See also: » 29.01.2013 - Libya peace very fragile, warns UN » 31.03.2011 - Libya's Foreign Minister defects » 24.03.2011 - How cyber-activism lent savvy to North African protests » 18.03.2011 - Ten nations ready to attack Ghaddafi regime » 18.03.2011 - Africa defies AU chief's support for Ghaddafi » 18.03.2011 - France: We can start bombing Libya tonight » 17.03.2011 - Libya rebels shoot down fighter jets » 15.03.2011 - Ghaddafi thanks Germany, Russia and China Houlihan's coupons

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Spokesman of the Libyan mission at the UN

© Libya Mission/afrol News

afrol News, 21 February - With the Ghaddafi regime using jet fighters and helicopters to bomb its own population, there are increased requests for the UN to impose a no-fly zone over the country.

Several Libyans, especially in the Diaspora, are now loudly calling for an internationally imposed no-fly zone over Libya - comparable to the one over Iraq before the Gulf War - to protect Libyan civilians against war crimes by their own leaders.

Indeed, today there was made a serious request to the UN about such a no-fly zone. The request came from the proper Libyan delegation to the UN, which today distanced itself from Moammar Ghaddafi and instead swore loyalty to "the people of Libya."

Dia al-Hotmani, spokesman of the Libyan UN mission, presented a statement from the diplomats, demanding "the removal of the regime immediately" and calling for the Libyan army to help oust "the tyrant".

The Libyan mission joined a long list of exiled Libyans, calling for a more forceful international reaction to the "massacre" in their country. Mr al-Hotmani wanted an intervention to stop further bloodshed.

The statement of the Libyan UN mission appealed to the UN Security Council, which has been meeting today over the situation in Timor Leste, to "impose a no-fly zone over Libyan cities to prevent mercenaries and weapons from being shipped in."

There are vivid discussions in Libyan forums on whom to trust with imposing this proposed ban for Libyan aircrafts and helicopters. It obviously would take military aircrafts from another nation to threaten - or even shoot down - Libyan pilots breaking the proposed ban; not without considerable risk.

Some are calling on Western powers, such as neighbouring Italy or NATO at large, to intervene, following a UN Security Council mandate. Other believe neighbouring Egypt would be a more credible

Libyan leader Muammar al-Ghaddafi

© Libya Mission/afrol News

force to impose a possible no-fly zone.

So far, however, there are few signals that any international intervention will take place, despite the UN Security Council's powers to order a flight ban.

No place to go for Ghaddafi
In another mounting discussion, as the end of the Ghaddafi regime obviously is nearing, is what to do with the soon-to-be-deposed dictator and his family. The Libyan UN mission has already urged all countries to prevent Mr Ghaddafi from fleeing.

The "hot" candidate for a Ghaddafi asylum has so far been Venezuela, with President Hugo Chavez so far known as a close friend to Mr Ghaddafi. The Venezuelan government however strongly has denied any rumours Mr Ghaddafi would go to the Latin American country.

Also, President Chavez, by receiving the Libyan dictator, would give an impression of supporting the massacre of the Libyan people - a signal he would not like to make, neither to a future Libyan government nor to his own voters.

In the Middle East and in Africa, Mr Ghaddafi has as many enemies as he has petrodollar-based friendships. In both regions, it would be difficult for any leader to receive Mr Ghaddafi after the current massacre of civilians. Indeed, it could cause riots in any country.

In nearby Europe, Mr Ghaddafi would be plainly rejected, as was Tunisian dictator Zine el-Abedine Ben Ali when he fled his country.

As few candidates remain - maybe Zimbabwe or Uzbekistan? - there are open discussions on Mr Ghaddafi's faith at the end of the ongoing revolution. A Ceausescu-like end is becoming more likely, as Mr Ghaddafi and his sons seem determined to fight until the last moment.

By staff writers

© afrol News

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