Fazle Rashid
NEW YORK, Mar 29: Qatar is providing the rebels in Libya with much needed supply of oil, diesel and cooking gas to stave off a crisis. Qatar has sent two oil tankers with 3800 tonnes of liquefied gas to rebel held areas. Libyan rebels are exploring means to export oil and sell it in the international market. Libyan government of Gaddafi faces global economic sanctions and asset freeze but the US would not oppose sell of oil by the rebels.
President Obama in his address to the nation yesterday said air assault in Libya was in the national interest of America. It was because the US wanted to prevent a potential massacre that would have "stained the conscience of the world." I refused to wait for the images of slaughter and mass grave before taking any action, President said.
Russia has expressed concern over NATO-led coalition in Libya going beyond the UN mandate. The main part of the UN resolution was to save the life of the civilians. Russia said the action of the past two days were beyond protecting the civilians. NATO's secretary general rebuffed the Russian concern saying alliance is sticking to UN resolution, NATO is impartial, he said.
Meanwhile, India's dream of launching 100 warships in the coming decade to match the growing maritime power of China has dealt a severe blow as India's shipyards are failing to cope with the rush. This has considerably diminished India's fighting capability. India abhors comparison with China which has three times the number of combat vessels than India and five times the personnel. Military analysts say half the weapons held by India are obsolete. India is the biggest importer of weapons.
Qatar helping Libyan rebels with oil, gas
FE Team | Published: March 30, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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