Contrary to some voices on the anti-imperialist left, the Western military intervention increases rather than diminishes our responsibilities of solidarity to the Libyan and Arab opposition movements.
NATO agreed to take control of enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya, as Qaddafi charged a civilian death toll of over 100 from the bombardment and rebels charged growing civilian casualties in Qaddafi’s siege of Misrata.
As Libyan rebels advanced on Ajdabiya and Qaddafi forces advanced on Misrata, the last rebel-held city in the west, the transitional council in Benghazi appointed a prime minister and Allied air-strikes continued.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Cairo that the UN Security Council resolution authorizing a no-fly zone in Libya is “not time-limited,” while rebel leaders in Paris pledged a “democratic, secular” post-Qaddafi regime.
As air-strikes continue on Libya, Tripoli accused both Allied forces and the rebels of breaking a ceasefire—but rebel sources said Qaddafi’s troops continued to attack their western enclave of Misurata, with atrocities against residents.
Tripoli announced a new ceasefire in the face of Western air-strikes—but government attacks on rebel-held Misurata continued. The regime claimed civilian casualties from the strikes, while rebels accused the regime of atrocities.
The Arab League protested the “shelling of civilians” by Allied forces in Libya as International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo warned Tripoli officials of war crimes prosecution.
US and British warships launched more than 110 Tomahawk missiles at targets along the Libyan coast. Leading House Democrats called for President Barack Obama to seek congressional approval for the military action.
France has launched military strikes on Libyan tanks advancing on rebel-held Benghazi, just as Qaddafi’s planes carried out their first air-strikes on the city, sending thousands of residents fleeing to the east.
The Libyan government announced an immediate ceasefire in its offensive against rebels in the country’s east, as a coalition of Western and Arab nations prepares for air-strikes as authorized by the UN Security Council.
Qaddafi pledged an imminent assault on rebel stronghold Benghazi that would show “no mercy,” while France promised air-strikes on Qaddafi’s forces “within hours” after the UN Security Council approved military action.
Libyan rebels battle Qaddafi-loyalist forces at Ajdabiya, as the provisional opposition government in Benghazi, just 150 miles up the coast, prepare for an assault on the city.
