Opposition in #Benghazi, #Libya, Wants No-Fly Zone, Bombing by UN on Gaddafi Forces

Libyans, do you agree? Do you want foreigners fighting your war, if not for you but alongside you? Instead of Libyans taking care of the Libyan dictator and his entourage, would you rather have the outsider (the UN) bomb and kill Libyans who don't agree with you?

A no-fly zone would mean Gaddafi's planes would be shot down. The pilots, unlike Gaddafi's rag-tag "African" mercenaries, are Libyans. Do you want to have Libyans killed by the foreigners, because they are flying the planes for Gaddafi?

What would the opposition offer to the UN (or the US, or the NATO, or Arab League, or whatever entity who seems suddenly eager to impose a no-fly zone), in exchange for the no-fly zone and bombing of Gaddafi's forces? Quid pro quo. Don't believe the UN, particularly the West, would do anything purely out of goodwill.

Imposing a no-fly zone requires extensive logistics. I cannot imagine such an action without "boots on the ground" - i.e. foreign troops, special forces, military advisors, inside Libya. Hey that's not much different from the Gaddafi days, is it?

All I can say is "As you wish", and "Be careful what you wish for".

From Al Jazeera Libya Blog 3/3/2011:

12:36am Speaking of the opposition in Benghazi, they say they are not just calling for a no-fly zone, but for UN forces to conduct airstrikes on forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

The city is tense, as volunteers continue to sign up for ad-hoc military training ahead of an expected counteroffensive.

12:32am Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libya's deputy ambassador to the UN, says the international body may consider setting up the much-debated no-fly zone over the country if the interim National Council formed by the opposition in Benghazi submits a formal written request for one.

What is needed at this time is that such decision be made officially and that we, in New York, are notified of it so that we make a formal request to the United Nations."

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