International community demands Nato Operations in Libya stop

South African President Mr.Zuma has spoken out in strong opposition to the recent escalation in hostilities by NATO forces in Libya. Britain and France have recently deployed attack helicopters and the United States has been usingarmed drones through out Eastern and Western Libya.NATO has also been accused of providing close air support to rebel advances. The South African Parliament was told that such escalation went beyond the mandate of Resolution 1973 .Resolution 1973 which had wide Arab League and European support had the principle aim of protecting civilians through the imposition of a no fly zone.

Reminiscent of the debate in 2003 over what UN Resolution 1441 authorised.Resolution 1441called on Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations” and weeks later used to justify an invasion by American,British and Australian forces. The Syrian ambassador when voting for Resolution 1441 stated he had received assurances from the British and American governments “that it(Resolution 1441) would not be used as a pretext for striking against Iraq and does not constitute a basis for any automatic strikes against Iraq”.

However,President Bush and Prime Minister Blair stated Iraq alleged refusal to comply with the UN resolution justified the use of military force.In his statement to the British Iraq Inquiry Tony Blair stated that “I was continuing to hold to the position that another resolution was not necessary. I knew that the language of 1441” . Suggesting that despite public assurances that UN Resolution 1441 did not permit military strikes the British and American governments still used it to justify the invasion.

Some countries are now seeing a repeat of these tactics with UN Resolution 1973 . British Defence Secretary Liam Fox said” (the) use of the attack helicopters is a logical extension ”. This statement could suggest that the British government had always felt that Resolution 1973 did allow NATO to go beyond imposing a No Fly Zone and use attack helicopters and does not rule the deployment of ground forces.This is despite assurances by British Prime Minister Cameron in march that regime change was not the objective.However by April President Obama,Prime Minister Cameron and President Sarkozy singed a joint letter saying Colonel Gaddafi cannot be allowed to remain in power. The President of South Africa said”We have spoken out against the misuse of the good intentions”.The Russian foreign minister voiced concern about NATO strikes in Libya stating ” Today we witness that some NATO actions in Libya are exceeding the framework defined by the UN Security Council. It is already being discussed that UN Resolution 1973 could also be used for ground operation”.

The international community may loose confidence in the west and its promises to abide by UN Resolutions.Given the many conflicts and potential for conflicts around the world, it seems in the future countries will now think twice before giving America,Britain and France , UN authorisation to engage in military operations.

It has been suggested the rebel leaders are avoiding peace negotiations with the Gaddafi Regime in the hope of securing boots on the ground from NATO .If such reports are true this would suggest the NATO role Libya is prolonging the civil war and is delaying a political solution to violence .The prolonging of the civil war will lead to more civilian casualties in both east Libya and west Libya.The international community wants an end to violence in Libya. NATO must be careful it abides by the UN resolution and does not hinder a political solution in the Libyan Civil War.