France Divided on Libya Ground Troops

Looks like the U.S. isn’t the only country with deep divides on Libya policy: French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé said Tuesday that he is “totally hostile” to the idea of sending ground troops to Libya. Instead, Juppe stressed the importance of the rebels to guide the NATO bombing campaign against Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s forces. Juppe’s remarks are a direct contradiction of comments made Sunday by French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet, who said a longer period of the foreign military operation in Libya—including ground troops—may be necessary. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Wednesday with Moustapha Abejaill, the president of the main rebel council, at Elysée Palace in Paris.