This story has two sources--an article at Hot Air posted yesterday, and an article at France 24, also posted yesterday.
The article at France 24 reports:
"France became the first country to formally recognize the Libyan opposition - the Interim Transitional National Council - as legitimate representatives of the Libyan people on Thursday, pledging to exchange ambassadors with the country's newly created transitional council in a major diplomatic victory for the Libyan opposition.
"The announcement followed a meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and two representatives of Libya's Interim Transitional National Council in Paris Thursday
"Speaking to reporters at the Elysée presidential palace in Paris, Ali al Issawi, a former Libyan ambassador to India who quit his post last month, announced that, "France recognises the National Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people."
Hot Air reports:
"The recognition comes as European Union foreign ministers meet in Brussels Thursday and defense ministers of NATO's 28 member states also gathered in the Belgian capital to consider the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.
"Ahead of the Brussels meeting, AFP reported that Sarkozy would propose "targeted airstrikes" in Libya as a way to end the violence.
"Reacting to the news of France's diplomatic recognition, Imane Boughaighis, media organizer for Libya's Interim Transitional National Council, said the Libyan people were "very grateful" to the French government."
Hot Air points out that the actions of Europe in support of the Libyan rebels may not result in much military help for the rebels:
"But even if the political will is there, are they capable of doing it? I've been tweeting this idea at military expert (and Weekly Standard contributor) John Noonan and he's skeptical that the EU, even acting in concert, could put together an effective op. Maybe there are 100 combat-ready jets available between them, and maybe you could stage an operation out of Crete or Malta (carriers are hard to come by now that the British navy has essentially been defunded), but there's plenty of intel work to be done first and mobile Libyan air defenses are a major concern. The F-22 can handle them, but European jets? Not so much. So an EU-led mission against Qaddafi is probably a non-starter, which means when Sarkozy boldly recognizes the rebel government and calls for airstrikes, all he's really doing is nudging Obama. It's good domestic politics for him -- showing French leadership in a humanitarian military mission will appeal to the Le Pen "national greatness" crowd on the right and internationalists on the left -- but it's ultimately hollow."
I read this with very mixed emotions. I am glad to see France attempt to take the lead in protecting the civilians in Libya that are being killed. Thank God someone was willing to do that. I am saddened to think that America, who used to lead the world in protecting innocent civilians, has abandoned its post. I know we are stretched thin right now--I hate to see America send any more soldiers anywhere--but I am saddened at our silence and total lack of action.
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