The world bites back

 

Mad dog ... Colonel Muammar Gaddafi

CRAZED Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi was facing the wrath of the world last night.

The United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone over his country and threatened air strikes on his troops.
American and European officials said attacks could take place within HOURS.
The dramatic UN move, which defied expectations, is to protect cornered rebel fighters and civilians. In the US, the Pentagon was preparing for "serious" attacks. Officials said options included using cruise missiles to take out fixed Libyan military sites and air defence systems.
A US official said it would be "more aggressive than a show of force". Another said: "The US doesn't want a war. But we want to prevent a slaughter."
The UN verdict against "Mad Dog" Muammar Gaddafi was a major diplomatic coup for PM David Cameron, who was the first world leader to call for the air mission two weeks ago.

1274557

0

/sol/

Enlarge

Nations united ... world forces move against Gaddafi

In eastern Libya, after satellite TV channels reported the approval of the UN resolution rebel supporters chanted "God is Great" and "The People Want the Downfall of the Regime."
In Benghazi thousands of people rushed on to the streets waving flags, firing shots into the air and letting off fireworks.
Crowds shouted: "Muammar, you are surrounded. No ships and no planes will help you."
In Tobruk the news was welcomed with vuvuzela trumpets.
RAF fighter pilots could go into action as early as today if Gaddafi rejects an immediate ceasefire.
The resolution condemns Gaddafi's "gross and systematic violation of human rights" which "may amount to crimes against humanity" and pose a "threat to international peace and security".
It calls for "a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians". It authorises UN member states "to take all necessary measures to protect civilians".
But it specifically excludes "a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory".
In an interview broadcast just before the UN vote, Gaddafi said it had "no mandate".
He added: "We don't acknowledge their resolutions." And he vowed to hit back against UN attacks, insisting: "If the world is crazy, we will be crazy too."
However, late last night the Libyan regime gave the impression that it WOULD agree - subject to a deal on "technicalities". Resolution 1973, demanding a ceasefire and authorising the no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to enforce it, was passed by ten votes to nil.
Britain, America France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal and South Africa all backed the move. Russia, China, Germany, Italy and India abstained.
The resolution was formally adopted at the UN headquarters in New York. Britain's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said the UK was "ready to shoulder our responsibilities" to enforce it. He said: "A violent, discredited regime which has lost all legitimacy is using weapons of war against civilians. My Government welcomes the fact that the Security Council has acted swiftly in response to the appalling situation in Libya."
There had been a desperate race against time to approve the resolution as Gaddafi's forces began bombing the outskirts of Benghazi yesterday - the rebels' last bastion.

Rejoice ... rebels' joy at UN vote in Benghazi

In a chilling radio address to its people, the dictator warned: "We are coming tonight. There won't be any mercy." Using the word "zenga", meaning neighbourhood, Gaddafi had said his men would hunt opponents down right into their homes.

Vote ... Sir Mark Lyall at the UN

He said: "We will come zenga by zenga, house by house, room by room. We will find you in your closets." The UN was determined to prevent Gaddafi crushing the last of the rebellion and taking Benghazi.

Backing ... President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron

Mr Cameron worked into the early hours of this morning to plan the operation with his defence chiefs and other world leaders. He spoke over the phone to President Obama and ordered his Cabinet to an urgent meeting this morning. The PM will deliver a statement to the House of Commons today.

Strike force ... US F-18 jets are likely to enforce no-fly zone

Earlier yesterday the Libyan military had threatened to "expose to danger" any foreign planes and shipping in the Mediterranean Sea.

t.newtondunn@the-sun.co.uk>

Brit rescue jet's empty

By CHRIS POLLARD

A PLANE sent to rescue Brits from Bahrain left the trouble-torn Gulf state empty yesterday.
The Foreign Office-chartered flight did not pick up a single passenger, despite predictions of a huge rush for tickets amid Government warnings of violence.
Britons were offered seats at £260 each, but officials said the move was rendered pointless by "sufficient availability" on commercial routes.

The snub came as gun cops held at least seven protest leaders. A second jet is due to depart for London today. Several thousand Brits are believed to live in Bahrain, the latest scene of Middle East unrest.
The Foreign Office urged anyone without a "pressing need" to stay in the country to leave as soon as possible. A spokeswoman said many had already quit. Bahrain arrested opposition leaders and activists in dawn raids yesterday.
The move showed that the government aimed to widen its attempts at stifling the island's uprising.
The crackdown on the mostly Shiite opposition also pointed to a sharp turn in a political stand-off within Bahrain's ruling family where hard-liners have appeared to gain the upper hand.
Last night the head of Wefaq - Bahrain's largest opposition group - called for Saudi Arabia to withdraw its forces from the country.
Sheikh Ali Salman added: "We call for a United Nations investigation into what has happened."