Rebels May Ask for Western Airstrikes
Libyan rebels are weighing whether to ask the U.N. for air strikes from Western militaries, sources told The New York Times Tuesday. The rebel military faces a distinct disadvantage in the uprising, because Col. Muammar Gaddafi kept the country's military weak for decades to avoid mutiny. The dictator also has a private mercenary force hired from neighboring countries and a strong air force behind him. The rebel uprising , but a member of the revolutionary council said that airstrikes led by U.N. forces would not be considered"foreign intervention." The U.S.—which has said its military could enter Libya if necessary—and European nations have called for the creation of a no-fly zone over Libya to weaken Gaddafi’s air force. Gaddafi launched counterattacks Monday on several rebel strongholds, but anti-government forces managed to oust his army in the strategically important and oil-rich city of Zawiyah, located just 30 miles from Tripoli.
A Canadian military transport plane abandoned its mission to pick up Canadians trying to flee the unrest in Libya on Tuesday after being refused permission to land at the country's main airport.
The C-130J Hercules transport was on its way to Tripoli International Airport from Malta but was reportedly turned back due to congestion on the tarmac, a military spokesman said.
"The reason for the denial is apparently due to a shortage of ramp space," said Maj. Andre Salloum, spokesman for Canadian Forces Expeditionary Command.
Canada now has two C-17 military cargo planes and two Hercules aircraft sitting on the tarmac in Malta and has sent a military reconnaissance team of 13 soldiers to the Mediterranean country in response to the violent crackdown on dissent by Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's regime.
After recent criticism of Canada's sluggish response to revolts in other North African countries, Canada has adopted a UN resolution and has already instituted some sanctions, including a freeze on Gadhafi's assets and a travel ban on him, his family and members of his regime.
PM thanks Malta
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke with Lawrence Gonzi, the prime minister of Malta, thanking him for hosting Canadian aircraft and personnel as part of the evacuation efforts.
Dimitri Soudas, the prime minister's spokesman, said the leaders also discussed the need for co-ordinated international relief efforts.
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae said Canada is doing the right thing by stationing equipment and personnel after delays in reacting to the crises in other North African countries such as Egypt.
"It's not just a matter of what's happened, but a matter of also being able to understand that there are many, many other places in the Middle East and indeed around the world where change can happen very, very quickly," Rae said. "So I think we have to improve the kind of responses we've been able to make."
Rae said Canada should be quick to join an international humanitarian effort in the region.Filed under: Canada
Libya Turns Away Canadian Plane
Mar 1st 2011 – 3:01PM
CBC News
A Canadian military transport plane abandoned its mission to pick up Canadians trying to flee the unrest in Libya on Tuesday after being refused permission to land at the country's main airport.The C-130J Hercules transport was on its way to Tripoli International Airport from Malta but was reportedly turned back due to congestion on the tarmac, a military spokesman said.
"The reason for the denial is apparently due to a shortage of ramp space," said Maj. Andre Salloum, spokesman for Canadian Forces Expeditionary Command.
Canada now has two C-17 military cargo planes and two Hercules aircraft sitting on the tarmac in Malta and has sent a military reconnaissance team of 13 soldiers to the Mediterranean country in response to the violent crackdown on dissent by Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's regime.
After recent criticism of Canada's sluggish response to revolts in other North African countries, Canada has adopted a UN resolution and has already instituted some sanctions, including a freeze on Gadhafi's assets and a travel ban on him, his family and members of his regime.
PM thanks Malta
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke with Lawrence Gonzi, the prime minister of Malta, thanking him for hosting Canadian aircraft and personnel as part of the evacuation efforts.
Dimitri Soudas, the prime minister's spokesman, said the leaders also discussed the need for co-ordinated international relief efforts.
Liberal foreign affairs critic Bob Rae said Canada is doing the right thing by stationing equipment and personnel after delays in reacting to the crises in other North African countries such as Egypt.
"It's not just a matter of what's happened, but a matter of also being able to understand that there are many, many other places in the Middle East and indeed around the world where change can happen very, very quickly," Rae said. "So I think we have to improve the kind of responses we've been able to make."
Rae said Canada should be quick to join an international humanitarian effort in the region.
Copyright: (C) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, http://www.cbc.ca/aboutcbc/discover/termsofuse.html
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