France First Country to Recognize Libyan Interim Governing Council

France has become the first nation to recognize Libya's Interim Governing Council. It seems that France has taken the lead from the Obama Administration with this move.

The official recogniation by France is a major diplomatic victory for the Rebels over the Gadaffi regime. France has become the first country to recognize the Interim Governing Council and said that it plans to exchange amabassadors with the governing body.

French President Nicolas Sarkozi met with two members of the Interim Governing Council from the Rebel stronghold Bengazi.

"It breaks the ice," said Mustafa Gheriani, an opposition spokesman. "We expect Italy to do it, and we expect England to do it."

Meanwhile NATO is discussing the implementation of a no fly zone today. Although NATO is prepared to act if and when a no fly zone is authorized, it maintains it will not act without UN authority. The United States has taken the same approach.

Germany said it froze billions of assets of the rogue Libyan regime. Canada, Switzerland, Austria have also taken additonal steps to freeze assets of Libyan regime members.

It is believed that nonetheless Gadaffi has billions in reserves within Libya, which for the time being permits him to continue to fight the Rebels who have fought hard to close in on Tripoli.

The Gadaffi government has also lobbied hard to get support from both Western and Arab nations sending envoys to Egypt, Portugal and Greece.

While NATO is debating the implementaton of a no fly zone, it has already imposed 24/7 AWACs surveillance. Russia has banned all arms sale to Libya today.

Gadaffi knows very well that the debate of the no fly zone buys him time and he also knows that not all NATO countries or members on the UN Security Council are on sides. Western powers are leary of getting involved in the conflict, which looks more and more like a civil war, with reported heavy casualties on either side.

Yesterday it was revealed that a BBC crew was captured by Libyan thugs and reported beaten and threatened with execution. There was blood all over the cells and broken bones.

While France and the UK are clear on their support of a no fly zone, other countries including the United States have been cautious. Is the United States losing its leadership role in world?