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  • March 18, 2011
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G8 Backs Away From Libya 'No-Fly' Zone

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, center, addresses reporters during a joint press conference held at the end of the Group of Eight Foreign Ministers meeting in Paris, March 15, 2011
Photo: AP

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, center, addresses reporters during a joint press conference held at the end of the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting in Paris, March 15, 2011

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France failed Tuesday to get support for a "no-fly" zone over Libya from the Group of Eight nations meeting in Paris.

A two-day meeting of the G8 foreign ministers ended without agreement on establishing a no-fly zone against Libya, with reservations expressed  by Russia and Germany. The flight restrictions had been pushed by France and Britain, but even before the meeting ended, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe acknowledged that support was far from unanimous.

In an interview on France's Europe 1 radio, Juppe said that if such a no-fly zone had been agreed to last week, the Libyan opposition might not have experienced its recent setbacks against the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

He said G8 ministers had agreed to relaunch discussions at the United Nations on ways to increase pressure against the Gadhafi government, including a possible air exclusion zone.

But German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle described any military intervention as difficult and dangerous. Westerwelle said a no-fly zone amounted to military intervention, and the international community had to be careful not to provoke the opposite effect of what it intended.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended part of the G8 meeting and also met with a member of the opposition Libyan National Council in Paris before heading to Cairo on Tuesday.

Japan's foreign minister also attended the G8 meeting, and Japanese diplomats expressed thanks for help being offered by G8 members to the devastated nation.

Comments (26)

15-03-2011 Steven (US)

LIBYANS NEED OUR HELP...GIVE IT TO THEM!~!~!

15-03-2011 unknown (unknown)

rebels should not be recomended they can develop tribal war.

15-03-2011 Gautam.C.K (India)

Why the hell G-8 is not prposing any sanction on Bahrine because some of them have intrest there,How they allowed GCC forces to occupai Baharine, I would say that an occupation.Some the G-8 members are after Libiyian oil not the after the Col. they want a Govt. of their choice so they can exploit later.

15-03-2011 Masengye (Nigeria)

Please kindly allow Gadafi to come and divide Nigeria as he agitated before you topple him.

15-03-2011 Michael Scott Harris (Canada)

The USA believes it mission is to grow democracy around the world. Why is there no courage to enter into Libya when they are clearly wanted and into Iraq when they were not? Mr Obama .... PUT DOWN THAT NOBEL PRIZE AND DO THE NOBLE THING

15-03-2011 barny (zimbabwe)

instead of u.s.a to take a proactive and practical roles in libya and ivory coast they are doing absolutely nothing expect oratory mesages from mr obama.taking issues to the security council wont help because china and russia will always oppose any motion.to countries which are now free from ditactors please give raw deals to china and russia.we shall do this to them one day in zimbabwe and chase them away

15-03-2011 hammani benzawi (morocco)

why the president of the usa is not doing nothing about the situation in libya don't do the same mistake Bill clinton did for rouanda.

15-03-2011 George (Canada)

As a Canadian, I am ashamed to learn that the West has taken this gutless route. The Libyan reformists have been deserted and left to rot as a sacrifice for some larger financial chess move. Gaddafi will torture and slaughter them all. Obama has remained conspicuously quiet. Something really stinks here! To these repugnent decision makers, the Japanese quake must be a real blessing as the world turns it's attention to that disaster.

15-03-2011 Alex (USA)

Well no matter who goes in to enforce the 'no-fly zone' its too little too late now. By the time they get everything in position to go in Ghadaffi will be sipping relaxing by his tent once again as it will be all over and after this no one will try to over throw him again knowing no one will back them up. Africa and the Middle is home for dictators.

15-03-2011 Merlin #1 (USA)

NO USA MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN LIBYA! Humanitarian support in food and medical supplies, yes! It is time that the Arab League and AU take care of their own. That's why they were created; its their responsibilty. They have the air power as well as the foot soldiers to bring an end to Gadhafi. Consider who the people are that assumed power over the rebel cause.

15-03-2011 Merlin #2 (USA)

No one elected them to power. No one in the West knows who they really represent. Some of them are ex-Gadhafi appointees. Wouldn't the Islamic world have a great laugh, if the West aided and installed, an Iranian type of tyranny over Libya! LET THE US STAY OUT OF IT! No one needs our help on this one.

15-03-2011 crash (canada)

the arab nations allready hate us and try to kill us at any time so bomb the hell out of gadhafi and get it over with he sould hve been shot years ago for his terrorist actions

15-03-2011 (USA)

THE DEVIL WE KNOW TO BE REPLACED BY ????????? COULD CREATE ANOTHER RADICAL GROUP THEN WHAT?

15-03-2011 Allan

Curious league of arub nations Calling for a no fly zone over Libya why do they not pose one It is after all one of there own . Surely they have all the oil and wealth and have military might if anyone else goes in its looked as only for the oil

15-03-2011 Not This Time (USA)

I don't mind the humanitarian stuff, but we don't need to get tied up in more warlike conflict. Enough is enough. We need someone here to help the USA out, too. I hope President Obama continues to do what he is doing right now...keeping us out of conflict. I'm glad the USA has a President who actually thinks before he does anything. Other people are just power hungry and think they rule the world. Everytime someone in another country slaps someone they send troops. Time to stop.

15-03-2011 Not This Time (USA)

I don't mind the humanitarian stuff, but we don't need to get tied up in more warlike conflict. Enough is enough. We need someone here to help the USA out, too. I hope President Obama continues to do what he is doing right now...keeping us out of conflict. I'm glad the USA has a President who actually thinks before he does anything. Other people are just power hungry and think they rule the world. Everytime someone in another country slaps someone they send troops. Time to stop.

15-03-2011 Lira (Manaus, Brazil)

No help for the Lybian people! So, let Gadhafi be associate to Bin Laden and perhaps we'll have the free world annihilated!

16-03-2011 Michael (USA)

Obama will not get votes over his inaction. We will remember how he did nothing.

16-03-2011 hasanhh (USA)

"No-Fly" does not equate with "No-War". I think Europe --unlike the US-- realizes their mistake by jumping on the "beat-up-on-Qaddafi" bandwagon. Europe now has to make peace with Qaddafi. The US unilatterally placed more sanctions on Libya today. Europe is backing away from all this. Italy gets 20% of its oil from Libya as well as a lot of de facto subsidies. A financial failure there would trigger another financial crisis.

16-03-2011 Ian (USA)

This is a sad example of karma. The French refused to back the US war in Iraq, but now they want a war nobody will back them. France needs to learn a lesson from America... if you have an air force, army, nukes, and with the French Foreign Legion... you can act unilaterally

16-03-2011 Ampiire Necks (Uganda)

for long i had doubts towards Russian global leadership but am beginning to with draw my doubts because it has showed that it can lead the world with out provocations like what France and Britain are pushing for in Libya. let me sound this more clearly that Africans need no MORE COLONIALISTS our French brothers AND English men Please can you rest your case and let majority Libyans determine their destiny but not siding with few libyans for selfish intrests.

16-03-2011 Cosfaxy (GH)

Why are the so called G8 running away from their responsiblity after callin themselves the keepers of the world they should support the no fly zone to eradicate ghaaffi nd his forces

16-03-2011 Agnes (Poland)

WHY? Why world watch tragedy and do nothing? For what is ONZ? Why only France reacted right? You are talking and people there are dying... Poland know how hard is sometimes independence and freedom... That's why I understand situation in Libya and pray for them... If I could do more... Libya people asked even not for military help but only for no-fly zone... Really big shame for the world... Everyone deserved for freedom, no matter of religy or nationality.

16-03-2011 Rumbek (SOuth Sudan)

The so call fighting in Libya now is suppose to be stop . Ghadhaf rule for more then four and half decaded ,which is enough period of on generation .,the youth since they were born they never see another president , why should hold man in leader ship want to kill his people at his old age ,shame on him

17-03-2011 Jonathan Huang (Chinese Canadian)

Those people asking for intervention, shame on you! especially those from Africa. If you want freedom, then fight for it! Libya is a country, means it has its own sovereignty, Libya is no colony no more. Libyan you must use your blood and lifes to exchange for freedom. there is no free lunch in the world. If you want your son be a free man then die yourself, if you afraid of die then you are a coward and shut up, you deserve being slave.

17-03-2011 Asad (USA)

While I am in FULL support of International aid in the form of food, medicine and shelter for the displaced, I would rather that there be NO US MILITARY INTERVENTION... I am astounded by the silence of the AU on this issue and moreover on the wave of calls for democracy that have ignited from Tunisia to Egypt and now Libya. The tacit collusion of politics is nothing short of disgusting especially when explained away as 'politics has a morality of its own'!

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