oh great - another war

[VectraMan]

Yes - forces have to break specific rules of war in order to become war criminals, in mad dog's case he used artyllery against civilians (there was no foreign army there)

But the situation isn't quite that black and white. The "civilians" are armed rebels organising themselves into an army and using military force. Is a leader automatically a war criminal for using military force to defend himself against an armed uprising?

[shaunbhoy]

I agree with the general thrust of this campaign, Gadaffi is an evil mad man, although I must admit that I do wonder why we (the UN) do not do something about the world's other tyrants.

I can't see that this will be much more expensive will it? We are only part of the action, and apart from the cost of the bombs and fuel, I would guess that our pilots/sailors would be training and taking part on exercises anyway?

Then again I am not a military expert!

Well you certainly appear to have much more of a grasp of matters than some of the chuckleheads drawn to this thread like alarmist braindead moths to a neon sign!

[AtW]

Is a leader automatically a war criminal for using military force to defend himself against an armed uprising?

Yes if such uprising is popular and he uses overwhelming force, ie tanks/aircraft/missiles against people armed with RPGs and light arms. Serbia has set a precedent that was tested successfully in Hague.

[Alf W]

Oh dear!

Arab League Splits From West Over Libya Bombing

The Arab League has criticised the military strikes on Libya, a week after urging the United Nations to slap a no-fly zone on the oil-rich North African state.

The Arab League chief said that Arabs did not want military strikes by Western powers that hit civilians when the League called for a no-fly zone over Libya.

Secretary-General Amr Moussa said he was calling for an emergency Arab League meeting to discuss the situation in the Arab world and particularly Libya.

"What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians," Mr Moussa told Egypt's official state news agency.

The volte-face by the influential regional body raises uncertainty about the unity of Western and Muslim leaders to the UN-backed military campaign.

Only Qatar has openly supported the Western-led campaign while Sky sources confirm the United Arab Emirates was willing to offer support.

The Arab League had suffered wide criticism for not being more vocal in support of the action it had appealed for.

Foreign Secretary William Hague had earlier told Sky that the coalition was receiving "very strong support" from Arab states for the coalition.

[TestMangler]

Not only that, the Celtic/Rangers game has kicked off. A 'no fly' zone has been declared over Govan and ground troops are advancing towards rebels in the Parkhead region.

A missile attack on Hampden right now would be a good idea

[EternalOptimist]

Oh dear!

Arab League Splits From West Over Libya Bombing

dont forget, we know from previous leaks that the Arab countries feel compelled to make public statements that dont chime with their actual policy and their true objectives

[Pogle]

Dealing with one big time criminal is in UKs best interest, he is present on the photo below:



HTH

Hmm I dunno about war crimes, but there is a serious crime against fashion going on in that picture

[Board Game Geek]

Hmm I dunno about war crimes, but there is a serious crime against fashion going on in that picture

I remember visiting a student digs once, back in the 90's, and there was an old chewed sofa in the communal lounge that looked a lot like what Gadaffi is wearing. It had the same, rusty coloured material underneath, and on top was a brown, hessian-like throw.

Why does Gadaffi always look "surly" ?

[EternalOptimist]

I remember visiting a student digs once, back in the 90's, and there was an old chewed sofa in the communal lounge that looked a lot like what Gadaffi is wearing. It had the same, rusty coloured material underneath, and on top was a brown, hessian-like throw.

Why does Gadaffi always look "surly" ?

for the same reason why you are so reasonable probbly,
it was the way he was brought up

[TimberWolf]

Hmm I dunno about war crimes, but there is a serious crime against fashion going on in that picture

Practical though. Stuck for something to wear for an important engagement? Why, simply throw on some old crusty curtains.