No-fly zone over Libya

    French President Nicholas Sarkozy passed the no-fly zone over Libya in order to prevent any more heavy-air bombings and raids on the rebels (the entire Libyan population in general). He also proclaimed that the French Planes are already flying over Libya to halt any heavy-ground or air assault, including tanks, half-tracks, and other ground vehicles. Muammar Gaddafi said that he passed a ceasefire to "stop all ongoing fights in the country" and even opened the country to the international community. However, it is said that the war is still fresh and going in many parts of the country; the Libyan Army is camped outside of 35 miles outside of Benghazi. To counter the month of straight-on victories by the rebels, Gaddafi had started to use heavily artillery and bombing raids in order to quickly drive out the opposition, which has anti-aircraft guns, but most don't even know how to use a gun.


    While Europe is supporting the no-fly zone, Barack Obama had declined the notion of the Act. According to him, the no-fly zone would be "meaningless", as it would require an extensively large air force to patrol the Libyan air. It would require hundreds of jets, as well as fuel tanks, surveillance systems, and other transportation systems in order to sustain them. Also, the United States is further away from Europe; which is another detriment. Even so, America did agree that it would take some form of military action if the dictator continued the war. As U.S. Air Force General Norman Schwartz said, it would "upwards of a week" to implement a no-fly zone if the government decided to apply it. England and France are all for the matter, but Germany and Russia has decided to stay out of the issue. So far  Benghazi, and other preiviously-rebel held cities (Misrata) are being shelled once again, despite Gaddafi's declaration of a "ceasefire".   Currently, Europe is seeing most of the action in helping the Libyan opposition, while America is backstage (Humanitarian Aid would be America's greatest asset, instead of military force).

   Libya, on the contrary, has an extensively large aircraft force which could make it difficult for France (and possibly other countries) to continue strongholding the no-fly zone. With  thousands of Libyans running away to Egypt and even Tunisia, America should really step it up and stop the madman Gaddafi from continuing to rampage his own country.


*By now, I am wondering why Gaddafi does not step down. Continuing to stubbornly keep his "authority" is only going to put Libya in a deeper hole.