The catch 22 of Libya

Reinforcements on their way

The almost eternal dilemma of this crisis: angling for a diplomatic solution whilst engaged in military action.

How can a party accept a diplomatic end to a crisis whilst the opposition are pounding their houses with shells and killing their children? How can a side win a war when politicians (both glory seekers and those who genuinely want a settlement) are softening all actions with restraint and caution always disproportionate to the military needs?

On the one hand the press rapport "Libyan rebels receive boost of support from international community" but the reality of this support would appear to be limited to second hand body armour. Within NATO there is little agreement with the UK and France, which have conducted the bulk of the attack missions, pressing Italy and Belgium to take part in targeting Libyan forces. "We have sent more ground strike aircraft in order to protect civilians," Hague said. "We do look to other countries to do the same."

Meanwhile the talking continues:

• The contact group which met in Doha on Wednesday discussed a "temporary financial mechanism" to channel cash into a trust fund to aid rebels fighting Gaddafi's forces.
• In Cairo, international leaders will focus on political solutions and look for ways to "reinforce co-ordination between the Arab League, UN, African Union and Organisation for the Islamic Conference".
• While in Berlin, Libya will be on the top of the agenda for NATO's foreign ministers As their military strategy in the conflict comes under the spotlight.

But I am getting the horrible thought that NATO may have lost its way:

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Nato's secretary general, defended the alliance's record after its aircraft flew more than 2,000 sorties. But since its mandate was to protect civilians it had to be cautious. "We do our utmost to strike the right balance," Rasmussen said.

Unfortunately war is not about striking the right balance, it is about offering and taking lives so that you can win your own way - and if you are not prepared to fully engaged in this awful equation then you should not fight.