By John Stephen Katende

14^th March 2011

Libyan rebels fighting to oust the embattled Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi have welcomed the Arab League’s resolution to intervene in the Libyan conflict that was sparked off by anti-Gaddafi protests a few weeks ago.

The Arab League, a powerful body that brings together powerful states within the Arab world resolved to impose a no fly zone over Libya and it also left open the possibility military intervention to stop “Arabs from killing Arabs”.

In response to the Arab League’s resolution calling for a no fly zone over Libya, a spokesperson for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office [FCO] also said, “…the outcome of today’s Arab League meeting shows Gaddafi’s actions do not have support in the region. In brutally repressing a popular uprising by his own people, it is clear he is isolated and ignoring the will of the international community”.

Britain also went further and welcomed the Arab League’s decision to make contact with Libya’s Interim National Council.  “…We regard the Interim National Council as valid interlocutors with whom we should work closely.  No-fly zones (NFZs) are one option being considered as part of international contingency planning to respond quickly to events on the ground as they develop”, the FCO Spokesman said.

The British were however also quick to point out that the planning does not pre-judge any particular outcome. The Arab League call for a NFZ, the FCO said, “…is very significant and provides important regional support to the option of creating a NFZ”.

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