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Thousands of British and American troops on standby to head off potential Gaddafi counter-attack
Preparing to head off any potential counter-attack by Gaddafi forces, NATO powers are readying a “humanitarian” occupation of Libya with thousands of British and American soldiers, risking the possibility that troops could be sent into yet another quagmire to rival Afghanistan and Iraq.
Eager to control the country’s vast oil resources and its 144 tons of gold bullion, a plan to send in troops would represent a complete violation of the UN’s own resolution authorizing military intervention, unless of course the soldiers were labeled “peacekeepers” and inserted under humanitarian cover.
Recall that the EU ground invasion force that was proposed back in April was similarly couched in humanitarian rhetoric and yet would have been empowered to “secure sea and land corridors inside the country,” a transparent military objective.
“Hundreds of British soldiers could be sent to Libya to serve as peacekeepers if the country descends into chaos, Downing Street indicated last night,” reports the Daily Mail.
“The troops have been on standby for Libya since the start of July. All their kit is packed and they are just waiting to get the call to go,” said one source.
Similarly, a U.S. occupation force has also been on standby for several months.
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Originally posted by N3k9Ni
What a brilliant maneuver.
Incite a rebellion. Offer just enough support to keep the ball rolling in the right direction. Let them beat each other senseless. Move in and take over the country. No muss, no fuss.
I guess they did learn something from the Iraq debacle.
Originally posted by Freeborn
reply to post by CasiusIgnoranze
So what is NATO supposed to do, sit back and let Libya descend into a wholescale civil war with countless civilian casualties etc.
You are quick to criticise yet offer no practical alternative solutions.
The reality is that 'the rebels' are a very loose alliance of numerous religious / political and tribal groups each with their own agenda's and scores to settle.
Originally posted by Freeborn
reply to post by CasiusIgnoranze
So what is NATO supposed to do, sit back and let Libya descend into a wholescale civil war with countless civilian casualties etc.
You are quick to criticise yet offer no practical alternative solutions.
The reality is that 'the rebels' are a very loose alliance of numerous religious / political and tribal groups each with their own agenda's and scores to settle.