Libya: Are We Doing The Right Thing?

[AB Editor]

We'd like to measure the general feelings The AnswerBank has about the current intervention in Libya. We'd also like to know what you think the goals should be now that we're involved.

 

This poll is closed.

Should the UK have got involved in the intervention in Libya?

• Yes, it is important to protect civilians from tyrants. - 17 votes
• 41%
• No, we should stay out of others' business - 13 votes
• 32%
• Yes, in the long term it may provide more stability in the region. - 6 votes
• 15%
• No, we simply can't afford it! - 5 votes
• 12%

As the UK is already involved in the Libya intervention, what should be our main goal?

• No fly zone & air support only. - 15 votes
• 42%
• Regime change. - 12 votes
• 33%
• Full peace-keeping & security for the civilian populace. - 9 votes
• 25%

See final stats

Stats until: 14:22 Fri 20th Dec 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

© AnswerBank Ltd 2000 - 2024. All Rights Reserved.

[redman41]

I don't agree with this conflict and we should let the Arab Nations sort out their own affairs.

[Gromit]

AB Ed,

Is the voting working? I just voted, but it says 0 votes?

[jackthehat]

From a selfish perspective, as far as I understand, and I'm happy to be corrected, the recent changes of Administration in the other Arabic states have been completed with the minimum threat to the UK..........and indeed these countries have never been considered as being a threat to the UK.

Libya is a different kettle of fish altogether. Gaddafi is unstable and unpredictable and now that measures are in place to remove him from power, I believe that we must see it through to the end; he will be a thousand-fold more dangerous if he is merely wounded but left in control of Libya..........he'd strike out wherever he could. I believe he'd take his revenge out 'anywhere'.

[Sqad]

AB Ed I have just voted and it also says "No Votes"

[Davethedog]

Isn't there now a catch 22 situation, we supposedly intervened to save civilians however as the rebels increase their territory they will attack pro- Gaddaffi civilians so will we attack the rebels.

Makes no difference they will all end up hating us, shouldn't get involved.

[AB Editor]

(Refreshed every 5 minutes)

[AB Editor]

///however as the rebels increase their territory they will attack pro- Gaddaffi civilians so will we attack the rebels.///

Will they? How do you know? They may only fight soldiers & the army, why would the attack civilians (unless they're attacked first?)

[Davethedog]

Does it make a difference who attacks who if they are civillians? This cannot end well no matter what.

[Twenty20]

Bit limited options with the second question "As the UK is already involved in the Libya intervention, what should be our main goal?"

How about, 'Stop bombing other countries' or something similar?

[sandyRoe]

The West has been meddling in the Middle East for years. When we support tyrants the opposition becomes more fanatical. We supported the Shah in Iran. They ended up with a theocratic state maybe worse than what they had overturned.
When freedom and democracy are installed in Libya we should turn our attention to Saudi Arabia.

[Sqad]

One of the many reasons that the UN was set up was for "humanitarian" reasons......to stop people being slaughtered and the UN resolution 19 something or other gave the green light for this to happen. NATO took on this role and the UK is a part of NATO.
There is no doubt had Gadaffi´s troops enveloped Benghazi then there would have been wholesale slaughter, rape and pillage.

If I was a fully trained R.A.F fast jet fighter pilot, just out of weapons training school, I would be "itching" to put my expertise to the test.....indeed I would feel that it was my raison d'être.

[Coldicote]

Seems to me that oil has more than a little to do with it

[AB Editor]

///Bit limited options with the second question "As the UK is already involved in the Libya intervention, what should be our main goal?" How about, 'Stop bombing other countries' or something similar?///

The second part requests an answers based on the fact we're already "in"....

///Does it make a difference who attacks who if they are civillians? This cannot end well no matter what.///

I wanted to know why you think they'd shoot civilians? It might end better than it would have. As Sqad says: "There is no doubt had Gadaffi´s troops enveloped Benghazi then there would have been wholesale slaughter, rape and pillage."

Would you prefer blood on our hands for trying to do good, or blood on our hands for inaction (after a prolong period of support for a oil-rich despot?). For me, I think we owe the people of Libya.

All the best,

Spare Ed

[237SJ]

Well, the UK doesn`t seem to be bothered about having blood on it`s hands for not helping people in other African countries such as Zimbabwe.

[dotty.]

If you change a regime, you get another regime, the definition of a regime: A prevailing social system or pattern.

Is that going to be a democratically elected regime then?

[Sqad]

237....interesting comment.....what is happening in Zimbabwe? Two years or more ago there was rape, anarchy, rampant inflation, cholera and TB and all now SEEMS to be quiet.

237.....the African States at that time were asked by the UN if they wanted help in Zimbabwe and they voted against................where could we go from there?

[Bobbisox]

Obama joined in a video link with other world leaders and said the removal of Gadaffi was not a good idea as it will no doubt leave a vacuum and with the tribal factions may be well be worse than his regime at this time

[tamborine]

Absolute power over others lives is outdated now. The sooner Gadaffi & his cohorts recognise same, the better. As for the cohorts multi-raping any woman is a disgusting reflexion of the regime.

[AB Editor]

237SJ - We can't help everyone all the time. I always find the argument "If we're going in THERE why aren't we going in THERE"

Libyans wanted change, we are able to help in a way which may help us go a little way to clear our conscience for supporting a mad despot for the last 15 years.

Dotty, yes, I assumed a representational democracy of sorts.

All the best,

Spare Ed