The UN Security Resolution on Libya: Why So Late?

The Libyan people's prayers have finally been answered. Immediately following Moammar Gadhafi's vow on sparing now mercy on his people, the United Nations Security Council immediately passed a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized ground attacks by foreign countries on Gadhafi's security forces. After the news, Libyans celebrated with celebratory gunfire and This resolution has been celebrated by the rebels besieged as the city has been shelled for the last two days by airstrikes and artillery purportedly fired upon civilians. Despite criticism from angered nations around the world regarding such crimes against Libya's civilians, Gadhafi continued defying suggestions and using violent force against the protesters. The question that remains within then heads of many observers observing the Libyan protesters is why the United Nations Security Council waited nearly a month and an estimated 3,000 civilian deaths later to approve a resolution supporting a no-fly zone and authorizing foreign ground attacks in Libya.
When the conflict began escalating between the Libyan protesters and Gadhafi's security forces, the United Nations Security Council did indeed meet in a session. Contrary to what many observers had expected, the Security Council terminated the session simply by issuing a merely symbolic statement criticizing Gadhafi's violent tactics against his own civilians. At the time, Gadhafi was on the tip of the cliff and grappled on to every small hints of power he had left. The western nations issued simple, symbolic statements because they had believed that the protesters were able to overthrow their dictator peacefully through protests. However, not to the surprise of anyone, Gadhafi used violent force against his protestors in order to grapple for power in his country and reconsolidate his power. He continued using airstrikes against peaceful protesters launched from fighter jets and artilleries. As time passed by, the situation perpetually worsened and observers began worrying. The death toll continued escalating and news channel were inundated with graphic photographs of decapitated bodies. It is now the protesters People began calling for the United Nations to issue a no-fly zone yet the world heard no response. It was not until a few hours ago when the United Nations Security Council issued a resolution calling for a no-fly zone and authorized ground force from a foreign power on Libya. Major leaders including Barack Obama have been issuing statements explicitly condemning Gadhafi's action, different from the past statements issued that used rather ambiguous and careful words.
This surprising United Nations resolution has many news analysts puzzled to why the United Nations and many world leaders waited for so long, waited until the protesters have been limited to their only city Benghazi to issue such explicit, condemning statements and wait until now to issue such resolution to stop Gadhafi's crime. The answer is explicitly clear. It is true that the United Nations wishes to clear that the United Nations wishes to minimize the number of casualties and violence in Libya, however, if that would be the case, the United Nations would have issued such resolution a long time ago, right when the blood bath in Libya had begun. Leaders would have issued such explicit statements right when such violent force was used. The leaders and the United Nations were rather worried on something much larger: If the world lets Gadhafi get away with such war crimes against civilians, this would motivate other dictators in the Arab region to refrain from hesitating on using such violent forces against their people to reconsolidate such power. This would also discourage citizens of Arab from protesting in countries, making Libya the last domino in the set of countries that have been subject to protests. Making Libya a tragic example of how the peaceful protesters failed. Making Libya a motivation for dictators to use violent forces against their people. As I write this post, leaders are making statements to what course of actions. Barack Obama has already outlined clear terms, however, many observers are confused to what course of actions the United States is going to take after Barack Obama clearly outlined that it will not used direct military action as he said troops are already deployed in two other countries. Many countries have committed aircraft and ships to be deployed to help enforce the no fly-zone, but now, it is unclear if any country or NATO is willing to engage in a direct, ground offensive. The world is anxiously waiting to know what is going to happen next.