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| Africa North |
| France sent arms to bolster Libyan rebels |
| 2011-06-30 |
| PARIS/MISRATA, Libya - France said on Wednesday it had airlifted weapons to Libya’s rebels this month, the first time one of the NATO countries bombing Libya has openly acknowledged arming the insurgents seeking to topple Muammar Gaddafi. A French military spokesman confirmed the delivery of weapons after Le Figaro newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying France had parachuted rocket launchers, assault rifles, machine guns and anti-tank missiles into the western mountains. “There were humanitarian drops because the humanitarian situation was worsening and at one point it seemed the security situation was threatening civilians who could not defend themselves,” armed forces spokesman Thierry Burkhard said. “France therefore also sent equipment allowing them to defend themselves, comprising light weapons and munitions,” he said, adding that the drop also included medicine and food. The move may violate a U.N. arms embargo. A U.N. diplomat familiar with the work of the Security Council committee that oversees enforcement of sanctions on Libya said providing arms to any group in the country could constitute a violation. “I don’t know the details, but it sounds like this would be a violation,” the diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Le Figaro said France’s decision to send arms had been taken without consulting NATO partners. It quoted a high-level source saying “there was no other way to proceed.” There was no immediate rebel comment to the news. France’s allies reacted cautiously. “We as NATO are not engaged in this kind of activity, although it is also well known that there are nations that are doing this so it is not up to me to comment or judge,” Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, head of NATO’s military committee, told reporters in Brussels. Britain, alongside France one of the most active members of the coalition behind the bombing, acknowledged the French move raised questions in the light of a U.N. mandate which justifies the operation in terms of reducing civilian casualties. “It does raise quite a few issues, not least the United Nations resolution, although in some circumstances clearly that could be justified,” British Minister for International Security Gerald Howarth told reporters. “But it is very much a matter for France and no criticism of France (is) intended therein. But it’s not something we shall be doing,” he added. Britain has given the rebels items such as body armour in the past, but has always made a point of saying the aid it gave was “non-lethal”. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 Yea, Sarkozy beginning to realize that Qadaffy is exactly the kind of guy that, if he survives, will send hit teams after the leaders who started this war. Yep. They've decided to fight, the DuckODeath is a gonner. Go FROGS! It's your time. |
| Posted by: S 2011-06-30 18:20 |
| #4 the French must have a very compelling reason to make war on Libya Yea, Sarkozy beginning to realize that Qadaffy is exactly the kind of guy that, if he survives, will send hit teams after the leaders who started this war. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-06-30 15:45 |
| #3 But please, stop insulting the world's collective intelligence with your lies. Honestly, I believe the French must have a very compelling reason to make war on Libya and I have no sympathy for Daffy. But the lies are just ridiculous. |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2011-06-30 15:29 |
| #2 Laws are for little countries. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-06-30 14:20 |
| #1 “We as NATO are not engaged in this kind of activity, although it is also well known that there are nations that are doing this so it is not up to me to comment or judge,” Bullshit! It's not only France that is is violation of the UN mandate. Every member state that had prior knowledge is also complicit. Moreover, it's their duty to prevent any future violations. UNSC 1970, Ch.9 Decides that all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, and technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel whether or not originating in their territories... Just KILL the fucker already. But please, stop insulting the world's collective intelligence with your lies. |
| Posted by: DepotGuy 2011-06-30 09:47 |