The prime minister promised, in September 2011, that he would “not allow Libya to turn into another Iraq” so he decided to lead international efforts, with France, to rescue Libya, by backing rebels fighting to overthrow Gaddafi and impose a no-fly zone over the country, supposedly overcoming initial reservations from the EU and even the USA.
Grand-standing in front of the world’s media Cameron exclaimed to the people of Tripoli; “Your city was an example to the world as you threw off a dictator and chose freedom” adding: “Your friends in Britain and France will stand with you as you build your democracy.”
So successful was the campaign to “rescue” Africa’s most prosperous and thriving nation that the sequel is currently underway to “rescue” it once again. Back in 2011 a United Nations Security Council resolution (Res #1973) resulted in American and British naval forces firing over 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles, the French, British and Canadian Air Forces undertaking hundreds of bombing sorties across Libya and a naval blockade by Coalition forces along with airspace over the country being declared a ‘no-fly zone’ just as Cameron envisaged.
Britain, France and Italy have denied the presence of any ‘boots on the ground’ in Libya. The establishment press is acting as the international government mouthpiece.
In the meantime – denials accepted; Britain has launched covert military operations in Libya against ISIS militants with the support of Jordan, Middle East Eye (MEE) revealed. MEE obtained a detailed account of a meeting Jordan’s King Abdullah held with US congressional leaders in January, when he revealed the previously unreported deployment of British and Jordanian special forces in Libya. It appears, according to the Jordanian King that Britain does indeed have ‘boots on the ground’ in Libya.