NATO Prepares for Libya Action Despite Cease-Fire Claim

Obama warns Gadhafi to comply with UN resolution or face military attack

Video

Obama sets stage for military action (NBC Nightly News, March 18, 2011) — President Obama warned Libya’s Muammar Khaddafy that if he doesn’t stop attacks on opposition forces now, he’ll face the consequences including military action. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports. (03:39)

NBC News, The Associated Press, and Reuters via MSNBC
March 18, 2011

TRIPOLI, Libya — NATO allies meeting in Brussels were drawing up plans to enforce a United Nations resolution authorizing military action to prevent the killing of Libyan civilians Friday as Western leaders delivered an ultimatum to Moammar Gadhafi.

Fighting continued Friday in Libya despite the government’s declaration of a cease-fire to comply after the U.N. resolution passed a day earlier.

President Barack Obama and other Western leaders said military response would be swift if Gadhafi forces continue attacking protesters trying to end his 42-year rule.

Explosions and anti-aircraft fire were reported late Friday in the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi, but government officials insisted Gadhafi troops were not violating the U.N. resolution passed a day earlier.

A U.S. national security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Libyan troops were advancing on Benghazi. He called the movements “purposeful,” based on official reporting reaching U.S. national security agencies in Washington. …

Earlier, the United States, Britain and France — backed by unspecified Arab countries — said a cease-fire must begin “immediately” in Libya, the French presidential palace said.

The statement called on Gadhafi to end his troops’ advance toward Benghazi and pull them out of Misrata, Adjadbiya and Zawiya. It also called for the restoration of water, electricity and gas services in all areas. It said Libya’s population must be able to receive humanitarian aid.

“This is not negotiable,” the statement said.

The statement echoed an earlier warning Friday by President Barack Obama, who said that if the Libyan leader did not stand down the United States would join in military action against him.

“All attacks against all civilians must stop,” Obama said.

“These terms are not subject to negotiation. If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences.”

Obama said the United States would not deploy ground troops in Libya or use force beyond protecting people. …

Full story

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Related reports on this site

Video

What does it take to impose a no-fly zone? (MSNBC, March 18, 2011) — Colonel Jack Jacobs, MSNBC military analyst, explains what it means militarily to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. (05:49)

Libya No-Fly Zone, Airstrikes Imminent (March 17, 2011)

Libyan Rebels Advance on Tripoli (March 5, 2011)

Gadhafi Steers Libya to Civil War (Feb. 22, 2011)

Deadly Crackdown in Libya (Feb. 20, 2011)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — March 18, 2010

CIA Bombing: Al-Qaida Leader Killed

Humam Khalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi killed seven CIA officers and contractors, a Jordanian intelligence officer, and a driver when he blew himself up at a CIA outpost in Afghanistan on Dec. 30, 2009. Hussein al-Yemeni, reportedly a top al-Qaida planner, facilitator, and bomb maker who was killed in missile strike in Pakistan in March 2010, is believed to have been a key player in the suicide attack that killed the CIA operatives. (Photo credit: IntelCenter via EPA / AP)

One year ago today, I reported that a missile strike in Pakistan killed Hussein al-Yemeni, an al-Qaida leader believed to have been a key player in the suicide attack that killed seven CIA operatives at the CIA’s forward operating base Camp Chapman in Khost province, Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border on December 30, 2009.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — March 18, 2009

The Princess of Pork

Photo: Paul Sancya / AP

Two years ago today, on March 18, 2009, I reported that MSNBC “Countdown” featured a segment titled “Pork Princess: Bachmann’s Earmark Delusion,” in which anchor Keith Olbermann berated U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann for signing a “No Earmarks” pledge, violating her own pledge by shamelessly requesting millions of dollars in earmarks, and then dishonestly claiming she had not requested any earmarks.