Libya measures: Obama, Cameron discuss no fly zone

Obama and Cameron agree to plan “full spectrum” of action on Libya, including a possible no-fly zone.

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed on Tuesday to plan a “full spectrum” of action on Libya, including a possible no-fly zone, surveillance and a relief effort.

Obama and Cameron spoke amid calls for immediate international action to halt Muammar Qaddafi’s crackdown on rebels but with no clear unified world response to the strongman leader’s defiance emerging.

“The president and the prime minister agreed to press forward with planning, including at Nato, on the full spectrum of possible responses,” the White House said. Possible measures included surveillance, humanitarian assistance, enforcement of the arms embargo, and a no-fly zone, the White House said.

Cameron and Obama spoke amid renewed international calls for a no-fly zone as Libya’s air force stepped up strikes on front line rebels.

Washington has been less enthusiastic about such a step than its allies, with some officials noting that it would require bombardments of Libya’s air defences.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2011.