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Allies Enter Libyan Airspace, Led By French Fighter Jets
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2011
Modified Mar 19, 2011
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By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 19, 2011
Modified Mar 19, 2011
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French fighter jets flew over Libya, after Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi's forces seemed intent to flout the U.N.'s no-fly zone declaration. However, Gadhafi sent a letter to President Barack Obama stating, "I have all the Libyan people with me and I'm prepared to die. And they are prepared to die for me. Men, women and even children."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, “Today we are intervening in Libya with a U.N. Security Council mandate...Our air force will oppose any aggression by Colonel Gadhafi against the population of Benghazi. As of now, our aircraft are preventing planes from attacking the town. As of now, our aircraft are prepared to intervene against tanks." The Washington Post reports, "The French warplanes are expected to be joined in coming days by aircraft and logistical support from Britain, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and other countries under a U.N. mandate authorizing a broad use of force to prevent the slaughter of Libyan citizens. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Paris early Saturday for an emergency meeting with European and Arab leaders in what was described as an effort to project international unity and resolve against Gaddafi."
Yesterday, Obama issued a warning to Gadhafi, demanding an immediate cease-fire: "Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable... If Qaddafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences, and the resolution will be enforced through military action." His shift for a hard line came after some lobbying from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others; according to the NY Times: "The change became possible, though, only after Mrs. Clinton joined Samantha Power, a senior aide at the National Security Council, and Susan Rice, Mr. Obama’s ambassador to the United Nations, who had been pressing the case for military action, according to senior administration officials speaking only on condition of anonymity. Ms. Power is a former journalist and human rights advocate; Ms. Rice was an Africa adviser to President Clinton when the United States failed to intervene to stop the Rwanda genocide, which Mr. Clinton has called his biggest regret."
Tagged
hillary clinton
libya
moammer gadhafi
nicolas sarkozy
president obama
united nations
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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