Britain, France push Libyan no fly zone: 'There is a feeling of urgency now'

UNITED NATIONS— Britain and France could put a resolution to the UN Security Council this week demanding a no-fly zone over Libya to counter Muammar Gaddafi's offensive against rebels, diplomats said.

While the conflict is intensifying, the UN body is braced for a new diplomatic tussle over military action. Britain’s foreign minister has insisted that there must “a clear legal basis” for the zone and set other conditions.

“You should expect something on Libya this week,” one UN diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity. “There is a feeling of urgency now.”

“There are elements of a text ready which can be distributed to the council. It could well be this week,” said a diplomat from another council nation.

“It depends if there are triggers on the ground. If there are gross human rights violations or mercenaries are brought in.”

Britain and France have made the most aggressive calls among western powers for a no-fly zone to hamper Col. Gaddafi’s offensive. The United States has said it is studying the possibility while warning of the major military operation it would entail.

The UN Security Council unanimously passed sanctions against the Gaddafi regime and ordered a crimes against humanity investigation on February 26. Any new move toward military action is likely to face tough resistance from China, Russia and other members of the 15 however.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Libyan rebels had “explicitly” asked for action to prevent Col. Gaddafi’s air attacks but that “many conditions should be attached” to any no-fly zone.

“At the UN Security Council we are working closely with partners on a contingency basis on elements of a resolution on a no-fly zone, making clear the need for regional support, a clear trigger for such a resolution and an appropriate legal basis,” Mr. Hague told the British parliament.

“There should be a demonstrable need that the whole world can see, there must be a clear legal basis for such a no-fly zone and there must be clear support from the region, from the Middle East region, from the North African region as well as from the people of Libya themselves,” he said.

“I think those are the necessary conditions for such a no-fly zone to be created.”

Arab League secretary general Amr Mussa supported a no-fly zone when he spoke to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in Cairo on Sunday, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in Paris.

“Mr. Musa confirmed the support of the Arab League for a no-fly zone,” Mr. Valero said.

The strong support from Arab and African nations helped sway Russia, China and others behind the assets freeze and travel ban against Col. Gaddafi and 15 other members of his family and regime.

Russia and China, which traditionally oppose military sanctions, may resist stronger measures so soon after the last vote, diplomats and experts said.

Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States are permanent members of the Security Council who can veto any resolution.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week called the no-fly zones “superfluous” and said international powers should concentrate on the existing sanctions.

China’s foreign ministry also indicated last week that the Beijing government was cool to military action.

India, which is also a member of the Security Council, has also indicated opposition to no-fly zones, though diplomats said it could be swayed if the Libya fighting worsens.

The council is to be briefed on the turmoil in North Africa on Tuesday from UN under secretary general B. Lynn Pascoe.

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