NATO ships in Mediterranean Sea plan arms embargo

TRIPOLI, Libya—Coalition jets have combed Libya for five consecutive nights in pursuit of Moammar Gadhafi, but have been unsuccessful.

Gadhafi’s tanks targeted Misrata’s primary hospital, which contained 400 people, leaving the building with no electricity. Doctors and patients have taken refuge in unharmed areas of the structure, and ambulances have not been allowed to leave the hospital.

The battle for Misrata, which is Libya’s largest city, has been ongoing for over a week, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that many residents are trapped in their homes without electricity or a means of obtaining food and water.

Coalition planes struck Tajura, a suburb of Libya, possibly killing 18 people in the process. It is unknown whether any of these casualties were civilians, but western leaders have urged that it is unlikely.

NATO officials, courtesy of nato.int

A no-fly zone has been implemented across the nation by the coalition, and while the rebel forces have improved their position, Gadhafi’s army maintains control.

Currently the coalition is under the power of the United States, but may be transferred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), who already has ships in the Mediterranean Sea ready to create an arms embargo.

President Obama has stated that the purpose of the United Nations-sanctioned military mission is to prevent a humanitarian crisis, as well as to protect the Libyan rebels.

The international air attacks began after Gadhafi broke a promise to the United Nations to uphold a cease-fire against rebel forces and civilians. The war began in February when civilians rallied for the end of Gadhafi’s 42-year rule, and Gadhafi’s forces responded with violence against these rebels.

France was the first to launch an air campaign, followed by the United States and Britain. An international meeting will be held on March 28, to discuss the situation in Libya.    

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