UK and France to spearhead campaign

France, Britain and the US scrambled on the 18 March 2011 to co-ordinate a military operation that could check Muammer Gaddafi’s forces, ignoring the Libyan leader’s sudden declaration that he would abide by a ceasefire.

As part of an international coalition, French planes fired shots against Gadhafi's forces in Libya on the 19 March 2011. The move cames in response to Gadhafi's defiance of the UN no-fly zone imposed on the 17 March 2011.

Angela Merkel, German Chancellor, defended her government’s decision to abstain in the UN Security Council vote on a 'no-fly-zone' in Libya.

'As everyone knows, Germany will not take part in military measures,' she said on the 18 March 2011. 'That is why we abstained in the vote. But we share the goals of the resolution unreservedly. Our abstention should not be confused with neutrality'.

Deutsche Welle, 21.3.11: Germany defends cautious approach to Libya, denies isolation http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14926360,00.html

France24, 21.3.11: Compound strike ‘absolutely not’ attempt to kill Gaddafi http://www.france24.com/en/20110321-libya-live-blogging-yemen-bahrain-coalition-air-strikes-rebels-gaddafi-protests

EUObserver, 22.3.11: Italy presses for Nato command of Libya war http://euobserver.com/9/32033

ESO: Background information: France and UK push for action on Libya http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-and-uk-push-for-action-on-libya/

BBC News, 19.3.11: French military jet opens fire in Libya http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12795971

Deutsche Welle, 19.3.11: International warplanes attack Gadhafi's forces in Libya http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14924941,00.html

France24, 19.3.11: French war planes destroy their first target in Libya http://www.france24.com/en/20110319-live-fighting-reported-benghazi-libya-united-nations-gaddafi

EurActiv, 18.3.11: Coalition builds to free Libya of Gaddafi http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/coalition-builds-free-libya-gadd-news-503273

EUObserver, 18,3,11: EU cautious on Gaddafi ceasefire announcement http://euobserver.com/9/32020

Deutsche Welle, 18.3.11: Germany defends abstention on Libya action, considers alternative aid http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14922890,00.html

Spiegel Online International, 18.3.11: Opinion: Berlin Lets Its Allies Go It Alone http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,751804,00.html

European Commission: Speech/11/195: Remarks by High Representative at the VIP corner on latest developments regarding Libya http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/195&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

EurActiv, 22.3.11: Turkey accuses France of overstepping UN Libya mandate http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/turkey-accuses-france-oversteppi-news-503385

EurActiv, 22.3.11: EU divisions grow over Libya operations http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/eu-divisions-grow-libya-operatio-news-503330

EurActiv, 21.3.11: France, Britain lead operation against Gaddafi http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/france-britain-lead-coalition-stikes-gaddafi-news-503277

EUObserver, 21.3.11: EU refuseniks justify staying out of Libya action http://euobserver.com/9/32029

EUObserver, 21.3.11: Germany plays up Arab scepticism on Libya action http://euobserver.com/9/32030

BBC News, 21.3.11: Gaddafi 'not targeted' by allied strikes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12802939

BBC News, 21.3.11: Medvedev rejects Putin 'crusade' remark over Libya http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12810566

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