Arab League Leader Distances Organization from Libya Intervention

The European- and US-led military action in Libya faced a pivotal moment when the Arab League's endorsement of a no-fly zone was secured, paving the way for a United Nations Security Council resolution. However, Arab League leader Amr Moussa has since distanced his organization from the resulting military action, citing concerns about civilian casualties. This shift in stance may be driven by pressure from member states fearful of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's reach.

Key Takeaways:

• Amr Moussa, the Arab League leader, has distanced his organization from the international military action in Libya, citing concerns about civilian casualties.
• Moussa's remarks were made at an emergency Arab League meeting, following an endorsement of a no-fly zone by the organization earlier in the week.
• The Arab League's shift in stance may be driven by pressure from member states worried about Libyan operatives working in their states, who could conduct retaliatory operations.
• French military spokesman Thierry Burkhard stated that the Arab state of Qatar has contributed four planes to the allied effort led by France.
• The enthusiasm of the citizens of Libya's de facto rebel capital of Benghazi was cited as a clear signal of support for the international military action.
• Debates about the intervention in the Arab community continue to be intense, with Rami Khouri, editor of Lebanon's Daily Star, labeling Moussa's statement as "confusing or hypocritical."

Statistics:

• Four planes have been contributed by the Arab state of Qatar to the allied effort led by France (Source: Thierry Burkhard).
• Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi's regime has been criticized for its actions, with Rami Khouri describing him as "an abomination in the annals of statehood, leadership, and Arabism" (Source: Rami Khouri's editorial in the Daily Star).
• Phyllis Bennis noted that the Libyan opposition has made a legitimate demand for international support, which was echoed by the Arab League's initial endorsement of a no-fly zone (Source: Phyllis Bennis).

Sources:

• The European- and US-led military action against Libya was mentioned by Thierry Burkhard, French military spokesman, in an interview.
• Amr Moussa's comments about the Arab League's stance were reported by Robert Marquand in The European- and US-led military action against Libya.
• Rami Khouri's editorial in the Daily Star emphasized the need for international support for the Libyan opposition.
• Phyllis Bennis's comments on the Libyan opposition's demands for international support were mentioned by Robert Marquand.
• French Arab specialist Antoine Sfeir's statements about Moussa's pressures from Arab senior officials were reported by Robert Marquand.