BICOM

Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the Arab League, criticised British, French and US attacks on Libya yesterday, and called an emergency meeting of the Arab League. He said in a statement, ‘What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone. and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the shelling of more civilians.’

This came despite an Arab League motion passed in favour of a no-fly zone a week ago. This motion proved pivotal in mobilising international support for a UN Security Council Resolution endorsing the use of force to protect civilians against Gaddafi’s military. Moussa attended a meeting of the coalition enforcing the resolution in Paris on Saturday. Western forces began airstrikes against Gaddafi’s air defences and other military and regime targets the same day. 

Speaking on Sunday, Defence Secretary Liam Fox did not rule out that Gaddafi himself could become a target. He said in a BBC interview, ‘Mission accomplished would mean the Libyan people free to control their own destiny. This is very clear – the international community wants his regime to end and wants the Libyan people to control for themselves their own country.’

Israeli leaders have been notably silent over the airstrikes, and officials
have indicated that the government is keen to keep Israel out of the story. However, Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak, told Sky News before bombing commenced on Friday, that he hoped that the no fly zone would succeed in stopping Gaddafi.