LIBYA – AT 8:46 A.M. ET:  Although France is vowing quick action in Libya, following a UN Security Council vote authorizing military force, no action has begun.  And within Libya, although fighting continues, there has as yet been no major thrust by government forces against the rebels.

We learn of a briefing held yesterday afternoon in Washington.  From Foreign Policy:

Several administration officials held a classified briefing for all senators on Thursday afternoon in the bowels of the Capitol building, leaving lawmakers convinced President Barack Obama is ready to attack Libya but wondering if it isn't too late to help the rebels there.

Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Bill Burns led the briefing and was accompanied by Alan Pino, National Intelligence Officer for the Near East, Gen. John Landry, National Intelligence Officer for Military Issues, Nate Tuchrello, National Intelligence Manager for Near East, Rear Adm. Michael Rogers, Director of Intelligence for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Rear Admiral Kurt Tidd, Vice Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Several senators emerged from the briefing convinced that the administration was intent on beginning military action against the forces of Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi within the next few days and that such action would include both a no-fly zone as well as a "no-drive zone" to prevent Qaddafi from crushing the rebel forces, especially those now concentrated in Benghazi.

"It looks like we have Arab countries ready to participate in a no-fly and no-drive endeavor," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told reporters after the briefing.

Asked what he learned from the briefing, Graham said, "I learned that it's not too late, that the opposition forces are under siege but they are holding, and that with a timely intervention, a no-fly zone and no-drive zone, we can turn this thing around."

Asked exactly what the first wave of attacks would look like, Graham said, "We ground his aircraft and some tanks start getting blown up that are headed toward the opposition forces."

COMMENT:  Let's actually see what will happen.  We're watching this hour by hour.  There is, of course, the possibility of some diplomatic move by the Libyan government to keep itself in power while offering "negotiations."  It's an old ploy, but it often works.  We understand the Libyan foreign minister has scheduled a news conference for today.

Stand by.

March 18, 2011