Libya’s long-time ruler made another TV appearance early Wednesday as the United States said that any no-fly zone over the country would need to have full UN backing.
Libya’s long-time ruler made another TV appearance early Wednesday as the United States said that any no-fly zone over the country would need to have full UN backing.In an address on State TV, Gaddafi again alleged involvement of foreigners in the rebellion against his more than 41-year-old rule.
He warned of a plot to colonize Libya. As proof, he said his security forces had captured several foreigners during a raid on Monday.
"Yesterday, the mosque that the security forces regained power over, they had in this mosque,
they had weapons and alcohol has well. Some of them come from Afghanistan, some of them come from Egypt, some of them come from Algeria, just to misguide our children," Gaddafi said.He alleged "foreign forces" were recruiting vulnerable youngsters in Zentain, Az Zawiyah and Benghazi - cities currently being held by rebels ranged against him.
"Those who exhibit weakness are targeted ... Otherwise, why did they not come after you? ... so you see. This means only the scum who could not be strong," he said.
NO-FLY ZONE UN DECISION
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that any decision to impose a no-fly zone over Libya was a matter for the United Nations and should not be a U.S.-led initiative.
"We want to see the international community support it (a no-fly zone)," Clinton told Sky News. "I think it's very important that this not be a U.S.-led effort."
She said the United Nations should make the decision on Libya, not the United States.
"We've called for Colonel Gaddafi to leave," she added. "When a leader turns against his own people, that is the end."
For their part, US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed the "common objective" was an end to violence and the departure of Gaddafi, the White House said.
In a phone call, the two leaders "agreed to press forward with planning, including at NATO, on the full spectrum of possible responses, including surveillance, humanitarian assistance, enforcement of the arms embargo, and a no-fly zone."
Britain and France have been seeking a U.N. resolution to authorize such a zone to ground Gaddafi's aircraft and prevent him moving troops by air. Russia and China, which have veto power in the U.N. Security Council, have been cool toward the idea, which would be likely to require bombing of Libyan air defenses.
GADDAFI’S FORCES POUND REBELS
On Tuesday, Gaddafi’s tanks and warplanes pounded rebel positions in Zawiyah, the closest rebel-held city to the capital, Tripoli.
They shelled its suburbs with tank and artillery fire and trying to seize control of the town's main square.
One resident spoke of seeing 50 tanks and dozens of pick-up trucks loaded with pro-Gaddafi troops.
