Arab League, Bouteflika, Syria, and the no-fly zone

The Arab League, and its chief Amr Mussa, has officially called on the UN Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. The League has also opened contact with the rebel Libyan National Council in Benghazi.

The United States has supported the Arab League for a United Nations no-fly zone over Libya, where government troops backed by fighter jets are battling rebels seeking to remove Muammar Gaddafi from power.

Algerians were schocked when they heard that their president has voted against the Arab League's decision for a no-fly zone over Libya. Algeria, Yemen, and Syria have voted against the Arab League initiative to impose a no-fly zone in Libya. The no-fly zone would have provided the regional support which NATO needs for any military action.