From Gavin Hewitt, the BBC:  For the past few days I have had glimpses of Europe’s military power. The British, Swedish, German C130’s dipping into Malta airport. The UK special forces going off on their rescue missions to the eastern Libyan desert. The French frigate Tourville at rest in Valletta harbour. The comings and goings of HMS Cumberland and HMS York. A German frigate and supply vessel. A nimble Italian corvette. …

So far the European focus has been on getting its citizens out of Libya. …

With diplomatic missions closed and most European nationals evacuated, Europe’s moment to act decisively in this crisis in its backyard has arrived. …

The strategy of the international community is to turn up the heat on the officials and military commanders still loyal to him.Encourage desertions. Weaken Gaddafi by targeting his inner circle. There are signs that some of that is working. …

If the EU were to cut off trade and investment links and to source its oil from elsewhere that would cripple the Libyan economy. It would risk hurting the Libyan people, but it might persuade some of Gaddafi’s inner circle that the world beyond its shores has turned against them. It might not influence Gaddafi; indeed it might reinforce the script he believes – that he is facing a foreign-inspired plot.

A much tougher measure would be a no-fly zone. That would prevent gunships firing on demonstrators or mercenaries being shipped in from other parts of Africa. Such a military move would require further debate by the Security Council. It is an area where Europe could take a lead. Europe could also disrupt communications, denying the Libyan leader the means to broadcast to his country. All of these are options.

That is the question for Europe. What message is it sending?  (photo: Reuters) (via Global Europe)

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