Libyan Revolution Week 14

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/">AJE Live Blog (click link and go to Libya blog) http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/libya">The Guardian http://uk.reuters.com/places/libya">Reuters http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/">Telegraph http://feb17.info/">feb17.info http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks">Libya Alhurra (live video webcast from Benghazi) http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/">Libya Alhurra archives and updates http://www.ustream.tv/channel/benghaziradio">Benghazi Free Radio, in Arabic (may have translators present at times) http://www.tributefm.com/">Tribute FM (English broadcast from Benghazi) http://www.libyafeb17.com/">libyafeb17.com

Twitter links: http://twitter.com/#!/aymanm">Ayman Mohyeldin, with AJE http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn">Ben Wedeman, with CNN http://twitter.com/#!/tripolitanian">tripolitanian, a Libyan from Tripoli http://twitter.com/#!/BaghdadBrian">Brian Conley, reporter in Libya http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth">FreeLibyanYouth, Libyan advocate http://twitter.com/#!/LibyaFeb17_com">LibyaFeb17.com twitter account http://twitter.com/#!/ChangeInLibya">ChangeInLibya, Libyan advocate https://twitter.com/#!/TheyCallMeSof">Sofyan Amry (arrived in Benghazi recently) http://twitter.com/#!/KiloFoot">KiloFoot (general Arab Spring news aggregation)

Useful links: http://audioboo.fm/feb17voices">feb17voices http://www.google.com/search?q=time+in+libya">Current time in Libya http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=libya">Prayer times in Libya

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1108049">Week 13 here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwx_B38678">Marching On in Libya, for the revolutionaries!

Roller skaters perform tricks while a French flag - in tribute to the Nato member's role in aiding Benghazi's revolutionaries - flutters in the background.

As fighting rages further west in Libya, rebel-held Benghazi is seeing scenes unimaginable under Colonel Gaddafi's rule.
Photograph: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Benghazi-Rebel-Held-Town-Enjoying-Life-After-Colonel-Muammar-Gaddafi-While-Fighting-Rages-In-West/Media-Gallery/201105315994530">Sky News


Day 86, May 14

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFN1229938020110512">Most people in 23 nations back NATO action in Libya
Sixty percent of people from 23 countries support NATO's military intervention in Libya, a poll showed on Thursday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110513/wl_afp/libyaconflicticc">Warcrimes court to seek Libya arrest warrants on May 16
International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said on Friday he would seek arrest warrants on May 16 for three people considered most responsible for crimes against humanity in Libya.

http://www.npr.org/2011/05/13/136254231/rebel-leader-asks-u-s-for-frozen-libya-funds">Rebel Leader Asks U.S. For Frozen Libya Funds
A top representative of the Libyan opposition is making the rounds in Washington, including a planned visit to the White House on Friday.

Editorials
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/opinion/13elwarfally.html?_r=1">What the Libyan Resistance Needs
http://www.brookings.edu/events/2011/0512_libya_opposition.aspx">The Future of Libya: A View from the Opposition - video
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/for-libyan-rebels-a-light-moment-in-a-doleful-war/">For Libyan Rebels, a Light Moment in a Doleful War

Day 87, May 15

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/14/muammar-gaddafi-exit-halt-air-strikes">Muammar Gaddafi is hoping that a 'dignified' exit will halt air strikes
From his hiding place in Tripoli, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is desperately trying to pave a way for an exit from public life.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/world/africa/13tripoli.html?_r=1">Libya Offers Controlled Tour of NATO Bombing Sites in Tripoli
Taken at face value, the official Libyan account of an overnight NATO bombing attack on Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s leadership compound in the heart of Tripoli was wrenching — an example, as the Libyans told it, of NATO’s “barbarity” toward Libyan civilians and the West’s utter lack of concern for international “morality.”

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/201151415330280186.html">Libyan rebels seek European support
A senior leader of the Libyan opposition council has met French president Nicolas Sarkozy for talks in a bid to garner further international support for the fight against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20110514/164029405.html">Greece to send humanitarian aid to Benghazi
Greece will send a humanitarian aid ship to Libyan rebel's stronghold of Benghazi, Greek Foreign Minister, Dimitris Droutsas said on Saturday.

Day 88, May 16

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/15/world/africa/how-libya-rebels-repelled-qaddafi-western-mountains.html">How Libyan Rebels Have Repelled Qaddafi in the Western Mountains
While much attention has been focused on rebel efforts in eastern Libya and in the city of Misurata, rebels have held control of most of the Nafusah Mountain region since the unrest began in February.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i_YyD1dYZ5Io27kBye-gB-aTe94Q?docId=8a3e0c3130ba4c14831e08c9de3be4ae">Prosecutors put final touches to Libya indictment
Senior officials in the embattled government of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi have come forward to offer evidence to the International Criminal Court in its investigation of widespread murder and persecution, prosecutors said Sunday.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/">Libya: Liam Fox rejects calls to 'up the ante'
The Defence Secretary on Sunday appeared to slap down calls by his most senior military commander for Nato to "up the ante" in Libya.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/15/radio-free-benghazi-war-words">Radio free Benghazi – the war of words
Four young men have started up Libya's first English language radio station. The broadcasts are an extraordinary symbol of revolution.

Day 89, May 17

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/multimedia/video-and-audio/detail.dot?mediaInode=a7db82f0-ca0d-4a3f-84a9-bf9bc4cf99c7">Libyan rebels step up operations - video
Libyan rebels in Misrata shell pro-Gaddafi forces as rebels in southwest look to professionalise their ranks.

Gaddafis named as international criminal court suspects
Chief prosecutor requests crimes against humanity arrest warrants for Libyan leader, son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi.

http://nifcrimes.com/Libya_redacted.pdf">ICC complaint (PDF)
Pursuant to Article 58(1) of the Rome Statute, the Prosecution applies to Pre-Trial Chamber I for the issuance of arrest warrants against Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for their individual responsibility for the crimes against humanity of persecution based on political grounds and murder committed from 15 of February 2011 onwards by Libyan Security Forces, meaning all military, intelligence and police forces under Gaddafi's authority, in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata and other localities of the Libyan territory.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/18/world/africa/18cemetery.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&seid=auto&smid=tw-nytimes">Libyan City Buries Its Attackers Respectfully
The corpses of the soldiers of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, wrapped in cloth or plastic sheets, had arrived in trucks. The men who would bury them sprinkled perfumed powder on the dead men’s burned or bloodied brows. Then they prayed. A quiet processional began.

Day 90, May 18

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/17/nato-denies-libyan-report-attack-on-warship">Nato denies Libyan report of attack on alliance warship
Officials brush off state television claims that Gaddafi forces hit a Nato ship off the coast of Misrata

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/18/uk-libya-idUKTRE74E1I420110518">Tunisia demands Libya stop cross-border shelling
Tunisia's state-run TAP news agency said the government would threaten Libya with diplomatic action over the "continuing firing of rockets by Libyan forces towards Tunisian territory".

http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/update/2011/libya-update-2011-05-17.htm">Libya: Red Crescent volunteers and medical personnel in danger
Fighting in Misrata and other cities in Libya is denying medical aid to civilians and causing casualties among health personnel.

http://livewire.amnesty.org/2011/05/18/families-devastated-by-shelling-in-misratah/">Families devastated by shelling in Misratah
After a 36-hour journey on a rather rocky fishing boat braving the Mediterranean sea, we arrived in Misratah – a city where the impact of a two-month long siege and heavy shelling and fighting can be seen and felt in virtually every neighbourhood, street and home.

Day 91, May 19

http://www.brnieq.com/?p=38161">Official number of those kidnapped in Misurata more than 850 people, including women and children
Coordinator of the Committee stressed the communications and missing in Misurata Tariq Abdul-Hadi Mahjoub that the number of missing persons in the city more than 850 people including 20 children and 25 elderly, pointing out that there are entire families of the kidnapped.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=175440789176917&set=a.175440719176924.48475.164215266966136&type=1&theater&pid=432873&id=164215266966136">Photos of large demonstration in Misurata Monday

http://www.al-bab.com/arab/articles/text/arabs_and_the_long_revolution.htm">Arabs and the long revolution
THE POPULAR UPRISING that began in Tunisia last December came as a surprise in one sense, but in another sense it was no surprise at all. Rather like an earthquake, we could be pretty sure it was going to happen, though nobody could say exactly when.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/opinion/19lucht.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">The Killing Seas
EBO got nervous when, in the middle of one night in 2003, he was taken to the beach in Zuwarah by the Libyan smugglers and saw the challenge he had taken on. He and two other fishermen from Ghana had agreed to be captains of a boat filled with migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy. In exchange, they were to get free passage. They were told that they could refuse to go if the boat was not seaworthy or if the smugglers had overloaded it.

Thanks to tabatha and Iterate for those, it was a slow day that day...

Day 92, May 20

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/world/africa/20journalist.html?partner=rss&emc=rss">Missing Photographer in Libya Is Presumed Dead
The family of Anton Hammerl, a South African photojournalist who has been missing in Libya since early last month, said late Thursday that they think he died after being shot on April 5 in the desert.

http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20110520-abdoulaye-wade-reconnait-le-cnt-libyen">Abdoulaye Wade recognizes the Libyan NTC
A delagation from the Libyan National Transitional Council was recieved this Thursday, May 19th 2011 by the Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade. Better known as "insurgents", two diplomatic representatives, Ali Zeidan and Mansour Saif-al-Nasr, went to Dakar. Habib Sy, the head of the president's cabinet, publically read a final statement in which Senegal recognized the NTC as "historic and legitmate opposition" in Libya.

http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/qatar/152916-most-arabs-want-gaddafi-removed-poll.html">Most Arabs want Gaddafi removed: Poll
DOHA: A huge majority of Arabs want to see the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi forcibly removed from power, according to an opinion poll commissioned by The Doha Debates.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE19/019/2011/en/4efa1e19-06c1-4609-9477-fe0f2f4e2b2a/mde190192011en.pdf">Misratah – Under Siege And Under Fire (PDF)
44 page document that is a heartbreaking read, anyone questioning Gaddafi's "ethical war against insurgents" needs to think again.

Thanks to al bupp, tabatha and newcomer agentS for those.


http://twitter.com/#!/Libyamap">Click here for updated map

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">A topic on the women of the revolution, dispels myths about the treatment of women in Benghazi.

Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0">The Battle of Benghazi. BBC Panorama on Libya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA">Part 1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s">Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M">Video of the convoy sent to take Benghazi, taken from a dead soliders cell phone (shows how massive the operation was). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_embedded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc">Tea of Freedom Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41kQvx4uKw">Libya: Part 2 - The Uprising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vNWCGDkdWY">Benghazi - Backbone of the Libyan revolution

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-10-0">March 10 7:28pm Saif al Islam Gaddafi says "the time has come for full-scale military action" against Libyan rebels. He goes on to say that Libyan forces loyal to his family "will never surrender, even if western powers intervene".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of UN resolution 1973. How will a no fly zone work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k">AJE reports.

Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component. Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade. Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations. Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters. France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft. Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade. Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations. Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support." NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO. Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane. Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base. Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft. Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand. Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters. Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign. Turkey: The Turkish Navy http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo. United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission. United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers. United States: The United States has http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.

"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone."Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi

(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

http://english.libya.tv/2011/04/25/eastern-libyans-believe-in-national-unity-distrust-au-and-turkish-mediation-survey-reveals/">The first free public opinion poll ever conducted in Libya reveals clues to Eastern Libyan sentiments
* 98 percent of the respondents do not support the division of Libya as a part of the political solution for the current conflict with the Gaddafi regime. Around 95 percent also don’t see any role for Gaddafi or his sons in a transitional period, and think it is impossible to implement any political reform in Libya if Gaddafi or one of his sons stays in power

* Around 96 percent of those polled, believe that the 17th of February revolution can consolidate the national unity of Libya and support the model of a democratic Libya based on a constitution which respects human rights

* Al-Qaeda has not played any role in the 17th of February revolution, say 94 percent of the Eastern Libyans, and 91 percent thinks it’s impossible for Al-Qaeda to play any political role in the new Libya

* The National Transitional Council is seen by 92 percent of those surveyed as “expressing the views and wishes of Libyans for change”

This is equivalent to 17% the entire population of Libya, doing the numbers very conservatively.

http://jenkinsear.com/2011/03/19/a-legal-war-the-united-nations-participation-act-and-libya/">A Legal War: The United Nations Participation Act and Libya
The above link is to an overview of why Obama's implementation of the NFZ and R2P is perfectly legal under the law. I will not post it entirely here, however, all objections come down to the misinformed position that Obama, by using forces in Libya, was invoking Article 43 of the United Nations. This is wrong. Obama invoked Article 42, which does not require congressional approval to implement. Proof of this is that Article 43 has http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml#rel5">never been used.

It goes like this: The US law (Title 22, Chap. 7, Subchap. XIV § 287d) grants the President the right to invoke UN Article 42 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00000287---d000-.html">without authorization, the War Powers Act (Title 50, Chap. 33 § 1541) grants the President permission to act without authorization under http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/50/1541–1548.html">"specific statutory authorization" which, by definition, is what 287d does. § 1543 of the War Powers Act requires the President to report to Congress, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/obama_explains_libya_mission_to_congress/2011/03/03/ABU9377_blog.html">which he did. One can argue all day and night about the legality of the War Powers Act, doesn't change the fact that under the law as it is written, the President acted within the law.

Editorials worth reading.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2011/03/2011328194855872276.html">Libyan Karzai? Chalabi? Forget it, http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/04/04/110404taco_talk_anderson#ixzz1HvS7iW22">Who Are the Rebels?, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/vision-democratic-libya-interim-national-council">A vision of a democratic Libya, http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/is-qaddafi-an-anti-racist/">Is Qaddafi an anti-racist?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/20/left-slipping-towards-qaddafi">The left: slipping towards Gaddafi?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/27/once-again-“stop-bombing”">Once again on "stop the bombing", http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/an-open-letter-to-the-left-on-libya.html">An Open Letter to the Left on Libya, http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/top-ten-ways-that-libya-2011-is-not-iraq-2003.html">Top Ten Ways that Libya 2011 is Not Iraq 2003, http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/09/110509fa_fact_anderson">Sons of the Revolution

Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi

"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this began

I'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_ded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire is a documentary about Mo's last days, please watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg">Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help.

Mo leaves behind a wife who is with child, she had http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:

We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.

[joshcryer]

1. Libyan Revolution Day 93 updates below, current time in Libya, 2:44pm Saturday, May 21

I'd like to thank whoever gave me a new star, I dunno who you are, but something tells me it has to do with these threads. You are awesome, and I don't deserve it. I hope you win a golden ticket! :)

I'd also like to apologize for letting the DSK thing take all my "DU time" the past few days while posting here, I really cannot multitask and I suck for it. But there's something about my personality that compels me strongly to defend the weak. I dunno what that is. Next week I'll be quicker to update this.

[pinboy3niner]

2. K&R

You mean you weren't shooting for "a thread that never dies"? :)


:hi:

[Yosarian71]

4. Gadhafi's hometown in rebels' sights

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Gadhafi+hometown+rebels+sights/4821191/story.html

Several reports of engagements near Brega too.

[Iterate]

3. Nafusa Mountain News

Rebels battle Gadhafi forces in Libyan mountains
From Nic Robertson, CNN
May 21, 2011 -- Updated 1300 GMT (2100 HKT)

Zintan, Libya (CNN) -- Over the past two days, Moammar Gadhafi's forces have unleashed their biggest attack yet against one of the mountainous rebel strongholds in western Libya, according to one of his former generals.

Haji Usama, as he is known to the rebels, was once a top commander in Gadhafi's forces. He spent decades in the Libyan army including a tour of duty in neighboring Chad, and now commands in Zintan, population 40,000.

Today, he hates that his former commander in chief regards him as a terrorist.

Haji Usama says that early Thursday morning about 150 of Gadhafi's infantry troops -- supported by about 40 vehicles, including long range "Grad" rocket launchers and heavy, long-range machine guns -- began an attack on three fronts near Zintan.

more...
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/21/libya.zintan/

Nic Robertson arrived in the area yesterday. He posted this series of tweets on the journey.

NicRobertsonCNN
Out and about in Djerba: cafes busy but hard to find Tunisians who watched Obama speech; implies little of value in it for them
19 Mai

Within 15 minutes of crossing in to rebel-held western mountains in Libya fighters here ask where is NATO?
Rebel Fighters in western mountains #Libya show us weapons they say captured from Gadhafi forces - not many, much of it old
20 Mai
Gadhafi forces shelling mountain tops that rebels use to control the roads in valleys
Rebels say Gadhafi forces using grad rockets, 23mm heavy machine gun and 81mm mortar to try to take back Dehibat border crossing
Shelling at Dehibat crossing on Tunisian-Libyan border, Tunisian Army soldiers a bit tense
Gadhafi forces unleash biggest attack yet agnst rebel stronghold in Libya's W mountains, top rebel commander says http://tiny.cc/u59xs

Drive here from Tunisian border uneventful, thru rebel-held territory in barren mountainside.Rebel fighters say abt 40000 people in Zintan
Zintan itself quiet but can hear the shelling few kilometers away
In Zintan, can see smoke rising from shells landing abt five kilomaters away, rebels say Gadhafi forces attacking nearby village
vor 21 Stunden

Yefren:
Crickets and RT's all day.

Late Friday night there was this request:
URGENT: Action Required in Nafusa Mountains Yefren and Al Qala
von Libyan Youth Movement, Freitag, 20. Mai 2011 um 15:37

http://goo.gl/XAhld

We all know the Yefren has been under siege, with nearly constant shell and missile fire, foul water and little food. The FB posting includes these lines:
"3. In one battle on the 10th of May in Saffeet district in AlGalaa, freedom fighters found a telephone of one of the killed officers and a telephone call tells that these two towns have to be wiped out."

Latest update from Nafusa reposted:
LPC #Jadu: Update of events in Wazin, Nalut, Jadu, Rujban, Yefren, Zentan, Qalaa & Riyayna
http://audioboo.fm/boos/362328-lpc-jadu-update-of-events-in-wazin-nalut-jadu-rujban-yefren-zentan-qalaa-riyayna-libya-feb17

LPC #Jadu: Besieged cities of Kiklah, Qalaa & Yefren are in critical need of humanitarian aid (cont)
http://audioboo.fm/boos/362339-lpc-jadu-besieged-cities-of-kiklah-qalaa-yefren-are-in-critical-need-of-humanitarian-aid-cont-libya

or here:
May 20 2011, 10:10 pm: report from Nafusa Mountains, Libya, recorded live on Libya Alhurra.
http://youtu.be/PS7-N54GHn0

[tabatha]

5. In the Land of the Brother Leader - August 27, 2009; Gaddafi in hiding

When you visit another country, it's hard to get a feel for what it's actually like until you leave your hotel room, go for a walk, take a look around, and hang out while soaking it in. Not so in Libya. All you have to do there is show up. It will impose itself on you at once.

My Air Afriquiya flight touched down on the runway next to a junkyard of filthy, gutted and broken-down aircraft in an airport otherwise empty of planes. When I stepped out of the hatch into the jetway, I came face to face with three uniformed military goons who scrutinized me and everyone else from behind reflective oversize sunglasses.

.....

We started with the museum. Phoenician and Roman artifacts were on the first floor. Upstairs was the "Islamic period." The top floor was entirely dedicated to the glorification of Qaddafi.

One room displayed gifts to the colonel from foreign officials and heads of state — swords, jeweled boxes, a crystal map of "Palestine" that included Tel Aviv. A living-room set upholstered with a tacky floral print was roped off in a corner. "That's where Qaddafi sits with foreign guests he wants to impress," Abdul said.

http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/2009/08/in-the-land-of.php

An example of the state of hospitals in Libya under Gaddafi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQJR1HpUi4&feature=share

NATO Says Libya's Leader is 'Hiding'
A NATO spokesman says the alliance's air campaign over Libya has effectively forced leader Moammar Gadhafi into hiding.

Wing Commander Mike Bracken says airstrikes targeting pro-Gadhafi forces in Tripoli have hampered Gadhafi's ability to control his forces.

Bracken commented Friday after NATO said it had launched a series of airstrikes that targeted warships used by pro-government forces. NATO said it hit vessels that were in the ports of Sirte, al-Khums and the capital, Tripoli.

An alliance official, Libyan operations Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Russell Harding, said NATO had "no choice but to take decisive action" after pro-Gadhafi forces carried out mining operations and escalated their use of maritime force.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/NATO-Says-Libyas-Leader-is-Hiding--122382754.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Totally off topic, but of African interest, an Australian (they seem to have some of the best) website topic "Africa to Australia".
http://www.sbs.com.au/africatoaustralia/#/do-i-really-belong-here
)

[Yosarian71]

6. FT interviews former/future Libyan Central Banker

Good interview.

http://video.ft.com/v/946393675001/Libyan-cash-may-be-hidden-in-desert

Multiple reports of banks running out of money. What the heck is holding Gadhafi's regime together?

[tabatha]

7. Tripoli Youth

#Tripoli call: "Spoke to one Navy General, He said the night the Navy base got bombed by Nato, The Navy Soldiers were all celebrating from joy, crying and clapping from joy. The Way they got hit too was just too perfect and on target. no one got hurt. no injured no harm at all. Some of the soldiers got in trouble for celebrating but they all ok"
http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/Libya17Feb/~OZ7kD

Libya17Feb Tripoli Youth
@libyaoutreach Ok let me ask my friend if the navy general can give a interview.. will follow you and keep in touch

#Tripoli Call: "about 15 Soldiers from the air force were called and taken to Algeria without their notice on where they are going, One of them called me from Algeria today morning and said "we have been told there are missions we need to do. We suspect these missions will be a suicide kind of missions with jets but will call again when i get chance to tell you exactly whats hidden for us""

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
"Gaddafi goon bus attack is textbook hostage trick. Make journos grateful 2 goons 4 protection from other goons." via @damnyanqui BRILLIANT
Benghazi: Video of the explosive that security found earlier. Foiled Gaddafi attempt to blow up media centre. http://goo.gl/PViKF #libya
Zawiya: BREAKING: Very big clashes between freedom fighters and Gaddafi forces in Zawiya (via Facebook) #libya #feb17

[Iterate]

8. 'I Am No Longer Gadhafi's Ambassador'

'I Am No Longer Gadhafi's Ambassador'
05/20/2011 SPIEGEL International

Libya's ambassadors to the United Nations, the US and India renounced the Gadhafi regime long ago. But the country's ambassador to Germany, Jamal El-Baraq, kept quiet. Now he has distanced himself from the dictator in a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mr. Baraq, former Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa fled the country in March. Oil Minister Shukri Ghanem is reported to have defected. And now there are even rumors that Moammar Gadhafi's wife and daughter have arrived in Tunisia. What is your position regarding the regime in Tripoli?

Baraq: It will collapse. The regime is fighting against its own people. It fires on defenseless people with heavy artillery. I come from Misrata -- my whole family comes from there. Every day, acquaintances and friends of ours are being killed there. A school friend of my son Rawad has just died.

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Why are you only making such critical remarks now? Why did you not renounce the regime long ago, like your fellow ambassadors in Delhi and in Washington? Abdurrahman Shalgham, Libya's former ambassador to the United Nations, did so right at the beginning of the crisis.

Baraq: I called Shalgham at the time. He was the person who originally sent me to Berlin as ambassador. He told me: Continue with your work for now. And that's what I did. Libya's people's bureaus (ed's note: Libya' s official name for its embassies) abroad represent, as the name suggests, the people. I am no longer Gadhafi's ambassador. I am a representative of the Libyan people.

more...
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,763839,00.html

Weasel.

A Look at the Root Causes of the Arab Revolution
05/20/2011

SPIEGEL interview, French social scientist Emmanuel Todd discusses the demographic roots of the Arab revolution, which he argues was spurred by rising literacy and rapidly shrinking birth rates. He also muses on the ghost of Osama bin Laden, arguing "al-Qaida was already dead," and on why he believes Germany is not a part of the "core West."

SPIEGEL: Monsieur Todd, in the middle of the Cold War, in the days of Leonid Brezhnev, you predicted the collapse of the Soviet system. In 2002, you described the economic and imperial erosion of the United States, a global superpower. And, four years ago, you and your colleague Youssef Courbage predicted the unavoidable revolution in the Arab world. Are you clairvoyant?

Todd: The academic as fortune-teller -- a tempting idea. But Courbage and I merely analyzed the reasons for a possible -- or let's say likely -- revolution in the Arab world, an inexorable change, which could also have unfolded as a gradual evolution. Our work was like that of geologists who compile the signs of an imminent earthquake or volcanic eruption. But when exactly the eruption takes place, and its form and severity -- these things cannot be predicted in an exact way.

SPIEGEL: On what indicators do you base your probability calculation?

Todd: Mainly on three factors: the rapid increase in literacy, particularly among women, a falling birthrate and a significant decline in the widespread custom of endogamy, or marriage between first cousins. This shows that the Arab societies were on a path toward cultural and mental modernization, in the course of which the individual becomes much more important as an autonomous entity.

more...
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,763537,00.html

[tabatha]

9. TRIPOLI UPDATE May 21st, 2011, A School That Brings Smiles to Libyan Children

3- Spoke to a second military officer this afternoon who came to find me to pass on the info that there is news between his ranks that a plan was being finalised to send troops by sea to Misrata and Benghazi. This was before the hit on the navy facilities. There is suggestion that NATO might have received intelligence and therefore attacked the navy. He confirms that this plan is no longer in operation.

LibyanDictator The Dictator
@ChangeInLibya A group of high ranking marines fled after that order was given, they probably passed info on to NATO.

4- Heavy talk on the streets of Tripoli of annoyance that reporters are reporting Tripoli as 'normal'. This in light of very recent reports by SKY and BBC suggesting "Tripoli is normal".
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?created&¬e_id=154502877950392&id=133738650025293

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Tripoli: Banks are out of cash. Salaries no longer being paid and even if you have money in your bank account, you can't withdraw it. #libya

lookatlibya Look@Libya
New tactic by pro-Gadaffi activists: mass emails with so called 'benefits' of #Gadaffi rule based entirely on lies. #Libya

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Yefren: NATO are sending warnings to Gaddafi forces in Yefren http://goo.gl/PoAgw (1:20+) | must see | big strikes could be imminent. #libya
Libya: BREAKING: Recording of NATO PSYOPS transmissions urging Gaddafi forces to defect or return home http://goo.gl/PoAgw #libya #feb17
More Gaddafi regime officials are crossing the Tunisian border with no intentions of going back I assume. #libya #feb17

A School That Brings Smiles to Libyan Children
Thursday, May 19
It is 2:00 p.m. local time. An announcer through a microphone reminded residents at Ramada camp, a camp run by the Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for Libyan refugees in Tunisia, it was time for Islamic Relief's after school programs.Children ages 3 to 14 rushed to line up for the start of the program. Libyan mothers came out of their tents calling upon their children to join the activities. Each group was divided by age and class activity. Some of the older children brought their infant siblings along.
http://blog.islamicreliefusa.org/2011/05/school-that-brings-smiles-to-libyan.html

[Iterate]

10. Libyan Revolution Day 94 updates below, current time in Libya,12:04 AM on Sunday, 22 May

ChangeInLibya FLASH: Libya State Tv showed live footage of the explosions near #Bab-Alazizyia #Tripoli #Libya
vor 18 Minuten

@ChangeInLibya: Yefren: NATO are sending warnings to Gaddafi forces in Yefren http://goo.gl/PoAgw

[joshcryer]

11. Misrata still being shelled by Gaddafi loyalists, journalists attacked, Obama on Libya

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/21/uk-libya-idUKTRE74E1I420110521">Libya rebels say government shells port city
Libyan government forces shelled residential areas on Saturday outside Misrata, a port city held by rebels fighting to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, a rebel website said.

The shelling damaged houses in the eastern and western outskirts of the city but no one was hurt, said the Brnieq opposition newspaper on its website. There was no independent confirmation of the attack.

Three months into an uprising against Gaddafi's four-decade rule, rebels control the oil-producing east of the country and pockets in the west including Misrata, where hundreds have died in a siege and weeks of fierce fighting.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/21/uk-libya-journalists-idUKTRE74K1I420110521">Libya crowd attacks bus carrying foreign journalists
Libyans armed with guns and a knife stormed a bus carrying foreign journalists on Saturday and a soldier fired volleys of gunfire into the air to disperse the crowd, a Reuters journalist on the bus said.

The attack reflected Libyan anger at severe petrol shortages, a two-month-old NATO bombing campaign against Muammar Gaddafi's government and state media reports that foreign journalists misrepresent the news.

The incident started when a hotel shuttle bus carrying a Reuters reporter and a journalist with Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television to the Tunisian border became snarled in a long line of motorists waiting for fuel at a petrol station in Zawiyah, west of the capital.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/21/uk-libya-usa-obama-idUKTRE74K08920110521">Obama, on Libya deadline, welcomes Congress support
U.S. President Barack Obama, facing criticism from some lawmakers that U.S. military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is about to become illegal, said on Friday the mission would benefit from congressional support.

...

"I wish to express my support for the bipartisan resolution ... which would confirm that the Congress supports the U.S. mission in Libya and that both branches are united in their commitment," the president said in a letter to top lawmakers.

[tabatha]

12. Meet the Libyan rebels who live in the desert, Obama's State Visit to UK

Meet the Libyan rebels who live in the desert
Rebel forces continue to fight against Colonel Gaddafi's troops in the east of Libya, with no sign of an end to the conflict despite Nato strikes.
The city of Benghazi is a rebel stronghold, but just 100km away there is a stand off between both sides at the town of Brega.
Andrew Hosken sent this report from a nearby rebel base in the desert.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13485343

Barack Obama's state visit to Britain hit by splits over Libya
Military and diplomatic sources in both Britain and the US are privately critical over the other side’s role in the action which has hit a damaging “stalemate” and left Colonel Muammar Gadaffi clinging to power.

Britain wants the US to take more of a defined role in the campaign, with UK military chiefs protesting that the effectiveness of bombing raids is being lessened by the absence of American leadership.

US diplomatic sources, meanwhile, have criticised Britain as a “skittish” and unpredictable ally which frequently issues a “red card” -- effectively vetoing a target, causing confusion and greatly hampering proper planning.

Mr Obama emphasised the differences between the two allies yesterday, describing the action against Libya as “limited” in a letter to US lawmakers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africaandindianocean/libya/8528195/Barack-Obamas-state-visit-to-Britain-hit-by-splits-over-Libya.html

James Wheeler tweets
I've been in Tunisia & Libyan border areas over 3 wks now, living with #Libyan 'rebels'. Awesome guys. alQaeda's worst nightmare. #feb17
@wheelertweets Ring a bell, America? Let's support them more. This is the kind of fight we should be in. #libya #feb17
@lionbarstednews No. Ibrahim Al-Madani of Zintan in the Western Mountains of #Libya. Son of slain epic military leader Mohammed Al-Madani.
@littlelisa8 Yes. Wounded or not, these freedom fighters are a real inspiration. They fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
http://twitter.com/#!/wheelertweets

Gaddafi Forces burn and steal peoples farms in Nalut.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yACnm9TZeKs

Fuller report
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/ajvq6v

The media committee of the Revolution of February 17 Nalut
http://tinyurl.com/3wzdyqp

Awesome Libyan music station
http://www.libya.fm/

[tabatha]

13. Poland's foreign minister on Libya's future

Poland's foreign minister on Libya's future

BENGHAZI – This week, I flew to Benghazi to meet Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC), a visit coordinated with European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton and NATO allies.

I was the first Western foreign minister to travel to Libya since the crisis began. What I saw reminded me of my country 20 years ago, just after Poland’s first free elections, which, together with the fall of the Berlin Wall barely six months later, came to symbolize the Cold War’s end.

.....

North Africa’s people know what they don’t want – and won’t accept. But they are struggling to identify what they do want, and how to build it. As I saw in Benghazi, there is a fair chance that Libya’s emerging leaders will be good, realistic partners for good realistic policies.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of Radek Sikorski.
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/16/polands-foreign-minister-on-libyas-future-2/

Aftermath of NATO hitting ministry and intelligence buildings in Tripoli
Sky News reporter Mark Stone attests to the accuracy of NATO air strikes. “One thing that strikes me as we see bomb sites is the level of accuracy of the NATO weapons. Building hit, building metres away untouched,” he said on Twitter. Whether the strikes are right or wrong, they seem to be hitting their designated targets. “Yesterday at the port, we saw small (50m) military boats destroyed, and yet the harbour which they were moored to undamaged.”

Journalists at the Rixos Hotel were taken on Saturday to the bomed “Ministry of Oversight & Inspection”, which is supposedly the “anti-corruption ministry” according to the Libyan regime. The journalists spent one hour there observing the damage. “We found the remains of what we believe was a JDAM bomb in the wreckage of the Ministry,” Mark Stone writes.
http://www.libyafeb17.com/

[joshcryer]

14. Syria news roundup:

http://www.salon.com/news/middle_east/?story=/news/feature/2011/05/21/ml_syria_15">Rights group raises Friday toll in Syria to 44
The Syrian Security forces crackdown on protesters in different parts of the country left at least 44 people dead on Friday, making it one of the deadliest days since an uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime began two months ago, a rights group said Saturday.

Syria, meanwhile, blamed "armed groups" for the casualties and put the toll at 17.

The National Organization for Human Rights in Syria, whose leader Ammar Qurabi is currently in Turkey, said most of the deaths occurred in the northern province of Idlib and the central region of Homs.

On Friday, thousands of Syrians defied an unrelenting government crackdown and flooded the streets across the country to buttress their two-month uprising against the country's authoritarian regime. Authorities responded with live ammunition, causing the large number of casualties, right groups say.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-working-on-imposing-sanctions-on-syria/article2030214/">Canada working on imposing sanctions on Syria
Prime Minister Stephen Harper is following in the footsteps of his Western allies and looking to impose sanctions against the Syrian government in response to its crackdown on pro-democracy supporters.

As he prepares to travel to France for next week’s G8 Summit, Mr. Harper is also moving on plans to promote religious freedom in the Middle East and to support the youth movements that have toppled long-standing dictators in the region.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/syrian-forces-kill-mourners-as-toll-rises-to-49-20110522-1eyin.html">Syrian forces kill mourners as toll rises to 49
Syrian forces have killed at least five people in a funeral procession for anti-government activists, raising the two-day death toll in the country to 49.

Syria's National Organisation for Human Rights, whose leader Ammar Qurabi is in Turkey, said 44 people were killed on Friday, most in the province of Idlib and the central region of Homs.

At least 900 people have died since Syrians began protesting against Assad's 11-year rule two months ago.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/world/middleeast/20syria.html">Syria Condemns U.S. Sanctions on Assad
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Syrian government condemned on Thursday American sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad and six of his top officials over the ferocious crackdown on antigovernment protesters that human rights activists say has killed at least 850 people.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/middle-east/Hezbollah-Supportive-of-Egyptian-Tunisian-Uprisings-But-Not-Syrias-122348949.html">Hezbollah Supportive of Egyptian, Tunisian Uprisings But Not Syria's
Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militia group and political movement, used its al-Manar television channel to broadcast images supportive of anti-government protesters in Egypt and Tunisia. But analysts say the Shi'ite group's attitude toward the popular uprising in neighboring Syria has been very different, reflecting its close ties to the Syrian government.

As protesters demanded the ouster of authoritarian leaders in Egypt and Tunisia, Hezbollah's TV station, al-Manar, broadcast images and reports supportive of the demonstrators. But as one of the few media outlets allowed inside Syria to cover its uprising during the last two months, al-Manar has portrayed protesters there in a very different light.

Yasmine Dabbous, assistant professor of journalism and media studies at the Lebanese American University (LAU) says this apparent double standard has to do with the organization's relationship with the governments in these countries.

[tabatha]

15. Bad things happening in the western mountains

live2Tripoli
The bright side is...just had dinner with Reuters. So we are definitely going to get some coverage here!! Let's hope their media gets out!
Everyone in #Benghazi is fine. Security have caught the suspects and are investigating the incident regarding the bomb found. #Libya #Feb17
#Muammar also has Grad missile factories in #Libya... Seems like he's been making them for a long long time! #Libya #Feb17
#Muammar use to send the IRA these types of explosives...and to other terrorist orgs around the world #Libya #Feb17
If the bomb (found in #Benghazi's media centre) was of Semtex material, 1Kg of it would destroy a whole building. Imagine 3-4kg!? #Libya

#GaddafiCrimes: human shield, rape, murder, theft, terrorism, kidnapping, destruction of homes and the list goes on and on and on. #Libya
@NATO flying above #JabalNafusa now....Strike Strike Strike!! #Libya #Feb17
If you've missed it this is a photo of Alghezaia (alghazaya) town flickr.com/photos/6123587… Sorry thats the best the lens can do for now...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/61235870@N07/5693316954/in/photostream
All this bad news .....Will only be followed by good news....Insh'Allah that will follow shortly, I pray... #Libya #Feb17
#Yifrin: The situation is critical. Supplies and aid are scarce. The injured can't be treated and and and.... #GADDAFICRIMES #Libya #Feb17

#Yifrin: Nearly 3/4 of the homes have now been destroyed. #Libya #Feb17 #JabalNafusa #GaddafiCrimes
For the past 3day #Yifrin and #Qalaa have been bombarded with about 500 missiles. #Libya #feb17 #JabalNafusa
I'll try to get these reports gathered in one place after I can confirm them. Sorry for the burst. It's beyond comprehension if it's true!
Sorry one more tweet about Alghezaia. A man who managed to escape said: "If you can wipe out Alghezaia go ahead". this is really sad...
Comment by FF: "@NATO is flirting with #Muammar's forces by just flying over. Why don't they hit. #Libya #Feb17

One more tweet about Alghezaia, Mercenaries are now in charge and are forcing Libyans to the front lines to fight FF. #Libya #Feb17 #Nafusa
Now these reports I can not confirm myself, but will definitely I will look into them. Hopefully #gaddaficrimes will get some attention.
Also & this is the last one I'm tweeting. Women are being forced on top of tanks (completely uncovered). #Libya #JabalNafusa #gaddaficrimes
There are reports and reports and reports!! #GADDAFICRIMES #LIBYA #FEB17 #JABALNAFUSA

Also another report about 6 men who were also stripped of their clothing managed as well 2 escape #gaddaficrimes #Libya #feb17 #JabalNafusa
Another report is about 2 women stripped of their clothing, managed to escape to #Tunisia, Who I thank so much for taking care of them!!
Alghezia north west of #Nalut is where #Muammar's forces are currently gathered and have been for over a month. #gaddaficrimes #Libya #feb17
Alghezaia thought if they stayed out of #feb17 that they would be left alone...They were wrong #Muammar's doesn't leave anyone alone! #Libya
One report is about a young woman raped in front of her father while he watches helplessly! #Libya #gaddaficrimes #feb17 #JabalNafusa
FF are watching #Muammar's men closely. There are enough mercenaries at Alghezaia raping the city out of breath! #Libya #JabalNafusa #feb17
People in #JabalNafusa find it unattractive to talk about things that have hurt their honour. #Libya #GaddafiCrimes #feb17
Slowly but sure news about rape occurrences is coming out here in #JabalNafusa #gaddaficrimes #Libya #feb17
The stuff thats going in Alghezaia...is beyond beyond what normal people can imagine!!! #GaddafiCrimes #Libya #feb17 #JabalNafusa

http://twitter.com/#!/live2Tripoli

This stuff has to end soon. (Disgusted with Cynthia McKinney - she obviously does not know Gaddafi's history and knows nothing of the tragedy of the Libyans.)

[joshcryer]

16. Wow, re: Cynthia McKinney, no words.

Wow.

[David__77]

48. She's a beautiful person in every way.

I am so happy there are committed progressives like Cynthia McKinney.

[tabatha]

53. Supporting this is beautiful?

http://feb17.info/news/libya-forced-to-rape-in-misrata/

That is progressive?

Comment from that article:
Qaddafi is the lowest filth on this earth. From him comes such evil as the devil himself. After reading this–much of it reported here and there for a while now–I am left feeling sick to my stomach. What has this sick monster done to his country? He makes the “Joker” character in “Batman” movie seem like Mother Theresa. I hope he doesn’t get killed, but can stand before the world court, and the world itself, and be humiliated as he really is: am insane, sadistic and evil monster who, for 40 years an helped kill more than 1 million people around the world (look it up if your not familiar with his disgusting “career”. I pray the Libyan people are free of this nightmare finally, and to be totally from him and his force of evil as soon as possible.
Long Live Freedom, Justice and Sanity.

[tabatha]

57. We were given orders that no human being could accept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnLx1lQipIg&feature=player_embedded

[tabatha]

75. More beauty...

"Doctors at Hekma hospital found that some of Gadaffi’s soldiers had
recorded video footage of rapes on their mobile phones. “They made the
girls identify themselves to the camera and show their faces. Then they
raped them,” one doctor said. The phones were found on loyalists who had
been wounded or killed.

A video seen by The Sunday Times showed a group of Gadaffi’s soldiers in
camouflage uniform breaking down a door and confronting a frightened
family — a man, a woman, five girls whose ages ranged from about five to
early 20s, and a boy aged about 7. The soldiers, shouting and waving
their guns, stripped the four older girls in front of the family and
took them into the next room, where they raped them. The girls cried for
mercy, calling on Allah. A soldier at one point yells: “Gadaffi is our
Allah.” The video was found on the phone of a loyalist soldier...."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/05/18/libyas-forgotten-frontline

Would McKinney support that?

[defendandprotect]

80. See NATO is working on Tripoli -- but ...

expectations are that Gadaffi won't fall until late June or early July!!

The eternal questions -- how one person's violence can be so overwhelmingly

destuctive to so many!!

And, how the women are suffering rapes -- and sadly the way this "honor system"

is engineered to protect patriarchy, it's they who can't speak of it!!

Thank you all again for this monumental record -- !!

:hug:

[joshcryer]

17. W. mntns beg for NATO, NATO hits Gaddafi compound + aftermath, will G. go in bang or whimper?

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/21/libya.small.towns/">Libyan begs NATO to save his small town
The man in front of me clasping a new satellite telephone tells me he has an urgent message. He's just received a call from his hometown warning him Moammar Gadhafi's forces are on the verge of overrunning it and he's desperate for NATO to do something about it.

Mohammed, as he wants to be known, is a middle-aged, middle-class professional.

He says he walked out of al Galaa, population 16,000, under cover of darkness three weeks ago on a harrowing two-night trek to break the siege and bring word of their suffering. It's been his mission ever since, and tonight is no exception.

"The shelling has increased," he tells me.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/22/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110522?feedType=RSS&">NATO strikes near Gaddafi's Tripoli compound
NATO staged an airstrike near Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli late on Saturday, and an opposition website said Libyan government forces shelled residential areas outside the rebel-held city of Misrata.

Libyan officials said the alliance had attacked close to Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziyah complex, and Reuters Television pictures showed a column of smoke rising over the capital.

However, there was no immediate word on what the target of the attack was, and reporters escorted by Libyan officials were unable to get close to the site.

http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/05/aftermath-of-nato-hitting-the-intelligence-buildings-in-tripoli/">Aftermath of NATO hitting ministry and intelligence buildings in Tripoli
Sky News reporter Mark Stone attests to the accuracy of NATO air strikes. “One thing that strikes me as we see bomb sites is the level of accuracy of the NATO weapons. Building hit, building metres away untouched,” he said on Twitter. Whether the strikes are right or wrong, they seem to be hitting their designated targets. “Yesterday at the port, we saw small (50m) military boats destroyed, and yet the harbour which they were moored to undamaged.”

Journalists at the Rixos Hotel were taken on Saturday to the bomed “Ministry of Oversight & Inspection”, which is supposedly the “anti-corruption ministry” according to the Libyan regime. The journalists spent one hour there observing the damage. “We found the remains of what we believe was a JDAM bomb in the wreckage of the Ministry,” Mark Stone writes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8527894/Tripoli-despatch-Will-Gaddafi-go-with-a-whimper-or-a-bang.html">Tripoli despatch: Will Gaddafi go with a whimper or a bang?
At 2am last Thursday, it sounded like curtains for Muammar Gaddafi. Enormous volleys of gunfire broke out across Tripoli, and around the hotel where the foreign press is forced to stay. Armed men charged past in pickup trucks, firing their weapons and wildly honking their horns. Was this the "Saddam statue moment" that Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron have been longing for?

But then it became clear that the flags flying from the trucks were a regime-friendly green, and the pictures taped to the windscreens were of a certain colonel only too familiar to Tripoli residents.

Libya's state television informed us that this late-night outbreak of spontaneous public joy had erupted to celebrate a pro-Gaddafi demonstration in the rebel capital of Benghazi. "We are one country again," shouted one of the hundreds of ecstatic loyalists gathered in Tripoli's city centre, as he sprayed the sky with bullets.

[Iterate]

18. Dirty money

Dirty money
Why does the international banking system make it so easy for corruption to flourish?
People and Power Last Modified: 19 May 2011 09:20

The recent uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa have revolved around one common theme - a popular desire for freedom from repression.

But there has often been an economic undercurrent too. The lavish lifestyles enjoyed by dictators have fuelled widespread anger at the way national assets have been looted for the benefit of the few.

So what happens to all this wealth once it is spirited out of the country? Can it ever be recovered? And why does the international banking system make it so easy for corruption to flourish?

We asked veteran financial journalist, Steve Levinson, to look for answers.

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/05/201151893818121489.html

Not to be missed.

[joshcryer]

19. EU policy chief in Benghazi 2 meet TNC, Fighting on L-Tunisia border, 45k Libyan refugees in Tunisia

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gBPdzN-jAiAmNhHEqprU0DM0VfRA?docId=CNG.cb370cb25e96ecba584d2568a4f90642.f61">EU foreign policy chief in Libya rebel stronghold
BENGHAZI, Libya — EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton arrived Sunday in the rebel-held city of Benghazi in eastern Libya on a visit to open a European Union mission, an AFP correspondent reported.

Ashton is due to meet the head of the rebels' National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdul Jalil before inaugurating the EU mission in a Benghazi hotel.

http://youtu.be/r_PM6PXD1uc">Fighting continues on Libya-Tunisia border - video
In the west of the country, pro and anti Gaddafi forces are battling for control of a border crossing between Libya and Tunisia.

Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid reports from the border crossing.

http://feb17.info/media/video-meet-the-libyan-rebels-who-live-in-the-desert/">Video: Meet the Libyan rebels who live in the desert
Rebel forces continue to fight against Colonel Gaddafi’s troops in the east of Libya, with no sign of an end to the conflict despite Nato strikes.

The city of Benghazi is a rebel stronghold, but just 100km away there is a stand off between both sides at the town of Brega.

Andrew Hosken sent this report from a nearby rebel base in the desert.

http://feb17.info/news/more-than-45000-libyan-refugees-in-tataouine/">More than 45,000 Libyan refugees in Tataouine
TATAOUINE – More than 45,000 Libyan refugees are presently housed in the Tataouine region. Only 5.5 pc are staying in camps, while the rest are scattered in several cities and urban centres of the region.

Chief of Tunisian Red Crescent’s regional office Slaheddine el Madani said that the region could not manage to host more refugees and meet their food needs, notably in the World Food Programme’s absence.

He reminded that three health centres are open in Tataouine, Remada and Dhehiba. General practitioners in the region and the Médecins sans frontières organisation, as well as Libyan physicians, ensure a daily average of 250 medical consultations.

Not to be confused with Tatooine. :P

[Iterate]

20. Nafusa Mountains: from NicRobertsonCNN and AmazighLibya

NicRobertsonCNN
Our video story from Friday en route into western mountains http://tiny.cc/z2etl

Explosions rock Libyan town of Zintan; EU foreign policy chief arrives
By the CNN Wire Staff
May 22, 2011 -- Updated 1500 GMT (2300 HKT)

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- At least four explosions rocked the Libyan rebel-held town of Zintan on Sunday, as the foreign policy chief of the European Union arrived in the war-torn nation and a former U.S. congresswoman criticized American policy on Libyan state television.

Rebels in Zintan, in western Libya, said they believe the explosions were from Grad rockets. It was not immediately clear whether any damage or casualties resulted.

Meanwhile, Catherine Ashton, foreign policy chief for the European Union, arrived Sunday in the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi, according to military sources in the opposition's National Transitional Council. Officials earlier said the European Union would open an office in Benghazi Sunday.

"It will be an honor to meet the people who have been fighting for democracy and a better future for Libya," Ashton said in a statement released by the council. "I plan to meet key people from the National Transitional Council, civil society groups and our international partners, and will report back to EU foreign ministers on Monday.

more...
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/22/libya.war/index.html

NicRobertsonCNN Nic Robertson
http://twitter.com/#!/NicRobertsonCNN

Gadhafi forces just started shelling center of Zintan vor 7 Stunden
Rockets fired by Gadhafi forces on Zintan landed harmlessly in fields, no damage, no injuries vor 6 Stunden

30 more grad rockets fired by Gadhafi forces on Zintan this afternoon, told no casualties vor 1 Stunde
Zintan's water pumping station--main water supply for 40,000 people--was targeted & DESTROYED by Gadhafi forces 2 weeks ago
We saw both pumps destroyed, well destryd, reservoir bled dry.No chance quick repair: it's in no man's land betwn rebels & Gadhafi forces.
Zintan residents forced to use small private wells, fears will run dry soon

AmazighLibya
http://twitter.com/#!/Amazigh_Libya

Amazigh_Libya AmazighLibya
Yefren Map: Blue Pins indicate #Gaddafi forces. Entire area completely under siege for 2 months. http://twitpic.com/50z2w9

Gaddafi forces have damaged historical monuments in Sifeet, Shgarna, Atammaan, Atbukbuk in Yefren vor 50 Minuten
Civilian homes are being shelled & destroyed. Many escaped #Yefren, but ~10,000 civilians remain- all facing starvation.
Tanks, grad rocket launchers, heavy machine guns surround entire city of #Yefren. Where is @NATO?
Romiya is region w/ major water well for #Yefren. It is now occupied by Gaddafi forces.
Another main water tank in #Sifeet area for #Yefren was damaged by missiles & has not worked for 6 weeks.
Other reservoirs of water were contaminated with oil by #Gaddafi forces in #Yefren

[tabatha]

21. Responsibility to protect, Libyan Oil, French Helicopters, Radio warning

Responsibility to protect - The lessons of Libya
Outsiders had good reason to intervene in Libya. But their cause may suffer from it
For those who back muscular humanitarian intervention, both the words and deeds of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi provided absolute moral clarity. “Come out of your homes, attack in their dens,” he told his supporters on February 22nd. He called the protesters “cockroaches” and “rats” who did not deserve to live: language chillingly reminiscent of the broadcasts of Radio Mille Collines, which spurred on the perpetrators of Rwanda’s genocide in 1994.

As he spoke, his forces had set their sights on Benghazi, their adversaries’ stronghold. According to Human Rights Watch, a New York-based group, government forces had already killed 233 people in the preceding week. A bloodbath beckoned, in a city of 700,000 people. The United Nations Security Council invoked a fateful formula, urging the regime to meet its “responsibility to protect” its people. On March 17th the council, “expressing its determination to ensure the protection of civilians”, ordered air strikes.
http://www.economist.com/node/18709571

Libya's disputed oil - Better for the rebels
SOON after mass protests against Colonel Muammar Qaddafi took off, he sought to make sure he would either keep control of the country’s oil or prevent the rebels from having it. Once they had taken swathes of territory that included many of Libya’s oilfields, he set about sabotaging them—and hit the pipelines taking the oil to refineries and ports from which they could be sold. The colonel has also tried to prevent the rebels’ fledgling administration from selling the oil on its own account.

He has had mixed success. As the rebels advanced along the coastal road between Brega and Ras Lanuf, sites of two big refineries, the towns’ export infrastructure was knocked out and the country’s gas network was cut in half. In April loyalist troops drove hundreds of kilometres across the desert to attack oil installations above the huge Sarir and Mislah oilfields, about 500km (311 miles) south of Benghazi, and destroyed a booster station half way up the line that pumped oil to the port of Marsa el-Hariga, next to Tobruk.

http://www.economist.com/node/18713965

French Helicopters
8:33 pm: A French military spokesman says a French amphibious assault ship set sail from the port of Toulon last week, but he declined to confirm a French newspaper report that the helicopter-carrying ship was heading to battle in Libya. Military spokesman Thierry Burkhard told AP that the ship, Le Tonnerre, left port on May 17. Burkhard described the vessel as a command and force projection ship. The French Navy’s website says the ship can carry up to 16 military helicopters. French daily newspaper Le Figaro said in a story posted on its website that the Tonnerre was carrying 12 helicopters.
http://feb17.info/news/live-libyan-unrest-fighting-continues-on-libya-tunisia-border/

They have been warned - for several days
If you continue to hurt innocent women and children, your crimes will be prosecuted before the International Court.
The musical first part - end of a program? part of message?
http://youtu.be/wO9k9p87usg
(Bushco should go in front of the ICC.)

[tabatha]

22. May 22nd, 2011 News from newlibya.com

1. European Union will support the Libyan rebellion as long as the rebels want it, said Sunday the head of European diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, who was visiting Benghazi. “We want to support (the revolution), not only now but as long as the Libyan people will want us to be there”, Ashton said in a brief news conference with NTC President Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. “I’m very proud in name of the 27 EU countries to be here today to give them our support”.

2. EU, which opens in the afternoon a representative office in Benghazi, wants to help the Libyans in the area of “reforms to security, economy, health, and, of course, civil society”, said Ashton. This is the first official visit at this level to Benghazi.

.....

11. The people in Nafousa Mountains have been sending out help messages stating that Gaddafi forces are piling up weaponry around the city in preparation to attack them. They wished that NATO would target such weaponry of Gaddafi forces to prevent a massacre in the city.

12. Repeated rape cases among women and young girls have been reported. It is good to remind people with the Fatwa Dr. Yousuf Al-Qaradawi issued during the Bosnian war concerning raped Muslim women there and the rape issue. Search for this title of the document: if-young-girl-raped-becomes-pregnant-and-does-not-have-means-raise-child-may-she-have-abortion

13. (This fatwa was issued concerning the rape cases of Bosnian Muslim Women and was given on February 2, 2002. It is on islamopediaonline dot org site.

In the first place, any woman who is raped is not guilty of any sin, for the situation is beyond her control. Young Muslim men should hasten to marry women such as these who have been tormented, so as to reduce their suffering and console them, to compensate them for the loss of the most precious thing that they possess, which is their virginity.
..............(end of Fatwa).

http://newlibya.com/?p=182

Back at you :hi: (keeping posts to a minimum - I think next week will be the finale. There are Heinz posts that suggest that, but I have a hard time posting his stuff because of the phrasing. )

[joshcryer]

23. Libyan Revolution Day 95 updates below, current time in Libya, 12:20am Monday, May 23

And of course tabatha's update immediately above! :hi:

[joshcryer]

24. A Libyan mother speaks, 122k Libyan refugees in Egypt, EU opens office in Benghazi, Misrata protest

http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/post/5728725813/a-libyan-mother-who-are-the-millions-that-you-live-in">A Libyan mother: Who are the millions that you live in their hearts, Colonel?
Who are the millions whose hearts you live in, Colonel?
(I live in the hearts of millions)

What millions are you talking about, are you delusional?

Are they the Libyan people you are talking about, or just the species nesting in your imagination? Are they the Libyans that you killed several times and executed by shooting and hanging in the holy month of Ramadan, and the university students that you executed in their unversities and colleges, where each student was executed according to his major: engineering students in the courtyard of Engineering Faculty, science students executed in the courtyard of the Faculty of Science, or the victims that you have arrested and killed over the past 42 years? What millions are you talking about, O killer? The young people you killed in the city stadium during the game between the “Al Ahli” and “Al Ithad” teams? Or the children of Benghazi that you injected with HIV? Or the victims of the Libyan plane which was taking off from Benghazi to Tripoli, when you killed everyone on board?

Poweful speech. Much more at link.

http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/447183">Libyan refugees arriving in Egypt surpass 122,000
Around 122,000 Libyans fleeing the violence shaking their country have arrived in Egypt to date, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

Assistant Foreign Minister Mohamed Abel Hakam said 122,058 Libyans have arrived in Egypt via the Salloum border crossing since the breakout of the unrest in February.

In a statement released Sunday, Abdel Hakam said additional Libyans are expected to arrive.

http://www.680news.com/news/world/article/229844--eu-opens-diplomatic-office-in-rebel-city-of-benghazi-promises-support-for-democratic-libya">EU opens diplomatic office in rebel city of Benghazi, promises support for democratic Libya
BENGHAZI, Libya - In a boost to Libya's rebels, the European Union opened a diplomatic office Sunday in their eastern stronghold and pledged support for a democratic Libya where Moammar Gadhafi "will not be in the picture."

The office in the de facto rebel capital of Benghazi gives Gadhafi's opponents a key point of contact with the 27 nations in the European bloc and adds to the growing international recognition of the rebels' political leadership.

In return, the head of the rebels' National Transitional Council held out the possibility of future rewards for those who offer early support, and he said his nascent administration would respect human rights and international law.

"The United States and the European Union should know that we are a righteous people," said Mustafa Abdul-Jalil. "We are fighting for a better future and they will not regret helping us."

Pretty significant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZFUxZtgeYI">Women and children protesting in Benghazi - video
Support for the brothers on the battlefield women and girls went out Misurata in the process have expressed their Samudhn and for which they intend to complete the march to victory

[pinboy3niner]

25. Sealift Extends Lifeline to a Rebel City in Libya

Posted in LBN by alp227:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4859781

[pinboy3niner]

26. Osama bin Laden 'successor' incites Libya to rise up against West

Source: Daily Mirror (UK)

by Josh Layton, 23/05/2011

OSAMA bin Laden’s deputy called on Libyans to rise up against the West in a message which surfaced last night.

Ayman al-Zawahiri claimed Nato operations were aimed at toppling Colonel Gaddafi in order to plunder the nation’s oil wealth.


http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/05/23/osama-bin-laden-successor-incites-libya-to-rise-up-against-west-115875-23149821/

[CJvR]

27. Sorry Ayman...

...but the Libyans are sort of busy right now.

[pinboy3niner]

28. Ha!

When posting I was tempted to add, "Lotsa luck, pal!"

The opposition has no interest in what Al Qaeda has to say, and Gaddafi has already informed his supporters that the revolution is an uprising of criminal/terrorist gangs trying to subvert the regime because OBL and AQ put drugs in their Nescafe.

If this is an example of AQ's PR strategy I say, "Keep up the good work!" :evilgrin:

[pinboy3niner]

29. Libya called on to release journalist’s body

May 22 2011 at 04:36pm


Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Libya Friday to release the body of slain South African photographer Anton Hammerl and investigate the role the armed forces played in his death.

The 41-year-old photographer's death was confirmed Thursday by journalists who saw him shot and killed by government forces on April 5. The journalists had been held by Libyan forces since the shooting but only made the news of his death public upon their release.

“Libyan government forces killed Anton Hammerl six weeks ago and then lied about what happened,” Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director at Human Rights Watch said. “They had his passport and they knew he was dead. Now they should at least release his body and provide some truthful answers about his fate.”

...


“The Libyan government chose to remain silent about Hammerl's fate, even though they knew he had been killed,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. “That's not only cruel, it's unlawful.” - Sapa-AP


http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/libya-called-on-to-release-journalist-s-body-1.1072126

Two New England journalists are back home after their release in Libya

May 22, 2011|By Travis Andersen, Globe Staff

...


She urged supporters to say a prayer or light a candle for South African journalist Anton Hammerl, who was fatally shot by Khadafy loyalists on April 5 near Brega, GlobalPost has reported.


On the Facebook page that friends set up during her confinement to call for her release, Gillis said that Khadafy's government "has a lot to answer for and we need to keep the pressure on them until they do it."

...


Khadafy loyalists attacked Gillis, Foley, Hammerl, and Manuel Varela, a Spanish photographer who works under the name Manu Brabo, on April 5 near Brega, according to accounts published in GlobalPost.

Foley told the news agency on Thursday that he heard Hammerl cry out for help after being shot before he died. Foley also said the loyalists punched him and the other journalists, and struck his head and jaw with the butt of an AK-47.


http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-22/news/29571966_1_anton-hammerl-manu-brabo-clare-morgana-gillis

Bring Anton home to his family, now that all hope is gone


May 22, 2011 9:25 PM | By The Editor, The Times Newspaper


The Times Editorial:

...


After 45 days, newly released journalists had finally told Hammerl's wife, Penny Sukhraj, what she had feared most - that her husband and the father of their two sons had been killed by the soldiers of Muammar Gadaffi.

The hope that she had carried within her, that their newborn son might grow up with his father, ended with a late-night call on Thursday.

...


The South African government, in its meeting with representatives of the SA National Editors' Forum on Friday, said it had been duped by the Libyan government, which had assured our diplomats all along that Hammerl was alive. We are expected to believe our government's explanation.

But we would like our government to do one last honourable thing - find Anton Hammerl's body and return it to his family so that they can find peace now that all hope is gone.


http://www.timeslive.co.za/opinion/editorials/article1081292.ece/Bring-Anton-home-to-his-family-now-that-all-hope-is-gone

[pinboy3niner]

30. France to deploy helicopters in Libya: media

updated 1 hour 13 minutes ago


PARIS — France plans to deploy attack helicopters in Libya, the first to be used in the coalition against Muammar Gaddafi's forces, a French newspaper reported on Monday.

Twelve helicopters were shipped out to Libya on French battleship Tonnerre on May 17, daily Le Figaro reported, to help break a military stalemate three months into an uprising against Gaddafi's four-decade rule.

...


According to Le Figaro's source, French special forces, who have been operating in Libya to help identify targets for NATO planes since the start of air strikes, could now be reinforced and deployed to guide helicopter attacks.

Analysts say NATO may have no choice but to escalate its Libyan war effort and use helicopters or naval gunfire to end bloodshed particularly in the besieged city of Misrata and break the military deadlock.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43131705/ns/world_news-europe

[CJvR]

34. Sounds a bit off...

...deploying low flying helicopter gunships is very dangerous, even if they fly from ships. Either a fairly major shift in policy or a bad rumor. Operations areas for the helis would likely be the Gaddafi holdout along the coasts but the last thing anyone wants is Gaddafi having a gunship wreck to display.

[pinboy3niner]

31. Syria: Assad regime cracking down on use of social media

Despite the videos continuing to emerge from Syria, Bashar al-Assad's regime is cracking down on use social media, just three months after allowing citizens to have open access to Facebook and YouTube, the New York Times reports.

Security officials are moving on multiple fronts — demanding dissidents turn over their Facebook passwords and switching off the 3G mobile network at times, sharply limiting the ability of dissidents to upload videos of protests to YouTube, according to several activists in Syria. And supporters of President Bashar al-Assad, calling themselves the Syrian Electronic Army, are using the same tools to try to discredit dissidents ...

There are about 580,000 Facebook users in Syria, a 105 percent increase since the government lifted its four-year ban on Feb. 9, according to Fadi Salem, director of the Governance and Innovation Program at the Dubai School of Government ...

Though Syrian officials sought to portray the decision as a sign of openness, human right advocates warned that the government could use Facebook to closely monitor regime criticism and ferret out dissidents as nearby countries erupted in revolt.

The article details a number of accounts of people who say (their) accounts have been monitored and/or hacked:

A man in his 20s living in Syria said that the police demanded his Facebook password late last month after arresting him where he worked and taking his laptop. "I told him, at first, I didn't have a Facebook account, but he told me, after he punched me in the face, that he knew I had one because they were watching my 'bad comments' on it," he said. "I knew then that they were monitoring me."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/23/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-3

[Yosarian71]

32. Theme in AJA Libya blog the last day

Both Heinz and Salwinder, who seem to know what they are talking about, had similar themes in their posts about now NATO was going to get tougher:

Heinz:

on Meeting Libya's frontline rebels 16 hours ago

if you stand 100 steps in front of a man with a knife and you have a tank
you warn him 3 times to take his knife away and go home.
and this stupid guy dont do it
you use your tank weapons and blow him to hell.
this will happend in libya now
nato warn enough

on Meeting Libya's frontline rebels 12 hours ago

something about this night
daffi-clan want the hard way
they get it now

on Meeting Libya's frontline rebels 3 hours ago

endgame now running for daffis troops in khums and zlitan.
nato play now the hard way


Salwinder:

on Meeting Libya's frontline rebels 12 hours ago

So Ghadafi's remaining army seem to have been given an opportunity to stand aside and let freedom prevail (an opportunity they would never have given their opponents) - and in response Ghadafi's most loyal commanders have decided in their madness to continue opposing change. What do they think they are fighting for exactly? With Tripoli surrounded and a groundswell of popular opposition, what can they hope to achieve? At this stage unless they are able to flood every town and city with troops and heavy weapons, they will never quell the resistance. Given the devastated remnants of the Libyan military and the subsequent high rate of defections, that could never happen anyway.

So what is there left for the loyalists? Honour? I don't think so. Money? There will be no payday for them now. Status? With Ghadafi gone they will be lucky to be allowed to sweep the streets. The best thing for the remaining followers of Ghadafi within the military is to melt away - leave your weapons behind, discard your uniform and leave your barracks. Maybe - just maybe - doing this now will save your life and allow you some part in Libya's bright future. Don't throw that opportunity away.

NATO appears to have tired of compromise and last chances - from now on it's going to hit hard and fast to bring all this to an end. If you are a Ghadafi soldier - get out, and get out now whilst you still have a chance. A dead loyalist will never be wept for by Ghadafi, and will never be remembered by the Libyan people. It is an empty death, a pointless death, a needless death. Play a part in allowing freedom to be born instead.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/05/18/libyas-forgotten-frontline

It is possible the slow developments of the past week was NATO and the rebels waiting for mass high level defections that never materialized. Apparently the regime used that time to regroup for a large scale, genocidal attack on the Western Mountains.

I think it is time to stop the casualty reducing tactics that NATO has used to date, such as blowing up the lead car in a convoy and then giving the regime troops a few minutes to abandon their vehicles before blowing up the rest of the convoy. I think it is time for NATO to annihilate several ground units, to show the line troops and junior officers the madness of listening to their senior officers. While their will be significant loss of life among regime troops, it will ultimately save the lives of many, many more civilians and rebels.

[CJvR]

33. The other side of the mirror.

We hardly knows what propaganda is being rammed down the throats of the Libyan Loyalists. Propaganda is a powerful tool, there were plenty of Germans who were confident of eventual victory even when they were street fighting in Berlin.

[pinboy3niner]

35. Gaddafi forces shelling areas in W & S of Misrata, trying to advance there

Gaddafi forces have been shelling neighbourhoods in the west and south of the western city of Misrata since 8am this morning, rebels have told Reuters.

Rebel spokesman Abdelsalam told Reuters said Gaddafi's forces were trying to advance from the west, under the cover of Grad rockets and mortar shells, toward Misrata, scene of the some of the fiercest fighting since the uprising began in mid-February ...

He said rebel forces were blocking the advance for the moment, but were coming under heavy pressure from the shelling and the presence of at least two tanks of the front line.

Abdelsalam said one rebel had been killed. The body of rebel fighter Youssef al-Aidi was brought from the frontline to Hekmat Hospital in Misrata. Aidi has been hit in the head by an RPG rocket from 25km west of Misrata, where a column of five Gaddafi tanks and some 50 men had advanced on the rebels' position.

Abdelsalam said:

It is difficult to see how Gaddafi forces can re-enter Misrata because the rebels have good defence lines and Nato aircraft are always overhead but they are definitely trying. The rebels are 10-15 km away from Zlitan and Gaddafi's forces feel they have to do something. Their strategy is to keep Misrata on the edge, to sow terror. Gaddafi doesn't want the residents or the freedom fighters in Misrata to breathe a sigh of relief.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/23/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-12

[Yosarian71]

41. This is why the rebels and NATO need to finish this

Every week Gadhafi forces more conscripts to the front to be slaughtered while killing freedom fighters. Gadhafi has been on the ropes at least twice, and has been let off by hesitancy of NATO and the rebels. Time to finish him off.

Annihilate the regime troops in Brega. Bombard it for 24 hours and then let the rebels finish them off. I initially agreed with the strategy of starving Gadhafi's troops out there but now I see it is just extending the war. Wipe out the regime forces surrounding Yefren, many of which are exposed in open areas. Don't take out equipment, take out the troops. Prolonging this war is costing many more lives than ending it would.

[al bupp]

36. ChangeInLibya Tweet

13:12 (GMT +2) ChangeInLibya tweets: “YEFREN: Breaking: Heavy NATO bombardment on Gaddafi forces just outside Yefren which made them retreat to Beer Eyad.”

[al bupp]

37. AJE: Fighting continues on the Libya-Tunisia border (Video)

Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel Hamid reports on the ongoing fighting near the border between Libya and Tunisia.

http://youtu.be/r_PM6PXD1uc

[pinboy3niner]

38. Libya: 'Forced to rape in Misrata'

Source: BBC

23 May 2011 Last updated at 08:16 ET

Andrew Harding
Africa correspondent

...


"First we knocked at a door and nobody opened so we broke the door and entered the house.

"The mother was screaming and when we pointed the gun at her, she stopped screaming.

"Then we tied up the mother and father and their boys (three of them) by their feet and hands. Then we shot every one of them in the leg.

"Then the officers took the girls upstairs, and we were told to go on the roof (to keep guard) until the officers had finished the rape and then we were told to rape the girls too.

"We felt scared, but when we refused to rape, they started to beat us.

"There were four girls aged between about 20 and 24.

"They were conscious . I raped one.

"The girls said nothing. They were tired and they were in bad shape because there were 20 officers before us.

"It happened in the morning, and lasted about an hour and a half.

"The officers brought in a music system and listened to pop music, and smoked and danced during the rapes.

"I'm not happy with what I did but I don't feel nervous or frightened now, and I want to emphasise that the officers forced us to rape.

...


"I think it happened so many times. Most of the people who raped families here were from the special forces and we heard on the radio (their military radio system) that there were about 50 families that experienced rape."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13502715

There's more at the link to suggest that these stories told by captured Gaddafi soldiers are credible, and that Gaddafi forces are using rape systematically as a weapon in the war.

See also CNN's new report:

Rape as a Weapon of War (3:41)



Added On May 23, 2011


CNN's Sara Sidner in Bengazi reports on the most detailed accounting of rape victims so far in the Libyan civil war.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#


*Edited to add (in parentheses) bracketed inserts that were in original.

[al bupp]

39. I had to post the BBC article to LBN, too

This evidence of systematic use of rape as a weapon of war by Gaddafi's forces needs more exposure here on DU, IMHO.

[pinboy3niner]

40. Good thinking

Link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4860284


:fistbump:

[defendandprotect]

81. Men can be forced to rape -- it's an official tool of war -- like disobeying any other order?

Oh, yes -- and create a party atmosphere so abusing a woman can be fully enjoyed!!

[al bupp]

42. MAC: Turkey recognizes Libyan rebels

Istanbul - Turkey's foreign minister recognized Libya's Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) as a representative of the Libyan people during a visit to Ankara on Monday by the council's chairman, Mustafa Abdul Jalil.

'Turkey sees the ITNC as a legitimate and recognized representative of the Libyan people,' Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted by the semi-official Anatolia press agency as saying.

Abdul Jalil's visit to Turkey, which began the day after the European Union opened an office in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, represents the highest-level meetings so far between Ankara and the rebel council.

The Libyan rebel leader met with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and with Davutoglu on the first day of a two-day visit aimed at shoring up diplomatic support for the ITNC in Turkey.

(Emphasis mine)

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1640934.php/Turkey-recognizes-Libyan-rebels">MonstersAndCritics.com Article

[pinboy3niner]

43. Syria: "Situation is much worse than reported"--exiled activist

Exiled Syria activist Ammar Abdulhamid has written an impassioned blogpost warning that the situation in his homeland :

We, the activists, the bloggers, the dissidents, are failing miserably in informing you about the realities on the ground, despite our best effort. If anything, and over the last few weeks, we have misled you. We have lulled you into the false belief that things are somehow manageable, that the situation is not as bad as it was in Libya before the intervention, but the situation is actually far worse.

The official death toll according to the estimates of human rights organizations in Syria is now above 1,000. The fact that the real figures are much higher, as I have repeatedly asserted before, is not the problem here. It's the cold blooded way in which massacres are perpetrated, and the fact that the Syrian people are watching and rather than feeling scared and intimidated, they are getting more and more angry.

Indeed, this is not 1982. Hama rules and tactics are backfiring. This does not augur well for the future. The international community needs to assume a more proactive role here in order to prevent conflict, rather than wait until such time when the best that it can do is manage it.

Hama was one of many places that saw protests overnight, according to activists. This video <at link> was purportedly filmed in the city where Syrian security forces killed thousands of dissidents in 1982:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/may/23/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487#block-2

[tabatha]

44. "I think NATO has decided not to change minds there anymore and just get on with it."

Excerpts from the AJE Libya blog - my post for the day (to keep post numbers down so that it does not become overloaded in a week.)

Heinz
short update
zlitan job will be done in 2 days complete with the loss of a intakt brigade for daffi
yefren also
brega on point today
there is hard play in theatre sins sunday now.

coast of libya now clear for close aktion from nato warships.
after bombing the last assets from daffis army tonight.
gunship-heli missions now possible in short distanz even in tripoli.
news from the other fronts will come later becouse aktion still running

endgame now running for daffis troops in khums and zlitan.
nato play now the hard way
about this french heli carrier
tiegers are running from different nato partners.,and the carrier can be used as base for more than double of the helis he have on board ,so you can manage a 24hour aktion .

Others
NicRobertson CNN Nic Robertson - Zintan fighters say Gadhafi launchers were struck minutes after they had fired missiles
Britain to send Apaches into Libya http://gu.com/p/2p9qh/tw #Libya #Feb17 #UK22 sekunder siden via Twitter ·
the punching power of those attack helicopters can do a significant job in certain areas, the mountain enclaves being just the topic. Must be tough for fast jets trying to hit small targets in such terrain. Inshallah - the Tigers will prevail!
I think NATO has decided not to change minds there anymore and just get on with it.

[Yosarian71]

45. What did the Generals think would happen?

What were all these generals thinking who reached out a week or two ago and said "let us take care of it", then turned around and launched attacks or at the least refused to surrender? What did they think would happen? The are all war criminals now, and there will be no further negotiation, only unconditional surrender.

I think Saif and Muammar have a death wish, and realize they will not survive this conflict, nor do they want to. They will fight to the death, which logically is likely the right decision for them. The fact that the generals are willing to do the same is very surprising.

[pinboy3niner]

46. Apache helicopters to be sent into Libya by Britain

Use of helicopters, which can attack small targets, represents significant escalation of conflict

Richard Norton-Taylor
guardian.co.uk, Monday 23 May 2011 18.16 BST


Britain and France are to deploy attack helicopters against Libya in an attempt to break the military stalemate, particularly in the important coastal city of Misrata, security sources have told the Guardian.

In a significant escalation of the conflict, the Apaches – based on HMS Ocean – will join French helicopters in risky operations which reflect deepening frustration among British and French defence chiefs about their continuing inability to protect civilians.

Apaches, which are being used in counter insurgency operations in Afghanistan, can manoeuvre and attack small targets in relatively built-up areas. Heavily-armed Apaches and French Tiger helicopters are equipped with night vision equipment and electronic guidance systems.

...


The decision to deploy the helicopters is a clear recognition that high-level bombing from 15,000 feet cannot protect civilians who continue to be attacked by rocket and mortar shells. It brings the Nato offensive much closer to the ground at a time when Britain and other Nato countries are insisting they have no intention of sending in troops.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/23/apache-helicopters-libya-britain

[tabatha]

47. Identical link in #44.

[tabatha]

49. Zlitan, Zintan; don't know if the same or different

but things are moving:


A report just now from one of the guys from Tribute FM who is in west Misratah ('Dumbo' I think). He is saying that huge numbers of young recruits that are being bussed to Zlitan are immediately discarding their weapons and uniforms and are being given civilian clothes by Zilten civilians and melting away.

Summary: One of the first Gaddafi soldiers who gave himself up to Zintan speaks out and states his support for the revolutionaries
Transcript:

Peace, mercy and God bless you,
I wish I had been fighting with them and not against them in Zintan,
I wish I had never come,
and I wish I had died in the middle of the road on my way to Zintan.
I wish I had denied all the lies of Gaddafi.

I came to Zintan not of my will,
I held arms against the so-called rats,
I wish I wish, but Arabs like us don’t worship the devil…
I’ve seen the shelling on the houses,
I’ve seen injustice, cruelty, massacres,
people dying, injured,
people aching, suffering…

I laid my arms down and walked away,
My steps led me to a yard where people helped me.
That is the God’s will.
They explained to me that it was all the lies of Gaddafi,
and encouraged me join the revolutionaries in Zintan.

I decided to do it and I did it.
May God grant them victory against Muammar the tyrant.
In the name of people who died,
in the name of dead,
and the name of the suffering,
May God give them justice!
And I hope that everyone who suffered pain or death can forgive me.
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/

LPC with mom inTripoli...she's never been so scared yet "wishes they would fire more missiles so it all ends tonight" Reality just hit home
RT @KhiriaElfeghi: Update from #Tripoli, #Libya: Gadaf's gang shoots with guns after #NATO strikes to silence the cheers of the people
Likewise FreeLibyanman tweets : IPPL in #Tripoli immediately on the roof watching & cheering and hoping # #NATO wont stop boming the murderers
and RT @ShababLibya Update from #Tripoli Currently being pounded by missiles. Ppl cheering. #libya #feb17

[al bupp]

50. They're definitely different places

Zintan is in the desert mountains south and east of Tripoli. Zliten is on the coast east of Tripoli.

[tabatha]

52. Yes, they are.

But the person writing the text did not see to know the difference - or was writing in haste and misspelled one or the other.

Video: Lighting up Ajdabiya
With Libya’s current condition, sometimes simply doing your job is a civic duty. The men at the National Electric Company, joined by volunteers, take this a step further. Going up against Gaddafi remnant loyalists, land mines and sandstorms, they make sure that the much needed electricity is reaching all cities.
http://feb17.info/media/video-lighting-up-ajdabiya/

With Lights, People In Eastern Libya Press For Help

As the revolt against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi drags into its fourth month, people in the rebel-controlled city of Benghazi are doing what they can to keep themselves motivated — and to keep the outside world, interested.

Sunday night, that meant a light show.

As dusk fell, people gathered in a plaza outside our hotel, holding up lights. They formed the outlines of a crescent and star — symbols of the rebel flag — while others spelled out the names of other Libyan cities; including that of Zintan, a town in the western mountains.
http://feb17.info/news/with-lights-people-in-eastern-libya-press-for-help/

Through din of war, Libya women demand louder voice
BENGHAZI, Libya – Just two women sat among 17 men on a podium in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi this month when rebels paraded new members of their National Transitional Council to the media.

For women who took a prominent role in an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, the lack of female rebel leaders points to a long struggle ahead.

“During the revolution, women were really strong and were leaders. They were multi-lingual and they were welcomed,” said Hana el-Galal, who quit her role as head of education in Benghazi’s local council, partly to further women’s rights.
http://feb17.info/news/through-din-of-war-libya-women-demand-louder-voice/

... Hope Josh and Iterate are OK ...

[CJvR]

51. Tripoli getting it this morning (24th)

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/23/libya.war/index.html?hpt=T2

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- NATO aircraft launched more than a dozen strikes on the Libyan capital early Tuesday, and smoke could be seen rising from the area near Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's Bab-al-Azizia compound in Tripoli.

The NATO attack, one of the heaviest against Tripoli since the NATO mission began just over two months ago, started at about 1 a.m. and lasted more than 20 minutes, with alliance jets circling overhead and Libyan loyalist forces responding with anti-aircraft fire.

Reporters felt and heard explosions from the airstrikes that rocked the hotel housing members of the international media. Outbursts of gunfire, as well as ambulance sirens, could be heard in the streets.

[pinboy3niner]

54. Don't worry about Josh

He has family visiting, and said he will be "incomprehensibly busy" all week with family excursions and other plans, beginning yesterday (Sunday). I hope he's having a wonderful time!


:hi:

[joshcryer]

61. Thanks pinboy3niner!

Sorry to all for not posting today, and it will be like this at least until next Monday (though I will start a new weekly thread sometime this week). I've only had time to read the thread, LBN, and poke my head into a few GD threads and some other threads, otherwise I'm exhausted and I really should not have stayed up so late. :(

'night all, will see you soon!

(tabatha, I think Iterate is also busy, but I can't find the post where I think he said it! Sorry!)

[defendandprotect]

79. Tripoli gets heaviest NATO pounding yet --- Hopeful Daffi will fall late June or early July -- !!??

by Imed Lamloum Imed Lamloum – 57 mins ago
TRIPOLI (AFP) – Loud explosions rocked Tripoli overnight as NATO unleashed its heaviest blitz yet of the capital in a bid to speed up the ouster of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi as rebels gained diplomatic ground.

Six powerful explosions struck late Tuesday near Kadhafi's residence, targeted a day earlier by intensive NATO air strikes, an AFP journalist said.

Jet fighters could be heard above before three deafening explosions rocked the area of the embattled leader's Bab Al-Aziziya residential compound around 11:00 pm (2100 GMT), followed by three others two minutes later.

The zone came under heavy bombardment overnight Monday lasting more than half an hour, leaving three dead and 150 wounded, according to the Kadhafi regime.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110525/wl_mideast_afp/libyaconflict_20110525051657

[pinboy3niner]

55. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 8:30 AM TUESDAY, MAY 24 (DAY 96)

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[pinboy3niner]

56. NATO Intensifies Attacks on Forces Loyal to Qaddafi

Source: Bloomberg

By Vivian Salama - May 23, 2011 11:01 PM PT


North Atlantic Treaty Organization aircraft struck targets in Tripoli today as the coalition intensified its attacks on forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi.


Precision-guided weapons were fired on a vehicle storage facility that was used to supply forces and launch attacks on civilian targets, NATO said on its website. As many as 18 raids were carried out, killing three people, Agence-France Presse reported, citing Moussa Ibrahim, a Libyan government spokesman.


“Qaddafi’s forces still represent a threat to civilians and we will continue to strike targets that carry out this violence,” Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, commander of the NATO operation, said in the statement.


The storage facility was active during the “initial regime suppression of the population in February, and has remained so ever since,” the statement said. It was the heaviest attacks in the capital since NATO’s bombing campaign began two months ago, AFP said.


At least 15,000 people have been killed in Libya in three months of conflict, Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice president of the rebels’ National Transitional Council said May 18. Gene Cretz, the U.S. ambassador to Libya, said April 29 that officials have seen estimates of as many as 30,000 people killed since mid- February.

...


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-24/nato-slams-tripoli-with-heaviest-strikes-since-start-of-bombing-campaign.html

[pinboy3niner]

58. NYT: NATO Bombs Tripoli in Heaviest Strikes Yet

By JOHN F. BURNS
Published: May 23, 2011


TRIPOLI, Libya — In the heaviest attack yet on the capital since the start of the two-month-old NATO bombing campaign, alliance aircraft struck at least 15 targets in central Tripoli early Tuesday, with most of the airstrikes concentrated on an area around Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s command compound.


The strikes, within a 30-minute period around 1 a.m., caused thunderous explosions and fireballs that leapt high into the night sky, causing people in neighborhoods a mile or more away to cry out in alarm.


Just as one strike ended, the sound of jet engines from low-flying aircraft in the stormy skies above the capital signaled the imminence of another. Huge plumes of black smoke rose and converged over the darkened cityscape.

...


It was one of the few instances in recent weeks when reporters who have been told of civilian casualties from a NATO attack have seen any casualties, a pattern that has led to persistent uncertainties about official accounts. Most NATO attacks are launched late at night, and many of the buildings struck appeared to have been empty.

...


In a sign that the Obama administration was seeking ways of providing fresh impetus to the rebel cause, the State Department’s highest-ranking Middle East official, Jeffrey Feltman, visited the rebel headquarters at Benghazi on Monday. His visit coincided with an announcement by France’s defense minister, Gérard Longuet, that Britain and France would introduce attack helicopters into the NATO force as soon as possible, a move that appeared intended to go at least some way toward meeting rebel appeals for stronger attacks on Qaddafi loyalist fighters.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/world/africa/24libya.html

[pinboy3niner]

59. Libyan rebel city at last wins breathing room

Source: AP

Posted on Tue, May. 24, 2011

With Gadhafi's forces out of range, shops open and checkpoints close in Misrata.

By Ryan Lucas


MISRATA, Libya - Less than two weeks after wresting itself free from a brutal siege and pushing Moammar Gadhafi's forces out of rocket range, the rebel-held city of Misrata is taking its first steps toward normalcy.

...


"Things are getting better," Zarouk Tanashi said at his shoe store near the city's center. "Shops are opening, there are people buying things, and people are on the streets again."


Electricity is being restored, many of the checkpoints have come down, and the availability - and variety - of food is improving.


"A month ago, there was nothing," vendor Abdullah Sadi said as he surveyed the heaps of fresh carrots, tomatoes, red onions, and potatoes that covered his tables.


At the Misrata Polyclinic, the main hospital and an early target of shelling by Gadhafi forces, the smell of fresh paint filled the halls as volunteers slapped on a final coat on the white walls.

...


Also Monday, top Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed on a resolution backing the limited U.S. involvement in the NATO-led military campaign against Libya.


http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/122487204.html

[pinboy3niner]

60. House expected to debate Libya mission

Source: The Hill

By Russell Berman - 05/23/11 06:03 PM ET


The House is expected to debate the U.S. military mission in Libya amid lingering complaints that the Obama administration lacks the legal authority to continue the operation.

Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) hinted Monday that a Libya resolution would be attached as an amendment to a defense authorization bill that the House will begin debating on Tuesday.

...


Aides said it was not yet known who would sponsor the resolution or whether it would match the Senate version being introduced by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).

The Senate resolution introduced Monday says that the chamber “supports the limited use of military force by the United States in Libya as part of the NATO mission to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011), as requested by the Transitional National Council, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.”

...

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/162771-house-expected-to-take-up-resolution-on-libya

[Iterate]

62. Video: Landmines in residential areas of Ajdabiya

http://www.libyafeb17.com/
or
http://youtu.be/gx8lutpA6Yc

Translation:
This(points to mine on the table) one was found planted at the entrance of the city of Ajdabiya. It was used by Gaddafi’s brigades. This mine cannot be detected using ordinary detectors.

There are plenty of them, planted randomly. And by randomly, I mean there are no maps or information about the field. We were able to disable a majority of those mines.

They were planted near the main road a distance not more than 3 meters from the side of the road. This poses a serious threat to the lives of civilians.

(Are they planted in a residential area?)
Yes, a residential area. These locations may be used as a rest area for families when they are travelling. That area is full of residents.

These types of mines are forbidden by International Law. It’s forbidden to plant these mines, it’s forbidden for them to be used in any way.

This type of mine were never present here before. I know this as a specialist in this area, a military engineer. This is an advanced recently released model.

Some of these mines exploded on a vehicle that belongs to the electricity department. They were trying to fix the high voltage.

That area is sandy, take a look at the colour of the mine. This makes it difficult to visually detect. This mine has the ability to seriously injure any individual it is inflicted upon or even result in death. The least it can do is amputate a limb.

It isn’t affected by exposure to the elements, natural factors. Like heat and humidity and can survive for hundreds of years as they are made of plastic materials. It cannot be detected by the equipment that we currently have. Our method of detection is pure luck.

This is the mine and it was detected by accident near a vehicle belonging to the electricity department that was trying to adjust the high voltage lines. The mine is forbidden by international law by the Geneva Convention. It forbids the use of such mines especially in resident areas

They were planted in large amounts.

Back on April 18th, you may remember the BCC filmed a group of rebels planting mines near Ajdabiya, and shortly after that the TNC reasserted its commitment to forbid the use of landmines by forces under its control. It was never established that the group the BBC filmed was necessarily under anyone's control, or if they were acting independently. As far as I know, it's the only such incident by any rebel forces.

[pinboy3niner]

63. U.S. invites Libyan rebel council to open D.C. office

Source: Washington Post

By Sudarsan Raghavan and Michael Birnbaum, Updated: Tuesday, May 24, 11:00 AM


BENGHAZI, Libya — A top envoy from the U.S. State Department announced Tuesday that Libya’s rebel government would open an office in Washington, the latest indication that the United States views the rebels as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

...


In Benghazi, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman stopped short of formally recognizing the rebel National Transitional Council as Libya’s governing body. Rebel officials have sought such recognition for weeks now, and other countries — notably France — have granted it.


But Feltman said such recognition was beside the point and emphasized that the United States was firmly committed to working with the rebels. He said he delivered to the rebel leaders an oral message from President Obama as well as a formal invitation to open the office, which Feltman said the rebel leaders had accepted.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-invites-libyan-rebel-council-to-open-dc-office/2011/05/24/AFbYtTAH_story.html

[defendandprotect]

83. Now that's good news -- !!

[Yosarian71]

64. Mhalwes tweets on Brega

Brega: Today, 52 soldiers from Gadhafi's brigades in Brega surrendered to freedom fighters west of the 40km point

Guma al Gumaty: 5000 G men trapped in Brega no cars to escape and demoralised once over run and surrender logistic nightmare is how to get them to benghazi!

Brega: There are roughly 5k-7k Gaddafi soldiers in the city, with little ammo and no cars/buses to escape. Extremely demoralised. #libya

I have been as impatient with Brega as everyone else, but it hadn't occurred to me that Benghazi probably can't handle thousands of POW's, and there is no way to transport them to any place they can be held and fed. Might as well keep them in Brega, and just take the stragglers that manage to escape.

[pinboy3niner]

65. Moscow Recognizes Libyan Rebels; Jordan pledges support for Libya rebel council

Source: Agenzia Giornalistica Italia

(AGI) Moscow - Russia has recognized Libya's National Transition Council in Benghazi as the "legitimate partner in negotiations on the future of Libya." Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, made the announcement the day before the arrival of NTC representatives in Moscow. It is a partial recognition, different from the one accorded the rebels by France, Great Britain, Gambia and Qatar, who have recognized the NTC as the "sole legitimate interlocutors" for the Libyan people...

http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201105241406-pol-ren1048-moscow_recognizes_libyan_rebels

Source: Reuters

AMMAN May 24 - Jordan's Foreign Minister Nasser Joudeh said on Tuesday the kingdom recognised Libya's rebel council as a legitimate representative of Libya's people and planned to open an office in the rebel-held city of Benghazi.

Joudeh said Amman considered the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council (TNC) had organised a credible interim council that was committed to democracy.

"We consider it a legitimate representative of the Libyan people ... It adopts stances that reflect the demands of the Libyan people and their hopes to move to a new stage," Joudeh was quoted as saying by Petra state news agency.

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE74N1MX20110524

[pinboy3niner]

66. Libya: Britain softens demands Col Gaddafi should go

Source: The Telegraph

Britain and France have softened demands that Col Muammar Gaddafi gives up power before ceasefire talks can take place to suggest negotiations with the regime could start while he remains as a figurehead in Libya.

By Damien McElroy, Bruno Waterfield and Richard Spencer in Tripoli7:16PM BST 24 May 2011


A senior EU diplomat said that Britain, France and other European countries had backed away from the line that Gaddafi must leave power before there is a halt to Nato military action in a bid help "mediation efforts" in Tripoli by Abdel Elah al-Khatib, the UN special envoy for Libya.


Instead of making the Libyan dictator's immediate departure a precondition of an end to Nato bombing, coalition countries were now "more flexible with the timetable".

...


A British diplomat said that officials were encouraging the Libyan opposition leadership of the Transitional National Council (TNC) to open talks with members of the Gaddafi government who "do not have blood on their hands."

...


"As long as there is a ceasefire leading to a transistion from Col Gaddafi, we believe that talks could take place without Col Gaddafi leaving thought he could not have power over the negotiations," he said. "It needs a clear vision of a political process that leads to the demise of the regime."

...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8533941/Libya-Britain-softens-demands-Col-Gaddafi-should-go.html

[Iterate]

67. The missing and the prisoners

@bencnn benwedeman
As of this morning 1009 people in #Misrata have been registered as missing since start of #Libya revolution.

Family seeking attention for Md. man missing in Libya
Tuesday, May 24, 2:21 AM

Days after four journalists were released from captivity in Libya, a retired schoolteacher in South Baltimore waits anxiously for any word about her son, who went missing in the war-torn country in March.

Sharon VanDyke and other family members on Monday enlisted the help of Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.) to raise the profile of 31-year-old Matthew VanDyke’s case and demand that Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi allow him to return home.

“This is a major priority when you have an American being held captive, especially based on the situation occurring in Libya,” Ruppersberger said during a news conference in the VanDykes’ home. “The No. 1 priority is to bring him home safely.”

Matthew VanDyke traveled to Libya in early March to “witness history,” according to his mother. She last spoke to him March 12. The next day, he sent GPS tracking coordinates that placed him near the Libyan city of Brega.
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/family-seeking-attention-for-md-man-missing-in-libya/2011/05/23/AFC6B59G_story.html

Africans in Libya say tricked into fighting for Gaddafi
Tue May 24, 2011 12:38pm GMT

...
"There are many people fighting for Gaddafi from Sudan and Chad. They just believe the lies."

Like the others, he said he had been treated well since the rebels captured him, and fed three times a day. Asked if he had seen a doctor, he said 'No'.

Asked if he had been able to contact his family, a wife and two daughters, he said: "My family doesn't know I'm here. I haven't spoken to anyone outside the prison."

The men had been captured in battles near Zintan on April 15 and May 1. They showed no visible signs of having been beaten. One man's right leg was heavily bandaged and appeared to be swollen.

...

more
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE74M11I20110524?sp=true

Libya's prisoners of war
Al Jazeera gains exclusive access to captured pro-Gaddafi soldiers.
Last Modified: 24 May 2011 05:49

An unknown number of fighters from the Libyan conflict have been captured - and have effectively become prisoners of war.

Al Jazeera has been given exclusive access to a temporary detention centre in Zintan, located in the country's western mountains, where opposition fighters are holding some of Gaddafi's men.

Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid reports.
Source:Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/05/201152451012814342.html

The last two are essentially from the same press tour at the same time, yet are two different stories in almost subtle ways.

[pinboy3niner]

68. DAY 97: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:05 AM WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[Iterate]

69. *URGENT* #NAFUSA - GF entered Yefren today they killed every one in the hospital

moi a table

*URGENT* #NAFUSA - GF entered Yefren today they killed every one in the hospital patients and doctors they are using grad messiles within the city and burining every thing and every one as we speak, there is no way around, the international community has completly failed to protect civilians.

Ghazia and Teket have surrendered with no fight at all. they have subjected them to most horrific odeal they killed men, raped women killed them, mutilated and left them to rot quite few hung themselves and the rest are used as sex slaves

We are in a real war beyond any one comprehension the NTC have to act now. pls call for troops on the ground you can call for islamic arabic UN any thing but the no fly zone needed no compact zone on the ground, we passed this stage we need troops on the ground to stop this.

I do not know what to do or what to say any more, some people are still doubting that this is happening,

Long post from Deck.ly 2 hours ago
http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/moiatable/~uzVMO

ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
#Nafusa mntn #Yefren 19:00h: FFs attacked a group of armed G forces W. of #Yefren at approx 5.30 pm this afternoon. #libya #feb17
vor 20 Minuten

ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
#Nafusa mntn #AlQala 18:45h: v v heavy shelling on civilian areas using artillery 106 resulted in destruction of lrg # of homes & mosques
vor 25 Minuten

http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/
CRITICAL: Live Call with Yefren May 24, 2011

May 24, 2011 - Yefren, Libya:

Libya Alhurra live call with Yefren.

Associated audio/video to be posted to be posted shortly

Part 1: Translation by 4evrlonghorn, wafaa, ayatsm

Peace be upon you
We want to thank you for your patience
What is happing there now?

G troops are shelling and it is very dangerous
We are still being shelled - we’ve been shelled for about 2 months
by hawn (?) and anti crafts, from every side
and the situation is horrible
they have blocked all the entrances into Yefren
still shelling by all kind of ammunitions
there is fear
we are living in caves
no electricity
45 days without electricity
to protect ourselves from shelling
the ff have become doctors and nurses
the freedom fighters are performing surgeries on injured
without electricity and medications
from all fronts we are getting shelled
no pain medicines
they are performing operations in schools
they house the injured in the schools
and treat them there
we don’t have hospitals

if we could we would have sent you pictures
we last the call
Q: Have we asked them about food? Water?
We are making medical operations in schools. Can you imagine that?

(call dropped)

Part 2 Summary:

GF entered Yefren today they killed every one in the hospital patients and doctors they are using grad messiles within the city and burining every thing and every one as we speak, there is no way around, the international community has completly failed to protect civilians.

Ghazia and Teket have surrendered with no fight at all. they have subjected them to most horrific odeal they killed men, raped women killed them, mutilated and left them to rot quite few hung themselves and the rest are used as sex slaves

We are in a real war beyond any one comprehension the NTC have to act now. pls call for troops on the ground you can call for islamic arabic UN any thing but the no fly zone needed no compact zone on the ground, we passed this stage we need troops on the ground to stop this.

[tabatha]

70. Miscellaneous Reports

Exclusive: Libya's Ghanem may be on secret government mission
(Reuters) - Top Libyan oil official Shokri Ghanem has not defected, contrary to widespread reports, and is secretly working for Muammar Gaddafi to maintain ties with big oil companies, sources at western firms said.

A Libyan opposition source and a source at a major international oil company said Ghanem, one of the most senior figures in Gaddafi's government, had invited representatives of oil companies to meet him last week in Tunisia, to discuss oil contracts.

"There were some invitations or advances but we did not accept," said the source at a western oil company. "He was holding court in some form."

A third source, at another western oil company, with operations in Libya, said the reports that Ghanem had deserted were incorrect.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/24/us-libya-minister-idUSTRE74N4V720110524

Social Media Directory
http://enoughgaddafi.com/?page_id=732

Muammar Gaddafi and Cynthia McKinney - BFFS 4EVA

It was bad enough when Mckinney extolled the nonexistent virtues of Gaddafi’s ‘Jamahiriya’ as an idealized form of ‘direct democracy.’ Then, McKinney lauded The Green Book as some kind of paragon of democratic philosophy. Even Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi, his own son and former heir apparent, admits that the jamahiriya is no democracy.

Libyan State TV is a ‘a psychological weapon,’ a relentless propaganda machine. This is the same outlet that called rape survivor Iman Al Obeidy a ‘prostitute’ and accused her of lying about being captured and repeatedly raped and tortured by Gaddafi forces. Not to mention, the now infamous lies about Nescafe pills and al Qaeda terrorists and the denial of the deaths of what some reports suggest may be more than 30,000 Libyans.
.....

African immigrants in Libya are treated with hostility by the Libyan government and exploited for cheap labor. A Human Rights Watch report from 2006 found: “Foreigners in Libya reported police violence and due process violations, including torture and unfair trials.” The report also describes the dismal conditions under which Africans are held in detention camps for migrants. During the current crisis in Libya, the Gaddafi regime has been accused of using African migrants as weapons in the face of European hostility, cramming thousands of African migrants into boats by force. Hundreds have died in over-loaded boats that capsized en route to Italy.

http://enoughgaddafi.com/?p=752

News Bits
23:18 UNHCR IKEA has pledged 50,000 mattresses, 50,000 duvets and 50,000 duvet covers to help those who have been displaced by the violence in Libya. The first 10,000 mattresses were flown to Tunisia last week, free of charge, by UPS, another of UNHCR’s corporate partners. The remaining items are due to arrive in Tunisia over the next month.

20:40 Nefusa Mountain Media Group Armed Gaddafi forces launched Grad rockets at approximately 11 am this morning from Saffeet which landed on the city of Qala, Ifran and forests located between the two. They also address a growing issue in Yefren for people with heart failure, high blood pressure and diabetes. It is impossible to get medication due to the fact that Gaddafi forces have taken the hospital and cut the electricity. Around 50 people have suffered heart failure since April 3rd and a few of them have died.

twitter20:22 Ben Wedeman says that, as of this morning, 1009 people in Misrata have been registered as missing since start of Libya revolution.

Al Manara20:00 Al Manara Media Sources to Al Manara say that opposition fighters managed to capture five of Gaddafi’s forces in Tawergha and another five in Dafniya.

http://www.libyafeb17.com/

Jeez, Iterate - what a report about Yefren! - why did NATO not do more? Yep, the beautiful, progressive Gaddafi. That is beyond disgusting. It is Hitlerian and definitely genocide.

**** TributeFM is reporting on Yefren now - they think it is worse than Zawiya - it sounds really bad ****

[tabatha]

71. TributeFM is reporting that this is old news

that was dredged up on Twitter as new. I think it was Live2Tripoli that called in. I am glad to hear it is not new.
It is also important that a station like TributeFM be around to correct stuff like this.

(I missed updating my previous post by 1 minute.)

[Iterate]

72. I sat on it for quite a while

until the translation and then some. Right after I posted there were disclaimers but nothing definitive. I think I see now what happened.

The live-caller was pretty distraught (fair enough) and started rattling off the threats, ongoing and new, but when it came to that hospital incident people took it to be a new incident (as an attack on the current "hospital", the schoolhouse). When the call was cut shortly after, everyone was scrambling for a translation into three other languages. After that was done it started to seem that the caller was referring to the previous attack. I was off Tribute tonight and didn't hear their take. That's how I took it.

All the same, it's probably not the worst thing that the town got 30 minutes of extra attention.

Didn't mean to go AWOL on you the past two days -just a little fucked up and had to back off a bit. I guess I'm not used to having anyone notice I've taken a wander.

ETA, just saw this:
LibyaAlHurra

On Wednesday 25th May 2011, @LibyaAlHurraTV said:

CORRECTION/RETRACTION TO EARLIER REPORT ON #YEFREN: We received an unconfirmed report that the hospital in #Yefren was under siege by #Gaddafi forces and that the city of Yefren was occupied. This was NOT accurate. The situation in Yefren remains as it was, a town under siege from all sides by Gaddafi forces, urgent need of medical supplies. The hospital in #Yefren is controlled by Gaddafi forces, who are using it as a military barracks. We regret the error and will re-double efforts to avoid confusion and to verify the accuracy of all reports before making them public.

[pinboy3niner]

73. Of course we noticed your absence--you're a key contributor here

But I figured you had other commitments or you were simply taking a mental health respite.

Next time you'd better PM Tabatha, though, so she can call of the bloodhounds and search party. :)


:hi:

[tabatha]

74. Actually, that is what the conclusion was

that although the news was old, that area is still having a tough time - and needs attention.

No problem about the AWOL; just concerned about a regular poster.

I think we all, but most of all the Libyans, need to see this end, soon and well.

[al bupp]

76. WP: Libyans ‘robbed our own bank’ to fund uprising

BENGHAZI, Libya — In the days after Libya’s rebels rose up against Moammar Gaddafi, they faced a vexing challenge: How do you pay for a revolution?

They figured that part of the answer could be found inside the secure vaults of the Benghazi branch of the Central Bank of Libya, where Gaddafi’s government held about $505 million.

So they broke in and took it.

“Let me put it this way: We robbed our own bank,” said Ali Tarhouni, the U.S.-educated finance minister for the rebels, who ordered the March heist.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyans-robbed-our-own-bank-to-fund-uprising/2011/05/24/AFAPZhAH_singlePage.html">Libyans ‘robbed our own bank’ to fund uprising

Also posted http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4862115">in LBN

[pinboy3niner]

77. US journalist held in Libya says she was beaten

(AP) – 4 hours ago


NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A journalist from Connecticut detained in Libya for six weeks said Tuesday she was fired upon and then beaten when she was captured but later treated better as she was moved from prison to a luxurious hotel.


Clare Morgana Gillis was one of four foreign journalists released May 18. She said she's happy to be home in New Haven and grateful to her supporters for campaigning for her release, but upset that a photographer she was with when she was captured was killed.

...


The men were hit with the butts of AK-47s, she said, recalling a bloodied Foley. The journalists were tied up, loaded into a pickup truck and taken to a military camp.

...


The journalists decided not to talk about Hammerl's death in front of their captors. After they were freed, they said the 41-year-old Hammerl, who had South African and Austrian citizenships, had been shot and left to die in the desert as Gadhafi's forces took them away.

...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h-loIJ4-HdAfd3BZUYA3fHRK5Frg?docId=ea1bcd413e5b45429c9f43d8e5c5394d

[tabatha]

78. Heinz update

mass defektions
about 800 mercs south of jalu by shoting their libyen officers
arround 2000 in misrata area now by just going home and change clothes
tripoli ,round tripoli in the desert about 400 camps
brega around 2000 on the way back to east by feet or just hiding in the area or join the ff

[tabatha]

84. Daunting Task for NATO in Libya as Strikes Intensify, Gaddafi in exile?

Two months into the Libya air campaign, allied officers insist they have worked out the kinks in an operation initially plagued by NATO’s inexperience in waging a complex air war against moving targets and botched communications with the ragtag rebel army. The confusion resulted in at least two accidental bombings that killed over a dozen rebel fighters.

...


Information on Libyan forces filters up from Central Intelligence Agency officers and allied special operations troops working with the rebels on the ground, as well as from the rebels themselves. But NATO planners say they have no direct contact with anyone on the ground to help coordinate the roughly 50 allied attack missions every night.

Instead, they rely on an array of imagery and electronic intercepts collected by drones, spy planes and satellites, as well as news media reports and other whispers of intelligence. These are used to build a round-the-clock campaign that allied officers say is preventing Colonel Qaddafi from making sustained attacks on rebel fighters and driving him deeper into hiding.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/world/africa/25nato.html



LYBIA: ZUMA SOON IN TRIPOLI TO DEAL GADDAFI'S EXILE

(AGI) Johannesburg - South-African President, Jacob Zuma, will travel to Tripoli next week to deal an "exit strategy" for Gaddafi. This is due to take place in cooperation with Turkey, reported South-African Talk Radio 702. The mission is still being outlined. It will serve the purpose of discussing the ways of relinquishing power and, possibly, the Colonel's exile, said the Radio quoting Tripoli sources. . .

http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201105250817-pol-ren1006-lybia_zuma_soon_in_tripoli_to_deal_gaddafi_s_exile


Again .... ? I hope not to any southern African country.

[Yosarian71]

91. A little skeptical

Heinz is typically a little over-optimistic. I have been too. Heinz has reported that the Libyan regime forces were on the verge of collapse a half dozen times.

Despots around the world are probably studying Gadhafi's response, especially when it comes to his command and control of his army, to learn how to keep a conscript and merc army together against long odds and staggering unpopularity. I did not think he would last more than a couple of weeks once the NATO strikes began.

[tabatha]

93. Yep, after reading the article below

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1146613&mesg_id=1169589
I wondered how on earth he would know what is going on.

Here is his comment about the use of helicopters:

let explain a little
a attack from a jet on a tank hidden in a building is only possible by destroy the building .
a heli can operate like a tank and fire thru the door.
daffi use 4x4 with mounted weapons
to hit a 4x4 by jet you use a bomb or a rocket for thousends of dollars
a tiger need 1 shot from his kanon coast 5 dollar
to do the same ground work a tiger can do you need 5-6 jets.

On edit - another article excerpt.

The British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, today heard firsthand accounts of the situation in Misrata during a private meeting with eyewitnesses from the besieged city. The Minister spoke on the telephone with people in Misrata, as well as meeting with some who had recently returned, alongside representatives from human rights organisations including the Red Cross, Human Rights Watch and Lawyers for Justice in Libya. The meeting was held under Chatham House rules to ensure that those speaking out were not subsequently targeted. Speaking after the meeting Minister Burt said:

“The experiences of those civilians, the ordinary men, women and children caught in the crossfire are the most painful to hear. The accounts I have heard today confirm our worst suspicions about the true scale of Qadhafi’s atrocities in Misrata.

“The accounts of the use of rape as a weapon of war, the use of women and children as human shields, snipers and indiscriminate attacks on civilians that I have heard today are a powerful and moving reminder of why the international community has acted, and is continuing to act to protect the Libyan people. They also reinforce the importance of NATO operations which have recently succeeded in helping drive the Qadhafi regime from Misrata.”

We as humans have a lot to answer for, if this situation is permitted to continue.

http://jo-ex-royal-navy.newsvine.com/_news/2011/05/24/6708776-libya-fco-minister-alistair-burt-meets-misrata-eyewitnesses

[pinboy3niner]

94. You're not alone

We've all been over-optimistic. Long after it was clear to everyone following this (and probably even to Gaddafi) that there is no possibility of him or any of his family remaining in power, he has continued to pound Libyan cities and towns that engage in resistance against his forces.

His only options are to leave, be captured, or die fighting, yet he continues to prolong the bloodshed. It seems insane, but he has always been incredibly vindictive, punishing real or perceived enemies with his ruthless vengeance in a way that seems almost compulsive.

And he's passed up options to live very comfortably in exile to continue his brutal, murderous campaign.

I think all of us--including Heinz--were over-optimistic because we expected Gaddafi's response to be that of a rational person, but his behavior seems anything BUT rational. Partition of the country was never a realistic possibility and there doesn't seem to be anything else left for him that's worth fighting for. Yet, incredibly, he continues to fight. It doesn't make sense.

And Heinz also has been over-optimistic--or at least premature--in his reports that there would be mass defections that would speed the regime's collapse. We've seen defections, but nothing on the scale or the schedule that Heinz was so confidently predicting.

[Yosarian71]

98. I didn't expect the Gadhafi clan to be rational

But I did expect his generals, and especially the mid-level officers, to be rational. They know they can't win this war. They have not had a single remotely successful offensive action since the recaptured the border post for a day, and promptly gave it back. All they have is a giant arsenal of mobile artillery with which to pound the Libyan people, and that is what they are doing.

How do these generals think this is going to end? I think Gadhafi and Saif are fighting to the death, but even if they don't, they can always cut a deal at the end. What will the generals and mid-level officers do? The officers in charge of the mass rapes are going to be executed if they do not switch sides soon. The officers in charge of the endless bombing of Yefren and Zintan are going to be executed. And the window for negotiated defections is shrinking after the last stunt the generals pulled.

Do the generals really think they can win? The rebels know they must win or face death. They will never give up. The only two times in military history that an army with a modern air force superiority has lost, Afghanistan and Vietnam, the Afghans and Vietname were able to inflict severe casualties on their enemies. And the Afghans had state of the art air defense systems to boot. NATO has not had a single casualty yet. This is literally a turkey shoot for them. The regime has no chance of a military victory, and as the atrocities escalate and the regime's military fortunes decline, the chance of a negotiated settlement declines too.

Maybe Gadhafi has convinced the generals and officers they are all dead anyway. I can't think of any other explanation for their behavior.

[defendandprotect]

82. KR -- Libya Hurra !!

[pinboy3niner]

85. AP reports NATO hits Tripoli targets again, for second night in a row

...



And late yesterday, NATO hit Tripoli again, aiming at least six airstrikes at the same targets and another farther away. Smoke rose from the area near Khadafy’s compound for the second night in a row. There were no immediate reports of casualties.


A US official warned the Libyan ruler that the pace of the attacks will intensify. Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said, “I think we want to underscore to Khadafy that the foot is not going to come off the gas pedal," adding, “Leaving is in his best interests and the best interest of the Libyan people."

...


Praising the rebel leadership, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, “The opposition has organized a legitimate and credible interim council that is committed to democratic principles, their military forces are improving, and when Khadafy inevitably leaves, a new Libya stands ready to move forward," she said.

...


Rebels now control the populated coastal strip in the country’s east and the western port city of Misurata. They also control pockets in Libya’s western Nafusa mountain range.


http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/05/25/us_reaches_out_to_rebels_amid_withering_airstrikes/

[pinboy3niner]

86. Reporter: 44 days in captivity in Libya 'insane' / + Live discussion Wed. noon ET

Source: USA Today

By Rick Hampson, USA TODAY


NEW HAVEN, Conn. — She had been shot at, slugged in the face, tied up and dragged by her hair onto a flatbed truck by Moammar Gadhafi's soldiers, one of whom now sat on her legs. A friend and fellow journalist lay behind in the desert, bleeding to death.


As she and two other journalists headed — where? — the only conclusion open to Clare Morgana Gillis, holder of a University of Chicago bachelor's degree, two Harvard master's degrees and a doctorate in early medieval history, was that she was a long way from the ivory tower, and that life was about to get much worse.


"Rape," Gillis recalls, "was at the top of my mind."


But things didn't get worse. They got strange. "It was a tragicomedy," she says, shaking her head six days after being released from the Gadhafi regime. "So insane in so many ways."

...


Story and VIDEO (4:25):
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-05-24-clare-morgana-gillis-libya_n.htm

May 24, 2011
Freed reporter Clare Gillis takes your questions Wednesday


Clare Morgana Gillis, 34, a reporter working for USA TODAY and The Atlantic, answers your questions on surviving gunfire that killed her colleague and then spending 44 days in Libyan military detention.

Set a reminder for the live discussion, which takes place Wednesday, May 25, at noon ET.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/05/freed-reporter-takes-your-questions-wednesday-at-noon-et/1

[agentS]

87. US policy in Syria is dependent on Libyan outcome

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13529923

Almost three months, two UN resolutions and a Nato operation later, Col Gaddafi is still in power.

When Washington looks at Syria today, it fears a repeat; long drawn-out international pressure with no clear outcome.

There is no suggestion whatsoever that anyone would consider military intervention in Syria but the US and Europe, their hands full in Libya, are wary even of a purely diplomatic quagmire.

The call for Col Gaddafi to leave came within roughly 10 days of the big protests starting and reports of hundreds of people having been killed.

In comparison, the demonstrations in Syria have been going for more than two months, more than 1,000 people are reported to have been killed, and the Assad government has deployed tanks which are besieging, and shelling, towns.

Initially, the hesitation to put intense pressure on Syria was driven mostly by the hope that Mr Assad could still prove himself a reformer.

Hope for peace
The Syrian president had carefully cultivated that image. He introduced limited economic reforms during several years and promised more changes.

He sounded reasonable to all his foreign visitors, many of whom also held on to the hope that Mr Assad could eventually be peeled away from his Iranian allies and convinced to sign a peace deal with Israel.

So the Obama administration increased pressure on Syria incrementally. First, it issued statements, condemning the violence and calling for reforms.

It slowly showed more support for the protesters, while still calling for reforms.

At the end of April, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on members of the Syrian leadership, including the president's brother, Maher and his cousin, Rami Makhlouf.

Unlike with Muammar Gaddafi - who is disliked by most other Arab leaders - there have been no calls from Arab countries for increased international pressure on Syria.

Its borders with Iraq, Lebanon, Israel and Turkey make Syria a much more challenging case for the US, but also for regional players.

Does this mean that when we finish with Gaddafi (and we will), Assad is next? It could be- he's certainly giving the world reasons to go after him. But his army is bigger and better equipped than Gadaffi's so direct military intervention is unlikely, unless he attacks another country.
But I bet Assad is watching the war in Libya closely.

[agentS]

89. We were just told to kill, says Libyan teen soldier

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/we-were-just-told-to-kill-says-libyan-teen-soldier/story-e6frg6so-1226062270303

THE young Libyan soldier showed almost no emotion as he described how his unit had raped four sisters, the youngest about 16, after breaking into a home in the besieged port of Misratah.

"My officer sent three of us up to the roof to guard the house while they tied up the father and mother and took the girls to two rooms, two each to a room," said Walid Abu Bakr, 17.

"My two officers and the others raped the girls first," he recalled in a monotone, still dressed in the camouflage uniform he was wearing when he surrendered 12 days ago. They were playing music. They called me down and ordered me to rape one of the girls."

Abu Bakr, from Traghen, a poor southern town, claimed he had been given hashish and was not responsible.

"She did not move much when I raped her," he said, admitting the girl had already been gang-raped. "She said in a low voice, 'There is Allah. He is watching you.' I said, 'Yes, Allah is watching me'."

Sick, just plain sick.

[enum]

88. Urgent help needed in Nafusa mountains

Regarding the origin intention of UN resolution 1973 it becomes more and more inevitable for NATO to do something for the villages of Yefren and Zintan. According to several reports people are surrounded by Gaddafi troops and since weeks under heavy grenade fire. Drinking water was polluted by oil, food and medics ran out of shops, streets are blocked so they cannot get any fresh supply via the road connections.

If NATO is really acting with that surgical precision they always report of so why don't they use this strategic concept to help the suffering population of Nafusa region by organizing humanitarian air drops just as they did in the mid 90's in Bosnian civil war? One TransAll machine can carry urgently needed goods for hundreds of people.

The strategy behind the actions the pro Gaddafi forces pursue seems to be clear: facing that they have no real chances in gaining territory around the coastal region they retreated in the mountain areas and terrorize now the Berber tribes who were even discriminated in the whole Gaddafi era.

Beating the weak instead of taking care by regarding the military codex is the ultimate sign of merciless cowardice. We've seen acts like that when General Mladic's soldier troops stepped forward to the massacres of Zepa and Srebrenica but we also imagine the newly arranged tactics by NATO answering that genocidal violation of human rights.

Time's running against Muammar and Saif and I desperately hope they will face soon the judges of ICC at The Hague confronting them with all the war crimes they have to respond. Until then it is NATO's first and most important duty to take care of the endangered civilians all over Libya, not only in certain strategic areas around the coast ..

[tabatha]

90. That is why they will be deploying helicopters.

[pinboy3niner]

92. Welcome to DU, enum!

And welcome to the Libya threads.

That's a very good post (and it's obvious that you've been following developments closely and that you have a lot to contribute here.)

Again, welcome--and I hope we'll be seeing more of you here. :hi:

[CJvR]

95. Two very different things.

If NATO is really acting with that surgical precision they always report of so why don't they use this strategic concept to help the suffering population...
It is one thing to drop a bomb, an entirely different matter to air drop supplies.
One is meant to hit hard and blow up and cause as much destruction as possible - the other must do the exact opposite.
One is delivered from agile supersonic jetfighters the other from slow low flying air barges that any post WWI AAA can blast easily.

[pinboy3niner]

114. Regime's news agency reports NATO raids on Nafusa Mtns. town of Nalyut--AFP

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Libya-Explosions-heard-in-Tripoli-NATO-raids-on-Nalyut/articleshow/8581496.cms

[pampango]

96. Zuma to offer Gaddafi 'exit strategy'

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/05/20115259220999993.html

South African president Jacob Zuma will visit the Libya next week, for talks officials say will focus on an "exit strategy" for the country's embattled leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Zuma visited Tripoli on April 10 as part of an African Union delegation to broker a truce between Gaddafi and his opponents, but a peace plan fell through when the rebels insisted the longtime ruler step down.

"President Zuma will stop over in Tripoli for a discussion on May 30," the South African presidency said in a statement.

Two sources in the presidency, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the talks would focus on Gaddafi's "exit strategy", the AFP news agency reported.

Despite attempting to broker peace in Libya, South Africa voted for a UN resolution authorising a no-fly zone over the country. But Pretoria has also since criticised NATO's bombing campaign, and said that it does not support regime change in the country.

[Yosarian71]

99. Gaddafi can't accept this

He knows that he will never be safe after what he has done. The only way to protect him would be to make him a virtual prisoner in whatever country he ended up at. There are millions of Libyans that would gladly end his life if they could, and will feel the same way 10 years from now. Once he loses control of his Libyan security infrastructure, it will be very hard to protect him or his kids.

I think Saif and Gadhafi know this, which is why they have decided to go out the way they are going.

[CJvR]

108. It is remarkable...

...how utterly useless the Africans and Arabs are in this matter.

[Iterate]

97. Volunteer soldiers, Libyans living in caves

Al Jazeera's Mike Hanna reports on the volunteer rebels who are taking on pro-Gaddafi forces.

Volunteers continue to fight in Libya
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya
or
http://youtu.be/lumk_e8P_Vw

Rebels battle Gadhafi forces in Libyan mountains
From Nic Robertson, CNN
May 21, 2011 -- Updated 1922 GMT (0322 HKT)

Zintan, Libya (CNN) -- Over the past two days, Moammar Gadhafi's forces have unleashed their biggest attack yet against one of the mountainous rebel strongholds in western Libya, according to one of his former generals.

Haji Usama, as he is known to the rebels, was once a top commander in Gadhafi's forces. He spent decades in the Libyan army including a tour of duty in neighboring Chad, and now commands in Zintan, population 40,000.

Today, he hates that his former commander in chief regards him as a terrorist.

Haji Usama says that early Thursday morning about 150 of Gadhafi's infantry troops -- supported by about 40 vehicles, including long range "Grad" rocket launchers and heavy, long-range machine guns -- began an attack on three fronts near Zintan.

more...
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/05/21/libya.zintan/index.html

12:18pm: CNN’s Nic Robertson reports from the front line near Zintan, Libya
http://feb17.info/
or
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/05/24/robertson.zintan.fighting.cnn

To find safety from shelling, Libyan families hide in caves, uninhabited for decades. CNN's Nic Robertson reports
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/05/25/robertson.libya.cave.kids.cnn

All are good reports. New found respect for Nic Robertson.

A bit OT, but not really, I'd like to humbly thank whoever donated a star in my name. I haven't been able to contribute for a few years. It seems that many people have the idea that an expats life must be like "My Year in Provence", but the truth is often closer to "Down and out in Paris and London". As a dear departed friend once put it, "It's the fastest way to become halfway dissatisfied in each of two places at the same time". DU has become a way to fill the void.

That aside, I must admit that I've been looking lately for a new species to sign up with, preferably one with its own Ustream channel. It seemed for a while to be the best way to escape the cynicism that will certainly do us all in. Now I see that might not be necessary. Libyans and other people of the Magrbeb and Egypt are not cynical, the people in this thread and most of DU are not cynical. That should be enough. I'll do my best.

[Yosarian71]

100. Reuters: East Libya press blooms

A rare positive article from Reuters on the rebels.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/24/libya-press-idUSLDE74N1HS20110524

[tabatha]

101. Aid to Jabal Nafousa, Twitter Feeds, Zefrin Map

Shipment of food and goods to Jabal Nafousa.wmv 24 05 2011 - Great to see !!
http://youtu.be/Au6NkefbLN4

live2Tripoli
Mercenaries are in #Libya, they are being conveniently hidden,FF have seen them and know their locations. We need @NATO strikes #JabalNafusa
@NATO is being give constant location detail of #Muammar's forces, yet no action that has seriously impeded them. #Libya #JabalNaufsa
#Mercenaries in their 1000s around #JabalNafusa, waiting for the opportunity to close the border and wipe out #Yifrin. #Libya #feb17
Internet connection in #Libya is only available via SAT.
http://twitter.com/#!/live2Tripoli

RRowleyTucson
#Freedomfighters clashed Wednesday with #Sudan mercenaries fighting for #Gaddafi near the border with #Sudan. #Libya #feb17
Shelling again around #Zintan, #Gaddafi's forces have fired about 20 GRAD rockets. #Libya #feb17
#Tripoli: #Gaddafi equiping 50 ambulances w/ 14.5 machine guns. Being assembled on airport road after the iron bridge. #Libya #feb17 @NATO
#Nato planes target #Gaddafi’s #Tripoli compound shabablibya.org/news/libya-nat… #Libya #feb17
#NATO destroyed 40 cars loaded w/ explosives outside of #BabAlAzizya that were believed to be headed to #Misrata #Libya #feb17
http://twitter.com/#!/RRowleyTucson

Amazigh_Libya
Breaking Now: 50 GRAD missile strikes on #Zintan. #Libya (no info on whether there are casualties) #Libya
Mercenaries are in #Libya, they are being conveniently hidden,FF have seen them and know their locations. We need @NATO strikes #JabalNafusa
Shelling again around Zintan, Gadhafi's forces firing about 20 grad rockets, no reports of injuries so far, more coming now
@gotybee Most have fled the city, but I hear report that btw 7,000 to 10,000 remain trapped in Yefren
http://twitter.com/#!/Amazigh_Libya

Hoda Abdel-Hamid
dont know if civilians still in #al ghazaya.G forces are based there and hit the border#wazin. Tunisian borderguard says there are some.
trying to get close to #Yefren but very dangerous and long trek. GForces are in Rayayna only 3km from #Zintan.
Todays offering:#Libya's prisoners of war- AJE english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2… via @AddThis
http://twitter.com/#!/HodaAbdelHamid

#Yefren Map: Blue Pins indicate #Gaddafi forces. Entire area completely under siege for 2 months. #libya #feb17
http://twitpic.com/50z2w9

[tabatha]

102. 50 missiles fired on #Zintan today, destroying civilian houses

Amazigh_Libya - Zintan
The situation map shows the #Gaddafi's military presence in and around the besieged #Nafusa Mtns. http://twitpic.com/52ftfp #libya #feb17

Many limb amputations in #Zintan due to poor ambulance services, limited resources, and surgeons. #libya

#Gaddafi troops use women, old men, and children as human shields in #Zintan making it difficult for FF to defend city #libya #feb17

North, South, and East of #Zintan surrounded by #Gaddafi troops. West is only lifeline for #Zintan & still it is unsafe. #libya

Shelling in #Zintan by #Gaddafi forces is focused on civilian homes, markets, post office, etc.

Minor injury today in #Zintan from grad missiles. Shelling is everyday for 2 months, especially when @NATO not present. Target is civilians.

50 missiles fired on #Zintan today, destroying civilian houses. Shelling everyday in #Zintan. Women, kids frightened

http://twitter.com/#!/Amazigh_Libya

Recorded live call from Zintan Media Center, May 25
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/

Comment from AJE blog

I read a short snippet that British SAS and French military had just trained several score Libyan FF's as commandos in a two month program in Benghazi. These troops were selected in a process that established their intelligence, physical fitness, capacity to work in harsh conditions, etc. Now that French and British copters with the capacity to transport squads of troops behind Gaddaffi lines now exists I would suspect that these troops could be used to attack the regimes forces without Western "boots on the ground".

These forces could establish themselves in the Nafusa, target Gaddaffi forces on the ground for air attack and undertake sabotage and rear assault. They'd be able to use local Libyan Arabic, and in some cases may have members that speak the local Berber dialects of Tamizigh.

[pinboy3niner]

103. Obama Says U.S. Allies Won’t Set ‘Artificial Timeline’ for Libya Campaign

Source: Bloomberg

By Kate Andersen Brower and Hans Nichols - May 25, 2011 7:25 AM PT


President Barack Obama appealed for patience in the effort to remove Muammar Qaddafi from power and said allied leaders won’t set a timeline for completing military operations in Libya.


The U.S. and its allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are making “enormous progress” and won’t let up until the Libyan leader is deposed, Obama said during a news conference today in London with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron. He ruled out putting
troops on the ground there.

“This is going to be a slow, steady process in which we’re able to wear down the regime forces,” Obama said. “We have not put forward any artificial timeline in terms of how long this will take.”

...


Obama, 49, said he and Cameron agree “that we cannot put boots on the ground in Libya,” which puts some “inherent limitations” on how quickly allied forces can accomplish their goals.


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-25/obama-says-u-s-allies-won-t-set-artificial-timeline-for-libya-campaign.html

WH transcript of joint press conference w/ UK PM David Cameron:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/25/remarks-president-obama-and-prime-minister-cameron-united-kingdom-joint-

[pinboy3niner]

104. List of missing grows in Libyan rebel city Misrata

Good article--worth reading in full at the link.

(AP) – 2 hours ago

MISRATA, Libya — Inside a small whitewashed building, a former Libyan prosecutor tends to the list of Misrata's missing.

It grows longer — at least 1,000 names so far — as rebels expand their territory and more families come forward with names of those who disappeared during the seven-week siege by government forces on Libya's third-largest city.

The costs from the bombardment and battles in Misrata are well known. But only now — after rebels have driven out the last of Moammar Gadhafi's forces and reclaimed the farms, olive groves and villages on Misrata's outskirts — another aspect of the fight is beginning to emerge.

It's contained in Tarek Abdel-Hadi's ledger: the disappearance of hundreds of people — sometimes even whole families — during the onslaught.

"We have to do this and tell the outside world what has happened to these people," said Abdel-Hadi, a former prosecutor now in charge of the missing persons file.

...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jsnzOMY0e4VLOl6JjBYf2tlvJD_A?docId=6a0932f972594ac28d1fa2db9bda93a8

[pinboy3niner]

105. Refugees from Libya attacked in Tunisian desert

Source: The Guardian

Hundreds who fled Gaddafi regime left without shelter as locals ransack and burn down refugee camp


Tom Kington in Rome
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 25 May 2011 20.05 BST

"They came in daylight, well organised, and army did nothing to protect the camp dwellers and may have even provided an escort as the locals burned what they could not steal. Something has to be done now for these migrants stranded in the sand."

More than 1,000 migrants who fled fighting in Libya have been left without shelter in the Tunisian desert after locals burned down and looted a refugee camp on the country's border, witnesses have claimed.

At least five people were wounded when Tunisian soldiers opened fire on migrants fleeing Tuesday's attack on the UN-managed Choucha camp near the main crossing with Libya at Ras Ajdir, said Alganesc Fessaha, an Eritrean doctor who treated the victims.

The attack, which left around 1,500 residents without shelter, reflected growing resentment among locals against the migrants, mainly foreign workers from Eritrea, Somalia and the Ivory Coast.

...


De Pretis said the attack marked a change in the mood of Tunisians, who have hitherto offered hospitality to refugees streaming over the border , even as they struggle to rebuild their own economy after this year's popular uprising.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/25/libya-refugees-gaddafi-regime-attacked

[pinboy3niner]

106. DAY 98: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:01 AM THURSDAY, MAY 26

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[pinboy3niner]

107. Berlusconi dismisses claim NATO strike killed Kadhafi's son (& grandchildren)

Source: AFP

ROME — Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday dismissed a Libyan claim that an April 30 NATO air strike killed one of strongman Moamer Kadhafi's sons, the ANSA news agency reported.


Berlusconi said the international coalition had no information that 29-year-old Seif al-Arab, Kadhafi's youngest son, was dead, dismissing the report by a Libyan government spokesman as "propaganda".


"In fact, the youngest son was not in Libya, and he was living in another country, and it's the same story for the three grandchildren," the Italian leader added, calling the claims "unfounded".


"This is the information of our services," he said, referring to the country's military secret service.

...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gnh0BMDVSY9EJyN35rIDx2eSzqLQ?docId=CNG.6d368e1b8c6c3ad77e8681f96fb6d5ee.ca1

[pinboy3niner]

109. EXCLUSIVE: Battered Libya sues for peace

Source: The Independent

As President Obama vows 'We will not relent until the shadow of tyranny is lifted', Gaddafi's Prime Minister offers Nato a ceasefire, amnesty for rebels, reconciliation, constitutional government – and an exit strategy


By Kim Sengupta and Solomon Hughes
Thursday, 26 May 2011


The Libyan regime is preparing to make a fresh overture to the international community, offering concessions designed to end the bloodshed of the three-month-long civil war.


The Independent has obtained a copy of a letter from the country's Prime Minister, Al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, being sent to a number of foreign governments. It proposes an immediate ceasefire to be monitored by the United Nations and the African Union, unconditional talks with the opposition, amnesty for both sides in the conflict, and the drafting of a new constitution.


Behind the scenes, there are signs that Western powers may agree to a ceasefire without the precondition of Muammar Gaddafi and his immediate family going into exile.


Both the British Prime Minister and the US President declared yesterday that the Libyan dictator must leave the country. However senior officials from both sides of the Atlantic increasingly indicate that talks should start if the regime forces end their military action, and there are also genuine signs that Colonel Gaddafi is relinquishing direct control of the state apparatus.


Unusually, Dr Mahmoudi's letter makes no mention of Colonel Gaddafi's role in the country's future. Previous regime communiqués have insisted that the Colonel will fight on, while other proposals, notably by his son Saif al-Islam, envisaged Colonel Gaddafi staying on as a figurehead as a period of transition gets under way.

...


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/exclusive-battered-libya-sues-for-peace-2289133.html

[pinboy3niner]

110. Washington Post Editorial Board Opinion: At odds over Libya

By Editorial, Wednesday, May 25, 4:02 PM


EACH TIME he addresses the war in Libya, President Obama seems to contradict himself. After a meeting Wednesday with British Prime Minister David Cameron, the president was supportive of Mr. Cameron’s declaration that “the president and I agree that we should be turning up the heat in Libya.” “The more effective the coalition is in rallying all the resources that are available to it,” Mr. Obama said, the more “we’re going to be able to achieve our mission in a timely fashion.”


Yet Mr. Obama apparently remains unwilling to rally American resources that are readily available and that Britain and France have repeatedly requested. The allies have asked for the resumption of strike operations by U.S. warplanes that Mr. Obama pulled from the fight in early April. But immediately after acknowledging that more resources are needed, Mr. Obama talked down the prospect of “additional U.S. capabilities,” saying “there are going to be some inherent limitations to our airstrike operations.” He added: “There may be a false perception that there are a whole bunch of secret super-effective air assets that are in a warehouse that could just be pulled out and that would somehow immediately solve the situation in Libya. That’s not the case.”

...


The United States is already flying about a quarter of the air missions in Libya, including refueling and intelligence sorties, and U.S. drones have been striking some targets on the ground. Mr. Obama may be correct in his assessment that “we have built enough momentum that as long as we sustain the course that we’re on,” Mr. Gaddafi will ultimately be forced from power. But the strain on British and French forces is growing, and the president appears to have no substantial reason to deny the allies’ request, other than to prove the ideological point that the United States need not lead every NATO military intervention. That point has been made. Now it is time to do what can be done to speed the end of Libya’s war.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/at-odds-over-libya/2011/05/25/AG1WdVBH_story.html

[pinboy3niner]

111. Libya: regime negotiates Col Muammar Gaddafi's position for first time

Source: The Telegraph

Col Muammar Gaddafi might eventually step down as Libya's leader, a senior regime official said on Wednesday night as military and diplomatic pressure on Tripoli intensified.


By Richard Spencer, Tripoli12:23AM BST 26 May 2011


Khaled Kaim, deputy foreign minister, for the first time admitted that all political options were on the table in future negotiations over the country's future. "This is for the Libyan people to decide," he told The Daily Telegraph.


He insisted that the Libyan leader was not considering an immediate "exit strategy" and the issue would not be subject to negotiations with the West or Nato.


But the admission came as European Union and African Union diplomats set out terms for a ceasefire and possible settlement, and the Libyan government sent its own ceasefire proposals to the United Nations.


For the first time, there were signs that all these proposals were beginning to move to a common ground, in which Col Gaddafi might be allowed to remain in power but only temporarily, while ceasefire negotiations took place.


The Libyan government letter to Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations secretary general, and the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, reiterated what Mr Kaim said were existing Libyan government ceasefire proposals.

...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8537123/Libya-regime-negotiates-Col-Muammar-Gaddafis-position-for-first-time.html

[Yosarian71]

112. Skeptical that NATO would allow Gadhafi to remain in power

Sarkoczy, Obama and Cameron took a huge political risk to get it this far. They are not about to hand Gadhafi back his country and go home, and the rebels would never accept it anyway. Gadhafi is a war criminal. Politically, the NATO leaders can not leave him in charge.

I think the media is sourcing each other on the "Europeans would let Gadhafi remain in power" theory. That does not pass the smell test.

[Yosarian71]

113. Rumors Brega may surrender soon

For the fourth time in the last month, Brega is on the verge of surrender from twitter and the AJA blog.

Dragonlance on AJA:

Yesterday's probes at Brega tell Nato and Free Libya Army that Daffi troops there have no will to fight.

Problem is with hatefull officers who know they will hang.

Daffi troops will shoot officers or die under Tiger fire both from sky and the land.

Play will be fast.

Good chance Brega will fall this day.

Time lines important.

Sirte must fall also fast.

Khums crossroads important position and trap.

Many dragons on east this day. Nasties bring fire close and personal.

Regime now betrays regime.

Hello Daffi. Who can you really trust?

They closest to you trade your soul for their lives.

You bet ya.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/05/18/libyas-forgotten-frontline

[pinboy3niner]

115. Freed journalist Foley reports political prisoners tortured by Gaddafi regime

Source: PBS Newshour (AIR DATE: May 25, 2011)

Journalist Foley Details 6 Weeks of Captivity in Libya: 'I Could Make it'


...


RAY SUAREZ: Did you learn anything while you were inside, I mean, from fellow captives, from the conditions under which you were held, even from watching if demeanor and behavior of the people who were holding you?


JAMES FOLEY: Oh, it was very interesting.


Once we were in the general prison, all of the prisoners there, from younger 20s to 60s, were in there for purely political reasons, for protesting against Gadhafi, for sending text messages against him, for talking on the phone about what they had heard on the news -- more serious ones, an imam for preaching against Gadhafi, another, a doctor, a Libyan -- British doctor for helping an Al-Jazeera team.


So, there was a real mixture of people who were being held by this regime.


RAY SUAREZ: Well, you got to watch this civil war from a very strange vantage point. What conclusions did you make about the Libyans, the tenacity of the regime, whether they will be able to hold on for the long term?


JAMES FOLEY: Well, all I can -- all I can say is, you know, the people who I talked to and the small views of Tripoli that I got through the sides of the paddy wagon from underneath my blindfold, but there certainly was a sense amongst the political prisoners that Gadhafi had shot his own people, and that they wouldn't accept any compromise by which any of his sons would share power or transition power.


There was a strong sense: We're willing to stay in prison until this regime is dead.


But there wasn't a sense a revenge. Many of these people had been tortured, and severely tortured, but they wanted to bring Gadhafi to a court, and they wanted to bring these men who had tortured them into some kind of legal process. So, there was some hope that there will be serious democratic reforms if and when this regime falls.

...


Story and VIDEO interview (9:01):
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/world/jan-june11/libya_05-25.html

[pinboy3niner]

116. Libyan rebels battle Sudanese mercenaries

Source: The Oklahoman (NewsOK.com)

By MICHELLE FAUL and DIAA HADID
Published: May 26, 2011


BENGHAZI, Libya — Libyan rebels clashed Wednesday with Sudanese mercenaries fighting for Moammar Gadhafi near the border with Sudan, as President Barack Obama predicted the Libyan leader would be forced to step down if NATO keeps up its military campaign.

...


A rebel commander in southeast Libya, Ahmed Alzway, said rebel fighters fought off a Sudanese mercenary force 18 miles west of the southeast oasis of Kufra. The rebel force pursued, dislodging the Sudanese fighters from a fortified position farther out in the desert, he said.


He said they also found documents indicating the fighters were from the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).


In previous clashes, captured mercenaries have said they belonged to JEM, a Darfur-based rebel group. It could not immediately be determined whether the Sudanese fighters belonged to JEM.

...


Witnesses in Libya have reported African mercenary fighters shooting at protesters or being captured by anti-Gadhafi forces. Some were flown in to put down the rebellion, but most fighters were already in the country.


http://newsok.com/libyan-rebels-battle-sudanese-mercenaries/article/3571327

[tabatha]

117. Mr. Jibril head of the Executive Team of the National Transitional Council. Interviewed by Aljazeera

http://youtu.be/Mo7Bk7YY8Nc

Smart man - interesting information - explains some of Gaddafi's actions.

[Iterate]

129. Contrast it to this.

We've all spent months now doing our best to understand the people and the situation, then Jibril summarizes it all in just 21 minutes. If anyone comes along now who might wish to understand something, this interview is where they should start.

Contrast it to this statement, which I grant is a much shorter:

At a Tripoli news conference, (Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi) Al-Mahmoudi said the offer was based on an existing African Union roadmap to resolve the conflict, which, crucially, does not mention Gaddafi's future.

"Libya is serious about a cease-fire," he said.

But he added: "The leader Muammar Gaddafi is the leader of the Libyan people; he decides what the Libyan people think. He is in the hearts of the Libyan people."

The rebels said they wanted any government initiative to include the Libyan leader's departure as a first step.

complete...
NATO launches fresh attacks on Libyan capital - reports
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/uk-libya-idUKTRE74E1I420110526

[tabatha]

130. Muammar Gaddafi is now thinking

that NATO is sending in helicopters to kill him. He is believed to be hiding in hospitals. He must then, along with all other Libyans, be thinking that NATO does not bomb hospitals.

Does that also mean that all Libyans will now be fleeing to Tripoli hospitals? because NATO does not bomb them and neither do Gaddafi thugs?

British intelligence service MI6 has told prime minister David Cameron that Gaddafi is increasingly paranoid, on the run and hiding in hospitals at night. Senior commanders in the regime are no longer able to communicate with each other, they add.

In Brussels on Thursday, Libya's ambassador to the European Union, Hadeiba Hadi, said he was defecting along with all his staff. "After more than four months of the blood-letting of our people, my colleagues and myself at the Libyan popular bureau in Brussels find ourselves obliged to announce our decision to no longer represent the regime," he said in a statement sent to AFP. The envoy added that he and his colleagues wanted "to place ourselves at the service of the Libyan people in its struggle for democracy, the rule of law and institutions, and the safeguard of the integrity of our country."

red_rogers: RT @freedom4libya: YES! Helicopters are being used in Western Mountain. Caller from Kikla confirmed the use of choppers by #NATO few minutes ago. #Libya

Unknown7771: RT @thanku4theanger: The Sudanese mercenaries who attacked Kufra have now either surrendered or escaped #Feb17 #libya

caroscot63: RT @dovenews: BREAKING! #Malta recognize the #Libyan NTC as the legitimate representative for the libyan people. #LibyaTV #Libya

emlibya: RT @ChangeInLibya: Brega: Freedom fighters have captured some of the areas just east of Brega and replaced the green flags with freedom flags #libya #feb17

"4Adam Adam #NATO jets bombed positions of GF East #Zintan, pillars of smoke seen rising fr the site of where Gaddafi battalions stationed in Alaawinya 2 hours ago"This is between the villages of Zintan and Yefrin, and the source of much of the rockets being launched...so hopefully NATO is finally undertaking some actions on this front. Seems that with the attack on the Gaddaffi vehicle pool between Kabao and Nalut yesterday that they are actually starting strikes in the Nafusa.

Zliten: There seems to be a very big movement within the city and freedom fighters from Misrata are trying to help from the east #libya

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes Tripoli: Breaking: Air strikes on "Khallet Alfurjan" in Tripoli where some military storage facilities are located #libya #feb17 #nato1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[pinboy3niner]

118. African Union set to urge end to NATO Libya strikes

By Otto Bakano (AFP) – 2 hours ago


ADDIS ABABA — African leaders Thursday geared up to demand an outright end to NATO air strikes on Libya, accusing the West of sidelining African nations in efforts to end a conflict on their home turf.

...


"Africa is not going to be reduced to the status of an observer of its own calamities," he warned the African leaders gathered for the special summit given over to conflicts on the continent, notably to Libya and Sudan.

...


The AU's proposals for resolving Libya's months-long crisis, including the mediation team made up of African heads of state, have largely been snubbed, most recently even by South Africa.


Before the talks even opened in Addis Ababa Wednesday, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma said he would visit Tripoli for talks with Kadhafi next week.


Presidency sources said the talks would focus on Kadhafi's "exit strategy."


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ga1EmrRdyFRynR1pPdaTsh1SgY7w?docId=CNG.41a6ad648b475100f733f7fd2ba1bcbe.81

[Yosarian71]

119. Another failure by the African Union

Hard to see how an organization made up of dictators would do anything but support another dictator. This feels like a Hail Mary move by Gadhafi, using his connections within the AU, to put political pressure on NATO.

[CJvR]

121. Nice to see...

...all that cash Gaddafi spent on buying loyalty in Africa wasn't totally wasted.
The AU shows surprising integrity - once bought it stays bought!

[pinboy3niner]

120. House ignores Obama's Libya request

Source: The Hill

By Russell Berman - 05/26/11 06:18 AM ET


House leaders are ignoring a request from President Obama for a congressional endorsement of the U.S. military mission in Libya.

Five days after Obama sent a letter to congressional leaders seeking a resolution of support, there has been no action in the House, and aides in both parties say there are no plans to bring legislation to the floor.

The response in the lower chamber marks a striking contrast with the Senate, where a bipartisan group of foreign policy heavyweights have signed on to a resolution backing the Libya campaign.

...


House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said earlier this week that the Libya mission would be debated through amendments to the defense authorization bill currently on the floor, but the only amendments on Libya that lawmakers offered sought to criticize or to restrict the mission. With minimal debate, the House on a voice vote Wednesday adopted an amendment from conservative Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) that stated explicitly that “nothing in the bill... shall be construed to authorize military operations in Libya.”

...


“It has been communicated to us that the Republican leadership has no interest in having this come to the floor,” one aide said.

...



http://thehill.com/homenews/house/163379-house-lawmakers-ignore-presidents-request-on-libya

[joshcryer]

122. It's Obama's fault.

All Obama's fault. Nevermind the Republicans are being treasonous under the War Powers Act.

[pinboy3niner]

123. NATO airstrikes, 25 May:

25 May: In Tripoli: 1 Military Vehicle Storage Facility. In the vicinity of Nalut: 1 Armoured Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Area, 1 Helicopter. In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Military Vehicle. In the vicinity of Mizdah: 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Launcher.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_05/20110526_110526-oup-update.pdf

[pinboy3niner]

124. AU Security Summit Considers Post-Gadhafi Libya

Source: VOA

Peter Heinlein | Addis Ababa May 26, 2011


African leaders are holding a two-day security summit focused on shaping more timely and coordinated responses to crises on the continent. The opening day's discussions at African Union headquarters revealed deep divisions about how to move to a post-Gadhafi Libya.


Moammar Gadhafi's government asked for the continental summit after initial AU moves to intervene in Libya were sidelined by the more muscular United Nations Security Council response. But, as closed-door meetings dragged on into the early hours Thursday, the discussion appeared to be bogged down in arguments about strategy.


Diplomats attending the session say, for the first time, the debate included suggestions the AU should state clearly that Gadhafi must leave power as part of any negotiated solution. That position is likely to be rejected, given Gadhafi's stature and support within the organization. Indeed, it would have been unthinkable, months ago, before Libya's popular uprising broke out.


A small minority of African countries has broken diplomatic relations with Tripoli. Only this week, former Gadhafi ally Senegal recognized the rebel Transitional National Council.

...


http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/north/AU-Security-Summit-Considers-Post-Gadhafi-Libya-122649564.html

[tabatha]

125. Qaddafi Eats up Libya’s Wealth Fund, Helicopter Deployment,

Qaddafi Eats up Libya’s Wealth Fund
Submitted by Rance Leroy on Thu, 05/26/2011 - 11:32

Banks like HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Société Générale, Goldman Sachs, under the rule of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, held billions of dollars of Libyan State Fund. He had invested about $53 billion of the Libyan sovereign wealth fund with the participation of some of the major banks in the world, according to the reports published by UK campaign group Global Witness.

Qaddafi had holdings in three accounts at Goldman Sachs worth $43 million and also had holdings across ten accounts at HSBC worth $292.69 million and many more. “The Qaddafi family has significant personal control over the state funds invested in the Libyan Investment Authority,” said Global Witness.

Qaddafi did not make any distinctions in the assets that belonged to the nation and his personal belongings. Investigations are being done to find out that whether the state funds are being used by the Qaddafi family for their personal benefit or not.

All the banks are not disclosing any information and are reluctant enough to comment on this matter. The accounts being operational are state accounts, so the money and belongs to the citizens of Libya and therefore, the banks have no right to hide any information in such a case.
http://frenchtribune.com/teneur/115424-qaddafi-eats-libya-s-wealth-fund

PM calls for more details over Libya Apache deployment
The prime minister has asked for more information before agreeing to deploy Apache attack helicopters in Libya.
David Cameron's request follows a meeting of the National Security Council in Downing Street on Thursday.
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said, if agreed, the Apaches would be part of "ratcheting up" the pressure on Colonel Gaddafi.
The BBC's Nick Robinson understands the prime minister is considering military assessments of the risks involved.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13558056

UN makes plea for military helicopters
The head of UN peacekeeping operations has made an impassioned plea to Britain and other European countries for military helicopters – which are badly needed for missions in Africa, notably Sudan.

The UN undersecretary general, Alain Le Roy, told the Guardian that his organisation faced unprecedented demands on its relatively meagre resources. He compared his annual budget of $7.5bn (£4.6bn) for 14 separate peacekeeping missions with the $116bn spent every year on the conflict in Afghanistan and the $41.3tn spent every year on arms sales.

He said he hoped the UK and other countries would at least offer their helicopters and specialist troops to the UN after they end their Afghanistan combat operations in 2014.

India had recently withdrawn 20 helicopters from UN operations for security operations at home, he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/26/un-makes-plea-military-helicopters

Gaddafi forces bombard Misrata
Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi have bombarded the rebel-held city of Misrata with mortars as the United States discreted a fresh ceasefire offer from Gaddafi's government.

The bombardment of Misrata was the heaviest for days and came as Western leaders, gathering for a Group of Eight summit in the French seaside resort of Deauville, were expected to reiterate their determination to force Gaddafi out.
...

At a news conference in Tripoli, Mr Al-Mahmoudi said the offer was based on an existing African Union "roadmap" to resolve the conflict, which does not include any mention of Gaddafi's own future - a crucial sticking point.

The rebels said they wanted any government initiative to include the Libyan leader's departure as a first step.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228315.htm?section=justin

[Distant Observer]

132. What is the point of falsehoods re Gaddafi at this point? Aren't there enough true bad things ?

[tabatha]

133. This is the last time I will reply to you UNLESS

you provide a link that solidly backs up your point.

[Distant Observer]

134. A History of Modern Libya, Dirk Vandewalle, 2006

Have a read from Georgetown Prof Dirk Vandewalle's critical treatment.

You will find that the new charge that Gaddafi was "eating" the wealth of Libya was one of the few
things that had very little credence. Any objective comparison between Libya and other similar countries, pre and post revolutionary period will show that Libya compares favorably in the investments in long-term economic and social projects and the improvement in social welfare over time.l

A simple check of World Bank social welfare indices will show rapid improvement in factors such as literacy (male and female),infant mortality, and life expectancy. These improvement may have something to do with the large investments in education, healthcare, housing and basic infrastructure under the regime.

I know it may be tedious to look up the World Bank data, even with Google, but since you spend so much effort saying negative things it may be worth checking whether you may be just parroting the latest information package designed to justify all the killing.

[tabatha]

135. "I" am not saying negative things.

I am reporting what the media is reporting. The banks have found billions of money in Gaddafi's name. The proof is in the pudding. They are not phantom amounts.

Btw, I think the person in the video below would know more about Libya than most, and what he says is the opposite of what you are claiming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7Bk7YY8Nc&feature=youtu.be

Btw, do you listen to any of the real Libyans? who want Gaddafi gone? The killing is being done by Gaddafi, and it is something which he has done for 42 years. Did you ever say anything ever about that killing at the time?

On edit: I read the reviews of that book - they were not too good. And the following quote does not paint a very good picture of Libyan reforms:

In light of this history, the current wave of reforms is greeted by the author with cautious optimism: "While there are signs of pragmatism and of the realization among Libyan policymakers of the need for greater efficiency, there are few indications that the country's system of governance is changing or that a process of accountability is being implemented. (...) The remaining bifurcation between the formal and the informal in the country's political life, the amorphous status of Qadhafi within its political system, the inability to oppose the revolution, the lack of accountability by the country's security sector apparatuses, and the lack of clear succession rules: these challenges Libya will need to address if its proclaimed aims of reforms are to take root.

"reforms are to take root?" - that means they have not yet taken root?
Sorry, unconvincing.

[Cerridwen]

143. "Gadhafi had been utterly destructive." Prof Dirk Vandewalle

<snip>

GROSS: And what were you researching, the history of Libya?

Prof. VANDEWALLE: Yeah. I was looking at the impact of oil revenues and how those oil revenues had been used by the regime to either create or destroy national institutions that would allow the country eventually to really take off economically. And what I found, of course, was that Gadhafi had been utterly destructive. That most of the institutions, the modern institutions of the state, in pursuit of that statelessness that he always claimed that he wanted - that a lot of those institutions really had been destroyed.

<snip>

GROSS: What do you see happening after Gadhafi?

Prof. VANDEWALLE: In a sense, the real tragedy of Libya has been that Gadhafi has very systematically destroyed whatever institutions were in the country, that the monarchy had tried to create - a kind of an embryonic political system, some bureaucracies and so on. And we shouldn't forget that Libya really was created almost accidentally, as a matter of fact I often refer to it as the accidental state. In part because Libya was created by the great powers after World War II, essentially for the strategic purposes of those great powers. The two main provinces in Libya, Cyrenaica and Tripolitania, had very little in common and indeed, after they were put together into the kingdom of Libya, were quite suspicious of each other.

<snip to much more at link> Dirk Vandewalle Peers Inside Gadhafi's World, February 28, 2011

It would appear the professor has changed his tune since 2006; or perhaps you were tone deaf when you read it?

Now, next...ah, yes, the World Bank indices. I hope you don't mind, I went and looked; then I found a very nice report that put what I had found into a form of English rather than charts and graphs.

Here ya go:

Libya’s vast oil and natural gas reserves and its large Sovereign Wealth Fund mask a dysfunctional economy that is mired in red-tape and opaque regulatory procedures. The economy is dominated by the state which controls 80% of economic activity. Virtually all of the major industrial concerns, including the National Oil Company, are state-owned. Most of the food requirement has to be imported because of the inhospitable climate and the limited amount of arable land. There is an urgent need to diversify the economy, spur the private sector to reduce unemployment, slim down a bloated state sector, deregulate the economy, and encourage foreign investment outside of the energy and infrastructure sectors. The government still maintains price, credit, trade, and foreign exchange controls. There have been some recent modest reforms including the partial privatization of 2 banks and a reduction in some subsidies.

<snip>

Political parties are prohibited and the government strictly monitors all political activity. Organizing or joining a non-government sanctioned political movement is punishable by long prison terms. Many of the major opposition figures have fled the country.

<snip>

The unemployment rate in early 2009 was 20.7%. For men, it was 21.55%; and for females, it was 18.71%. According to government data, more than 16% of all families have none of its members earning a stable income, and 43.3% of all households have one person earning a stable income. Despite the high unemployment rate, Libya has a sizable legal and illegal migrant community that is estimated to be as large as 2 million people. Only 349,040 were legal foreign residents according to the 2006 census. There are about 500,000-700,000 Egyptians working in the country, many of them illegally.. It is virtually impossible for illegal immigrants to legalize their status. Periodically, the government issues orders to round-up and expel illegal immigrants. Threats of wholesale mass deportations however ultimately prove to be an empty gesture designed to placate the EU, which demands that the government crackdown on illegal immigration to deter the use of Libya as a transit point for crossing the Mediterranean to Europe, and to mollify public opinion which blames illegal immigrants for crime.

<snip>

A law passed in 1981 capped government salaries at 150 to 500 Libyan dinars a month. There were no cost of living adjustments until 2006, when the minimum wage rates for private and public sector workers were adjusted. In 2007, the government removed pay caps for many types of work in the private sector and boosted pay for state energy and healthcare workers and teachers. The minimum wage in 2009 was about $208 a month. The government also provides workers $108 a month for food staples, and it subsidizes rents and utilities. Wage rates for government workers are so low that many have a second job. The legal minimum work week is 40 hours. There are no laws that specifically prohibit excessive compulsory overtime.


<snip to much, much more at link to PDF>

It would appear, that the Libyan standard of living which you frequently tout as being so much better than in the rest of Northern Africa, just couldn't compensate for the ugly and brutal side of gaddafi and his followers' rule.


edit to fix formatting

[Yosarian71]

126. Yemen descending into civil war

the selfishness of these despots is astounding. They would rather kill hundreds or in Gadhafi's case thousands fighting a hopeless cause than resign peacefully with dignity. This is why I am in favor of full amnesty for Mubarek and Ben Ali. They didn't drown their nation in blood to be king for a few more weeks.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/Yemen

[tabatha]

127. Tribute FM

Report about by CNN
http://feb17.info/media/cnn-interview-with-benghazi-radio-station-tribute-fm/

Today, there was a very moving read-out by a 16 year old woman. Tears-time. I hope the text will be posted to their FB page.

See TributeFM's facebook page here:

http://www.facebook.com/tributefm


(Sorry, used up a post on just one item. My bad.)

On Edit:
Ibn Thabit feat. Salah Ghaly - Shohada2ana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HQW2s7fbpI&feature=player_embedded#at=89

Libyan rebels continue fight for border crossing
http://youtu.be/MtU0BvL-xPU
Opposition fighters in western Libya are still fighting battles with government troops.
One such fight is for control of the Wazin border crossing with Tunisia.
Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from the region.

[Iterate]

128. Nafusa Mountains update 26 May

Nafusa Mountains update 26 May
von Libyan Youth Movement, Donnerstag, 26. Mai 2011 um 14:00

Thursday 26 May, 19:10 h
Nafusa Mountains: Kekklah: Successful military operations have been carried out by the revolutionaries over the past few nights. The last one took place last night during which four soldiers of Gaddafi forces were injured before the revolutionaries returned safely to their positions. Coalition planes in the air up until half an hour ago.

Thursday 26 May, 19:00 h
Nafusa Mountains: Al-Gal’a: intermittent shelling using Grad rockets and cluster bombs launched by Gaddafi forces located in the Sook district, falling on the city of Yefren and Al-Gla’a . This went on up until one hour from now.

Thursday 26 May, 18:05 h
Nafusa Mountains: Zentan: Heavy shelling by armed Gaddafi forces on check points guarded by the revolutionaries in
the east of Zentan. No losses of life, or injuries shave been witnessed as of yet.

Thursday 26 May, 16:10 h
Nafusa Mountains: Nalut: A strong presence of coalition force aircrafts over Nalut.

Thursday 26 May, 12:50 h
Nafusa Mountains: Kabaw: Coalition forces bombed Tiji military camp (North to kabaw) last night using approximately 16 rockets. There are some reports that Gaddafi forces stashed away some of the weapons and ammunition in an old building in the area of Tiji.

Thursday 26 May, 12:45 h
Nafusa Mountains: Al-Gal’a: Gaddafi forces have been using missiles, anti aircraft artillery and cluster bombs. The latter is internationally prohibited. The attacks stopped at approximately 12 mid day.

Wednesday 25 May, 22:15 h
Nafusa Mountains: A complete cut in electricity today in Zentan, Jadu and Ar-Rujban due to the attacks

http://www.facebook.com/notes/libyan-youth-movement/nafusa-mountains-update-26-may/155583281175685?ref=mf

and I must add another take on an already reported story, because this one never gets old:

Libya: A donkey taunt, the Gaddafis and a fatal footballing rivalry
With Benghazi liberated, the story of how the Libyan leader and his son Saadi destroyed the Al-Ahly club is finally emerging
Xan Rice in Benghazi
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 25 May 2011 18.47 BST

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/25/libya-gaddafi-al-ahly-football-benghazi?CMP=twt_gu

and there's this, a positive sign, as I get nervous when everyone is said to agree on something. From the AJE liveblog:

9 hours 11 min ago - Libya
The vice chairman of Libya's rebel administration says it could take up to two years to organize elections, backtracking on promises of a six-month transition to democracy.

Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga's announcement is adding to internal dissent within the opposition movement seeking to topple Gaddafi.

Ghoga, of the National Transitional Council, said at a news conference Wednesday that a one- to two-year transition period would be needed after the hoped-for ouster of Gaddafi.

In that time, he said, the opposition would form a transitional legislative body tasked with writing a constitution, hold a referendum on the charter, form political parties and then hold elections. Some opposition supporters suspect council members are intent on prolonging their power.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya

[tabatha]

131. Libya's mountain Berber see opportunity in war

(Reuters) - On entering the building after the revolution began, the first thing Mazigh Buzakhar and his colleagues did was to unplug the surveillance cameras and switch the satellite Internet provider.

The smartly furnished building in the Libyan town of Jadu belonged to an investment group led by Saif al-Islam, son of Muammar Gaddafi, and was rumored to be used by the state security agency.

Then they began publishing, in a language banned for four decades under Gaddafi.

"For us the revolution is a revolution of a new Libya, with its own identity and root and history -- it's an Amazigh country," said Buzakhar, editor of the Tilleli newsletter in both Arabic and the language of Libya's Berber, or Amazigh, minority in the rebel-held Western Mountains.

"We couldn't express the Amazigh language and culture and identity. It was like you're committing a crime, you're threatening state security," said Buzakhar, 29, who was educated in Canada and Australia before returning to the mountains of western Libya.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/26/us-libya-berber-idUSTRE74P22820110526?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews

VERY URGENT, PLZ READ & RT Confirmed: Tripoli meeting between Sulayman Alshawhome (Libyan member of Gaddafi's Revaluationary committee gaurds) & Khalil Ibrahim (Leader of Darfur Justice & Equality in Sudan).Sulayman Alshawhome have offered Khalil Ibrahim $10 million to supply fighters from the Justice and Equality movement in Darfur Sudan to fight with Gaddafi & kill Libyans, Khalil Ibrahim has agreed to do so.Sulayman Alshawhome is from Gaddafi's Lejan Thawrya (Revolutionary committee guards)سليمان الشحمويKhalil Ibrahim is the leader of Darfur Justice & Equality in Sudan: enDOTwikipediaDOTorg/wiki/Justice_and_Equality_Movement خالد ابراهيم@NATO & NTC need to monitor the border & prevent these criminals from entering Libya.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/05/18/libyas-forgotten-frontline


ChangeInLibya: Anyone that has an internet connection (BGAN, Satellite, other means) is being arrested - hundreds of arrests since ADSL was cut off #libya
FreedomCounts4U: RT @dovenews: Gaddafis Lejan Thawrya (revolutionary committee guards) R arresting ppl from AlDahra & Ghout AlShaal & any1 have internet access
dovenews khal Ali Electricity has been cut off on Jadu, Alrrujban, Alrayhabat, Zintan & Cabao due to Gaddafi forces bombing power stations.
Citizens of Tripoli lay dying after being attacked by regime loyalists.Citizens of Tripoli are coming under increasing pressure from Gaddafi loyalists as so far isolated instances of rebellion grow in the capital
…......Right.....This reeeeaaally demonstrates someone whom is eager for to enact a Ceasefire and a Peaceful Resolution and wanting to talk “unconditionally” to “the Rebels”.
Go out and clamp down and oppress even harder.
Yes...thats a person whom is willing to take the steps towards any kind of change. A perfect "Role Model" for how a Government should "negotiate " with its own people
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/05/18/libyas-forgotten-frontline

[Iterate]

136. Gaddafi forces laid anti-personnel landmines in Misrata suburbs

AFP 11:36am: Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have laid landmines around the rebel-held city of Misrata, according to the commander of the NATO mission in Libya on Friday.

“This morning reports showed that a minefield was laid in the Misrata area,” Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard told a news conference.

He said that the mining of Misrata’s surrounding area is part of the regime’s efforts to take back the key western port after rebels routed them from the city earlier this month.

“Anti-personnel landmines, in contravention to international law, had been laid in the Misrata area to prevent the population from moving,” saud Bouchard.
http://feb17.info/

Heavy fighting breaks out in Misrata suburb
Fri May 27, 2011 9:22am GMT

MISRATA, Libya May 27 (Reuters) - Rebels and forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi engaged in fierce fighting on the Western outskirts of the city of Misrata on Friday, a Reuters reporter said.

The reporter said he could see white puffs of smoke and dust from where mortars fired by pro-Gaddafi forces were landing.
...

"We are being attacked from all sides with rockets, RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) and mortars," said Faraj al-Mistiri, 36, a rebel fighter.

"It started between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. (0330-0400 GMT). They have advanced. It's normal to and fro. They are trying their hardest to get back into Misrata," he said.

more...http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE74Q0NE20110527

It would seem these two incidents might be related, but without more info it's impossible to tell. Perhaps brother leader guide can find a new calling in mine clearance.

[Iterate]

137. Defections, deflections; How to Topple Qaddafi

Russia joins Western chorus for Gaddafi to go
(Reuters) - Russia believes Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi should quit and could help broker his departure, a senior Russian official said on Friday in an important boost to NATO powers bent on ending his 41-year rule.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/05/27/uk-libya-idUKTRE74E1I420110527

Libya's ex-c.bank governor joins rebels -Arabiya TV
May 27 (Reuters) - Libya's former central bank governor, Farhat Omar Bin Guidara, on Friday announced that he was joining rebels seeking to overthrow Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
http://af.reuters.com/news/archive/libyaNews?date=05262011

Top Libyan diplomat kicked out for Gaddafi support
Libya’s top-ranking diplomat in Denmark has been asked to leave the country by Wednesday after continued expressions of support for strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

According to the Foreign Ministry, consul general Muner Eldawani, was declared ‘persona non grata’ after “repeatedly and publicly” expressing support for Gaddafi.
http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/51721-top-libyan-diplomat-kicked-out-for-gaddafi-support.html

Croatia expels Libyan diplomat over 'inappropriate' action
By The Associated Press – May 20, 2011
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jj8VLQFW07y9_w__1xR21ApAB1GQ?docId=6904563

Libya’s EU ambassador defects along with staff
BRUSSELS (AFP) - Libya's ambassador to the European Union, Hadeiba Hadi, on Thursday said he was defecting along with all his staff to join the struggle for democracy.

"After more than four months of the blood-letting of our people, my colleagues and myself at the Libyan popular bureau in Brussels find ourselves obliged to announce our decision to no longer represent the regime," the ambassador said in a statement sent to AFP.

The envoy added that he and his colleagues wanted "to place ourselves at the service of the Libyan people in its struggle for democracy, the rule of law and institutions, and the safeguard of the integrity of our country."
http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=37876

I'm posting the following not because I endorse it, but because it exists as an example of the screwed up thinking that places the US in the center of the known universe, out of touch and convinced of its own self-importance. Tribes indeed.

How to Topple Qaddafi
Why the West should focus on getting key tribes to abandon the Libyan leader.
Barak Barfi May 27, 2011 | 12:00 am

The defection of Libyan oil czar Shukri Ghanem has reignited hope that Muammar Qaddafi’s regime is inching toward collapse. Yet this supposedly “high-level defection” was anything but. Ghanem, the chairman of the National Oil Corporation, was a marginal, American-educated technocrat recruited to ingratiate Libya with an international community suspicious of the eccentric Qaddafi and wary of his 20 years of support for terrorist groups. With no power base of his own, Ghanem was completely beholden to the Libyan leader and often frustrated by Qaddafi’s inner circle, which thwarted his reform program.

Ghanem’s defection is the latest in a long line of desertions, including Justice Minister Mustafa Abd Al Jalil, who now heads the rebel’s transitional council and former Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who, in previous decades, was responsible for killing Libyan opposition figures abroad. The international community has made much of these men’s decision to leave Qaddafi’s government, but, in fact, departures have done little to weaken the Libyan leader. And future desertions are unlikely to have more impact. Indeed, if Western powers want to topple the Libyan strongman, they should pay less attention to defectors and instead focus on the real power behind the throne: the tribes that prop up Qaddafi.

more...
http://www.tnr.com/article/world/89089/qaddafi-libya-tribes-ghanem-united-states

[tabatha]

138. A Towering Perspective on Libya By C. J. CHIVERS

Such is the case with Bryan Denton and Libya.

This spring, Bryan’s work from a string of contested Libyan towns and cities has repeatedly brought readers inside the war in ways few on the beat have matched.

Following the story from town to town, front to front, he has pursued ever-shifting angles of inquiry, focusing not just on the back-and-forth of desert combat but on the victims and participants as they passed through hospitals, prisons, makeshift weapon plants, and, for many of the unlucky, cemeteries.

He has covered civilian casualties and NATO bungling, the plights of migrant workers and, with equal sensitivity, the fates of the soldiers of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, young men whose ranks grow smaller each week as they continue fighting a war that they almost certainly cannot win. In three months covering a country few Westerners had previously seen, Bryan brought readers on a journey that captured the intoxicating and often naïve energy of an uprising that was accompanied, as almost all violence is, with persistent ugliness, lawlessness and sorrow.
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/a-towering-perspective-on-libya/

Working in Misurata was chaotic, violent and exhausting. The rebel-controlled area extends in a fairly long strip from the port west. The front line is long, and potentially unstable. At times, Chris and I were 150 to 300 yards from positions occupied by Qaddafi forces. The place where we were sleeping was not much more than a half mile away — if that — from the front line and a long 20-minute drive from the port, our only route of escape. Also, Qaddafi government forces have been shelling across much of the rebel-held territory at random with mortars and rockets.

I spent a large portion of my time reporting from a medical facility in Misurata. I’ve covered Army medevac operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, but without question, the volume and types of casualties in Misurata were the worst I’ve ever seen. At times, there were 8 to 10 critical cases coming in each hour, for hours on end, in all shapes and sizes: fighters, children, grandmothers, old men. The injuries were brutal. They just never seemed to end. At one point, I asked a surgeon if a young man who’d been brought in with heavy arterial bleeding had survived. He looked at me, unable to help, because they had received at least three that day, at least one of whom I’d photographed as he bled to death in the triage tent.

There were so few beds at the hospital that patients were sent home after their gunshot wounds were bandaged because there was no place for them to sleep. Doctors were out of morphine and other opiate-based painkillers, so patients were being triaged without any pain relief.
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/27/a-towering-perspective-on-libya/

(Good defection summary; also the "deflections" GH)

[Iterate]

139. Carlyle Group Took $118 Million From Libyan Fund, Group Says

Carlyle Group Took $118 Million From Libyan Fund, Group Says
By Jesse Westbrook - May 26, 2011 6:00 PM GMT+0200

Buyout firm Carlyle Group accepted $118 million from the biggest sovereign-wealth fund in Libya, demonstrating the North African nation’s success in courting asset managers and banks after persuading Western politicians that it had dropped ties to terrorism.

Carlyle, whose advisers have included former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci, received $75.5 million for its Carlyle-Partner V Fund, according to a document released today by Global Witness, a London-based advocacy group. The Carlyle-Mena Fund accepted $42.6 million, according to the Libyan Investment Authority filing, which Global Witness said it obtained from an undisclosed source.

Libya established the investment authority in the past decade to find outlets for its rapidly growing oil wealth. As part of his plan to open Libya’s economy, Muammar Qaddafi’s government organized meetings with former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The Carlyle allocations are among $13 billion of investments Libya made in private-equity firms, hedge funds, stocks and bonds, according to the document released today.

“The political establishment opened their arms to Qaddafi after 2006 and the financial establishment followed suit,” Robert Palmer, a policy adviser and investigator for Global Witness, said in an interview. “This is surprising, considering the very obvious risks of corruption in Libya and that state assets could have been diverted for his personal gain.”

more...http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-26/carlyle-group-took-118-million-from-libyan-fund-group-says.html

On edit:
I guess this is how famous anti-imperialists do business. Here is a link to the pdf of the entire Libyan Investment Authority Management Information Report (June 30, 2010).
http://www.globalwitness.org/sites/default/files/library/Libyan%20Investment%20Authority,%20as%20of%20June%202010.pdf

[Cerridwen]

140. In diplomatic shift, Russia calls for Gadhafi to step down (CNN)

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has joined American and other European leaders in calling for Moammar Gadhafi to step down from power -- a shift that appears to indicate a closing diplomatic window for the longtime Libyan strongman.

Moscow has been a strong critic of the NATO-led mission in Libya, arguing that the scope of the organization's air campaign against Gadhafi's forces far exceeds the civilian protection mandate approved by the U.N. Security Council.

Medvedev's call for Gadhafi to step aside came at the end of the Group of Eight summit in Deauville, France, Friday. The G8 includes the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The G8 leaders also issued a written statement Friday expressing support for the democratic uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa.

<much more at link>

[Iterate]

141. Libya: water emerges as hidden weapon

Water Emerges as a Hidden Weapon
By Simba Russeau

CAIRO, May 27, 2011 (IPS) - Libya’s enormous aquatic reserves could potentially become a new weapon of choice if government forces opt to starve coastal cities that heavily rely on free flowing freshwater.
...

In 1983, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi initiated a huge civil water works project known as the Great Man-Made River (GMMR) - a massive irrigation project that drew upon the underground basin reserves of the Kufra, Sirte, Morzuk, Hamada and the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer - to deliver more than five million cubic metres of water per day to cities along Libya’s coastal belt.
...

Last month, Libyan officials warned that NATO airstrikes on the GMMR’s pipelines could cause a humanitarian and environmental disaster. But pro-government forces could also disrupt the GMMR’s flow if they wish, leaving opposition-held regions in the east with only the Ajdabiya reservoir - this holds just a month’s supply of water.

"Pure freshwater from the south must continue being pumped because without it Benghazi would die," says Ivekovic. "The water pipelines run parallel to the oil and gas pipelines and it’s interesting that with most of the fighting happening around the areas of Ajdabiya, Sirte and Benghazi that none of these pipes have yet been damaged.

more...
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=55817

also printed in the Guardian:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/27/libya-water-hidden-weapon

[Iterate]

142. Desperate call for help from calling in Yefren

Desperate call for help from calling in Yefren, Nafousa Mountains, Libya May 27, 2011
about 3 hours ago, Yafran, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya
http://audioboo.fm/boos/369621-desperate-call-for-help-from-calling-in-yefren-nafousa-mountains-libya-may-27-2011

Translation below.

LibyaAlHurra

On Friday 27th May 2011, @LibyaAlHurraTV said:

#YEFREN #LIBYA #CRISIS #GADDAFICRIMES #ENGLISH TRANSLATION
http://audioboo.fm/boos/369621-desperate-call-for-help-from-calling-in-yefren-nafousa-mountains-libya-may-27-2011

Caller: "There is mass destruction and heavy bombardment day and night. There are lots of dead and injured. We are without hospitals, no humanitarian aid. People here are in a suffocating siege; everything is destroyed. Even the animals didn't survive. Medical supplies are completely depleted. Everyone is suffereing, old people are dying. This siege is inhumane. The elderly are dying, there is no baby milk. Water supplies are depelted. Everything is depleted. There are fires everywhere. People, animals, everyone is dying from the bombardment. There are no hospitals, no doctors, no supplies. Those injured are dying from their wounds, bleeding to death. Some of their wounds are rotting because there is no one to take care of them. There is no hope, no aid, nothing here. Where is the world? Where are all the humanitarian organizations? Where is your human conscience? Where is the Red Cross? Where is Doctors Without Borders (MSF)? There are a lot of people dying, many are starving to death. A mass extermination is happening here. Everything is unbearable here. It's hell on earth. We are appealing for the world's assistance. This is an immenent human disaster. We call for any help, any assistance, any solution to solve this! It is as if we don't belong to this world, as though we are from another planet. We've appealed for your help so many times, we've asked for your help so many times. But the world is deaf, doesn't hear anything. It is as though we belong to another planet, not planet earth.
Everyone has disappointed us, everyone has let us down and left us to die; as though we are not human. Why are we being ignored? How long will this go on? We have been under siege for months. People here are without water, without electricity, without medicine, without food. Rockets are landing on us day and night. Fires are erupting day and night as well."

Question: "What has happened today?"

Caller: "Today, seven have been wounded, three martyred. Battles are ongoing. No communication at all, no one can call anyone even inside the city. Right now, it's in complete darkness. Everything is cut off. We have no fuel, people cannot travel anywhere. Conditions are very bad and keep getting

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/anrkgh

MSF is operating nearby but can't reach Yefren:
@LibyaAlHurraTV: #Zintan is trying to expand to TWO hospitals instead of just one, with the help of MSF (Doctors Without Borders). #Libya
about 2 hours ago via web

I don't think these people are exaggerating.

[Iterate]

144. Video: BAFTA: Arab Springs – A Broadcasting Revolution

Hosted by Broadcaster Jon Snow, a panel and cast of interviewees discuss the challenges facing conflict news reporting and the rise of social media’s citizen journalist.

This video discusses the challenge of reporting from the ground, the importance of freelancers and their safety, as well as the impact of social media and how reporting on conflict is changing.

http://bcove.me/tr0ka6ld

or

http://www.libyafeb17.com/

Way good and may be Pvid worthy. 31 minutes.

ETA:
First reported 14 April 11,
The event is being produced by BAFTA with Michael Jermey and Ben Haggitt from ITV News.
This event took place at BAFTA on Monday 16 May at 8:30 PM

http://www.bafta.org/whats-on/the-arab-spring-a-broadcasting-revolution,1779,BA.html

[Hannah Bell]

145. what a load of shit:: " rebel-held Benghazi is seeing scenes unimaginable under gaddafi's rule"

right, the guy with the skates jumping the bicycles just learned how to skate & jump bicycles yesterday.

[Iterate]

146. If you don't like skaterboy, try this one:

A Libyan man buys a book from a shop in Benghazi. The revolution has been a bonanza for bookstores as curious readers stock up on titles banned during Col Gaddafi's decades-long rule. Sky News 5:16pm UK, Wednesday May 18, 2011

I have to admit this is more my speed as well. Other reports substantiate the claim for booksellers, though the Green Book is not selling well. BTW, it was the scene that was described as "unimaginable", not necessarily the skating.

[joshcryer]

148. Correct, the caption itself is substantiated by the photo series that is linked.

If the poster actually clicked the link they'd understand that. The scenes are everything from children playing on Gaddafi's tanks to people protesting openly, to as you note, people being able to buy banned books. Trots aren't freedom lovers, so there you go.

[Hannah Bell]

150. 1. funny to hear a cheerleader for a cia-sponsored rebellion talking about freedom.

2. i'm not a trot. as i've told you before.

[joshcryer]

151. 1. CIA's influence is insignificant at best, one guy who maybe has connections...

...who isn't even in the council. Big deal.


2. Didn't call you a trot, glad we agree they don't love freedom.

[joshcryer]

147. It's a nice picture.

That was the caption with the picture.

[joshcryer]

149. Week 15 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1189527