THE JERUSALEM POST: Saif al-Islam responds to UN Security Council decision to authorize military strikes on Libya; France, Norway to join int'l military action.Libya is not afraid of a UN resolution authorizing military strikes to protect Libyan civilians, Al Arabiya television quoted Saif al-Islam, one of Muammar Gaddafi's sons, as saying on Friday. Al Arabiya did not say where or when he made the remark.
The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military force against Gadhafi’s forces.
“Today the Security Council has responded to the Libyan people's cry for help,” US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said. “This Council's purpose is clear: to protect innocent civilians.”
France and Norway announced Friday that they will join the international military action against Gaddafi's forces.
French government spokesman Francois Baroin said on Friday that "The French, who led the calls [for action], will of course be consistent with military intervention." Asked to specify what that meant, he said "they will participate" in operations.
The UN resolution demands the "immediate establishment of a cease-fire and a complete end to violence and all attacks, and abuses, of civilians." The resolution stipulates that member states, upon notification to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, can “take all necessary measures...to protect civilians and civilian populated areas, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory." » | Reuters and Jordana Horn | Friday, March 18, 2011
