Stocks of some foodstuffs are likely to last only weeks in parts of Libya under control of Muammar Gaddafi, creating a "time bomb" for the population, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Libya said on Tuesday.
Panos Moumtzis, who coordinates U.N. relief efforts for the conflict, said he had been given information by the Libyan government that showed it was using up stocks of food and medicine, which could not be replenished because of sanctions.
Interestingly enough, the Libyans deny the food shortage. Still, the UN didn't say the government was out of food--just that it is running out:
"They have given us some information on their stocks available," Moumtzis said. "For some food commodities it's a matter of weeks, others perhaps a matter of months. What is clear is that this cannot continue for a very long time."
So who does this hurt? NATO as the bombing and sanctioning side, which will be forced to agree to a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons?
Or the Libyan government which might see loyalist support crack under the strain of lack of food?
We may know in a matter of weeks. Or perhaps months.
A siege is an old-fashioned form of warfare, even if the smart bombs make it seem modern. But in this day and age, can we starve an enemy into submission?
