Might the U.N. impose a No-fly Zone over Libya?
A no-fly zone may be imposed over Libya to protect civilians from attacks by government aircraft, the U.N.’s top human rights official said Wednesday.
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says if unconfirmed reports of aerial attacks against civilians turn out to be true, “I think there’s an immediate need for that level of protection.”
In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Pillay said she was “appalled” by the level of violence in Libya because protesters are only demanding basic human rights.
There have been increasing calls for the U.N. to mandate a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace in order to prevent Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi from ordering his air force to carry out strikes against protesters who have taken over control of several cities.
Libya’s own deputy ambassador at the U.N. who now calls for Gadhafi’s ouster, has urged the world body to enforce a no-fly zone over the country to protect protesters. Peru, which has suspended diplomatic relations with Libya, has also asked the Security Council to establish a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace.