How is it going to be determined whether a cease-fire in Libya is being upheld?

[howard112211]

Or if not, which side is responible for not upholding it?

The way I understand it there is such a thing as "fog of war", which means in this case that all reports coming in on what is going on at any present moment have to be considered unreliable sources of information, because of the confusion and also the incentive for both sides to spread falsehoods. And moreover, under such chaotic circumstances it can no longer be assumed that chains of command are entirely intact, moreso since the rebels likely are loosely affiliated groups with no clear hierarchy.

There is a clear incentive for the rebel forces now to actually continue fighting, since any violence, from whichever side it comes, at this point makes it more likely that the West will intervene.

I wonder whether at this point there is even the slightest chance that this will be settled without intervention of NATO, or whether the decision to attack has essentially already been made, and they will pull a "Saddam" on Ghaddafi and simply declare that he is not complying to their terms, regardless of what is actually going on.

Look, if this "no-fly-zone" thing, as a threat, actually accomplished a real cease fire and offered a chance of settling this, I am willing to concede that it was a good decision. I am not very optimistic about this however.

[dipsydoodle]

1. When both sides stop shooting.

Don't really matter what NATO do - the country is likely to divide into a number of states : at least 3.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

2. They will call psychic hotlines.

After all, a no fly zone means nothing when mercenaries, tanks and armored vehicles can still shoot without hindrance.

Basically, this is just the first step into another Vietnam.

[howard112211]

3. Another way to make money for the MIC.