NATO split over military action against Gaddafi

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BRUSSELS, Mar 2 (Agencies): NATO allies were split Wednesday on whether to unleash their military might on Libya to stop Muammar Gaddafi's reprisals against rebels, with fears raised about angering ordinary Arabs. As two US warships sailed towards Libya, ambassadors from the 28-nation alliance's decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, were to discuss the Libyan upheaval at a regular meeting in Brussels, a NATO official said. Gaddafi warned Wednes­day that "thousands of Libyans would be killed" if the US or NATO intervene in the strife-torn North African country. Back in Libya, forces loyal to Gaddafi battled government opponents for control of a key oil installation and airstrip on the Mediterranean coast in a counteroffensive Wednesday against the rebel-held eastern half of the country. The fighting at the Brega oil port appeared to be the first significant attempt by Gadhafi's regime to push back against the large swath of territory seized by the opposition - almost the entire eastern half of the country. For the past week, pro-Gaddafi forces have been focusing on securing his stronghold in the capital Tripoli and trying to take back nearby rebel-held cities in the west, with only mixed success. Our correspondent Fazle Rashid in New York adds: The Anglo-US move to apply no-fly zone sanctions in Libya has prompted alarm, with Turkey and Russia opposing the idea and France and Germany expressing deep concern. Britain and the US have said no firm decision has yet been made. The US Defence Secretary, Robert Gates revealed that he has ordered two amphibious warships to move into the Mediterranean. This will be only for emergency evacuation and relief operation, he said. He noted that a consensus has not been reached within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on using military force. The Turkish Prime Minister blasted the idea of no-flying zone calling the move absurd. Russia said the idea is superfluous and France said it is not a priority. The priority is humanitarian aid. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has dislodged Libya from its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The US defence secretary said the US must consider its impact on operations in Afghanistan and the Gulf. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff admitted that a no-fly zone is an extraordinary complex operation. The Secretary of State took a more philosophical outlook saying Libya could become a peaceful democracy or could face protracted civil war or it could descend into total chaos, that will disrupt global oil production and allowing the oil price rising to over $150 a barrel. There has been heavy influx of refugees from Libya to Tunisia and Egypt. The UN said thousands are fleeing from Libya.