Sudan reportedly objects to No-Fly zone over Libya

March 11, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese will object to an Arab League resolution demanding the establishment of a No-Fly Zone (NFZ) over Libya as fighting rages between forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and rebels seeking to topple his regime.

The Arab League is set to hold an extraordinary meeting in Cairo today to discuss a draft resolution calling on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to endorse a NFZ over Libya because of excessive force used by Gaddafi’s air forces.

European nations along with the U.S. are hesitant to approve the NFZ with some saying that the African Union (AU) with the Arab League must voice support to the idea.

But yesterday, the AU issued a statement saying it rejects any foreign military intervention.

Furthermore, the pan-Arab body will consider recognizing National Transitional Council (NTC) which represents the opposition forces battling Gaddafi.

This week the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) representing states in the Arabian peninsula urged the imposition of a NFZ and said that the Libyan regime lost its legitimacy.

But Arab diplomatic sources told London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Sudan along with Syria and Algeria are objecting to the NFZ resolution tabled at the Arab League.

This week Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir said his country rejects foreign intervention in Libya claiming it would make it turn into another Iraq.

There has been accusations leveled by opposition figures to Syria and Algeria that they are providing weapons and mercenaries to Gaddafi in its current fighting.

(ST)