NATO calls emergency council meeting on Libya

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

BUDAPEST Feb 25 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he had called an emergency NATO council meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss the situation in Libya.

"I have convened an emergency meeting in the NATO council this afternoon to consult on this fast-moving situation. So I will return to Brussels in a few hours," he told Reuters during a visit to Budapest on Friday.

"Before I do so, I will meet with EU defence ministers and discuss with them how we in a pragmatic way can help those in need and limit the consequences of these events."

He said priority must be given to evacuation and possibly humanitarian assistance.

"It's a bit premature to go into specifics but it's well-known that NATO has assets that can be used in a situation like this and NATO can act as an enabler and coordinator if and when individual member states want to take action," he said.



Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE71O0D420110225

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Not quite Article 5 worthy, but think Kosovo

[joshcryer]

3. Where we bombed as many people that were killed?

Anything more than humanitarian aid is unsupportable, imo. The Libyans will have this thing over soon.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. GRAPHIC perhaps you need a reminder of WHY we went there

and why NATO forces are still there

[joshcryer]

7. I didn't say intervention wasn't necessary, I contested that NATOs force was.

Kosovo was no doubt a humanitarian crisis, but look at the graphic I posted, the Libyans have it. If the uprising lasts for a few weeks then you can get back to me about actual intervention.

Believe me I was one of the first people to call for military intervention, but I was underestimating the power of the Libyan protesters and their ability to change the tribes and the militaries to their side. I don't think it's like Kosovo at all.

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. I didn't say it was

that was you.

I just gave you a reminder why they went in there. And sadly, when you use military power, you will kill people you were not intending to kill. This is not a movie where only the bad guys gets whacked.

And who else could have intervened in the center of Europe?

For the moment NATO seems to be looking at Logistical and humanitarian support. Trust me, they need things like bandages, IVs and trained doctors, mostly Kadaffi has killed a few. Oh and fresh hands is a good idea.

[joshcryer]

2. STFU NATO, anything more than humanitarian assistance is interfering in a legitimate uprising.

And by humanitarian assistance I mean food, medical supplies, tents, etc. Where there is a "liberated Libya flag." (edit: I realize the old flag was one of a non-Democratic regime but the protesters chose it as their flag)

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. That is what they seem to be talking about

[JDPriestly]

6. I think they are considering humanitarian intervention, not

military intervention although they may use military equipment to do it. Most of Libya has been taken by the rebels. Kaddhafi is apparently using mercenaries to avenge the rebels. That's pretty cowardly on his part.

[joshcryer]

8. Fair enough guys, I was just sayin'.

[dipsydoodle]

17. Yes - I thnk that's an accurate assessment.

.

[David__77]

20. Even talking about intervention threatens the opposition.

If the scope of popular opposition is very broad, then all the intervention can do is lead to more deaths.

[dipsydoodle]

9. From yesterday : NATO vows to stay out of Libyan conflict.

KIEV, Ukraine – NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the Western military alliance will not intervene in the Libyan conflict.

Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday the alliance has received no such requests and that in any case any intervention must be based on a United Nations mandate. He made the comments in Kiev where he was on an official visit meeting with Ukrainian officials.

Fogh Rasmussen said the events in Libya do not threaten any NATO members, but the conflict could spark a mass refugee crisis.

The popular uprising in Libya has been violently suppressed, leading some to believe the country could be moving toward civil war.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110224/ap_on_re_eu/libya_nato_1;_ylt=Ajb8NmhsoTFUMLlpq.j1iF0GS5Z4

[joshcryer]

10. Thanks dipsydoodle. I was wondering about that.

[dipsydoodle]

11. I also posted that for you

on the other post from yesterday where I mentioned it.

[rabs]

13. To think, Fidel Castro

on Tuesday was speaking of possible US/NATO intervention in Libya.

There was a thread, I think on LBN, in which the anti-castro DUers crawled out and tried to debunk what the Man in Havana said.

We shall see, now that NATO has called for this "emergency meeting."

And a good morning to you way over there :hi:

[joshcryer]

14. Most of the anti-Castro people were pissed off about the "wait and see attitude."

[dipsydoodle]

15. Just fine

apart from earache :(

Yes that was Fidel most recent Reflection / Essay. I only learned of Granma when I was there last October. I find it useful for information on the past in Cuba - Bay of Pigs etc.

Hope you are well too. :hi:

[maddezmom]

12. I don't think they are going to do anything until all the Westerners have been

evacuated.

[dipsydoodle]

16. The ones I feel sorry for

are those effectively trapped out in desert areas where the rigs are. They've no means of transport and are stuck without much food most of which was looted by locals along with their cars/trucks.

[jakeXT]

18. SACEUR tweets

Admiral James Stavridis Supreme Allied Commander and Commander, US European Command

stavridisj

1. Meetings in UK with Minister of Def and Chief of Def - Libya, Afghan, NATO reform: good synch

2. In London to consult with our British allies on force levels in Europe and NATO reform. And keeping a weather eye on Libya. 4:21 PM Feb 23rd via The Visitor Widget

http://twitter.com/STAVRIDISJ