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21 March 2011

More forces take part against Libya, whilst Arab League criticizes severe air attacks

The current bombardment on Libya airspace, named as operation Odyssey Dawn, are getting intensified as  more forces arrive to take part in - US, France and UK appear as the principle participants amongst the allies with Canada, Italy and Spain also contributing forces, and Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar sending military hardware.

During the day of yesterday the head of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, who supported the UN mandated intervention, has accused the foreign western powers of killing many civilians and going beyond the United Nations order to the creation of a “free fly zone".

The size of the damage caused by air strikes in Libya is more than evident - 64 people were killed in the weekend’s bombardments, according to Libyan government says, Colonel Gaddafi’s fortified compound in Tripoli is said to have been destroyed in a missile attack and several tanks and heavy weaponry were smashed in the first wave of air strikes. Periodic explosions and heavy exchanges of gunfire happened late into yesterday evening, journalists and civilians declared.

Despite the rained missiles and bombs upon Libya over the weekend by American and European forces, international consensus remained intangible on the intervention scheme. NATO ambassadors failed to agree on how the alliance would take part in the operation: Britain, France and the United States launched strikes on Libyan targets on Saturday and Sunday, but even if Turkey supported Thursday's UN resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya, it has also reiterated opposition against foreign intervention. As all members have veto power, the discussion will continue during today.

Meanwhile, North-American government spokesperson contested the Arab League position, whilst its president convoked already the 22 Member-States for an emergency meeting. Obama's administration has previously affirmed that the war on Libya is being done at the request of the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, being the dissonance is making people wonder about the ongoing attacks.

The Party of the European Left has reaffirmed yesterday that “there is no military solution to the conflict in Libya; instead we need political and diplomatic initiatives. Consequently we call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire which includes the allied forces as well as Kaddafi troops and the Libyan insurgents”.

“Also, there is a great need for humanitarian aid to refugees inside and outside of Libya which must be granted immediately”, EL Presidency added.