At the time of writing, it is arguable that other sanctions or threats, short of military intervention, would be sufficient to deter more widespread bloodshed. Perhaps the rebels and the sanctions can overthrow Qaddafi unaided, without great loss of life.
谨慎原则是否适用于利比亚？这还需要专家对利比亚现状进行细致评估后才能确定。没人希望再打一场如同伊拉克和阿富汗那样旷日持久的战争。但利比亚不是伊拉克，也不是阿富汗，其人口只有前两者的五分之一，其现状是深得民心的政府民主化运动。假设外国军队能够很快击溃卡扎菲的部队，完成任务后也可以马上撤离，让利比亚人民自己决定自己的未来。