Thursday, March 24, 2011

So Just Who Will Run The No-Fly Zone? TBD

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe says foreign ministers from the Western coalition protecting the no-fly zone over Libya as well as Arab and Africans representatives plan to meet in London Tuesday, but the U.S. appparentlyuu is not ready to discuss plans for that session.

"Obviously, we remain in close contact. We’re aware of the meeting that was proposed. And obviously, (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and others remain in close contact with our allies and partners in the coalition, but nothing to announce specific to that meeting," said Mark Toner, acting deputy State Department spokesman.

President Obama has said he wants to turn over command and control of the Libya mission in a matter of days, but the question for now is to whom does the U.S. hand over control of Libya? ABC ponders the question.

The U.S. would prefer that NATO run the show, but the French government wants a hybrid, a steering committee that includes a seat for NATO and perhaps Arab members, The Wall Street Journal reported.

"It won't be NATO that will have the political steering of the operation," Juppe said.

There are problems that must be attended to quickly in the coming days and for whichever entity takes over command for the next phase.

"Without substantial defections from the loyalist army, the rebels cannot hope to become a cohesive military force unless they receive weapons and training from outside, which would seem to be in breach of the UN arms embargo," The Economist opines in its Clausewitz blog, cooling defence, security and diplomatic issues.

The Christian Science Monitor noted, "The resolution had broad international support when it passed 10-0 with 5 abstentions. But now, as questions arise over what a no-fly zone actually entails and what “all necessary measures” means."

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