Friend or foe? Military Intervention in Libya

Author(s)
Metcalfe, V.
Publication language
English
Pages
2pp
Date published
01 May 2011
Type
Research, reports and studies
Keywords
Conflict, violence & peace, Protection, human rights & security
Countries
Libya
Organisations
ODI
The conflict in Libya is by far the bloodiest
in a sequence of recent uprisings against
regimes in the Middle East and North
Africa. Beginning in the port city of Benghazi
on 17 February, fighting has escalated across
the country, with some areas changing hands
numerous times during fierce battles between
forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and rebels
opposed to his regime. There have been
consistent reports of widespread and systematic
violations of international humanitarian and
human rights law, primarily by pro-Gaddafi
forces, paramilitaries and mercenaries. The
UN estimates that up to 3.6 million Libyans
may require humanitarian assistance. Access
continues to be problematic despite an
agreement reached on 17 April, between the
Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) Valerie
Amos and the government to expand the
humanitarian presence.
 
The international community’s response to
the conflict is premised on two UN Security
Council resolutions authorising a range of
political, legal, humanitarian and military
measures. Resolution 1970, passed on 27
February, imposed an arms embargo, froze the
overseas assets of Libyan leaders, imposed a
travel ban on senior figures and referred the
situation to the Prosecutor of the International
Criminal Court. Resolution 1973, passed on 17
March, authorised ‘all necessary measures’ to
implement a no-fly zone aimed at protecting
civilians from imminent attack and facilitating
delivery of humanitarian assistance. Ten days
later, NATO took control of the international
military action under Operation Unified
Protector.