G8 leaders split on no-fly zone over Libya

PARIS, March 15 (UPI) -- Ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized countries meeting in Paris were divided about intervening militarily in Libya, observers said.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Tuesday he couldn't convince other G8 ministers to endorse a no-fly zone over Libya in response to the violence between rebels and forces loyal to strongman Moammar Gadhafi, Radio France Internationale reported.

While France advocates a no-fly zone to ground Libyan warplanes and protect Libyan civilians, the United States, the European Union and Russia have urged caution about a no-fly zone and military intervention.

Since protesters began rallying against Gadhafi's four-decade regime in mid-February, Libya has deteriorated into civil war, humanitarian organizations said. Heavily armed pro-Gadhafi forces have attacked rebel strongholds on land and by air. Rights organizations estimate 1,000 to 2,000 people have died.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Monday with Mahmoud Jibril, a Libyan opposition leader, to discuss what the United States could do beyond humanitarian aid.

"They had a private and candid conversation about ways in which the United States can assist the Libyan people in their efforts against the Gadhafi regime," State Department spokesman Philippe Reines said.