The conflict in Libya is by far the bloodiest
in a sequence of recent uprisings against
regimes in the Middle East and North
Africa. Beginning in the port city of Benghazi
on 17 February, fighting has escalated across
the country, with some areas changing hands
numerous times during fierce battles between
forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and rebels
opposed to his regime. There have been
consistent reports of widespread and systematic
violations of international humanitarian and
human rights law, primarily by pro-Gaddafi
forces, paramilitaries and mercenaries. The
UN estimates that up to 3.6 million Libyans
may require humanitarian assistance. Access
continues to be problematic despite an
agreement reached on 17 April, between the
Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) Valerie
Amos and the government to expand the
humanitarian presence.
The international community’s response to the conflict is premised on two UN Security Council resolutions authorising a range of political, legal, humanitarian and military measures. Resolution 1970, passed on 27 February, imposed an arms embargo, froze the overseas assets of Libyan leaders, imposed a travel ban on senior figures and referred the situation to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Resolution 1973, passed on 17 March, authorised ‘all necessary measures’ to implement a no-fly zone aimed at protecting civilians from imminent attack and facilitating delivery of humanitarian assistance. Ten days later, NATO took control of the international military action under Operation Unified Protector.