Finally The Arab League Take A Stance On IS

It was with some surprise that I read yesterday that the Arab League (a loose Arab version of the E.U.) has finally decided to take joint action against the IS terrorists. The one big question yet to be answered is: Does this include military action?

Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi

At a League meeting yesterday Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi said that the Arab States had agreed to take the “necessary measures”, including international cooperation to confront IS. He called for a military confrontation but would not explicitly back the American air strikes that have been hammering IS.

After the meeting the Arab League Chief said “The Arab foreign ministers have agreed to take the necessary measures to confront terrorist groups including IS. International cooperation is included; international cooperation on all fronts.”

Well, well! A big sigh of relief. At last the Arab League is going to take some stern action (they say) against terrorists operating in Arab countries, for which they are responsible, instead of leaving it to western nations.

Saudi Army – See You In Iraq?

The only problem is, I am doubtful that we will see an international military force from Arab nations with ‘feet on the ground’ in Iraq and Syria to fight IS. To be honest, that is what it should be, but we all know they prefer to let western nations do their fighting for them, with the exception of  Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates who took a small part in ousting Gadaffi from Libya.

Throughout the last twenty years, whenever there has been problems like al Quada and the Taliban in Afghanistan, like Libya, Tunisia and Egypt, they have been consistently silent in condemning terrorist groups, even though they have been responsible for tens of thousands of Muslim deaths across the Middle East. They themselves made no effort to intervene militarily or otherwise in these situations. My only conclusion is that they must have been praying to Allah for guidance in all that time.

I.S. Brutal Killers – Crucified Christians

IS is a formation of Sunni Muslims who want to create their own state, which they have declared, but also want to control the world and make it one huge Islamic state complete with Sharia Law. Now that may well be the dream of all Muslims, if only in the mind, but the Arab Union is beginning to realize that IS is much more than al Quada or the Taliban, for they have much bigger goals.

This terror group have now placed roots in North African Nations like Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, and you can be sure it will not end there. IS have also put down roots in Pakistan, India, Indonesia and even China. It is clear to see they are looking at the big picture.

NATO Gathering – Aug/Sept 2014

Up to a point, the Arab League has also been upstaged by the NATO countries yet again (re. Libya), and in particular President Obama, who has called together NATO countries to partake in the battle against IS in Iraq. To date, this does not cover using troops on the ground, but does include air strikes, which America is already carrying out with great effect.

You can also be certain the League member nations like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and the other seventeen member states are jittery because they see IS as a grave threat to themselves too. They realize the methods used by such groups in starting a take-over consists of fermenting unrest among the populace and turning it into civil war, which means those at the top would lose everything.

U.N. Gathering

In my view, a group such as IS is a global threat, and it is up to all nations to come together and wipe them out. The only thing that I find disconcerting is the relative silence from the U.N. on this matter. I have heard no plans being put forward for an international force like Korea, to put an end to the barbarism in the Middle East where terrorists have raised their ugly head. They too have been upstaged by NATO.

Where it will all end is anybody’s guess, but I hope the nations of the world do not take too long before they start taking positive action against these people, for this is only the first of many battles that will be fought against Muslims in the future.

Roy.

Is the Arab League Impotent?

Much has been written about Syria and the Arab League handling of the on-going crisis, but to this bystander it comes as no surprise that they seem powerless to stop the killing of innocent civilians by government forces. There can be little doubt that President Assad is tremendously unpopular in Syria and the people hoped for a new beginning much as happened in Tunisia and Egypt. It has become clear that Assad is made of sterner stuff than Ben Ali or Mubarak, for it is obvious he will not give up his hold on power without a fight.

A Young Girl Casualty

When the first rumblings occurred some ten months ago, Assad sent his bully-boys out on to the streets to quell the unrest but since then things have escalated out of all proportion as the opposition refused to give up. To date it is estimated that more than five thousand people have been killed in Syria by government forces and the number continues to rise despite the best efforts of the international community to stop it.

They Who Have Eyes And Yet Cannot See

After months of wrangling, the League decided to send in observers, but as we now know, their presence was completely ignored and the killing continued. Despite all the assurances given by Assad to the League, and all the promises to end the violence, it goes on day after day. Now the League is sending the monitors back for a further month, although Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who are regional rivals to Syria have said they would like to see Arab peacekeeping troops in Syria. Many seem content for the observer mission to continue and some want UN intervention, but as usual, politics gets in the way.

Army Fired on Demonstrators in Front of the Monitors

I, like most people, want the killing to stop and a just settlement to be reached, but I don’t think the UN is the answer, except as a last resort. It is after all an Arab problem and they should solve it themselves. If the UN steps in, it will be countries like the USA, Britain, Germany, France, Canada etc. that will have to shoulder most of the load in any UN action as usual. This fact alone will be sufficient to raise the hackles of the majority of Muslims as they see this as another ‘Infidel’ interference in Arab affairs. In short, this will go some way to enhancing the terrorist cause in some people’s eyes.

Protest Banner Plea to the UN

So now we must wait and see if the monitors can stop the violence on their second try, though I don’t think we will see much change. Having the observers in the country will be nothing more than a ‘face-saving’ gesture by the League and will certainly give Assad more time to remove his opponents. Those fighting in the streets of Syrian towns and cities must surely be ready to give up on international intervention to stop the killing, for it is certain the Arab League observers have not been able to. It is the people who have made desperate appeals to the League for the UN to intervene, which of course has fallen on deaf ears. It is certain that without the approval of the Arab League the UN can do nothing.

Hmm! What Can I Promise the League Next to Keep Them Off My Back?

Many Western nations have shown their disapproval of Assad’s actions by placing sanctions on Syria but these alone will have little effect on the crisis. It is for sure they will not be able to take any positive action without UN and Arab League approval, and must stand on the sidelines awaiting developments. In my view, the best option all round is for the Saudi/Qatar solution to be implemented as soon as possible, for it is an Arab problem which should be solved by Arab countries. It is a tricky situation with little or no hope of an answer until the League decides on what to do further.  

Roy.

African Countries Dare To Criticise Libya Action: Bloody Cheek!

The old saying: “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” comes to mind when I look at the latest news about Libya. It seems that after their initial success in getting western nations to solve what is after all an Arab, and by extension an African problem, now members of the African Union are ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ to criticise the way we are handling the situation.

Un Resolution 1973

Firstly, the African Union voted for Resolution 1973 in the United Nations which allows for “all necessary action to secure the no-fly zone”, and secondly, if they did not trust the west to do the job right, why didn’t they do it themselves?

Meddling! So Why Didn't You Do Something?

It’s true what they say you know: ‘You can’t please all the people all the time’, but I do find it extremely petty of the African nations; Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia and Nigeria, whose leaders have come out in open criticism of the way the no-fly zone is being enforced.  Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba was even audacious enough to suggest that the coalition bombing was “meddling in the internal affairs of Africa”.

Zuma - Strong Words

Mr. Zuma of South Africa went even further, saying that all military action should stop and a ceasefire be sought for he: “rejected any foreign intervention, whatever its form”. Funny that, coming from a man who agreed to Resolution 1973!!!

Some African politicians, like Odein Ajumogobia the Nigerian Foreign Minister, have argued why the western powers ‘chose to intervene in Libya and not for example, in Bahrain or Ivory Coast’? The answer is quite simple; We were not asked!!!

The western nations, despite what some people like to think, are not the worlds policemen and it is up to individual countries to solve their own internal problems. However, if the United Nations gets involved because a population is being massacred by a madman, and the Arab League requests action, we will do all we can to help. I for sure have not heard of any Arab nation requesting UN help with the protests in Bahrain. Have you?

The Union of African States

It makes me sick to hear the continual whining of these spineless politicians who leave it to western nations to ‘carry the load’ at their behest, and when we do, can’t wait to sharpen their long knives. In my opinion, if you don’t have the courage of your convictions, stay out of politics!

When this is all over, I have the nasty feeling that the coalition nations are once again going to be crapped upon from a great height by the nations that should by rights be grateful that we are sorting out this problem, i.e. The Arab League and the African Union members. 

President Sarkozy

During the interminable weeks the UN was discussing the issue, and people were dying on the ground I might add, neither the African Union nor Arab League raised a finger to help the people of Libya. All they could do was sit around the table wringing their hands and mumbling into their coffee cups! Without the persistence of people like Nicholas Sarkozy (France) and David Cameron (UK) they would still be at it. 

Gaddafi - Not Quite Got All His Marbles?

There should be little doubt in anyone’s mind that had Gaddafi been able to finish the job, there would have followed a massacre of anyone even remotely connected with the revolution. He is well-known as being a little ‘off balance’, and his rambling speeches during the crisis gave a good idea as to his intentions.

Without a doubt, when the dust finally settles, the people of Libya will be well within their rights to ask the Arab and African nations why they did not help them much sooner.

I sometimes think the world would be better off without politicians!

Roy.

 

 

Libya, The Arab League and Double Standards!

Face Saving?

I guess I should not be surprised that the Arab League is now trying to worm out of its complicity in the current Libyan crisis. I have just read with disbelief a statement by the League Secretary General, Amr Moussa that he is calling for an emergency meeting of the group saying that the actions of the coalition are not what was intended when they agreed to the action. I quote:“What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians.” It seems to me they are now trying to back out of the agreement they made with the UN Security Council!

It was after all they who asked for such action to be taken, but it is worthy to note that the United Arab Emirates is the only country in the block to be actively taking part. Each of the major arab nations, like Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan have strong air forces that could easily have done the job on their own, but not one of them has made a move to assist.

The UAE-At Least An Honest Arab Nation

Now they are trying to backtrack on their diplomatic involvement and before you know it, they will be accusing the coalition of aggression, or at least interference in arab affairs. I have to say I find their attitude both spineless and disgusting.

It would seem they expected the no-fly zone to be enforced without any military action whatsoever, and if that is the case I would ask them how it could be done.

RAF Tornados

Weeks ago US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, made it quite clear that the only way to safely enforce a no-fly zone was for the Libyan anti-air defences to be knocked out prior to overflights. Personally, I can think of no other way.

I can understand they do not want foreign troops on Libyan soil and that should not be necessary, but it is impossible to achieve a no-fly zone without some form of military action. Considering that the arab nations have left it up to the west to do their dirty work for them, I would have at least expected a grudging ‘Thank You’ considering it is our pilots that are being put in harms way on their behalf. Instead, all we get is the proverbial ‘knife in the back’, so typically arab.

AWACS - Ensuring Compliance

We cannot for sure know this, but it is possible they are now starting to get unrest among the arab nations for the fact they requested western assistance in this problem, and are now trying to excuse their complicity by proclaiming: “This is not what we meant…..But we didn’t mean…” etc etc. Well gentlemen, if you call for a spade, you get a spade and that’s that!

Further, how dare he suggest the coalition is bombing civilians! I can only presume he has been listening to the Gaddafi propaganda machine. The west has ‘stepped up to the plate’ and offered to help defend civilians against the onslaught of Gaddafi’s forces, and I must say that is more than the majority of arab nations have done. Instead of backtracking from their decision they should be actively assisting in the efforts.

Finally I have to say direct to Mr. Amr Moussa: If you don’t like the way the west is carrying out YOUR request – DO IT YOURSELF!!!!!

I await further developments with bated breath!

Roy.

Gaddafi Upstages the UN and NATO

Say what you like about Gaddafi, but he is a wily old coyote! When the announcement was made about the UN backed no-fly zone, he immediately pulled a master stroke by announcing a ceasefire with the rebels, thereby successfully delaying any punitive action by NATO and Arab League forces.

Gaddafi The Cunning Fox!

This clever move has brought him a precious 24 hours in which to insert his troops into the outskirts of the city of Benghazi and other rebel held towns. Any intelligent person will now realise he has successfully cancelled out any chance of an attack on these forces, because to do so would mean attacking built-up areas with the huge risk of civilian casualties.

The People Of Benghazi

Gaddafi does not care if civilians are killed, but the world will roundly condemn any casualties caused by alliance troops, and terrorist groups like al Quada will use any mistakes made to foster anti-west feeling in the arab world. The UN decision was far too late to save the situation in Libya.

As I stated in my last post:

(https://floroy1942.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/libya-the-great-betrayal/)

Had this decision for action been made even four days ago, Gaddafi’s troops would not have been in range of Benghazi and could easily have been stopped in their tracks. Now it is too late!

With his troops in the suburbs of the city, does anyone imagine for a minute that those forces will honour the ceasefire? Not on your life! They will not rest until every rebel in the city is dead or captured, unless help can be given to the protesters that does not entail bombing from the sky.

The 'Decision' Makers

Sure we can stop any overflights and bombings, and maybe even the artillery lined up outside the city, but that will do nothing to alleviate the pressures being put on the rebels by mercenaries and tanks already in the city streets.

From his own lips we have heard how ruthless he will be when it comes to dealing with the remnants of the rebel forces. There can be little doubt that despite all his protestations of innocence, it will be a massacre.

Dictators like Gaddafi do not take kindly to insurrection, as can be witnessed in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen for example. Any form of protest has quickly been put down by security forces with ‘no holds barred’.

Tank On The Streets Of Benghazi

I believe Gaddafi was caught totally unawares, and as Libya is so large it would be difficult to takes the necessary steps to quell unrest immediately. However, we now have a situation where the rebels are firmly established, but sadly, are being beaten by the African mercenaries hired by Gaddafi.

The Arab League has already stated that it will not accept foreign troops on Libyan soil, and this call has been echoed by the rebels themselves. So while being given a wide ranging mandate for the protection of civilians, it still ties the hands of the coalition when it comes to Gaddafi’s forces already in Benghazi and other rebel held towns along the coast. It quickly becomes evident that by pulling his ‘ceasefire’ trick, Gaddafi has upstaged the UN, the Arab League, and NATO.

Roy.

Related Posts:

https://floroy1942.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/an-enforced-libyan-no-fly-zone-is-it-wise/

https://floroy1942.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/the-un-europe-and-arab-league-on-libya-blah-blah-blah/

Update: Sunday 20/3/2011: Thanks to an overnight barrage of Tomahawk missiles on the air defence systems, and attacks on military hardware on the road to Benghazi, the attacks appear to have stopped. This is probably more a question of the soldiers themselves not wishing to face Tornado and Mirage jets sat in a steel coffin, than Gaddafi’s will to stop fighting. The latest news reports say that Gaddafi forces are now in the centre of Misratah as well as in Benghazi, so it remains to be seen what the Alliance can do to stop their attacks. This may prove a hard task, and will take some considerable time.

 

 

The UN, Europe and Arab League on Libya-Blah Blah Blah!

How typical of all the world’s political bodies that they talk and talk while people are dying! The crisis in Libya has reached a stage where Gaddafi is openly using his aircraft, artillery and tanks to put down the uprising, and all the world’s politicians can do is ‘flap their lips’.

As in my previous post on the subject, ( https://floroy1942.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/an-enforced-libyan-no-fly-zone-is-it-wise/)  I still believe there is little the USA and Europe can do without the backing of the UN, or at least the Arab League.

Against Mig FIghter-Bombers???

Even the UN, after its initial condemnation of Gaddafi’s reaction to the uprising, has remained silent, and only the US, NATO and Europe seem to care what is going on there.

YouTube – Britain, France and US plan Libya response.

Another group who have been silent during the whole saga is the Arab League. Saudi Arabia, perhaps the most capable military force among arab nations and one that has the capability to put a stop to Gaffafi, has restricted itself to worrying about the price of oil. They have restricted their response to issuing communiques to reassure the west they will increase production if required. Nothing useful on the Libyan crisis or the no-fly zone, it’s as if it isn’t happening, and that goes for other arab countries also.

At the moment they are talking about what to do but not doing anything constructive to stop it, just like the UN. To the best of my knowledge there does not even seem to have been any diplomatic contact with Gaddafi by the arab nations, although Gaddafi has sent one of his top generals to Egypt for consultation with the military rulers.

The world’s leaders seem to be united, up to a point, on the fact that the violence must stop, but so far as taking united action is concerned, forget it!. Meanwhile, people are dying on the ground and Europe is facing a huge refugee crisis.

For Gaza You Can Read Libya!!!

In this authors opinion, the only people who can stop the violence are the members of the Arab League, but at the same time they say they do not wish for foreign interference. It is after all an arab nation and an arab problem, but I suppose like politicians everywhere, they will sit on the fence until it is all over and the rebels are dead.

Arab League rejects foreign intervention in Libya – video | World news | guardian.co.uk.

Revenge Will Be Mine!

There can be little doubt in my mind that Gadaffi will exact a terrible revenge on his people once the fighting is over. I am convinced he will ‘clean house’ by exterminating all those who have opposed him, for he is a man capable of ruthlessness which will manifest itself. His mercenaries will be let loose on the common folk of the east and we will see a bloodbath and mass disappearances, certainly of anyone associated with the leaders of the uprising. I am sure it will be ‘no holds barred’ when the time comes.

No-one can doubt that victory will be his without international intervention, for the rebels cannot hope to sustain their campaign against the forces allied against them. It may be a matter of weeks, or even days before they fall before the onslaught of Gaddafi’s mercenary forces with their planes, tanks and artillery.

It all brings to mind the Warsaw Ghetto uprising during WW2, when the Russians halted their advance a few scant miles from the city while the Polish Resistance fought alone against a whole German Division and were massacred. More recently, the  methods used by Saddam Hussein to put down the Kurds can be compared.

YouTube – Kurdish Genocide – 1988 Thousands die in Halabja gas attack(BBC) — Massacre Halabja New Video. (Note: Not for the faint hearted)

Help Us!

If you stretch your mind to the Libyan situation after the crisis ends, in particular if it comes about by foreign intervention, we will see another set of problems. How can a people so divided as they are at present be united. The areas around Tripoli are staunch Gaddafi supporters, evidenced by their willingness to support him, while the rest are ardent opponents and want him gone. When two factions within a country are so opposed it will be difficult to unite them under any form of leadership. I can see bitter struggles developing between the two sides before peace returns to this North African nation.

In the meantime the UN and arab nations continue to prevaricate and the hands of countries willing to help are tied. I watch events with bated breath, and hope that someone, somewhere, will have the guts to make a swift decision to end the useless slaughter.

Roy.

Update: Saturday 12 March: 1800 CET.

The Arab League Nations

It has been announced today that the Arab League of nations has finally agreed to a no-fly zone for Libya. It has taken weeks of ‘chin wagging’, but finally the die is cast. The League also announced they are not in a position to enforce the no-fly zone themselves, but have by all accounts agreed that western nations could provide the air cover necessary.

The ball is now firmly in the hands of US, EU and NATO officials who must decide on when, how, and if such a thing is possible. The US had already said it is reluctant to begin such an exercise due to the risk of being embroiled in a long drawn-out war as in Iraq and Afghanistan, for to begin such an event will require attacks to knock-out Libya’s missile defences and airfields. Like you, I now wait for developments.

An Enforced Libyan No-Fly Zone – Is It Wise?

Should America and NATO be allowed to enforce a no-fly zone on Libya? Personally, I think it would be a huge mistake for these organizations to even try, unless they have the full coöperation of other arab nations.

Libyan Rebels

There can be little doubt that the current attacks by pro-Gaddafi forces on the rebels must end, and it is indeed a scandal they are taking place in the first place. However, we have to remember, this is an internal struggle in which non-arab nations cannot impose their will, even in the name of humanity.

To put this in context, what would American reactions have been if South American countries had felt it necessary to intervene during their Civil War? Food for thought!

Once again it has been amply demonstrated the UN is a toothless tiger with nothing to contribute other than useless words and condemnation, but that is not helping the people of Libya one iota. There again, the UN is nothing more than a ‘babble shop’ in my eyes, and throughout its history, with the exception of the Korean war, has never really succeeded in quelling war, aggression, genocide or human rights violations in the world.

Careful Thought Required By NATO Members

In actual fact, NATO has been more proactive with its actions in Kosovo, Serbia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

But back to the main theme, Libya has suffered an uprising of the common man against a dictatorial regime much the same as other North African countries of late, but this one has turned out different. There is little doubt the military were the deciding factor in Libya, for they had the choice of siding with the protesters or Gaddafi. They chose the latter, and this may well have spelled the end for the popular uprising, because a dedicated man with an AK47 is no match for a tank or fighter-bomber in the long term.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q9MQD38nmOs

Libyan Airforce Under Gaddafi Control

In my opinion, enforcement of a no fly zone over Libya will not change the situation on the ground very much, as the pro-Gaddafi forces are far superior in arms and equipment and must eventually win. If they do not, it will not say much about their effectiveness as a fighting force. One can only hope the common soldier gets tired of killing people he is sworn to protect, and eventually rebels against his officers. This however is unlikely to happen if, as reports suggest, most of the fighting is carried out by African mercenaries in the pay of Gaddafi.

But so far as the politics of foreign intervention are concerned, I believe it would be a disaster of international  proportions for either America or NATO to intervene in this struggle. It is worthy of note that the other arab nations have been silent on this issue until very recently. Not one of the main arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, or Iran have come out and publically condemned Gaddafi’s actions, or those of the rebels. All stayed silent, just as they do on the question of Islāmic insurgency.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ghGjRqvcbRA

This may well be because most arab countries are run by an elite few who have been in power for decades, and they too fear a popular uprising in their own country. The people of Iran have tried it and were ruthlessly put down by the government.

As a purely arab problem, one would expect the other nations to come together quickly to find a way to end the bloodshed of their brethren, but until very recently all we had was a wall of silence while they sit on the fence and wait to see what happens, again, much as they have done with the insurgency. Declarations of condemnation have now been made, but it seems no move towards actually stopping the bloodshed have yet materialised. 

Oil - Not the Excuse As Some People Think!

Should NATO countries, or indeed the USA, decide to enter the conflict, it will be seen purely as ‘protecting their oil interests’ and they will once again be accused of ‘wielding the big stick’ as they were in Iraq and Afghanistan.

America has long been perceived by many nations to be acting as the world’s policemen, and to a certain degree I believe this attitude is held by many Americans. No matter how powerful a nation, or group of nations is, it does not have the right to intervene in what is, as in the case of Libya, an internal struggle. The motives may be the best in the world, but they will not be seen as such by all.

Considering the tensions that have existed between the arab nations and ‘the West’ since 9/11, it would be a brave fool who intervenes in a purely arab struggle without the participation, or at least a nod of approval, from the rest of the arab block. To do so will only stoke the fires of anti-western feeling within these nations. It is without doubt a very delicate situation, for if anyone decided to enforce a no-fly zone, what then?

Two Men In The Hot Seat

As Robert Gates, the US Secretary of Defence has already stated, to begin such an operation would first mean attacks on the airfields and missile defence systems of Libya which amount to an act of war. Once that happens, any country embarking on such a task would be fully committed as a participant in the conflict. Would the people of NATO member countries, or Americans be happy at the prospect of their servicemen being killed in such a situation? I think not.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/1Y3f3e2ieqU

I can just imagine the lines of protesters marching up and down outside the White House condemning Barack Obama for getting America into yet another conflict. He could certainly kiss goodbye any hopes of re-election, as would the governments of any other NATO country.

Trying To Bring Down An Air Force Fighter Bomber

War is not something to be taken lightly, people die in wars, and for any country to think of participating in one, especially when so far away and none of your business, governments and Presidents must tread warily. America learnt a hard lesson in Vietnam and the scars are not yet fully healed.

Certainly, it is hard to sit on the sidelines and watch as a country tears itself apart in this manner, but sometimes that is all you can do. To get involved against the will of neighbouring nations and your own people is sheer folly.

It may be fine for politicians like Britain’s William Hague to spout about no-fly zones, but I am sure if the people of Britain were asked their opinion, there would be a resounding ‘No!’ to any involvment, and much the same in the US.

Bomb Attack On Rebels

Western nations can do no more than sit on the sidelines and wait to see what happens. The conflict started, and will end, in Libya and the only nations that can stop it are other arab countries, if they have the guts to come out of the shadows and take action. I hold my breath!

Roy.

See related post:

https://floroy1942.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/the-un-europe-and-arab-league-on-libya-blah-blah-blah/