Main focus of Friday, April 15, 2011

Nato lacks clear Libya strategy

The foreign ministers of the Nato countries announced at their summit in Berlin on Thursday that they would continue to put pressure on Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi. France and the UK want to expand  military operations in Libya, while Germany, Spain and Belgium see political pressure as the best approach. The commentators welcome the resolute rhetoric but would like greater clarity on Nato's strategy.

Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany

The Nato foreign ministers have been discussing the extent and the goals of the mission in Libya. As the US is displaying reserve for the first time in the history of the alliance, the other Nato members are obliged to close ranks, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "Suddenly it is up to the European section of the alliance to act, suddenly Nato must function without the US. If it doesn't, it will be finished. Astonishingly, despite all the political and military problems, the Libya mission hasn't provoked any major discord so far. Germany's shilly-shallying has been shrugged off as typical German reserve, France is being praised for its resolve despite all its escapades, while the US is finding out that its partners can be equal to a task if you only give them a chance. This closing of political ranks is Nato's strongest weapon. If Gaddafi is not completely blinded it should be his biggest worry at present." (14/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Europe, » U.S., » North Africa
All available articles from » Nina von Hardenberg

El País - Spain

France and the UK demanded an extension of military operations in Libya at a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin on Thursday. The left-liberal daily El País, however, argues that non-military strategies should be promoted: "Continuing the intervention solely for the sake of not damaging Nato's credibility could compromise the military balance. However if the boundaries of the 1973 resolution are overstepped there is a higher risk of this war becoming illegal. Perhaps the time has come for the Security Council to review the situation in Libya and either expand the mandate to include the deployment of ground forces or to confirm the current framework for the operations. Should the latter be the case, which is more likely, the main powers would have no option but to apply more forcefully the non-military aspects foreseen in the 1973 resolution. This should have been done from the outset and can now no longer be postponed." (15/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » United Kingdom, » Libya

Le Jeudi - Luxembourg

The Nato military mission in Libya has both overt and covert goals, the weekly paper Le Jeudi writes, and calls for transparency: "The avowed goal of this mission is to protect Libya's civilian population from Gaddafi's troops. Nevertheless the real goal remains the overthrow of the Libyan leader. ... As to the question of the legitimacy of such an operation, it remains an open issue, both because numerous other countries are still under the yoke of dictators and other tyrants and because of the risk that the combat may drag on and on. ... The sole certainty is that the Arab Spring marks a clear dividing line between an old order and a new one which however has yet to be invented." (14/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Libya
All available articles from » Jacques Hillion

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