Paris Summit Decides on Military Action against Gaddafi

Catherine Ashton, Vice-President of the E C and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is attending the Saturday summit in Paris where military action on Libya is being discussed. Photo by BGNES

Leaders from the UK, the US, France, and the countries from the Arab League are meeting in Paris to discuss military action in Libya under the UN resolution adopted late Thursday night.

The resolution of the UN Security Council provides for the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya and for further sanctions against the Gaddafi regime, including "all necessary measures" to protect local citizens.

The summit will be hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will represent the Obama administration. Catherine Ashton, Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, British Prime Minister, David Cameron and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon are also taking part in the summit.

Ban Ki-moon is quoted saying the world must "speak with one voice" on Libya.

US President Barack Obama has stated pro-Gaddafi forces must stop attacking rebel areas or face military action.

"Gaddafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi, pull them back from Ajdabiya, Misrata and Zawiya and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas," Obama pointed out Friday all while ruling out using US ground forces.

Early on Saturday, explosions and the sound of jets were reportedly heard close to Benghazi, but there were few details and the reports could not be confirmed. The Bulgarian National Radio informed rebels were saying the explosions were due to airborne attacks of pro-Gaddafi forces.

On Friday, Gaddafi's government declared a unilateral truce and cease-fire, but the reports about government assaults in rebel-held towns continue coming in. Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim, however, insisted that his government is observing the ceasefire, and invited foreign observers to monitor it.

The French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, told the BBC that he expected military intervention within hours of Saturday's summit.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said British war planes are being moved to bases in the region.

The US Navy is deploying additional warships to the Mediterranean to support possible military action.

Denmark and Canada promised to supply fighter jets, with Italy, Spain and France making air bases available. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan could be among Arab states taking part.

NATO is already providing 24-hour surveillance over Libya with its Awacs planes.

Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO was "completing its planning to be ready to take appropriate action in support of the UN resolution as part of the broad international effort."