Gader told The Associated Press as he looked over Gadhafi's armored vehicles destroyed by French aircraft. "Obama good, Sarkozy good."
Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia and Cuban figurehead Fidel Castro all condemned the intervention, The Washington Post reports.
The Guardian warns in an editorial there will be more complaints from the Arab chieftains,at least until the tide turns and Gadhafi capitulates.
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