Commentary
Marwan Muasher
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Source: Getty
In The Media
A Remarkable Precedent
The Arab League’s call for the international community to impose a no-flight zone over Libya demonstrates that the League rejects Qaddafi’s violent crackdown and provides cover for international action.
Published on Mar 17, 2011
Source: New York Times
The endorsement by the Arab League is the first time the group has ever voted unanimously to condemn or sanction a fellow Arab state. It only speaks to the extent of atrocity at the hands Qaddafi. The Libyan regime’s response to its domestic uprising is unacceptable and the Arab League has now acted accordingly. The call provides cover for international action — and it means that military intervention in the form of a no-flight zone should not be read as Western interference.
The international community — led by the United Nations — needs to move quickly now that the Arab countries have acted in unison. Even if there is no guarantee that a no-flight zone will stop Qaddafi, agreement on the action will send an unambiguous signal to Libya that it is now isolated and unwelcomed in the global arena.
This is a positive signal by the Arab states and sets a precedent for the future — Arab leaders clearly rejected this type of violent crackdown of peaceful protests. While there is still obvious opposition in the region to the United States interfering unilaterally and to the presence of foreign troops on the ground, the Arab League’s action means that a return to the status quo is unacceptable.
About the Author
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.
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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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