R2P: Libya Intervention Historic Milestone

[tabatha]

No matter how the international operation in Libya turns out, we should reflect on the enormity of this decision.

For the first time in history, the international community collectively decided to use legitimate force to stop a leader from committing mass atrocities against his own people. That puts us in a new chapter of human history - one where people struggling for human rights - or more simply, for their right to not be massacred with impunity - have an international system to look to for support. That's a world where leaders will think twice, or not at all, about physically assaulting the people they should be protecting.

International action in Libya marked a major moment in human progress. The question now is: will the international community consolidate that moment and prevent mass atrocities elsewhere?

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2011/03/r2p_libya_inter/



(PS I would like to see verification of the Asia Times article about the deal with Saudia Arabia before I believe it.)