Cameron's Plan For No-Fly Zone Over Libya

BrianD wrote: »

You can really see the challenges facing Coalition forces as this activity continues. It's almost impossible to distinguish one side from the other. Everybody seems to be driving around in pick up trucks and some military equipment. Then there seems to be civilians driving around in their pick up trucks.

Looking at some of the recent news reports on the rebels they are all still civilians or a very weak militia at best. 3 days training for recruits, main tactic consists of driving up the main rd to the enemy, getting shot at and then driving back as fast as they can when it gets too hot. Some of the more experienced rebels with military experience have started to get involved but they still seem to have a weak chain of command. A boast at the start of the campaign from the rebels was they didn't need commanders and some of them still seem to believe that. The longer it continues the more need for outside military specialists to help upskill the rebels or take the fight on to Ghadaffi. The Swiss guard has a better chance of toppling Ghadaffi than the rebels at the present.

hmmm wrote: »

Reports that A-10s may be deployed soon
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/25/134861411/allies-may-arm-libyan-rebels-and-deploy-tank-killing-warthogs

Saw those at the Salthill Airshow, old Daffy Ducks armour is in big trouble if they're to be deployed, especially if his air defenses have been effectively removed.

Overheal wrote: »

You ever seen the cannon on those? ... well neither have I, but I saw it on TV. It was beautiful.

Heard it once. At anchor in the Humber estuary when they were still based in the UK. They had a firing range out to sea. It turned out we were a reference point for the aircraft as they made their run onto target. The sound can only be described as like a watery fart.
Quite appropriate really is that is the effect it would have on those in the kill zone also. An impressive aircraft, the Devils cross. I hope it never goes away. The F16 that replaced it in many units just don't do it!

BrianD wrote: »

That's blatently illegal and Cameron needs to go public with this information and then remove them.

Alternatively, he should put his money where his mouth is and go to the UN for a new resolution seeking regime change and the deployment of a UN mission on the ground.

This sets an unwelcome and unacceptable precedent.

You dont seem to understand there has to be some peace first before UN peacekeepers can enforce it.

This has been in planning for months and expelling of SAS/M16 was then followed by reduction in support to rebels to show why they needed the special forces and military aid..........que Towns been retaken and rebels crying for support.

Utrinque Paratus wrote: »

You dont seem to understand there has to be some peace first before UN peacekeepers can enforce it.

This has been in planning for months and expelling of SAS/M16 was then followed by reduction in support to rebels to show why they needed the special forces and military aid..........que Towns been retaken and rebels crying for support.

I don't think you understand the situation fully. The UN mandate is not to support the rebels - it is to prevent Gadaffy using force against the civilian population. However, I do understand and this situation is rapidly developing into a farce.

A. UN1973 has effectively been breached by those governments supplying the military assets. 1973 is a humanitarian one not a mandate for regime change.

B. The various "UN forces" are acting as a de-facto air force for the rebels. This is not what UN1973 was about. They are supporting one side in what is now a civil war.

C. Bizarrely the "UN Forces" seem to have difficulty agreeing amongst themselves who is running the show and how it will be run.

D. Perhaps Cameron, Sarkohzy and Obama know who the rebels are and what they want to achieve. I'm sure that there's more than one group amongst them. What do they intend to replace Gadaffy with?

E. There are civilians on both sides and there is an unknown percentage that support Gadaffy. What happens when the action moves to Tripoli when there will be very motivated people fighting for their survival. Plus the rebels seem to be using heavier military equipment which is invariable good to kill and injure civilians.

F. What happens if and when the rebels fragment. Who gets the UN air support then?

This is UN 1973 resolution is going end up in a bloody stalement unless those who supported start taking some political leadership.

Now is a a good time to pause. The falling of two towns to the rebels is a clear demonstration to the Gadaffy and his henchmen that this is how things may well continue. That now it's a good time for both sides to start talking and perhaps Gadaffy to negotiate his retirement (in whatever form that maytake). It's often the henchmen that see the light in these circumstances and start the political ball rolling.

Of course, the cynical plan might be we'll get you guys to Tripoli and you can pay us in discounted oil.

I'm no supporter of this despot Gadaffy and he should be gone. But we must have standards of law and order and this is not the way we should be doing things.

Deleted User wrote: »

is this real or a Russian fake - yer man has a Russian accent and the English translations are kinda funny - purposely theatrical actually.

Why isnt there any French audio?

I think its Russian and the photoshop at the end is pathetic.

Its real, unless French TV have been infiltrated by the Russians. Its France 24, the english speaking French news channel hence the reason you don't have audio in french. You do know such channels exist like Al Jalsera English, Russia Today etc So you think a real film is photoshop? lol