War Zone

It all feels very close.  Here is the text of the United Nations resolution.  It seems to cover much more than a no-fly zone in Libya: overflying of adjacent states; stopping and searching of ships at sea and in ports; co-ordination of plans by various states and their notification to the UN; seizure of all Libyan resources considered to be those of the Libyan people, no matter in whose name they are held (as well as assets of the Central Bank of Libya, the Libyan Investment Authority, the Libyan Foreign Bank,  and the Libyan National Oil Company, according to Fatto Quotidiano) to mention just the most immediately noteworthy matters.

Close because Gadaffi has declared any  flight in the Mediterranean, civil or military, a legitimate target,  as well as the countries providing military action, or bases, or other facilities.  Italy has offered its bases and other facilities for the implementation of the Resolution.   No wonder the Italian government is in urgent, immediate and ongoing meetings with military leaders.  The Head of State met with the Minister of Defence and senior military last night - they were all at the gala performance of Nabucco in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy - which was both handy for an immediate get together the moment the resolution was passed, and somehow very appropriate.