France to send military officers to Libya to help rebel forcesApril 20, 2011 - 17:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France is joining Britain in sending military officers to Libya to help rebel forces organize and bolster the NATO air campaign that has failed to rout Moammar Gadhafi's military. France insisted Wednesday, April 20, that it is not ready to send ground troops of its own into Libya, but says the U.N. Security Council should consider it. NATO, leading the U.N.-sanctioned international military operation to protect civilians, now acknowledges that airstrikes alone cannot stop the heavy shelling by Gadhafi's forces. "There will be a small number of liaison officers at the sides of (Libya's opposition governing council) to carry out liaison missions aimed at organizing the protection of civilians," French government spokesman Francois Baroin said Wednesday after a Cabinet meeting. He did not say how many officers would go, or where. He insisted that such a move conforms to the UN resolution authorizing the international military campaign in Libya. Britain announced Tuesday it is sending up to 20 military advisers to help Libya's rebel forces. France and Britain led the push for international intervention in Libya. France was the first country to recognize Libya's opposition, and Libyan opposition leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil is meeting Wednesday in Paris with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. However, France's government appeared wary of lobbying for a ground campaign, which would entail more risks for French troops and be more politically delicate, according to the Associated Press. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |