Italy offers air bases, forces for Libya no-fly zone

Italy yesterday offered the use of its air bases to impose a no-fly zone on Libya and said it could help take out Libyan radars and defence systems after the UN cleared the way for air strikes.

Italy has “granted the use of military bases on its national territory”, the government’s press office said after an emergency Cabinet meeting in Rome.

“The Americans and the British have already made requests for some bases,” Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa told a meeting in Parliament.

He added that seven air bases in Italy were available for operations.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy had also shut down its embassy in Tripoli and evacuated diplomatic staff following the UN vote.

Mr Frattini also stressed Italy would prefer the involvement of Nato as a “protection umbrella” against possible retaliation attacks from Libya.

Italian aircraft could be used “to identify targets linked to a no-fly zone that if violated would trigger an attack on radars or air defence,” he added. Italy “will play its role on the frontline”, he continued.

The use of Italy’s air bases is seen as critical for any military action because of its location just across the Mediterranean from northern Libya.

Also yesterday the island of Malta, which is neutral under its Constitution, granted the use of its air space for other countries to enforce a no-fly zone but said it would not serve as a base for any military operations. Italy meanwhile re-positioned an aircraft carrier, the Garibaldi, to the port of Augusta in eastern Sicily for possible deployment.

A defence source told AFP that three other Italian warships were also in the region including one, the Libra, carrying a humanitarian cargo that was due to arrive at an unnamed rebel-held port in eastern Libya today. Mr La Russa warned however that imposing a no-fly zone would be “seriously demanding” and said Italy was “worried” because of its position.

“There’s no enthusiasm, there is concern. In all of this we have tried to pursue maximum prudence and moderation also because we know that we are closer and more vulnerable, with many interests,” Mr La Russa said.

Libya fired two missiles at a now-closed US base on the Italian island of Lampedusa in 1986 in retaliation against US bombings of Tripoli.

Libya’s former colonial ruler and top trade partner, Italy has been cautious since the start of the uprising last month and has emphasised the need for wide international agreement on any type of intervention in Libya.

But it has gradually stepped up its stance against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in line with the rest of the international community.

Italy and Libya are bound by a 2008 friendship treaty that officially forbids the use of air bases in Italy to bomb Libya but Frattini on Friday said that the UN resolution effectively cancelled the treaty.

Libya earlier warned Italy against taking part in international action.

“Let’s hope Italy keeps out of this initiative,” Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim told the Italian news agency Ansa in Tripoli on Thursday.