[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 102

   Calling for a no-fly zone and the recognition of the Transitional 
                       National Council in Libya.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 15, 2011

 Mr. McCain submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                   the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Calling for a no-fly zone and the recognition of the Transitional 
                       National Council in Libya.

Whereas peaceful demonstrations, inspired by similar peaceful demonstrations in 
        Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere in the Middle East, began in Libya with 
        calls for greater political reform, opportunity, justice, and the rule 
        of law and quickly spread to cities around the country.
Whereas Muammar Qaddafi, his sons, and forces loyal to them have responded to 
        the peaceful demonstrations by authorizing and initiating violence 
        against civilian non-combatants in Libya, including the use of airpower, 
        foreign mercenaries, helicopters, mortar and artillery fire, naval 
        assets, snipers, and soldiers;
Whereas, in response to Qaddafi's assault on the people of Libya, the imposition 
        of a ``no-fly zone'' in Libya was called for by the Gulf Cooperation 
        Council on March 7, 2011; by the head of the Organization of the Islamic 
        Conference on March 8, 2011; and by the Arab League on March 12, 2011;
Whereas the Governments of France and the United Kingdom have drafted a United 
        Nations Security Council Resolution to mandate the imposition of a ``no-
        fly zone'' in Libya;
Whereas the Libyan Transitional National Council was formed in Benghazi, with 
        representation of Libyan leaders from across the country;
Whereas, on March 10, 2011, the Government of France recognized the Libyan 
        Transitional National Council, based in Benghazi, as the sole legitimate 
        government of Libya and has announced its intention to send an 
        ambassador there;
Whereas, despite initial gains, the opposition has been losing ground against 
        Qaddafi's forces, which are currently advancing against the opposition 
        stronghold of Benghazi;
Whereas, on March 3, 2011, President Barack Obama said, ``Let me just be very 
        unambiguous about this. Colonel Qaddafi needs to step down from power 
        and leave''; and
Whereas, on March 10, 2011, the Director of National Intelligence testified 
        before Congress that, because of Qaddafi's superior military resources, 
        including airpower, and in the absence of outside assistance to the 
        opposition, ``I think [over] the long term that the [Qaddafi] regime 
        will prevail.'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) applauds the bravery of the Libyan people, who are 
        fighting to secure their universal rights against the violent 
        dictatorship of Muammar Qaddafi;
            (2) condemns Muammar Qaddafi, and the forces loyal to him, 
        for using overwhelming and indiscriminate violence, including 
        the use of airpower and foreign mercenaries, against peaceful 
        demonstrators and civilians, which has resulted in gross human 
        rights abuses, grave loss of innocent life, and potentially 
        crimes against humanity;
            (3) strongly welcomes the calls for imposing a ``no-fly 
        zone'' in Libya made by the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation 
        Council, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference;
            (4) reiterates that it is the policy of the United States, 
        as stated by President Obama, that Colonel Qaddafi must step 
        down and leave power; and
            (5) calls on the President--
                    (A) to recognize the Libyan Transitional National 
                Council, based in Benghazi but representative of Libyan 
                communities across the country, as the sole legitimate 
                governing authority in Libya;
                    (B) to take immediate steps to implement a ``no-fly 
                zone'' in Libya with international support; and
                    (C) to develop and implement a comprehensive 
                strategy to achieve the stated United States policy 
                objective of Qaddafi leaving power.
                                 <all>