The UN and NATO Take Control in Libya

The Libyan freedom fighters have re-taken Brega.

They have also signed a deal with Qatar, under which Qatar will sell Libyan petroleum under Free Libya control and in exchange will supply food, medicines and fuel.

So, somebody has actually moved in the right direction, by helping the freedom fighters to help themselves.

At the same time, the US has started withdrawing its bombers and A130s, which will be replaced by European equipment. I’m not so sure that is a good idea, but President Obama is determined to leave Libya’s future in the hands of the United Nations and NATO.

The most troubling news, as was pointed out last night on CNN by a former member of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, is that the UN, and presumably NATO, have announced that they will fire not only on Qadhaffi forces but also Free Libya forces, if they are engaged in firing at civilians. As the retired general said, something is definitely wrong, if that’s the case.

It is not that the UN is deliberately trying to block the progress of Free Libya. It is just that the UN is maladroit, inept and not suited to war. NATO ought to do better, if it were freed from UN supervision.

President Sarkozy, please take note.