The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Libya declares ceasefire

Foreign minister says an immediate ceasefire will be imposed after UN backs no-fly zone.

By Samira Shackle Published 18 March 2011 13:49

The Libyan foreign minister, Mousa Kousa, has told reporters that Libya will impose "an immediate ceasefire and stoppage of all military operations" against rebel forces.

Speaking to reporters in Tripoli, he said that the country will abide by yesterday's UN Security Council resolution calling for a no-fly zone and a ceasefire.

Kousa was critical of the "unreasonable" UN resolution, which allows the use of military power. "This goes clearly against the UN Charter, and it is a violation of the national sovereignty of Libya," he said.

He said Libya would "try to deal positively" with the resolution, and that a no-fly zone would "increase the suffering of Libyan people and will have negative impact on the general life of the Libyan people", as it will affect civilian as well as military flights.

This professed concern for civilians is a significant change in rhetoric from the Libyan regime. Just last night, Muammar al-Gaddafi warned that "no mercy" would be shown to the people of Benghazi.

It is far too early to tell how long a ceasefire will last, and whether this is a genuine laying down of arms or merely a strategic move to buy time. Oliver Miles, a former British ambassador to Libya, told Sky News: "I think he has taken a step that no one foresaw. It is very difficult to read Gaddafi's mind but I think he sees this as a way of holding back the military attack."

The next important thing to watch is the terms of the ceasefire and how it will be monitored: it is highly unlikely that the regime will allow rebel groups in Benghazi to continue with impunity, ceasefire or not. Will the UN be allowed into Libya for monitoring purposes? It's worth noting that Kousa refused to answer any questions after his announcement.

If it comes to it, it will not be difficult for Gaddafi to ramp up the violence again.

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16 comments

Sat, 2011-03-19 10:58 — Gerry Tierney (not verified)

Also, Swatandra, you wrote this:

"Why is it that the Abab League are not taking a greater role with peraps troops on the ground as eg in Bharein? "

You realise that, in Bahrain, the Saudi troops are helping to CRUSH the rebellion, yes?

Sat, 2011-03-19 11:09 — JP3

I'm in the very uncomfortable position of agreeing with people I'm normally diametrically opposed with.

The U.N. resolution was undoubtedly the correct way to go about things, but it did and does seem somewhat inevitable that ground forces will have to be deployed at some point. Whether that be U.N. peace keepers, NATO forces etc remains to be seen, but I'd be frankly amazed if this happens to be the final step.

Fri, 2011-03-18 14:25 — swatantra

At least Libya says it will abide by a UN resolution, for ceasefire, which another country in the ME flagrantly ignores UN resolutions, and no action is taken.
But many will be disappointed by this UN Resoution, frought ith danger, because Libya is in a state of civil war, half the country is divided, Gadaffi hasn't actually massacred Beghazi yet, and he knows he will have to bring in reforms if he still holds onto power. But if he goes the civil war will culminate in division, the East ceceeding, and partition.
This is the consequence of intervention.
Why is it that the Abab League are not taking a greater role with peraps troops on the ground as eg in Bharein?
Its about time the Arabs took greater responsiblity for te conflicts that break out in their part of the world. The US and UK should not be involved as world policemen. Regional solutions for Regional problems please in future.

Fri, 2011-03-18 14:51 — thinkov

the arab league is a league of tyrants yes?

Sat, 2011-03-19 22:31 — Sid Gray (not verified)

Gaddafi has to be killed together with all his sons. we need to chase them until this happens. whether in battle or a rope round his neck.

Fri, 2011-03-18 16:20 — Bill Fraser (not verified)

The so-called ceasefire is a time wasting gimmick...

Get him to ground his air force and withdraw his troops from eastern Libya ... before even discussing a ceasefire.

Fri, 2011-03-18 16:57 — Axmed

Good article! The people of Libya (e.g. rebels) are saying to the US/UK "you have already enough blood on your hands therefore stay away from our oil." As Noam Chomsky on newsnight. Arab league have a puppet for 4 decades and now they are waking up. Turkish, Venezuela and Brazil are invited to take part of the solution to these problems. The US cannot even sort it out its problems e.g. economic and inequalities at home, do you believe it will solve other people's problems? NO way! They have been around 50 years and its policies have been: we should use "force to defend our interest in the ME region." We have passed the age of military and imperialism. For evidence just look at Afghanistan and Iraq, are they making progress? "Empire [US] is falling" Johan Galtung wrote.

Fri, 2011-03-18 17:33 — Sam (not verified)

Gaddafi might do the absolute bare minimum to try to stop military intervention but I doubt he will completely stop attacking the rebels, nor will he bring democracy to the country. I have a feeling that he won't try too hard with the ceasefire and will be happy to essentially fight to the death in the end.

Fri, 2011-03-18 19:10 — Dibble (not verified)

Funny how we haven't seen the 'Stop the War Coalition,' the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the Respect Party, Moslem Council of Britain, Tony Benn, etc holding mass rallies condemning the butchery of Libyans by their own Government. No comparisons are forthcoming between the Gaddafi regime and the Nazis, Benghazi and a 'concentration camp' or Galloway and Livingstone calling for the end of the murderous Libyan state. Silly me ..... that only occurs when its Israel acting in self-defence!!!

Fri, 2011-03-18 21:59 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

Damn it! Greivsie has just given Dave the legal all-clear and then that viper Gaddafi declares a 'cease-fire'. This was Cameron's Falkland's moment. The 'Rule Britannia' popularity poll would have gone through the roof of heaven. Can't you just hear them bellowing out 'Jerusalem' at the Proms. No, not the Israelis, the Great Britons. As a result of Gt Britain's humbling of Argentina, Mrs T went from Cruella De Ville to canonisation by Norm St Stevas as Saint Margaret the Merciful. Of course, in the process, she lost a Defence Secretary and a Lordly Foreign Secretary.
Gaddafi's clapped-out military gear supplied during the Soviet era and dating from the sixties is only suitable for posturing. All those financial investments in the West - not counting the handling charges -are not much good either.
No option - it's a stud poker situation.
Gotterdammerung

Sat, 2011-03-19 00:47 — Tom (not verified)

With the revolution spreading, will we now put a no-fly zone over the entire Middle East?

Sat, 2011-03-19 05:26 — jie4v7i14

"Libya declares ceasefire" - they would say that now, wouldn't they, the hummus eating surrender monkeys, since the daddys have come to give Gadaffi a telling off, to not to be so nasty.

Sat, 2011-03-19 05:40 — jie4v7i14

Saw a good film on the telly tonight on ITN(n), starring Jeremy Irons et al, that somehow reflects what is going on in North Africa and to the east in the old great historical states of Allah,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWQK0rpQ0MY

Winona Ryder surprised me, maybe getting into such parts disconnected her from LA shallow life, and caused run-ins for non-payment at the till for clothes? Just an after-thought.

Sat, 2011-03-19 10:08 — JP3

Well, good to see that lasted, eh?

Sat, 2011-03-19 10:09 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Well well, reading these clever comments at just after 9.00am with the radio news in the background and Gadafi's forces are attacking in the outskirts of Benghazi and a plane shot down over the centre of the city!

What is it they say swatantra nandanwar, useful idiots? As for Axmed, you never disappoint do you?

Sat, 2011-03-19 10:14 — Gerry Tierney (not verified)

Anyone who believed Gadaffi would uphold his ceasefire is an absolute idiot.

The bunch of you naive clowns, grow up and see how the real world works.