THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has warned that the international community cannot "stand by" after the Gaddafi regime yesterday unleashed a "barbaric war" against rebels and the EU rejected his plan for a no-fly zone to protect civilians.During a six hour Brussels summit, an angry Prime Minister fought to persuade other EU leaders to send clear message threatening military action on the same day that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi unleashed air strikes and launched a massive military offensive against Libyan rebels.
"We are witnessing, what can only be called, barbaric acts with Gaddafi brutally suppressing a popular rising led by his own people," he said.
"Things may be getting worse not better on the ground. The truth is this: Gaddafi is still on the rampage, waging war on this people."
But Mr Cameron faced strong opposition to a Nato imposed no-fly zone led by Germany, which had the support of Baroness Ashton, the EU foreign minister and British peer.
EU leaders rejected British demands for a clear declaration that supported "continued planning with Nato allies to be ready to provide support for all possible contingencies as the situation evolves, including a no-fly zone".
In a serious setback for Mr Cameron, who was the first world leader to raise the prospect of Western military intervention in Libya, the EU agreed vague wording that "in order to protect the civilian population, member states will examine all necessary options".
Dismissing the traditional Brussels focus on summit communiqués and the subtleties of diplomatic language, the Mr Cameron pledged that Britain would not stand by as the Libyan people were slaughtered. >>> Bruno Waterfield, Brussels | Friday, March 11, 2011
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Libya: Gaddafi's jets break bodies but not the rebels' spirit – It started with the boom, boom, boom of decrepit anti-aircraft guns shooting wildly into the open blue sky. Then came the screeching engines of an invisible warplane, hurtling towards the rebel position. >>> Rob Crilly, Ras Lanuf and Richard Spencer in Tajoura | Saturday, March 12, 2011
