David Cameron says world could supply arms to Libyan rebels (land invasion on the table, too)

[Turborama]

Source: The Independent (UK)

By Nigel Morris and Vanessa Mock in Brussels
Tuesday, March 01 2011

David Cameron yesterday warned the Libyan regime that world leaders could impose a no-fly zone over the country and even arm rebel leaders, as international attempts to pressure Muammar Gaddafi to relinquish power intensified.

British government officials even left open the prospect of western land forces being sent as a last resort into Libya to protect civilians, while the European Union imposed an asset freeze and an arms embargo in a bid to tighten the noose on Gaddafi.

=snip=

"We do not in any way rule out the use of military assets. We must not tolerate this regime using military forces against its own people," he said. "In that context I have asked the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff to work with our allies on plans for a military no-fly zone."

Later, pressed by a Tory MP on whether the Libyan opposition could be supplied with weapons, Mr Cameron replied: "It's certainly something we should be considering."

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/cameron-says-world-could-supply-arms-to-libyan-rebels-2228510.html

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Later on in the article, "officials repeatedly refused to rule out the prospect of a land invasion"

Well, according to http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4749447">this article they've been in there for a few days already.

[BeFree]

1. wow

This is certainly an interesting step.

"We must not tolerate this regime using military forces against its own people,"
and may use combat troops to stop the carnage?

Ok, I can't remember any western nation stepping that far before.

And what would Saudi Arabia think about its coming soiree if Cameron was to enter Libya? Would this be a precedent?

Sure, we've jumped right in and used force against whole countries, but would this be a first to just dismantle a regime?

[joshcryer]

5. Yes, it would (outside of Kosovo/Bosnia). The west feels like "doing something right" but they...

...better listen to the Libyans and not interfere. If they interfere other dictatorial states will claim illigitimacy and claim that the west is being imperialistic. Yes the west was terribly terribly imperialistic in the past, so really the best thing they can do right now is humanitarian aid and a no-fly-zone.

[WatsonT]

2. Yeah let's arm them

there's no way we'll end up with a mujaheddin/Taliban situation here where we end up funding some even worse Islamic fundamentalist regime.

[joshcryer]

4. Oh god. People were invoking the Muslim Brotherhood for Egypt, too.

Evil Muslims!

[WatsonT]

9. Evoking historical examples is wrong now?

BTW, who is in charge of Egypt now? The People, or the military?

Also: saying something MIGHT occur and saying it WILL occur are not the same.

Either way I don't view the US as the worlds policeman.

[Democat]

3. Is Cameron planning on signing up for the military himself?

Or is he planning on sending other people's kids?

[joshcryer]

6. The Libyan Youths and the Libyan Military Council will refuse troops. Arms maybe.

But even then they don't really appear to need arms.

[LAIEN]

8. not again

here we go again

[joshcryer]

7. Those poor stupid Libyans are so going to get invaded by the west and NATO!

:puke:

I should sign off before I get too annoyed by these insults toward the Libyan people. They got it. They are making the message loud and clear. They will fight back against an invasion just as hard as they fought back against their dictator!

[Bragi]

10. If there's to be intervention, let it be by the UN

If the UN security council authorizes intervention, then it could be done as a humanitarian intervention by the international community.

If the U.S and its allies decide on their own to intervene militarily, then that would be seen as an invasion.

[Baclava]

14. Are you ready to go it alone? Lots of opposition on the UN Security Council

Military action might be too costly

While NATO appears to be a natural ally, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, its Secretary-General, has said repeatedly there will be no NATO involvement in Libya without UN Security Council approval.

Russia and China, both of whom have vetoes on the Security Council and fear spontaneous demonstrations from their own people, are not eager to endorse military intervention in the affairs of other states.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of Turkey, which has the second-largest standing army in NATO, is also opposed to any intervention in Libya. Mr. Erdogan told reporters at a conference in Germany Tuesday he would not "even consider such an absurdity."

"As Turkey, we're against this. This can't even be talked about, it's unthinkable," he said.


http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Military+action+might+costly/4369298/story.html

[bossy22]

11. so in other words

ask the U.S. to initiate another land war

[Turborama]

12. David Cameron is making it sound like he can save Libya all by himself...

The latest war drumming from Number 10 (video & article from The Torygraph): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/8355004/Libya-David-Cameron-preparing-for-every-eventuality.html">Libya: David Cameron preparing for 'every eventuality'

ETA this Guardian article...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/wintour-and-watt/2011/mar/01/davidcameron-libya">David Cameron gains taste for military action after slow start to Libya crisis

[Baclava]

13. Didn't the Brits just scrap their last carrier and it's jets?

Queen bids farewell to carrier Ark Royal

5 Nov 2010

The Queen has said farewell to the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ark Royal.

The fleet flagship is being axed after 25 years' service as part of the government's defence review, along with the retirement of the Harrier jets.

The decision to axe the aircraft carrier will leave the navy without the capability of launching fixed-wing aircraft from a carrier.

It will be up to a decade before replacement ships and aircraft come into service.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11702157