The Netherlands is prepared to join in any military action against Libya, and the form that takes will depend on what the international community requests, foreign affairs minister Uri Rosenthal told Nos news on Friday.

‘Whoever says A, must also say B,’ Rosenthal said, meaning that the Netherlands could not simply pay lip service to supporting the intervention plan.
Defence minister Hans Hillen said the Netherlands would do what it is asked. ‘We will see if we can supply everything necessary,’ he said. It is also important to look to Arab countries for support, he said.
Earlier, prime minister Mark Rutte welcomed the UN security council decision to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

Protect citizens
‘The resolution goes further than just setting up a no-fly zone. It makes tough measures to protect Libya’s citizens possible,’ Rutte’s spokesman said.
The security body resolution imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and ‘all necessary measures’ short of an invasion ‘to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas’.
The measure was approved by 10 of the 15 strong committee with five abstentions.
Britain, France and Norway have also indicated their willingness to join an intervention effort.
MPs from across the political spectrum also welcomed the decision to impose the no-fly zone.
For more on the UN resolution, see our international news section.