Libyan Revolution Week 27

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya">AJE Libya Live 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=439x1761171">Week 26 part 3 here.

http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?cid=10&t=2">The Oppressive Laws of Gaddafi's Libya
The government grants the right of association to official institutions by virtue of Law 71 of 1972, which regulates associational activity in Libya. Law 20 of 1991 on the Promotion of Freedom sanctions the death penalty for anyone whose continued existence would lead to the disintegration of Libyan society. The ‘Code of Honor’ of March 1997 institutes a system of collective punishment for wrongdoing, whereby families, towns and municipalities are held responsible for the actions of individuals in their midst and are subject to punishment such as the dissolution of the local People’s Congress or the denial of government services, including utilities, water, infrastructure projects. Associations engaging in political activity are illegal in Libya. Further, political activity is defined by Articles 2 and 3 of Law 71 of 1972 as any activity based on a political ideology contrary to the principles of the Al-Fateh Revolution of September 1, 1969. The Law on Publications, No. 76 of 1972, as modified by Law 120 of 1972 and Law 75 of 1973, govern the operation of the press, reserving all rights to publish.

This is what the Libyan freedom fighters are fighting against. Each and every one, when they went into this, knew that it was all or nothing, they had no choice but to fight. For their very survival.

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

Residents of Gharyan paraded through the streets in celebration after rebel fighters drove pro-Qaddafi forces from the city.

Bob Strong / Reuters


Day 177 August 13

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181215510690602.html">Opposition fighters control some residential areas outside of oil port city + capture Tawurgha
The rebels took over the residential zone of New Brega, located about 15km from the central oil terminal and port area, on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/13/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110813">Libyan rebels advance on Zawiyah
Rebels in western Libya advanced north to within 25 km (15 miles) of the coastal city of Zawiyah on Saturday after a six-hour battle with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/13/libya-war-rebels-zawiya_n_926214.html">Rebels Enter Zawiya, Heavy Clashes
Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_E_9y1_Mfs&feature=share">Az Zawiya Road Closed from Tunisia
Libyan rebels have been involved in a gun battle in the key town of AzZawiya, 18 miles from Tripoli

Day 178 August 14

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77C01F20110813?sp=true">Rebels inside Zawiya report intense fighting, expect to liberate the town soon
A rebel spokesman, Mohammed Ezzawi, speaking from inside Zawiyah, said the rebel force was about 800 metres from Martyrs' Square in the city centre.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1146904/1/.html">Libyan rebels tighten grip on Tuarga
Rebels fighting east of Tripoli strengthened their grip on the town of Tuarga on Saturday, winning key battles against Muammar Gaddafi's forces and creating a buffer zone for the city of Misrata.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/13/libya.war">Rebels say they are gaining ground in Libya; government disputes claim
Rebels said Saturday that they were gaining traction in a series of offensives in several parts of Libya controlled by ruler Moammar Gadhafi -- claims that the Libyan government swiftly disputed.
http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-clashes-libyan-rebels-enter-zawiya-171327097.html">Heavy clashes as Libyan rebels enter Zawiya
Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.
http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-fight-key-city-near-capital-121936569.html">Fighting around Zawiya forces convoy of foreign journalists to return to Tunisia
Fighting erupted late Saturday on the road leading to Zawiya, close to the Tunisian border. It forced a convoy of foreign journalists who had just crossed the border and were heading to Tripoli to turn back to Tunisia.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D06920110814">Rebels say capture another town (Surman) west of Tripoli
"The revolutionaries today entered the centre of Surman. They are now in full control of the town. There is no fighting there now," the spokesman, called Abdulrahman, said.
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/post/8882809317/personal-account-of-algerian-fleeing-tripoli-in">Personal Account of Algerian Fleeing Tripoli in February
On Sunday 20th of Feb 2011 I was teaching in Tripoli. I finished my classes at 8 00 pm. I was approached by three men in military uniforms, and I was asked to go with them. They called me by my name and were friendly and assured me that they needed my help and that I was recommended. I got into the car ( a gray Hyundai Sonata 2011 with no licence plates).
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/13/139600683/libyan-teens-news-site-hears-the-rebel-yell">Libyan Teen's News Site Hears The Rebel Yell
A Libyan teen is fast becoming a media star in rebel-held Benghazi. The 14-year-old has established his own online news outlet. His father drives him to press conferences in Benghazi, and he is increasingly well-known among rebel leaders. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reports.

Day 179 August 15

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E00A20110815">Gaddafi urges Libyans to take up arms against NATO
Libyan state television early on Monday broadcast what it said was a live speech by Muammar Gaddafi calling on the Libyan people to arm themselves to liberate the country from "traitors and from NATO."
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=233838">Libyan interior minister arrives in Egypt with family
The Libyan Interior Minister arrived in Egypt with members of his family on Monday, official sources at Cairo airport said, amid reports that he was abandoning the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
http://news.yahoo.com/libyas-western-mountain-rebels-taste-success-094841713.html">Libya's western mountain rebels taste success
Rebels in the western mountains of Libya spent weeks meticulously organizing in the town of Zintan for what has now become the opposition's most successful advance in months against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/rebels-advance-surround-tripoli-as-qaddafi-totters.html">Juan Cole: Rebels Advance, Surround Tripoli, as Qaddafi Totters
The long slow slog of the Libyan struggle to throw off the rule of Muammar Qaddafi, accelerated this weekend, possibly decisively, with rebel forces making major advances.
http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-forces-try-block-libyan-rebel-advance-140747299.html">Rebels say they have shut down all four main gas/diesel pipelines to Tripoli
"We shut down all four pipelines to Tripoli," said Nurial-Bouaisi, one of the rebels. He also said all coastal roads leading from Tripoli to the Tunisian border at Ras Ajdir were now under rebel control.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/15/no-stalemate-libya-gaddafi">No stalemate in Libya – the writing is on the wall for Gaddafi
A quick exit for the colonel matters less than a well-managed transition, preparing the country for representative government
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-officials-gadhafi-fires-1111776.html">US officials: Gadhafi fires first scud missile
A U.S. military official says Libyan government forces fired a scud missile for the first time in this year's conflict with rebels, but it landed east of Brega and hurt no one.

Day 180 August 16

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JG00920110816?sp=true">Rebels encroach, but Libya capital seems unruffled
Rebels may have fought their way into Zawiyah, a strategic city a half hour's drive from the Libyan capital, but for many supporters of Muammar Gaddafi here the battle that may be a turning point may as well be a million miles away.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77F0UM20110816">Sniper's bullet ends life-long friendship in Libya
Life-long friends Abdul Ghani and Majdi often played soccer and billiards together as youngsters, went to the same law school and then joined the rebel movement fighting to topple Muammar Gaddafi.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLAE58476820110816">Africans stuck in Tunisia after fleeing from Libya
Five months after Sudanese worker Mohammed Hassan fled civil war in Libya he is still stranded in a tent city just across the border in Tunisia.
http://shabablibya.org/news/libya-seen-through-gadhafis-keyhole">Libya seen through Gadhafi’s keyhole
“Mia mia.” It is an extremely popular phrase, widely used in Libya, that translates roughly to “100 percent.” Nine times out of 10, that is what Libyans said when I asked how they were coping with nightly bombardments by NATO warplanes, electricity blackouts that lasted days and rebel forces who were pressing forward on three fronts.

Day 181 August 17

http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafis-troops-hospital-doctors-185422331.html">Gadhafi's troops use hospital as base, doctors say
The day Libyan rebels advanced into the strategic city of Zawiya, Moammar Gadhafi's forces clamped down on the local hospital.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/uk-libya-zawiyah-scene-idUKTRE77E3NP20110816">Libya's Zawiyah on edge after rebel capture
Gaddafi's men have recaptured Zawiyah twice before so the rebels say they are being extra cautious and thorough.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1147451/1/.html">Libya rebels see victory by end of August
Libya's rebels were bolstered by fresh battlefield advances Wednesday, as leaders claimed the six-month-old civil war had entered a decisive phase and could end within weeks.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-16/misrata-once-besieged-relaxes-as-libyan-rebels-advance-against-qaddafi.html">Misrata Returns to Normal After Six-Month Siege as Libyan Rebels Advance
Libya’s rebel-held city of Misrata, under siege by forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi for the past six months, is experiencing something new: traffic jams.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44166967/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa">Unarmed, unmanned aircraft being used for surveillance missions
The United States stepped up its military assistance to the NATO mission in Libya slightly this week, sending in two additional Predator drones to fly combat air patrols, a senior defense official told NBC News.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iT0Xzr0RAGFGaXmDcTr8UoBP-7Yw?docId=01144f8bc3d549f188002675ce21822f">Rebels battle Libyan forces for Zawiya refinery
Rebels and Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fighting for control of the only functioning oil refinery in Libya in the western city of Zawiya.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/17/libya.war">Advancing rebels in western Libya face snipers, shelling
Rebel fighters in Libya, trying to take over a key western city, faced stiff resistance from Moammar Gadhafi's forces on Wednesday, a rebel commander said.
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE77A2Y920110817?sp=true">A rebel spokesman said rebels had found the buried bodies of civilians
"We discovered a mass grave containing 150 bodies in Tawargha. These are the corpses of civilians kidnapped from Misrata by Gaddafi's loyalists," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8707413/Libya-Fierce-battle-underway-for-crucial-Zawiyah-oil-refinery.html">Fierce battle underway for crucial Zawiyah oil refinery
A fierce battle was underway on Wednesdy night for outright control of Libya's only functioning oil refinery as opposition forces took on Gaddafi loyalists entrenched in the complex.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-rebels-advance-stalls-in-zawiyah-as-refugees-stream-west/2011/08/17/gIQAnuZzLJ_story.html">Thousands of refugees from cities still under Gaddafi’s control stream west
Families fleeing Tripoli in new Korean-made sedans drove through the violence in Zawiyah in order to get to rebel-controlled areas.

Day 182 August 18

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904070604576514710263791554.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Libyan Rebels Move Closer to Tripoli
Fighting raged for a fourth straight day in this strategic coastal city 30 miles west of Tripoli on Wednesday, as rebel fighters battled to mop up pockets of loyalist soldiers and laid siege to the regime's last working oil refinery.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-17/libyan-rebels-push-south-from-misrata-to-cut-road-radio-says.html">Libyan Rebel Forces Push South From Misrata to Cut Key Highway to Tripoli
A column of armed jeeps drove unopposed through the desert to the village of Bir Durfan and is heading for Beni Walid, 40 miles (64 kilometers) away, to link up to the highway to the capital, Libya Freedom Voice in Misrata reported.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCbzcIugEE">Gaddafi loyalists resisting rebels advance in Az Zawiyah - video
In the battle for Libya, fighting has continued in Az Zawiyah between opposition fighters and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0818/breaking1.html">Libyan rebels fight for refineries
Rebels to the west and east of Libya's capital fought forces loyal to Muammar Gadafy for control of oil facilities vital to winning the six-month-old civil war.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/08/18/libyan_rebels_battle_for_last_oil_refinery/">Rebels besiege Libya’s last working oil refinery
Dozens of opposition fighters surrounded Libya’s last functioning oil refinery yesterday and laid siege to about 100 government troops, part of a push that brought them closer to seizing this strategic western city.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77H09I20110818?sp=true">Libya rebels take Garyan, south of Tripoli
Libyan rebel fighters are in control of Garyan, a town about 80 km south of the capital Tripoli, a Reuters reporter in the town said on Thursday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/18/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-7">Rebels capture Abu Qurayn, 85 miles west of Sirte
Rebels here say forces in west captured the refinery at Zawiyah, if so Gaddafi has lost his last refinery. Rebels here have captured Abu Qurayn, 65 miles south of here and 85 miles west of Gaddafi's birthplace, Sirte.
http://news.yahoo.com/zawiya-becomes-epicenter-libyas-civil-war-091027238.html">Zawiya becomes epicenter of Libya's civil war
Shops are shuttered. Makeshift roadblocks of scrap metal, sand piles and car wrecks block the streets every few hundred yards. Bursts of gunfire and the thud of mortars rattle the streets, sometimes distant, sometimes nearby.
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16052095">Alex Crawford: Rebels Get Closer To Gaddafi's Tripoli
Libyan rebels are closing in on the country's capital, unseating Colonel Gaddafi's supporters in the nearby port of Zawiyah.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14575444">Rebels 'take' key Zawiya oil refinery
An oil refinery outside the Libyan town of Zawiya, just 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been taken by opposition forces, according to reports.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77H0GU20110818?sp=true">Anxiety mounts in Tripoli as rebels advance
Libya's encircled capital is being painfully squeezed as rebel forces fight their way closer and battles along the coastal highway block the city's chief link to the outside world.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JI3X720110818">Libyan rebels say secure another western coastal city
Libyan rebel forces celebrated the capture of Sabratha on the coast road between the Tunisian border and the capital Tripoli on Thursday, after a four-day battle with pro-Gaddafi government troops.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/18/libya-rebels-zawiya-tripoli-assault">Libya: the importance of Zawiya to the rebels
Control of Zawiya and the road to Tunisia means the rebels have isolated Gaddafi and are well set for an assault on Tripoli
http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-capital-fearful-rebels-eye-tripoli-204039658.html">Libyan capital is fearful as rebels eye Tripoli
"We know he (Gadhafi) is finished," said Mohammed Said, a 50-year-old school teacher who fled Tripoli on Tuesday. "We just don't know when."
http://www.euronews.net/2011/08/18/former-libyan-minister-tells-euronews-of-corruption">Former Libyan minister tells euronews of corruption
Libya’s former energy minister has told euronews that Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saif Al-Islam is the brains behind billions of euros-worth of embezzlement from the country;s oil industry.

Day 183 August 19

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/18/7407675-libyan-embassy-re-opens-under-new-flag-in-dc">Libyan Embassy re-opens under new flag in D.C.
The Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. re-opened under a new flag on Wednesday, the banner of Libya’s Transitional National Council.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/british-forces-sink-libya-ship-near-strategic-port-of-zawiyah/story-e6frg1p3-1226117855540">British forces sink Libya ship near Zawiyah
British warplanes sank a vessel being used by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi near the strategically vital port of Zawiyah, the defence ministry said.
http://news.yahoo.com/nato-strikes-boat-carrying-gadhafi-troops-100619174.html">NATO initiated rescue of Gaddafi troops after airstrike on their boat
A NATO spokesman says coalition warplanes have targeted a small boat carrying Moammar Gadhafi's troops off the coast of Zawiya as rebels advanced in the strategic city along the Mediterranean.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44192334/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa">NBC: Gadhafi making plans for leaving Libya
Moammar Gadhafi is making preparations for a departure from Libya with his family for possible exile in Tunisia, U.S. officials have told NBC News, citing intelligence reports.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/is-qaddafi-really-going-to-flee-to-tunisia.html">Juan Cole: Is Qaddafi Really going to Flee to Tunisia?
I fear that NBC is being used by US intelligence for psy-ops purposes, since the report strikes me as highly unlikely to be true.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/18/libya.war">Brother of Libya's information minister reported killed in NATO strike
A brother of Moussa Ibrahim, the spokesman for the government in Tripoli, was killed Thursday night by NATO aircraft, a government official here said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/201181814341888450.html">Rebels report all of Alargop, in Brega area, is liberated
"All of Alargop is now free, liberated," Musa Mahmoud al Mugrabi, the rebel spokesman, said of the area 6km south of Brega.
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16052748">Alex Crawford (Zawiya): Libyan Rebels Unleash New Foreign Weapons
Libyan rebels attempting to overthrow Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have launched a renewed assault on a town near the capital with newly supplied weapons and ammunition.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/qaddafis-soldiers-looting-foreigners-cars-homes-equipment">Qaddafi's soldiers looting foreigners' cars, homes, equipment
Libyan soldiers have been looting properties of foreigners in government-held areas around Tripoli, residents in Libya said yesterday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/19/c_131062061.htm">Gaddafi family members to be evacuated from Tunisia on board Venezuelan plane
A Venezuelan plane has landed on the island of Djerba to evacuate members of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's family, Tunisian radio, Mosaique FM, reported on Friday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/19/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-11">Analysis of NTC "Draft Constitutional Charter"
As might be expected, it contains things that would appeal to a variety of different elements. Parts of it have been copied from Gaddafi's 1969 constitution, and it is interesting to compare the two documents to see what has been included and what has been omitted. For example, the Arab and pan-Arab nationalism has gone. Libya is no longer described as an Arab state, though Arabic will remain as the official language "while preserving the linguistic and cultural rights of all components of the Libyan society". This is a major step towards de-marginalising the Amazigh (Berbers).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8709159/With-Muammar-Gaddafi-on-his-last-legs-we-must-prepare-for-what-comes-next-in-Libya.html">With Muammar Gaddafi on his last legs, we must prepare for what comes next in Libya
Suddenly, the omens do not look so good for Muammar Gaddafi. A dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of rebel fighters battling to end the Libyan dictator’s 42-year rule now sees them challenging for control of the strategically important oil port of Zawiyah, just 30 miles to the east of the capital Tripoli.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/18/libya-10-protesters-apparently-executed">Libya: 10 Protesters Apparently Executed
Libyan government forces appear to have executed 10 protesters following an anti-government demonstration in the town of Bani Walid on May 28, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. Earlier on that day government forces fired on apparently peaceful protesters, killing at least two and wounding 10, in the government-controlled town about 170 kilometers southeast of the capital, Tripoli. After the protest a rebel sympathizer apparently killed a government paramilitary commander and two bodyguards.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/18/libya-gaddafi-rebels-tripoli-oil">Libya rebels jubilant as they secure grip on Tripoli's oil line
For Yusuf Hamad, it was a happy moment. Standing under the shadow of a giant oil cylinder, he conjured up a future for Libya without Muammar Gaddafi, where foreign investors would at last be able to renovate the country's largest oil facility. "This is a milestone. This is the biggest refinery in Libya. The Gaddafi regime didn't want us to revamp it. Now we can," he said.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Libyan_civil_war">here for updated map. The size of the circles show population, the color represents control, red for FFs, green for tyrants. Note, this week is an animated gif, to show gains made by the freedom fighters.


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.

As of this week the National Trasitional Council has been formally recognized by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_Libyan_Republic#Recognition">33 countries. France (March 10), Qatar (March 28), Maldives (April 3), Italy (April 4), Kuwait (April 13), The Gambia (April 22), Jordan (April 24), Sengal (April 28), The United Kingdom (June 4), Spain (June 8), Australia (June 9), UAE (June 12), Germany (June 13), Canada (June 14), Panama (June 14), Austria (June 18), Latvia (June 20), Denmark (June 22), Bulgaria (June 28), Croatia (June 28), Turkey (July 3), Poland (July 9), Netherlands (July 13), Belgium (July 13), Luxembourg (July 13), United States (July 15), Japan (July 15), Albania (July 18), Slovenia (July 20), Montenegro (July 21), Portugal (July 28), Botswana (August 11), Gabon.

"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 and stories 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 http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/?ref=main-menu">Voices from the Field

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 and a newborn 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 184 updates below, current time in Libya, 3:23pm Saturday, August 20

Local residents celebrate after Libyan rebel fighters drove Gaddafi forces from Gharyan, south of Tripoli

Photo: Bob Strong / Reuters

[pinboy3niner]

2. Tunisian army clashes with armed Libyan infiltrators

Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:23pm GMT



TUNIS Aug 20 (Reuters) - Tunisia's armed forces fought through the night against a group of armed Libyans who had infiltrated into Tunisia, Tunisian security sources said on Saturday.


One security source said the group were driving vehicles with weapons and had been intercepted in the desert on Friday night. The fighting, which was continuing on Saturday, had caused several casualties.


A military source confirmed that the armed men were Libyans. He did not say whether they were supporters of leader Muammar Gaddafi or rebels fighting to topple him.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J02B20110820

[pinboy3niner]

43. UPDATE: Infiltrators in Tunisian border incursion believed to be Gaddafi forces

Residents of the southern Tunisian desert town of Douz told Reuters by telephone that helicopters were swooping overhead and troops had been summoned from nearby towns to subdue the infiltrators, who rode in vehicles without number plates.

The Tunisian security sources did not say whether the armed men were rebels or supporters of Gaddafi, but residents said they believed they were Gaddafi supporters.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0EO20110820?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

3. Oil minister does not return to Libya-Tunisia source

Sat Aug 20, 2011 1:02pm GMT


TUNIS Aug 20 (Reuters) - Libya's oil chief, Omran Abukraa, is in Tunisia after deciding not to return to Libya from a trip abroad, a Tunisian official source said on Saturday, the third apparent defection this week of a senior figure associated with Muammar Gaddafi's rule.


"Libyan Oil Minister Omran Abukraa did not return to Libya after his mission in Italy, preferring to cut his trip short and go to Tunisia," the Tunisian official source told Reuters.


The report, if confirmed, suggests more senior figures are deserting Gaddafi's government since rebels seized the city of Zawiyah, cutting off Tripoli from the outside world.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J02G20110820

[joshcryer]

4. Eastern oil terminal Brega seized, Qaddafi’s Hold in Tripoli in Doubt, Joy Greets Rebels in Gharyan

http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-eastern-oil-terminal-brega-seized-023854612.html">Libyan rebels: Eastern oil terminal Brega seized
Libyan rebels battling Moammar Gadhafi's troops along the country's Mediterranean coast said they have captured all of the strategic eastern port city of Brega, which has repeatedly changed hands in the 6-month-old civil war.

Rebel military spokesman Col. Ahmed Bani said fighters gained control Saturday of the industrial section of Brega, after having captured its residential areas last week.

...

"We have liberated Brega and all of it is under our control," Bani told The Associated Press on Saturday. "The fighters are in the port and taken the refineries."

...

His claim could not be immediately verified and officials in the Libyan capital Tripoli made no comment on it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/world/africa/20qaddafi.html">Qaddafi’s Hold in Tripoli in Doubt as Rebels Advance

Six months after the outbreak of the revolt against his 42 years in power, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s hold on his Tripoli stronghold shows signs of slipping.

Residents of Tripoli, the capital, who for months had hesitated to talk openly over the phone, said in calls Friday night that they believed Colonel Qaddafi’s flight or ouster could be imminent. Three people said the feeling of fear was ebbing in the streets.

...

As the fighting draws closer to Tripoli, residents are feeling the pressure. For the first time, they say, they cannot easily leave the city. Hundreds have clogged narrow back roads as they try to flee to the relative safety of the rebel-held mountains to the south.

That the mountains would beckon as a refuge is a measure of their fear, since conditions there are often hardly comfortable. Electricity and many supplies are still scarce, and some towns were deserted when Qaddafi forces shelled them earlier.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904070604576518753822451110.html">Joy Greets Rebels in Garrison Town Near Libya Capital

Residents of Gharyan celebrate Friday after Libyan rebel fighters claim the
Western Mountain garrison town, which had housed a Gadhafi brigade.
(Photo: Reuters)

GHARYAN, Libya—For over two decades Col. Mabrouk Sahban commanded Libyan security forces in the Western Mountains from his spacious second-story office with a private washroom on a pine-shaded hilltop in this strategic garrison town. On Friday, that office lay in ashen ruins.

Col. Sabhan's olive green Bakelite military phone, labeled ext. 103, had melted to the incinerated desk. Earlier in the week, rebel fighters claimed this city, which sits just 43 miles south of Tripoli and straddles a north-south thoroughfare connecting the capital to Col. Gadhafi's southern supply hubs, his traditional stronghold of Sebha and neighboring Algeria.

"I never thought I'd see it like this," said Ibrahim Ramadan Shati, a 46-year-old Gharyan resident who had served as a soldier in Col. Gadhafi's army at this base in the late 1990s. "This was one of the strongest brigades in all of Libya. Now it's gone."

...

"We had always been told how important Gharyan was, we heard Gadhafi had brough in reinforcements, but when we attacked, it all dissolved," said Adel Seger, a rebel commander in the city. Still, rebels said they lost 35 fighters in the battle to retake the city.

Bringing in pinboy3niner's August 20 updates. :hi:

[joshcryer]

5. Libya refutes Gaddafi fleeing claims, Rebels claim Zawiya and Zlitan, Battle rages outside Tripoli

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/19/libya.war">Libya refutes rebel claims Gadhafi seeking refuge for his family
Libyan officials are refuting rebel claims that Moammar Gadhafi is seeking refuge for his family, saying Friday that neither the leader nor his wife and children plan to leave the country.

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told CNN that Gadhafi and his family are staying in the country, countering rebel reports that the governments of Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria have been asked to accept the family.

U.S. and NATO officials also say they have no indication Gadhafi is making preparations to leave.

...

A second U.S. official confirmed a similar concern and said the Gadhafi plan could involve a final military offensive against civilians, launched from his last major strongholds around the Libyan capital.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14599156">Libya conflict: Rebels claim Zawiya and Zlitan
Libyan rebels fighting to overthrow Col Muammar Gaddafi are claiming to have captured two strategic coastal cities as they close in on Tripoli.

They say they have seized Zlitan, 160km (100 miles) east of the capital, and Zawiya, about 30km west of Tripoli, following fierce battles on Friday.

The government denies the rebel claims, saying the army is in control in both cities, Reuters news agency reports.

...

Rebel forces have also moved towards Tripoli from the south.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JJ3VV20110820?sp=true">Battle rages in cities outside besieged Tripoli
ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Rebels are fighting battles in coastal cities on either side of the besieged Libyan capital Tripoli in a drive to finally topple Muammar Gaddafi after six months of war.

Sustained blasts from rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and anti-aircraft guns rang out on Friday in the centre of Zawiyah, a city on the coastal highway 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli that the rebels entered this week.

The rebels' capture of Zawiyah has transformed the six-month conflict by cutting off Tripoli from its main road link to the outside world, putting unprecedented pressure on the 41-year rule of Gaddafi.

As they pushed to consolidate control of the city and its strategic oil refinery, rebels in Zawiyah's central square exchanged heavy fire with Gaddafi forces holed up inside a nearby hospital before driving them out, Reuters witnesses said.

[pinboy3niner]

6. Libya rebels capture coastal city of Zawiya (AP reporter confirms)

Libya rebels capture coastal city of Zawiya

By BEN HUBBARD and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 54 mins ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels are in full control of the strategic western city of Zawiya, pushing Moammar Gadhafi's troops back on the road east to Tripoli.


An Associated Press reporter on Saturday visited positions held by Gadhafi troops over the past week — all of which are now under rebel control.


Very distant shelling could be heard to the east of the city.


The victory in Zawiya is an important boost for the rebels as they try to tighten the noose on Gadhafi's stronghold in Tripoli, just 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the east.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-capture-coastal-city-zawiya-134049314.html

[joshcryer]

7. Videos from within Zliten after being liberated by FF's, Juan Cole says Gaddafi rule is collapsing

http://youtu.be/FFb66o-r6kg">Misurata revolutionaries liberate Zliten 08/19/2011 - video
Freedom fighters from Misrata and rebels in Zliten freed the city of Zliten from al-Gaddafi on Friday, 08/19/2011.

http://youtu.be/Fcf7gmP9fuQ">Rebels within the city of Misurata Zliten 08/19/2011 - video
ES Libya: revolutionaries from Misurata and Zliten liberate the city of Zliten from al-Gaddafi 8.19.2011

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1761171&mesg_id=1776651">Iterate has more here. Thanks to him for these videos, just watched them. The revolutionary spirit is strong with these young men.

http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/qaddafi-rule-collapsing-as-rebels-take-brega-zlitan.html">Juan Cole: Qaddafi Rule Collapsing as Rebels Take Brega, Zlitan
The rebel forces are racking up an impressive series of wins, decisively taking Zlitan, Surman and Brega on Friday into Saturday morning. Qaddafi is increasingly surrounded and cut off from fuel and other supplies. NATO has visited substantial attrition on his heavy weaponry and armor, which he had used to attack his own people. Dissidents in the towns surrounding Tripoli and in the capital itself are reportedly beginning to take heart and to plan their own uprisings and guerrilla actions. Zlitan was taken with the help of rebels within the city, e.g. I was struck, on seeing Aljazeera’s on the scene footage from the center of Zlitan, by how the victorious rebels spoke of themselves as the conquering “youth.” And they did look young, just teenagers or early 20s. That is the answer to the question often asked abroad, about who the rebels are. This is a youth revolution above all. They are a cross-section of the country’s young people.

It turns out that the southern town of Marzuq was taken from Qaddafi loyalists by the Toubou tribes of south Libya and of Chad. Each of Libya’s ethnic groups is writing its own chapter of the revolution, creating heroes and myths that will be invoked to legitimate their full membership in the Second Republic.

Juan Cole has an interesting take here, it's fantastic. Thanks to pampango.

[pinboy3niner]

8. Battle outside Tripoli, fighting spills to Tunisia

(Reuters WRAPUP 5)

Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:20pm GMT


• Fighting in towns east and west of Tripoli

• Large-scale rescue of foreigners planned from capital

• Oil chief doesn't return in week's 3rd apparent defection


By Tarek Amara and Ulf Laessing


TUNIS/ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Rebels battled for towns on either side of the besieged Libyan capital Tripoli on Saturday, and fighting spilled across the border into Tunisia, where Libyan infiltrators clashed with Tunisian troops.

...


Gaddafi's forces west of Zawiyah and near the Tunisian border have been effectively encircled and cut off from their own supply lines. Tunisia has beefed up its army presence in the border area.

...


Mortar and rocket rounds crashed into the centre of Zawiyah on Saturday. Shells struck the central hospital around dawn, blasting holes in the walls.


In the central square, residents were burning and stamping on a green Gaddafi flag. "Gaddafi is finished. Civilians are starting to come back to the cities. Libya is finally free," said one, who gave his name as Abu Khaled.

...


Rebels said the main Gaddafi force had retreated about 10 km (six miles) east to the town of Jaddayim and was shelling Zawiyah from there.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0EO20110820?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

9. Rebels "closer than ever" to beginning battle for Tripoli--Al Jazeera

Libyan rebels claim they are closer than ever to beginning the battle for the capital Tripoli.

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland, reporting from Benghazi, Libya's main opposition city, has more on the cracks and defections from within Muammar Gaddafi's regime (3:11).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DatHAuf44Pg&feature=player_embedded


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-20-2011-1710

[pinboy3niner]

10. Gaddafi's days numbered, opposition must prepare -US

Sat Aug 20, 2011 2:54pm GMT

• Rebels must plan to ensure rule of law, uphold rights

• Rebels dealing with military chief killing transparently


By Robert Birsel


BENGHAZI, Libya, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's days are numbered as rebel forces make steady gains on the battlefield, and opposition leaders must work together to prepare for power, a senior U.S. official said on Saturday.


"It is clear that the situation is moving against Gaddafi," U.S. assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman told a news conference after meeting Libyan rebel leaders at their headquarters in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.


"The opposition continues to make substantial gains on the ground while his forces grow weaker," Feltman said. "It is time for Gaddafi to go and we firmly believe that his days are numbered."


The United States has recognised the rebels' National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's legitimate authority. Feltman called on its leaders to uphold human rights and ensure an inclusive and representative government after Gaddafi goes.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J02U20110820?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

11. Libya: Gaddafi's hold weakens as rebels claim key oil hub Brega

Source: The Telegraph

Rebels claim they have captured the strategic oil hub of Brega in eastern Libya, a day after saying they seized two other key towns in their push to close in on Tripoli.

2:14PM BST 20 Aug 2011

...



"The industrial zone is under our control, all Brega is now under our control," the top-ranking rebel official said on condition of anonymity, a day after rebels said had seized the coastal western towns of Zawiyah and Zliten.


"Gaddafi forces are withdrawing to the west, toward Bishr," the official said.

...


Insurgents also said they seized Zliten from Gaddafi forces, hours after saying they were in the town's centre, 150 kilometres (93 miles) east of Tripoli.


"Zliten is now under the control of our fighters, but the fighting is not finished," the Information Centre For Misrata Military Council said, adding that 40-50 Gaddafi forces were dead and 12 African mercenaries captured.

...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8713003/Libya-Gaddafis-hold-weakens-as-rebels-claim-key-oil-hub-Brega.html

[pinboy3niner]

12. Abdel-Salam Jalloud defection increases pressure on Gaddafi

Libyan rebels claim regime is crumbling following flight of third senior official


Luke Harding in Zawiya, Christopher Stephen in Misrata and Peter Beaumont
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 20 August 2011 15.43 BST


Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime appeared to be crumbling from within with the third defection of a senior member of his regime within days, which emerged as rebels pressed their advantage on the battlefield.


According to Tunisia's official news agency Abdel-Salam Jalloud – who helped propel Gaddafi to power in 1969 but had more recently fallen out with him – flew out of Djerba airport early yesterday.


Rebels attempting to oust Gaddafi claimed Jalloud has defected. Jalloud's flight follows the reported defection earlier this week of oil minister Omrane Boukraa and senior security official Nasser al-Mabrouk Abdullah, who fled to Cairo from Tunisia on Monday with his family.

...


In Zliten, a town formerly loyal to Gaddafi which was captured on Friday, rebels continued with street-to-street searches. The insurgents have also claimed the final capture of Brega, a town that has changed hands on a number of occasions.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/20/abdel-salam-jalloud-defection-libya

[inna]

13. oh great. looks like the (war-criminal) US-NATO is just about to succeed

in converting the most prosperous and independent country in Africa into a next Somalia (at best).


well... gotta nourish that military-industrial complex. :shrug: :nuke:

[joshcryer]

15. And if it doesn't turn into Somalia 2.0? Will you apologize for the vile misrepresentations...

...of the freedom fighters?

Doubtful. :puke:

[inna]

16. What "vile misrepresentations"? WTF are you even babbling about. Quit projecting, ffs.

[joshcryer]

18. I find the continual bashing of the freedom fighters vile.

Sorry if you in actuality support them but somehow that is not reflected in your posts.

[inna]

20. i'm not quite sure if comic effect is something you aim at, but... whether or not it's intentional,

you're good! i have to admit :thumbsup:

[joshcryer]

25. Here's a joke:

http://bit.ly/pRqQtg

At least, that's all I've been hearing from some for 6 months.

Going to be good to be vindicated. :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

26. ROFL!

Where's MI-6?

:rofl:

[inna]

19. wow. just wow, Josh.

[mark7sys]

58. I do not have the pleasure of understanding you, inna

“Looks like the (war-criminal) US-NATO is just about to succeed in converting the most prosperous and independent country in Africa into a next Somalia (at best).”

In terms of per capita GDP, the distinction of “the most prosperous country in Africa” would seem to belong (by far) to Equatorial Guinea.
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD/countries

Of course, wealth is distributed very unevenly there, as it is in Libya, so this amounts to an ersatz sort of “prosperity”; I doubt the citizens of either nation have much cause to celebrate in the fact that they live in the most prosperous countries in Africa so long as they are in the thrall of gangsters which rule these countries as their own personal fiefdoms … so long as the wealth of the nations is being siphoned off for the personal use of the thugs-in-chief.

“Looks like the (war-criminal) US-NATO is just about to succeed in converting {Libya} into a next Somalia (at best).”

Once again, I do not have the pleasure of understanding you, inna. In its 2010 report evaluating the The World’s Most Repressive Societies, Freedom House { http://www.freedomhouse.org } had ALREADY scored both Libya AND Somalia as falling into “The Worst of the Worst” group (worse, in fact, than Syria).

Since this was and is ALREADY the case, in what sense are you concerned that NATO is going to make Lybia even MORE like Somalia? Based on what?

Given Libya's physical resources (water, gas, oil) and the educational status of its population, there appears to be an enormous upside to the potential of the country when and if its citizens gain their liberty and fair access to the nation's wealth. Granted, they might not make good, but it is worth a try. Maintaining their status of “worst of the worst” in perpetuity is scarcely a pleasant prospect.

Even in terms of pure $ (as if that were all that mattered), per capita GDP in Libya fell something like 34% from 2008 to 2009. Their “prosperity”, such as it is, fluctuates a great deal irrespective of outside interference.

“... about to succeed in converting the most … independent country in Africa into a next Somalia (at best).”

“Independent”? Independent of what?

Like many African countries, I suppose, Libya may be described as supporting or conducting terrorist activities with little or no retribution. That, I reckon, amounts to independence of a kind, but hardly an admirable one. One might just as well praise Berma (“Myanmar”) or North Korea for their independence.

“well... gotta nourish that military-industrial complex.”

Ike will always be a hero to me for his perspicacity in sounding the alarm regarding the military-industrial complex. Between letting bankers run amok and idiotic wars, my country (the USA) has been run into the ground for the rest of my short life, so I am bitter (to say the least). I have no wish to gratuitously feed the military-industrial complex.

On the other hand, we ourselves would not be “independent” (as you put it), if the French had not aided us when we ourselves desired liberty. IMHO, returning the favor when someone in an even worse situation asks for our help is a means of demonstrating that we recognize and appreciate what we have.

You, inna, clearly do not see it that way. I am sorry to have to ask, but I am new here. Just what is it that you find so terribly odious about the USA and NATO aiding the citizens of Libya? Did you feel that our intervention in Serbia was unwarranted, also?

My limited understanding suggests to me that US interventions in South America have been mostly self-serving and unwarranted; perhaps you feel the same way about Libya as I do about South America.



----------------------------

“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
--Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, January 17, 1961

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/dwightdeisenhowerfarewell.html

[pinboy3niner]

14. Kadhafi's end near, Libyan rebels chief says

By Herve Bar (AFP) – 2 hours ago


BENGHAZI, Libya — Libyan rebel chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said on Saturday "the end is very near" for Moamer Kadhafi and that it will be "catastrophic," as insurgents pushing on the capital claimed to have seized a third key town in 24 hours.


"We have contacts with people from the inner circle of Kadhafi," said the chairman of the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC). "All evidence (shows) that the end is very near, with God's grace."


Abdel Jalil was speaking to reporters as a flurry of rumours suggested that Kadhafi was preparing to flee Libya.


"I expect a catastrophic end for him and his inner circle, and I expect that he will a create a situation within Tripoli. I hope my expectation is wrong," Abdel Jalil said.


Earlier, rebels claimed to have captured the strategic eastern oil hub of Brega, a day after saying they had seized two other key towns.

...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g3Bp8obsYaxcG651Zj0YVq6Djrlg?docId=CNG.c50e5128b5abf6b769362c3004b97912.781

[Iterate]

17. #Rabta

#Rabta is a military base and former chemical weapons/poison gas facility at the foot of the Nafusa, just northwest of Ghreyan.

Rabta - Pharma 150

As early as April 1980, the BND , reported that Libya was developing a plant for the manufacture of chemical warfare agents with the help of West German experts, as well as a system for using them. As early as July 1984 the West German Embassy at Moscow, reporting from `non-Eastern sources' identified Imhausen Chemie as working with Libya, and detected its plans to ship chemical weapons equipment to Libya using Hong Kong as a cover. In early 1986 the German BND reported that the plant for the manufacture of mustard gas in Libya had been constructed under the management of a member of a German company. The plant was presumed to be on the site of the Tajura nuclear research center. By mid-1987 information from Western intelligence services concluded that a chemical warfare agents factory was about to be completed near Rabta, with a production capacity estimated at 1 to 3 tons of sarin nerve gas per day. At that time, the German BND reported that production was expected to begin at Rabta in September 1987.

...

In 1990 the United States determined that the facility at Rabta, 60 miles south of Tripoli, was the largest chemical weapons plant in the developing world. The chemical agents believed to be in production at Rabta include mustard gas -- used with terrible effect in the First World War -- and the lethal nerve gas sarin. US analysts concluded that the facility at Rabda resumed limited production in late 1989 after months of technical problems. The Rabda plant had not yet gone into full-scale operation, but even with limited production, US analysts estimated Libya had already stockpiled about 30 tons of the blister agent. In March 1990 White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater called for a vigorous effort to stop the operation of the plant. Fitzwater refused to discuss what those efforts might be, but won't rule out military force. US intelligence reported part of the complex is used to produce the gas and another part is designed for putting the deadly chemicals into weapons, such as artillery shells, bombs and possibly medium-range missiles. Qadhafi's spokesmen denied any production of poison gas.

...

In June 1990 the West German businessman, Juergen Hippenstiel-Imhausen, who was accused of helping to build a chemical weapons plant in Libya, testified that he was involved in the Rabta project, but didn't know the factory would make chemicals for arms. He claimed that although he was suspicious that the project would be in conflict with West Germany's export laws, he failed to investigate the true purpose of the plant for fear of losing the lucrative contract. West German prosecutors, government and security officials have proof that the Libyan plant was built to produce poison gas, and not pharmaceuticals. The West German businessman was responsible for overall management of the project, and his company delivered production plans and equipment for the plant.

Prior to closing its Rabta plant in 1990, Libya succeeded in producing up to 100 tons of mustard blister agent and sarin nerve agent at the site. Although the site was re-opened in 1995, ostensibly as a pharmaceutical plant, the facility is still believed capable of producing CW agents. In October 1995, Libya inaugurated a new multi-million dollar pharmaceutical plant at Rabta. The new plant, a joint venture with Egypt's Nasr Companies for Pharmaceuticals, is designed to produce medicines, detergents and cleansers

more, including a good story about a Gaddafi hoax where he claimed that the US had caused a major fire there in 1990...
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/libya/rabta.htm

Map:http://wikimapia.org/#lat=32.2184652&lon=12.9079056&z=13&l=5&m=b

After the initial FF advance into Ghreyan, there was a counterattack from there and a retreat back to it afterwards. It's not a good place for a Gaddafi forces holdout, but as a chemical production facility it's also not a good place for a ragging battle.

From Aug 11:
LibyaAlHurraTV LibyaAlHurra
@NATO UNCONFIRMED There are reports of a convoy of 60 cars w/ missile launchers from #Gheryan to #Rabta via Aburshada Street. #Libya #Feb17 11 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Gaddafi filth left #Gheryan via back road to attack #AlRabta (+32°12'51 N +12°54'10 E) #Libya #Feb17 @NATO 11 Aug

That put it on the "places to watch" list. Yesterday though there was good news, if tweets can be counted as news that is:

libyanproud libyanandproud
Breaking : #Rabta is fully #deGaddafinated including the infamous Rabta factory . #Feb17 #Libya 19 Aug

libyanproud libyanandproud
#Kikla : Freedom Fighters have "borrowed" some much needed ammunition from #Gaddafi forces in #Rabta. #Feb17 #Libya 19 Aug

[grantcart]

21. I wish I had more time to digest your hard work

I do want to thank you for all of your hard work for those of us who want to stay in touch.

IOM (where I previously served as an officer) is also providing updates on migrants trapped in Tripoli.

You might want to add their link;

http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnAF/cache/offonce/lang/en?entryId=30396

[pinboy3niner]

22. Libya rebels capture coastal city of Zawiya

By BEN HUBBARD and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 8 mins ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels expelled government forces from the strategic western city of Zawiya on Saturday, a major victory for the opposition in their march on Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold of Tripoli.


The territory remaining under the Libyan ruler's control has been shrinking dramatically in the past three weeks, with opposition fighters advancing on the capital, a metropolis of 2 million people, from the west, south and east.


Zawiya, a coastal city just 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, is the biggest prize so far in the rebels' three-week-old offensive.The rebels also claimed to have captured two more towns — Zlitan in the west and Brega in the east.


However, later Saturday, rebel military spokesman Col. Ahmed Bani said his troops fell back in Brega, losing the industrial section of the key oil port to Gadhafi's forces.

...


Despite the losses in Brega, the momentum in fighting now appears to have firmly swung in the rebels favor after months of near deadlock. The Libyan opposition also received a political boost Friday with the defection of Abdel-Salam Jalloud, a close associate of Gadhafi who took part in the 1969 coup that brought the Libyan ruler to power.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-capture-coastal-city-zawiya-134049314.html

[pinboy3niner]

23. Dubai Libyan consulate to reopen with rebel-picked ambassador

Source: The National (Abu Dhabi)

Aug 20, 2011


DUBAI // The Libyan consulate will reopen on Sunday with a new, rebel-appointed ambassador at the helm to seek support for the effort to remove Col Muammar Qaddafi.


The reopening under rebel leadership is among the first, along with the UK, US and France, and will be followed by the embassy in Abu Dhabi this week. More will reopen soon among other countries that have given the opposition diplomatic recognition.


Hundreds of Libyans from across the Emirates gathered at the consulate in Bur Dubai on Friday night to cheer the hoisting of the opposition flag and share in prayers and a meal.


For the new ambassador, Dr Aref Ali Nayed – a theologian, businessman and 14-year resident of Dubai – his latest role means lobbying his local and international contacts for financial and political support for the rebels, as he has done since the revolution began in February.


It also means transforming the consulate into a preview of a free Libya. For decades, expatriates avoided the place, fearing trouble from government officials. But the compound will now serve as a community centre to socialise, jump in the pool, and co-ordinate volunteer aid efforts.

...


http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/politics/dubai-libyan-consulate-to-reopen-with-rebel-picked-ambassador

[pinboy3niner]

24. Rebels, civilians expect more fighting in Zawiyah

Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:25pm GMT

By Ulf Laessing


ZAWIYAH, Libya Aug 20 (Reuters) - Rebel fighters transformed Libya's battlefield this week by seizing Zawiyah on the outskirts of Tripoli but, with shells still raining down on the city, few believe the fighting is over.


The rebel presence in Zawiyah cuts off Tripoli's main route to the outside world. Although Gaddafi's forces, determined to retake it, mounted a fierce counter-offensive on Friday, the rebels were still in control on Saturday and saying they expected more fighting.


"Gaddafi will try to take back Zawiyah at any price. He will keep shelling the hospital," said a rebel fighter as he was preparing for midday prayers in the mosque of Bir Hawisa, a nearby village where many civilians are sheltering in safety.


"We will not let that happen. We will fight," he said.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J02X20110820?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

27. Al Jazeera video updates on Zawiya and Zlitan

The Libyan capital is surrounded by rebel forces.

After days of heavy fighting, key towns and cities across the west of the country have now been won.

The next big battle could now be Tripoli itself.

Brega, to the east appears to be the latest town to be taken, after Muammar Gaddafi's forces retreated from the oil refinery there.

In the west, the rebels are 50 kilometres from the capital Tripoli in the centre of Az Zawiyah.

Zlitan to the east of the capital has fallen to the rebels as well.


Here's the latest from Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr in Az Zawiyah and Andrew Simmons in Zlitan (3:18):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us5mc-cyNos&feature=player_embedded#!


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-20-2011-1914

[pinboy3niner]

28. NGO champions human rights in Libya

Aug 20, 2011 - 18:55

by Mohamed Cherif, swissinfo.ch


Libyan Human Rights Solidarity, which is based in Geneva, is working in conflict-torn Libya to promote human rights and rebuild institutions.


The non-governmental organisation’s secretary general, Khaled Saleh, spoke to swissinfo.ch shortly after his return from the rebel-held eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, where he also met Swiss aid representatives.


Libyans are expecting a lot from Switzerland, especially regarding benefiting from its experience in building democratic institutions and civil society organisations, said Saleh.

Opposition fighters, whose Benghazi-based National Transitional Council (NTC) is considered by many nations the sole government authority, have been battling Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s forces for around six months. It is reported that the rebels are now making progress towards the Gaddafi stronghold of Tripoli, in the west.


“As an organisation, we saw that it was important to be present and to work inside Libya in order to promote the culture of human rights on the largest scale,” Saleh said.


“At the moment we have an office in Benghazi that has started to organise conferences and training courses to raise Libyans’ awareness about human rights. We will organise the first training course for a group of lawyers, jointly with the Cairo Institute for Human Rights."


The NGO is also helping to rehabilitate the role of civil society. “We criticised the performance of some organisations in the beginning, which led to the change of some laws and gave civil society a greater degree of freedom of movement,” he explained.


“In institution-building, we pay attention to making sure that the laws adopted are consistent with the articles in international conventions and treaties so as not to end up with constitutional violations that would be difficult to fix in the future."


CAPTIVES


The NGO is active in western Libya as well. "We seek to teach the rebels how to deal with the captives from Gaddafi forces," said Saleh.


He added that sometimes there were cases of retaliation, but these had to be seen in the context of the lack of a human rights culture in Libya under the Gaddafi regime.

...


http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/specials/the_arab_spring/NGO_champions_human_rights_in_Libya.html?cid=30935174

[pinboy3niner]

29. Libya: The battle closes in on Gaddafi's stronghold

Source: The Telegraph

The rebel stranglehold around Gaddafi's capital is tightening, fuel supplies from Tunisia are cut off, and his territory shrinking by the day. Is this the beginning of the end, ask Nick Meo in Zintan and Damien McElroy in Zawiyah.


By Nick Meo in Zintan and Damien McElroy in Zawiyah

6:21PM BST 20 Aug 2011

...


"I think I will be back at my home in Tripoli soon," said Mohammed Akrar, a 48-year-old aircraft maintenance engineer, who fled when the uprising in Tripoli was crushed back in February. "I think the crowds we have seen on television in Green Square cheering Gaddafi don't really have their hearts in it. They will soon be cheering our revolution there instead."


After fleeing Tripoli, Mr Akrar took refuge in Zintan where he had family connections. Along with the rest of Zintan's men, he soon took up arms.

...


"We weren't fighters, we were engineers, farmers and mechanics," said Mr Akrar.


"We had to face tanks and Grad rocket barrages, but you know, it wasn't that frightening really. We believed in our fight and we knew we had to do it. It was just like that Mel Gibson film The Patriot (about the American War of Independence). We were fighting for our homes, and that gave us courage."


Under pressure all over the country, Gaddafi concentrated on the threat from bigger towns and ignored the Jebel Nafusa – a mistake that may now prove fatal.

...


The town has also new evidence of the damage Gaddafi has done to Libyan society.


Mustapha Al-Hirary, 47, was liberated from a prison in Garyan when rebels overran the town this week.


Detained because he came from a village known to have rebel sympathies, he suffered whippings that left him unable to walk properly and was smashed in the face with a shoe. He was also repeatedly kicked in the crotch by torturers, who said they didn't want him to father "rats".


Three men had been tortured to death in front of him, he said, and he claimed dozens like him were detained in the town's jail when rebels freed him.


As more Gaddafi-held towns look set fall to rebel hands in the next few days, more horror stories like Mr Al-Hirary's will no doubt be told.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8713242/Libya-The-battle-closes-in-on-Gaddafis-stronghold.html

[pinboy3niner]

30. Libya conflict: Gaddafi fights back as rebels advance

Source: BBC

20 August 2011 Last updated at 13:36 ET


Reporting from Tripoli, the BBC's Matthew Price says the momentum is clearly against Col Gaddafi and his supporters, both militarily and politically.


Either his forces have pulled back in places like Zlitan in order to prepare for a fresh offensive or, after months of Nato air strikes, elements of the army may simply be too weak to fight on, our correspondent says.

...


After visiting Zlitan, the BBC's Orla Guerin said the rebels appeared to have a firm grip on the town, controlling the centre and manning checkpoints.

...


The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Zawiya said the rebels appeared to have succeeded in pushing Col Gaddafi's forces out of the city.


He said the bodies of sub-Saharan Africans could be seen on the streets, amid claims by the rebels that many of those fighting for Col Gaddafi were foreign mercenaries.

...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14603989

[Iterate]

31. Fortunes Change As Zawiyah Rebels Fight Back

7:18am UK, Saturday August 20, 2011
Rebels are closing in on Colonel Gaddafi after retaking the main square in Zawiyah - a town where Sky's Alex Crawford suffered "the most traumatic day of her life" in March.

During the fall of Zawiyah, Crawford described the stark difference between the rebels' latest assault and the one she witnessed five months ago.

"Back in March, the rebels weren't an army as such, they were merely a town of civilians.

"They picked up whatever weapons they had to defend themselves against the Gaddafi military might.

With video:
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16053397

plus

5:05pm UK, Saturday August 20, 2011
Libyan Rebel Chief: 'The End Is Near For Gaddafi'
"We have contacts with people from the inner circle of Gaddafi," Mustafa Abdel Jalil said.

"All evidence shows that the end is very near, with God's grace."

Mr Jalil's comments came as rumours suggested Col Gaddafi was preparing to flee Libya.

He added: "I expect a catastrophic end for him and his inner circle, and I expect that he will create a situation within Tripoli.

"I hope my expectation is wrong."

Rebels claimed to have captured the eastern oil town of Brega, but a rebel military spokesman later said his fighters lost the industrial area to Gaddafi troops.

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16053368
or video
http://youtu.be/FgzMq6TaN90

Alex Crawford update from Zawiya 18.00GMT 20/8/2011 (audio)
http://chirb.it/Lk8L5c

[tabatha]

32. "converting the most prosperous and independent country in Africa into a next Somalia"

Inna's statements used to make me angry - now they make me sad because of the sheer ignorance.

Libya should have been like one of the oil wealthy states of the ME, but it is more like a 3rd world country.

The Gaddafis, in particular Saif, stole billions of dollars that should have been used to improve the lives of Libyans.

One of Gaddafi's henchmen stated after the uprisings started that the Libyan government should have spent the money at home on Libyans and not on other African states.

After this has all ended, the billions of dollars frozen overseas will be used inside Libya where they belong.

It is also alarming to me that anyone can support such a murderous regime.

If your mind can crack open a teeny, weeny bit - the man in the video below is very impressive. The comparison between the murderous and mad Gaddafi is like black and white. I don't know how anyone who has been watching the slaughter of innocents by Gaddafi can be anything but reviled - unless they are part of the regime themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Mo7Bk7YY8Nc

ON EDIT

And why are there only two choices - Gaddafi or Somalia? That is just brain-numbing, and stupid.

[tabatha]

35. A poster on AJE

A few people – all of them with far more experience of Libya than me – have shared their experiences of living in or visiting Libya.

I went there for 2 weeks in 2007. I was struck how, apart from public monuments, things looked run down for a country with such an allegedly high standard of living. In the east, particularly Benghazi, this was even more so, with dilapidated buildings, ruts in the roads, and a pretty bad sewage problem near the seashore. Getting to Tobruk, the situation was even worse, with the roads off the main highway in a pretty sorry state.

The only place where things were different was Sirt, with shiny new monuments to Gaddafi and the Green Book, and obviously recent investment. Anywhere Gaddafi didn’t like clearly didn’t get any investment (and in those places didn’t get any rubbish collection either)

The other thing that struck me was how friendly and welcoming the Libyans all were UNTIL any of us naïve foreigners mentioned Gaddafi or the state system. Then they looked terrified in case someone was listening.

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

I think this story says it all. Nepotism in wealth distribution and fear and poverty elsewhere.

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

Another poster:

Real Libya before the war
Sometimes no garbage pickup, you have to pay for service.
In winter the streets flood, no sewer system.
Electricity cuts normal.
Laws change every time Ghaddafi is on TV.
No schedule for holidays, must watch Libyan State TV night before to see if there is work or school.
No school schedule, final exam times are announced a few weeks before ending of school.
Passing of final exams 50%+ luck and nepotism.
Always pump and store water when available, unannounced cuts (this was worse before man made river-then someone had to wait all night for the sound of water in the pipes so the pump would not be burned by pumping air).
Holes in streets, which are paved, large enough to swallow small cars, many streets just dirt, and this is in good neighborhoods.
Municipal repairs are usually half done and then left, this ensures payment to contractors by government.

Thank you LibyaAbstentia for this post.
I will just add that more than 600 children were infected by aids within few months!!!!
If this happened in any other country in any other city in the world I think foreign medical staff will be in great danger to work after what had happened..but not in Benghazi, as people knew from the very beginnning who was behind this crime.
Libyans know very well that nothing happens without Gadafi's approval.
The things he wants to prevent he do it perfect, and only one thing is important to him his safety and staying in power.
The production of oil is perfectly organised, all companies in oil fields are always American, British, italian and Germany.
The financial system (banks) is perfect.
The external and internal security are 100% efficient when the job has to be done for G and his family.

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our third quarter 2011 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
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[pinboy3niner]

34. Libya asks U.N. to probe NATO "abuses"

Sat Aug 20, 2011 6:08pm GMT


RABAT Aug 20 (Reuters) - Libya has asked United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to form a "high-level commission" to investigate alleged abuses by NATO, state news agency JANA reported on Saturday.

...


Libyan Prime Minister Al Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi spoke to Ban by telephone on Saturday and Ban promised to study the proposal, the agency said.


Mahmoudi asked for "a high-level delegation ... to visit Libya as soon as possible and look closely at (NATO) abuses and what is happening in Libya and discuss a solution between Libyans themselves without foreign interference," JANA reported.


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J04120110820

[tabatha]

36. There have been no NATO abuses.

I hope they are handed the thousands of tapes recorded of regime conversations, where they planned to blame NATO for stuff that NATO did not do. That to me, is one of the most brilliant things that NATO did. When a regime lies as much as the Gaddafi regime, the only way to disprove the lies is to use their own words.

[tabatha]

37. Abdul Jalil

Opposition leader Abdul Jalil gives short speech urging Tripoli residents to remain calm and remember their post-Gaddafi role (via @Qahtani)
9 minutes ago

A four minute speech by Abdul Jalil? Maybe Libya really isn't going to be an Arab state.
10 minutes ago

"@Qahtani: Jalil speech is very short (like twitter message) he addressed #Tripoli civilians to stay calm, very well said" @LeilaFadel
11 minutes ago

Jalil: we initiated a committee to investigate and assist all to claim back their rights/assets according to law #Feb17 #Libya
17 minutes ago

End near for Kadhafi, rebel chief says: Libyan rebel chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil said on Saturday "the end is ... on-msn.com/pejK5C
1 hour ago

Guma El-Gamaty Adul Jalil will address #Libyan pple highlighting G days r numbrd & need for calm and reconciliation after G downfall!
1 hour ago

@Liberty4Libya Free Libya Now Mahmoud Jibril: I ask every Tripoli resident, to protect the revolution & give the last word to the courts, spread mercy & forgiveness

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

OnlyOneLibya ProudLibyan
Mustapha Abduljalil gave a brilliant speech in 3 minutes unlike Gaddafi who gave us horrible ones in 3 hours! How times change! #Libya
6 minutes ago

[tabatha]

38. REGRETTABLY WE R GOING TO HEAR MANY MORE STORIES LIKE THIS SOON

"Defected #Gaddafi soldier says his group was responsible for putting 26 in a container in #AlKhoms on 7-6-2011; most died from suffocation" per @LibyaNewMedia - REGRETTABLY WE R GOING TO HEAR MANY MORE STORIES LIKE THIS SOON - #Libya #ICC

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/ch2374

LIBYA_WIN Hayat Libya
by Alexblx
75 000 #TripoliPrisoners according to #MahmoudDjibril #Libya #Feb17 #EnoughGaddafi
56 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

39. NATO airstrikes conducted Friday, August 19

Key Hits 19 AUGUST:


In the vicinity of Az Zawiyah: 1 Artillery Piece.


In the vicinity of Tripoli: 9 Military Facility, 3 Radars, 1 Radar Guided Anti Aircraft Weapon System, 1 Tank.


In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Military Logistic Vehicle, 1 Tank.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110820_110820-oup-update.pdf

[tabatha]

40. Tripolitanian Libyan - Tripoli

@IbnOmar2005 i just called my uncle in Fashloom !! they are ykabro there and everywhere ! god be with us
7 minutes ago

I guess it's #ZeroHour in #Tripoli. #Libya #Feb17
5 minutes ago

Btw, that was a CALLER on #Libya Ahrar, not the channel itself reporting. Caller is from #Tripoli.
8 minutes ago

#Libya Ahrar: Large demonstrations in Soug Eljum3a district of #Tripoli, growing in number, chants of Allahu Akbar. #Libya #Feb17
8 minutes ago

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! my cousin called from TRABLUS said that we are OUT in the streets saying ALLAH AKBAR in TRABLUS!!!!!!!! in TRABLUS!!!!
10 minutes ago

Sebaa district in #tripoli close to soog jumaa is all out.. road blocks ppl chanting allahu akbar.. mosques chanting too.. CONFIRMED #Libya
10 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

41. Libya rebels take seaside city close to Tripoli

By BEN HUBBARD and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 34 mins ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels took control of this coastal city Saturday, clearing a major hurdle in their march toward Moammar Gadhafi's remaining bastion, the capital of Tripoli, just 30 miles away.


Rebel fighters said Gadhafi's troops put up little resistance before fleeing their posts in Zawiya's hospital and multistory buildings around the main square — another sign suggesting that the Libyan dictator's 42-year-old regime is crumbling.


Trucks and cars packed with rebels as well as civilians drove around Zawiya's central square, honking horns, flashing V-for-victory signs and yelling "Allahu akbar"or "God is great!" An ambulance crew posed for photos on the sidewalk while a rebel called through a loudspeaker on his truck, "Zawiya is liberated!"


Still, regime troops kept firing rockets and mortars at Zawiya from positions in the east even after rebels said they drove them out, and thunderous booms echoed across the city. The central hospital was hit by mortar rounds early Saturday, several hours after it was taken by rebels. The attack badly damaged the operating rooms, punching a hole into one of the outer walls. Metal slats from the ceiling were strewn across the floor, and soot covered the operating tables.

...


The rebels said Saturday that they were now driving Gadhafi's forces even farther east, toward the village of Jedaim on the outskirts of Zawiya.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-seaside-city-close-tripoli-182330428.html

[pinboy3niner]

42. Syria raises tension with Turkey in new border move

Posted in LBN by alp227:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4967558

[pinboy3niner]

44. Total humanitarian aid movements into Libya since NATO intervention: 813

Figures include aid deliveries into areas controlled by both sides (for example, planeloads of humanitarian aid from Russia that have flown into the Free Libya stronghold of Benghazi as well as into the Gaddafi stronghold of Tripoli):

International Humanitarian Assistance Movements as recorded by NATO

Total of Humanitarian Movements**: 813 (air, ground, maritime)

Ships delivering Humanitarian Assistance 18 AUGUST: 3

Aircrafts delivering Humanitarian Assistance 18 AUGUST: 4

**Some humanitarian movements cover several days.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110820_110820-oup-update.pdf

[pinboy3niner]

45. "Libya Free"

Painter Rafat Askar, 46, rests at the seaside of the rebel-held town of Benghazi, Libya, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011. The paint on the wall reads: "Libya Free." (Alexandre Meneghini/AP Photo)

[tabatha]

46. Tripolitanian Libyan - Tripoli - Update #2

by Tripolitanian
Confirmed - Znata residents on the streets.... #MermaidDawn #Tripoli
3 minutes ago

@NATO @UKMilOps @NATOpress We could use those helicopters now! bloody anti-aircraft guns are firing on houses + protesters!!
6 minutes ago

There's truck mounted AA guns firing at random houses in Mukhtar street and other streets in Soug Eljum3a. #Libya #Feb17 #Tripoli
7 minutes ago

FUCKING MERCENARIES! GTFO OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!
9 minutes ago

6 months since #Feb20, #Tripoli's last mass protest - #Aug20, I hope this is it! #Libya
17 minutes ago

Gaddafi forces will use high calibre weapons to try to quash the protestors, I doubt they will stop the uprising now. Pray for #Tripoli !
24 minutes ago

#Tripoli revolutionaries attempting to protect protesters from #Gaddafi's AA gunfire directed at protesters. #Libya
26 minutes ago

Nofleeyin and Asaba out protesting. #Libya #Tripoli #Feb17
27 minutes ago

Called three different sources. Soug Aljoma and Tajoura are all out. #feb17 #Libya
34 minutes ago

No rumors this time! It's the real deal! Yallahh #Tripoli! #Feb17 #Libya
34 minutes ago

We're taking back the city!! #Tripoli #Libya #Feb17
37 minutes ago

Protests spreading! Allahu akbar! #Libya #Feb17 #Tripoli
38 minutes ago

BREAKING: #Gaddafi firing anti-aircraft guns at houses #Tripoli. #Libya #Feb17
39 minutes ago

Almanara reporting gun battles in front of Bab Alazizya. #Libya #Feb17
47 minutes ago

Protests also in Zawiyat Dahmani, Furnaj and Anjilat districts. #Tripoli #Libya #Feb17
55 minutes ago

@fcukruna We really aren't exaggerating, I called myself to check, there really are protests everywhere
1 hour ago

[pinboy3niner]

47. Blasts, sustained gunfire in Tripoli - Reuters witness

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J04L20110820

[Iterate]

48. #Tripoli

United4Libya LIBYAN
Caller to @AJArabic live now from #Tripoli : Heavy fighting going on right now. 2 minutes ago

richardengelnbc Richard Engel
reports of fightng in souq al jumaa, feshloum, tajoura, zawit al-dahmani in #tripoli 8 minutes ago

KC_Tripolitania Nusaybah Khalil
#Tripoli : Confirmed - residents in Znant neighbourhood are out revolting on the streets.... #MermaidDawn #Tripoli @Tripol_Latest 3 minutes ago

Reuters FLASH: Blasts, sustained gunfire heard in Libyan capital Tripoli: Reuters witness #bahrain #Feb14 #libya #tripoli 4 minutes ago

elpasolibre elpasolibre
FF Abdullah zaid / AJA: After sun down gun fire started heavily. Some roads were blocked. In Tajoura people attacked Mitiga airbase #tripoli 4 minutes ago

@matthewwprice: Lot of heavy gunfire and explosions now being heard at #Rixos from Northerly direction. Ie towards centre #Tripoli #Libya 8 minutes ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
CONFIRMED - LPC - Northern & Eastern parts of #Tripoli are very much alive and out. #Libya #Feb17 9 minutes ago

LibyanLion17: CONFIRMED - G forces are using AA guns and heavy weaponry in North + East #Tripoli. Lots of gunfire. #Libya #Feb17”RT 17 seconds ago

Zlitniya Zlitniya
#Tripoli :Freedom fighters have control over Suq Al Jumua #Libya 1 minute ago

richardengelnbc: @libya libyan tv reporting qaddafi has fled with two sons" #tripoli #Gaddafi 30 seconds ago

AJELive: 'Blasts, sustained gunfire heard in #Tripoli' - aje.me/oyw6Ms | live blog | Battle for Libya - aje.me/gtGxQ2 1 minute ago

Twitter servers here have been erratic and overwhelmed at times. It might be different from US servers. So much of this is impossible to track for the moment.

[tabatha]

49. DisQus in general seems to be down.

AJE blogs are down. M&G SA DisQus is down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pinch of salt warning

moiatable moi a table
@hlk01 Salt shaker already empty!!! ::sighs:: ::goes to the cellar:: ::brings back a loaf of salt:: #Libya #Tripoli #Feb17 #MermaidDawn
50 minutes ago

moiatable moi a table
::Getting out the salt shaker for tonight:: #Tripoli #Libya #Feb17 #MermaidDawn
56 minutes ago

omalhusain om alhusain
by moiatable
PLEASE for the love of #Tripoli and more importantly Libya DO NOT POST UNCONFIRMED REPORTS #MermaidDawn #Aug20 #libya
1 hour ago

[Iterate]

51. Back now at "only" 30 per minute with #Tripoli

Discus was never good on a slow day but it's back. Can't check poster activity.

@mitchellreports: US intel hearing same reports as @richardengelnbc re: #tripoli but aren't getting any confirmation yet still checking 1 minute ago

mayabeydoun: Al Jazeera correspondnt says most of Ghaddafi Brigades have disapeared frm their positions inside Tripoli.#feb17 #libya 35 seconds ago

feb17voices: LPC #Tripoli: direct quote "it is boiling my son, Allahu Akbar and we will win inshallah" #Libya via @acarvin 54 seconds ago

moooonlight22 Libya Free Forever.
#Tripoli on #Libya Alahrar Tv 130 #Martyrs to this minute #Feb17 #Libya 2 minutes ago

from "on_my_way" AJE blog:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/07/08/dont-call-us-rebels-0

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
AntiAircraftFire / Tracer fire in the air as pickup trucks mounted with 14.5mm guns shoot. NATO planes not the target. #MermaidDawn #Tripoli vor 35 Minuten via web

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
Confirmed - Znant residents on the streets.... #MermaidDawn #Tripoli vor 30 Minuten via web

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
State TV not showing Tarawee7 (night) prayers....because there is no one there! #MermaidDawn vor 28 Minuten via web

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
Man standing on street near Jama3Asaga3 area was randomly shot at.He & others escaped & were chased by military. They're safe #MermaidDawn vor 26 Minuten via web

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
@wasilalitaha these are are all central districts, no greater Tripoli or outskirts.They are all minutes from babazaziyah vor 17 Minuten via web

@Tripoli_Latest Ahmed Shreef
State TV suddenly scramble to Tarawee7 (night) prayers. Please tune in and see the empty mosque. Usually people struggle to find room. vor 14 Minuten via web

I guess there's more than one path to get the tweets. Thanks "on_my_way"

[pinboy3niner]

50. Libyan rebels release fuel after refinery capture

Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:56pm GMT

By Ulf Laessing


OUTSIDE ZAWIYAH, Libya Aug 20 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels sought to ease fuel shortages in their newly won territory west of the capital Tripoli on Saturday, releasing stockpiles from a refinery they seized from Muammar Gaddafi's forces three days ago.


Heavy fighting for Zawiyah, a strategic city on the coastal highway 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, cut off regular deliveries for several days but truckloads of fuel have now arrived at petrol stations around the area.


Drivers formed long queues to refuel at petrol stations adorned with rebel flags. "We are free, we are free," shouted one driver, Fawzi Qabas, as he waited hours to refill.


"Today for the first day we got 40,000 litres from the refinery in Zawiyah," said Bashir, who runs a petrol station on the main road from Zawiyah to Sabratha further west.


"I drove our fuel truck to the refinery to refill. Supplies are fine now," he said, showing two full underground tanks at his petrol station decorated with rebel flags.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J03Z20110820?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

52. Anti-Gadhafi protesters in streets of Tripoli, gunfire from multiple locations - Reuters

1:41pm on 8/20/2011

BreakingNewsBreaking News

Anti-Gadhafi protesters in streets of Tripoli, gunfire from multiple locations - Reuters

4 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

53. Tripoli residents receive mobile phone text messages urging them to "go out into streets..."

Tripoli residents receive mobile phone text messages urging them to "go out into streets to eliminate agents with weapons" according to a local resident who spoke to the Reuters news agency.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-20-2011-2348

[tabatha]

55. Sounds like Gaddafi.

Jibril told them to stay indoors. NATO warned them to stay indoors.

[pinboy3niner]

54. WRAPUP 8-Explosions and gunfire rock besieged Tripoli

Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:02pm GMT


TRIPOLI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli on Saturday night, after days of battlefield defeats left Muammar Gaddafi's government and troops penned ever more tightly in the besieged capital.


The scale of the unrest was unclear, but speculation was rife that Gaddafi's 41-year rule was close to collapse.


Tripoli residents told Reuters they could hear shooting from several locations and there were anti-Gaddafi protesters in the streets. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told state television however: "All of Tripoli is safe and stable." < :rofl: >

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0E20110820?sp=true

[tabatha]

59. Thank you Aljazeera for cutting off Moussa Ibrahim

KhiriaElf Khiria
Thank you Aljazeera for cutting off Moussa Ibrahim, my mom was getting up to punch the TV. #ihatemoussaibrahim #Libya #MermaidDawn #Tripoli
3 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

56. "Zero hour is beginning now"

Tweet from Richard Engel, NBC News:

richardengelnbc Richard Engel

rebel commander tells NBC NEWS "Zero hour is beginning now"

Thanks to OKNancy for picking this up. :fistbump:

[pinboy3niner]

57. Reuters UPDATE:

(WRAPUP 9)

Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:15pm GMT

• Residents say protesters in streets of capital

• Speculation rife that Gaddafi's rule close to collapse

• Tunisian army clashes with Libyan fighters


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli on Saturday night, after days of battlefield defeats left Muammar Gaddafi's government and troops penned ever more tightly in the besieged capital.


The scale of the unrest was unclear, but speculation was rife that Gaddafi's 41-year rule was close to collapse.


Tripoli residents told Reuters there were anti-Gaddafi protesters in the streets.


"We can hear shooting in different places," said one. "Most of the regions of the city have gone out, mostly young people.... it's the uprising... They went out after breaking the (Ramadan) fast."


"They are shouting religious slogans: God is greatest!"

...


A text message was sent to phones in Tripoli, apparently from pro-Gaddafi forces: "Masses of the heroic Libyan people in all Libyan cities, you are asked to go out into the squares and streets to eliminate armed agents."

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0E20110820?sp=true

[tabatha]

60. #mermaiddawn

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Tripoli...live from Tripoli FF Brigade from #Nafousa Mountains, we R moving towards Tripoli now, armed with everything..#mermaiddawn #Libya
5 minutes ago

Mhalwes
ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
BREAKING: AJA: #Tunisia recognises the National Transtional Council as the sole legitimate representative of Libyans. #MermaidDawn #libya
5 minutes ago

The Dictator
LibyanDictator The Dictator
AJA: #Tunisia recognises the National Transtional Council in #Libya. #MermaidDawn
10 minutes ago

Sunny Singh
sunnysingh_sw6 Sunny Singh
Battle of #Tripoli seems underway. Fingers crossed. #Libya #MermaidDawn
18 minutes ago

Ahmed Sanalla
EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Tripoli: #Gaddafi forces lacking fuel and ammunition, this was a live intercept from their operations room..#mermaiddawn #Libya
22 minutes ago

Jeel Ghathub
Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub
Couple of Phone calls told me that #Tajoura is free! I havent been able to 100% confirm though. #Libya #MermaidDawn
54 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

61. CNN: Explosions in Tripoli, Gaddafi spokesperson says on TV: It's all okay, now

"CNN reporters say gunfire, explosions the loudest they've heard."

In a live report, CNN Senior International Correspondent Matthew Chance reported just now from the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli.

He said that regime spokesperson Moussa Ibrahim is on state TV assuring the public that "armed gangs" arose in Tripoli and were put down.

"As he is saying this many exchanges of gunfire are going on," Chance reports. He said the exchanges continue to go on about every six seconds.

Chance believes that this is an uprising from within Tripoli and not from outside, as rebel forces are still 30 miles from the capital and have other obstacles to overcome in their advance.

[pinboy3niner]

62. LIBYAN REVOLUTION DAY 185: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:01 AM SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

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

[pinboy3niner]

63. Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Az Zawiyah:

Battles are now are taking place in Az Zawiyah and in an area known as the 27 bridge.


"In the last hour we saw hundreds of fighters drive down from the western mountains, down to Az Zawiyah. (They're) sending reinforcements According to field commanders, there's going to be a major offensive early on Sunday - they're going to push towards Tripoli.


"Opposition forces have still not yet been able to reach the outskirts of Tripoli. They launched a major offensive last Saturday. They entered the city of Az Zawiyah ... but Gaddafi army put up stiff resistance...


"I can still hear the sound of grad rockets landing in this city but rebel fighters have pushed them (Gaddafi's forces) to the east. They've taken control of the city centre and of the main hospital ... now they're trying to take control of the area called 27 bridge. They call that bridge so because it's exactly 27 km from Tripoli."


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0017

[pinboy3niner]

64. Gunfire in Libyan capital subsides:Reuters reporter

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J05J20110820

[pinboy3niner]

65. Fighting in Tripoli as Libyan rebels advance (weapons sent to Tripoli by tugboat)

By DARIO LOPEZ - Associated Press | AP – 26 mins ago


TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Heavy gunfire and explosions rattled the Libyan capital Saturday after rebels seized control of a major coastal city just west of Tripoli. Rebel commanders said the firing in the capital signaled the start of an attack on Moammar Gadhafi's main stronghold.


Gun battles and rounds of mortar shelling were heard clearly at the hotel where foreign correspondents stay in the capital. Explosions were heard in the area as NATO aircraft carried out heavy bombing runs after nightfall.


Col. Fadlallah Haroun, a rebel military commander in their stronghold of Benghazi said this marks the beginning of Operation Mermaid — a nickname for the capital city — an assault on Tripoli coordinated with NATO.


Haroun told The Associated Press that weapons were assembled and sent by tugboats to Tripoli on Friday night.


"The fighters in Tripoli are rising up in two places at the moment — some are in the Tajoura neighborhood and the other is near the Matiga (international) airport," he told the Arabic satellite channel Al-Jazeera.

...


The head of the National Transitional Council said the date of August 20 was chosen to coordinate with the ancient Muslim Battle of Badr, when Muslims conquered the holy city of Mecca in A.D. 624.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/fighting-tripoli-libyan-rebels-advance-214930420.html

[tabatha]

66. #Libya

Tripolitanian Libyan
#Libya freedom flag being raised everywhere in #Tripoli. #Feb17
5 minutes ago

OmarAlMukhtar Omar Al Mukhtar
RT @EnoughGaddafi: FF making significant moves in and around #Tripoli. #Gaddafi regime crumbling at an incredible rate #Libya #Feb17
8 minutes ago

feb17voices Feb 17 voices
AlArabiya: opposition fighter in studio says: regime tanks advancing towards Zawit Dahmi area of #Tripoli #Libya
8 minutes ago

ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
FF now said to be entering Fashloom following Al Dahra's Liberation (both districts of Tripoli #Libya #Tripoli
11 minutes ago

weddady weddady
Nato's months of strikes paying off: completely degraded Gaddafi's command & control and depleted its ammo reserves.. #Libya
12 minutes ago

Tripolitanian Libyan
LPC #TRIPOLI RESIDENTS SAY NEED BAB AZIZIA TO BE BOMBED NOW. RT RT. #LIBYA #FEB17 @NATO
12 minutes ago

Tripolitanian Libyan
RT REVOLUTIONARY IN TRIPOLI ASKING NATO TO BOMB BAB ALAZIZYA GUARD TOWERS. #LIBYA #FEB17
15 minutes ago

تباً لكم ياطواغيت
ArabRevolution تباً لكم ياطواغيت
RT @ShababLibya Revolutionaries surround the Islamic museum in Tripoli protecting it, and are now in full control of the Museum #Libya #AJA
18 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

67. Explosions and gunfire rock besieged Tripoli

Source: Al Jazeera

Residents say they could hear shooting from several locations and there were anti-Gaddafi protesters in the streets.


Explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli on Saturday night, after days of battlefield defeats left Muammar Gaddafi's government and troops penned ever more tightly in the besieged capital.


The scale of the unrest was unclear, but speculation was rife that Gaddafi's 41-year rule was close to collapse.


Tripoli residents told Reuters they could hear shooting from several locations and there were anti-Gaddafi protesters in the streets. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim told state television however: "All of Tripoli is safe and stable."


Earlier, opposition fighters expelled government forces from the strategic western city of Az Zawiyah, a major victory in their march on Tripoli.

...


"We have contacts with people from the inner circle of Gaddafi," (Mustafa Abdel Jalil, an opposition leader) said. "All evidence that the end is very near, with God's grace."

...


http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/2011820205157428613.html

[pinboy3niner]

68. UNKNOWN NUMBER OF REBELS KILLED IN CLASHES IN TRIPOLI SUBURB, FIGHTING AT AIRBASE - OPPOSITION

@ReutersReuters Top News


UNKNOWN NUMBER OF REBELS KILLED IN CLASHES IN TRIPOLI SUBURB, FIGHTING AT AIRBASE - OPPOSITION


14 minutes ago via web

[pinboy3niner]

69. "The rebels have surrounded a military airbase called Mitiga in the Tajourah district"

"The rebels have surrounded a military airbase called Mitiga in the Tajourah district. The rebels there are telling the brigades that they come in peace to avoid bloodshed. There are areas where electricity has been cut off," (an opposition activist) said.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J05Q20110820

[pinboy3niner]

70. President Obama getting regular updates on Libya after being briefed at Martha's Vineyard

AP reports that a vacationing President Barack Obama is being kept up to date by aides as reports come in of rebel troops advancing on Libya's capital, Tripoli.

A senior administration official reports the president was briefed on Saturday on Martha's Vineyard, and is continuing to get regular updates. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0140

[tabatha]

71. How, I wonder?

"Credible Western intelligence reports say that #Muammar #Gaddafi has fled #Libya and is on his way to exile in Venezuela, according to #WilliamHague, the Foreign Secretary.

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/chdsio

[pinboy3niner]

76. U.S. comment:

Bloomberg reports:

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Beth Gosselin said the U.S. has seen press reports that Qaddafi and two sons have fled the country “but we don’t have any confirmation.” She said the department stands by previous statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “that it’s time for Qaddafi to go.”

[pinboy3niner]

72. New series of explosions, sustained fire heard in Tripoli - Reuters

@BreakingNewsBreaking News


New series of explosions, sustained fire heard in Tripoli - Reuters


6 minutes agovia breakingnews.com

[pinboy3niner]

73. WRAPUP 1-Blasts and gunfire rock Tripoli

Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:03pm GMT

• Fighting between Gaddafi forces and "infiltrators"

• Government claims attack in Tripoli crushed


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli overnight, after days of battlefield defeats left Muammar Gaddafi's government and troops penned ever more tightly in the besieged capital.


The fighting inside the city triggered celebrations among some rebels and speculation Gaddafi's 41-year rule was sliding towards collapse. But Gaddafi's officials insisted in the early hours of Sunday the assault had been crushed, a few hours after it began.


Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said small groups of armed rebels had infiltrated the capital but had been dealt with.


"I assure Libyans that Gaddafi is your leader ... Tripoli is surrounded by thousands to defend it," he said.


Fighting was still raging around Mitiga airbase in Tripoli's Tajourah district after midnight, an opposition activist told a Reuters journalist outside Libya. The gunbattles had left a number of rebels dead in the suburb of Qadah and elsewhere, he said.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110820?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

CNN just aired a live report from Tripoli that said gunfire can still be heard all over the city.

[pinboy3niner]

74. NTC Vice Chair says Tripoli uprising was "a pre-set plan"

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga says the uprising was coordinated with rebels outside of the capital, according to Reuters:

"There is coordination with the rebels in Tripoli. This was a pre-set plan. They've been preparing for a while. There's coordination with the rebels approaching from the east, west and south."

Ghoga said NATO warplanes were launching raids to distract Gaddafi's forces. "The next hours are crucial. Many of their (pro-Gaddafi) brigades and their commanders have fled."

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J05V20110820

[pinboy3niner]

75. Tunis recognizes Libyan rebels as country's rep

AP – 12 mins ago


TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's Foreign Ministry has recognized the Libyan rebels' National Transitional Council as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, the official Tunisian TAP news agency reported Saturday.


The move represents a major shift in policy for Libya's neighbor to the west, which has remained neutral throughout the monthslong civil conflict that has seen rebels attempt to oust long-standing leader Moammar Gadhafi.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/tunis-recognizes-libyan-rebels-countrys-rep-231001508.html

[pinboy3niner]

77. Libya Rebels Start Offensive to Wrest Capital Tripoli From Qaddafi’s Grip

Source: Bloomberg

By Christopher Stephen and Zaid Sabah - Aug 20, 2011 3:03 PM PT


Libyan rebels said they’ve begun an offensive to free Tripoli from Muammar Qaddafi’s control five months after the U.S. first launched airstrikes against the leader of the North African nation.


Rebels attacked Qaddafi forces in the capital last night, fighting in the Souk Al-Jumma market area and Tajoura, an eastern suburb, Al Jazeera reported. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization carried out airstrikes against Qaddafi’s Scud missile launchers and residents received text messages urging them to join the rebellion, Al Jazeera said.


“The decisive battle to liberate Tripoli started,” Abdel Hakim Belhaj, a rebel brigade commander, said in an interview with Al Jazeera. “I would like to tell our families inside the capital that we are coming and call upon Qaddafi’s troops to abandon their weapons tonight and to join us to get rid of Qaddafi and his regime.”

...


U.S. State Department spokeswoman Beth Gosselin said the U.S. has seen press reports that Qaddafi and two sons have fled the country “but we don’t have any confirmation.” She said the department stands by previous statements by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “that it’s time for Qaddafi to go.”

...


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-20/libya-rebels-start-offensive-to-wrest-capital-tripoli-from-qaddafi-s-grip.html

[pinboy3niner]

78. Gaddafi broadcasts audio message on state TV

State TV has broadcast an audio message from Gaddafi. He called the opposition fighting him "traitors".

"I can't understand how Libya is now in this state... you need to find the people behind this state... behind this tragedy.

"You need to Love Libya... how can you allow those people to play with Libya? Instead of being happy we're sad.

"People who were happy last Ramadan are sad this Ramadan.

He said he expected the opposition to claim his message was pre-recorded:

"They will say this message is recorded ... It's Sunday, the 21st of August. Time is 1:37 Libya time.

"It (the uprising) is not a Libyan project. No Muslim can follow this project... It's not an Islamic project, it's not a Libyan project ... Those people are destroying Libya."


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0254

[pinboy3niner]

79. UPDATE: Libyan rebels fight for Tripoli airbase -activist

Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:58pm GMT


RABAT Aug 21 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels control most of the Tajourah district in the east of the capital and have surrounded an airbase there, an opposition activist in Tripoli told a Reuters reporter outside of Libya.

"The rebels have surrounded a military airbase called Mitiga in the Tajourah district. The rebels there are telling the brigades that they come in peace to avoid bloodshed. There are areas where electricity has been cut off," he said late on Saturday.

...


He said there also was fighting between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces in the Souk al-Juma and Arada districts of Tripoli. He said in some places anyone going out onto the streets was being shot by government forces. "It looks like a curfew," he said.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77J06920110820

[pinboy3niner]

80. AP update: TNC rep says "very likely over 100" rebels killed in Tripoli uprising

A representative for Tripoli on the rebel leadership council told the AP that rebels were surrounding almost every neighborhood in the capital, and there was especially heavy fighting in Fashloum, Tajoura and Souq al-Jomaa.


Those three neighborhoods have been bubbling with discontent ever since the beginning of the Libya uprising. They paid the highest price in deaths when protesters took the streets in anti-Gadhafi protests, only to be met with live ammunition by government militiamen.


"We don't have exact numbers yet, but we are hearing that many fighters have fallen — very likely over 100," said Mohammed al-Harizi.

http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-attacking-tripoli-224402452.html

[pinboy3niner]

81. Libyan rebels advance on Tripoli--CNN VIDEO

Added On August 20, 2011


Heavy clashes are underway, but a government spokesman says all is safe and well in the Libyan capital (4:19).

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2011/08/20/exp.seg.tripoli.explosion.fighting.cnn

[tabatha]

82. This may be the last thread on the war.

The Al Qaqaa battalion completed full preparations for control over the security of Tripoli: Is one of the security battalions stationed in alzntan, which is preparing for the landing in Tripoli on Sunday to maintain security, the battalion was founded for the purpose of maintaining security and control over our beloved Tripoli, Tripoli revolutionaries was formed by different spectrum and processing-it organizes and trains the rebels weapons and how to deal with snipers who yatl on the roofs of buildings in Tripoli, adding to eliminate as far as the ousted regime, as it would be of general public interests protection functions of vandalism, arson and the As far as tyrant of the destruction of the country, ask ALLAH to success and lived free secure unified Libya.

[CJvR]

84. Lets hope so.

Gaddafi's personal Götterdämmerung have gone on quite long enough.

[pinboy3niner]

83. Head of the Political affairs of the NTC, Fathi Baja, told Reuters:

"There is certain information tells that forces loyal to Gaddafi withdrew and left their weapons behind in areas outside Tripoli. And I think everything is in order in Tripoli, rebels are approaching al-Sareem Street nearby Bab al-Azizia complex. Gaddafi may be coerced to flee if he managed to co-ordinate it with some countries, but I hope to arrest him to be tried with his sons and his assistants in Libya"

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0303

[pinboy3niner]

85. Opposition must prepare to take over power soon, U.S. official says

From Reuters' "WRAPUP 2-Explosions, gunfire rock Tripoli as rebels advance":

• Fighting between Gaddafi forces and "infiltrators"

• Government claims attack in Tripoli crushed

• Rebels say Tripoli fighting is "zero hour"

• Gaddafi scorns rebel "rats", blames France


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rocked Tripoli overnight, after days of battlefield defeats left Muammar Gaddafi's government and troops penned ever more tightly in the besieged capital by a rebel advance.

...


"Those rats ... were attacked by the masses tonight and we eliminated them," Gaddafi said in a live audio message over state television.

...


A Tripoli resident told Reuters that imams, or Muslim clerics, in parts of Tripoli called on people to rise up, using the loudspeakers on minarets. The resident said the call went out around the time people were breaking their Ramadan fast.

...


"If Tripoli eventually falls to the rebels, Gaddafi's already limited options become even more limited. Pressure on him and his shrinking circle of loyalists has to be taking a serious toll," a senior White House official said.

...


A senior U.S. official said on Saturday that the opposition must prepare to take over power soon. ....

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

86. Rebels seize parts of Tripoli, besiege Gaddafi's compound

Source: Monsters and Critics

Aug 21, 2011, 1:46 GMT


Cairo - Libyan rebels claimed to have seized control of some parts of Tripoli on Sunday and besieged the compound of Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, in what opposition fighters described as 'zero hour' for an uprising in the capital.


The rebels said demonstrators took to the streets after sunset across the capital. Shortly after, sounds of explosions rocked the city and rebels announced a 'planned uprising' by the opposition.


Insurgent detained dozens of Gaddafi's forces in Tripoli, Al Arabiya channel reported.

...


At least 123 rebels were killed in the Tripoli area of Tajoura, senior rebel official Mohamed al-Harizi told Al Jazeera, confirming that opposition forces are in control of the district.

...


http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1658141.php/Rebels-seize-parts-of-Tripoli-besiege-Gaddafi-s-compound

[pinboy3niner]

87. "Zero hour" for Gaddafi as besieged Tripoli rises up

(Reuters WRAPUP 4)

Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:54am GMT

By Missy Ryan

TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) -

...


Intense gunfire erupted after nightfall. Reuters journalists in the centre of the capital said it subsided somewhat after several hours, but bursts of machinegun fire and explosions could still be heard in the pre-dawn hours, indicating fighting in several neighbourhoods.


"The zero hour has started. The rebels in Tripoli have risen up," Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, vice-chairman of the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC), based in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, told Reuters.


Gaddafi's influential former number two, Abdel Salam Jalloud, who defected to the rebel cause a day earlier, appeared on Al Jazeera by Internet video link and called on the capital to rise against "the tyrant".


"Tonight you claim victory over fear," he said. An NTC official, Mohammed al-Allaqi, said Jalloud was in Rome.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

88. Gaddafi probably not in Tripoli at the moment--activist

From AJE's live blog:

Gaddafi is probably not in Tripoli at the moment, Bashir Sewehli, a Libyan activist, tells us here in the studio.

"He's not that stupid," Sewehli said.

Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's most prominent son, gave a speech on state television overnight, and Sewehli said it's unclear where he might be.

Sewehli said there have been "intense negotiations" between Gaddafi and Western forces to arrange his departure from Libya.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0703

[pinboy3niner]

89. Clashes and explosions reported now in Janzour suburb of Tripoli

Sources in Libya including Free Libya TV, an Internet station, and the Twitter account @HomelandYouth are reporting clashes and the sound of explosions in Janzour, a suburb of Tripoli.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0748

[Iterate]

90. Libyan State TV news anchor Hala Saakal brought her weapon to her on-air report

UPDATE 168, Sunday, August 21, 12:28 a.m. EST/ Sunday, August 21, 7:28 a.m. Tripoli (Hamed Aleaziz and Asawin Suebsaeng):

On Saturday night, Libyan State TV news anchor Hala Saakal brought her weapon to her on-air report, making her feelings about the rebels clear. Pro-opposition Twitter feed Change in Libya posted the below photo on its Facebook page. Notice the pistol at Saakal's news desk? According to Change in Libya, Saakal pulled out the gun and threatened to "kill anyone that tries to storm the studio."



To Saakal's credit, we've never seen Katie Couric demonstrate that kind of commitment.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/02/whats-happening-libya-explained#update167

[pinboy3niner]

91. The comment is priceless!

:rofl:

[joshcryer]

93. Hah, nice.

:hi:

[Iterate]

101. Now the complete video

20. August 2011 21:10
von Tripoli Our Capital
1:03
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=268305766515032

Even in Arabic the message is unmistakable.

If you ever get to the point where you think your life sucks, just remember that she's probably someone's sister and that by an accident of birth it's not you.

[pinboy3niner]

117. Al Jazeera has now posted it with English translation:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1257

[Iterate]

92. Fresh map for Free Tripoli

chrisalecanada Chris Alemany
@
@AJELive Tx. updated map here tinyurl.com/3z9vj49 of battle in #Tripoli #libya
8 minutes ago

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=214301650463033871851.0004aaf73e7ee9a96c942

New maps abound, but all are quickly outdated.

Mariatrina Mariatrina
interesting “@Storyful: Follow the story in #Tripoli stryfl.com/89b with an interactive map and real-time conversation #Libya” 2 hours ago

http://storyful.com/stories/1000006784

Yikes11, looks like we have competition at storyful.

[pinboy3niner]

94. Al Jazeera notes UNCONFIRMED reports of rebel forces on outskirts of Tripoli

A rebel radio station in Zintan, the headquarters of the opposition military in the western Nafousa Mountains, has said that the "Tripoli Brigades" and "National Liberation Army" are on the outskirts of Tripoli.

As far as we can confirm, however, rebel forces remain in Zawiyah to the west of Tripoli, Zlitan to the east and Gharyan to the south. South of the capital, a battle is expected on Sunday for Aziziyah, the next town on the road after Gharyan.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0836

[pinboy3niner]

95. Gadhafi defiant as rebels claim to take 'revolution' inside Tripoli

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Saif al-Islam Gadhafi says the rebels are losing and insists "we will not leave" Libya

• Moammar Gadhafi slams the rebels' "lying campaign" and vows their end is near

• A rebel official says the "coordinated" Tripoli operation is "going easily"

• Heavy clashes broke out late Saturday in a Tripoli neighborhood, a resident says

By the CNN Wire Staff
August 21, 2011 -- Updated 0527 GMT (1327 HKT)


Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The Libyan government and rebel officials offered wildly disparate views of the situation on the ground Sunday as gunfire and explosions continued to rock Tripoli not far from the home of embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi.


Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, a son of the ruler and a top official in his regime, insisted on Libyan state-run television that the rebels were losing every battle. His statement came hours after his father told supporters that the "traitors" and their NATO allies were lying and nearing their end.


The Gadhafis' accounts, however, contrasted with reports from CNN reporters, witnesses and rebel officials that government forces continued to lose ground all around the North African nation and faced fresh attacks in the capital.


Faithi Baja, political affairs chief for the rebels' Transitional National Council, said in a video statement Sunday that rebel fighters' freshly launched operation inside Tripoli is "going easily" and that they are inching toward Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizia compound.

...


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/21/libya.war/

[pinboy3niner]

96. Libyan Rebels Say They Are Attacking The Capital (Libyans feel Gaddafi departure imminent)

by NPR Staff and Wires, National Public Radio
August 21, 2011


Heavy two-way gunfire and mortar rounds have been heard in Tripoli, as rebels inch closer to the Libyan capital from the western mountains.


In the west, rebels control the road leading to the border with Tunisia. To the east, they control Misrata and Zlitan. Since taking the city of Gheryan, rebel forces have cut off the road from the south.


"Tripoli is essentially being strangled," says NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro.

...


Garcia-Navarro said it's unclear where (Gaddafi) is but that Libyans feel his departure is imminent. She said he went to great lengths in order to show he was actually speaking live by giving the date, time and other details in order to quash rumors he had fled the country.


"We really don't know what his plans are or where he is," she said. "All of the roads that lead to Tripoli from the east, from the north and from the west are in rebel control."

...


http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/npr.php?id=139826377

[nadinbrzezinski]

97. And now for the comedy hour

LibyanStateTV NotLibyaStateTV
The Rebels claim to be winning city after city. But in reality, we are chasing them from city to city. We assure you of that. #Libya
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Now I got to say it, I was reminded of this guy.



Almost makes me want to hear his briefs followed by CENTCOM... the truth was alway somewhere in between

And who can forget this?



Yet the tanks were nearby... some of the really odd things one watched during that war...

Yep, state propaganda is always predictable, and for the serious comment, we are not immune.

[pinboy3niner]

99. LOL!

People have even taken to calling Ibrahim "Tripoli Tom," after "Baghdad Bob."

Soon we'll see him at Bab al-Aziziya declaring that the rebels have been absolutely defeated--while, over his shoulder, we watch tanks flying the rebel flag rolling up there. :)

[joshcryer]

124. Tom is talking live now on AJE.

[Iterate]

98. Video: Libyan rebels on Tripoli’s coast.

Video: Libyan rebels on Tripoli’s coast. Many of them wearing black masks. Easily the most exciting-to-watch clip we’ve stumbled on so far. (via Danya B Mohammed)
http://shortformblog.tumblr.com/post/9198610025/libyan-rebels-tripoli-coast

I would assume these are the trained elements from Nafusa that have been rumored for specific tasks rather than the neighborhood revolutionaries.

Also here:
http://youtu.be/FIlUPOLkRrU

[nadinbrzezinski]

100. Map of figthing inside Tripoli

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=214301650463033871851.0004aaf73e7ee9a96c942&vpsrc=0&ll=32.860114,13.217196&spn=0.076423,0.353879&source=embed

[pinboy3niner]

102. Libya conflict: Col Gaddafi faces rebel uprising on streets of Tripoli

Source: The Telegraph

Fighting erupted in Tripoli overnight after rebels closed in on the Libyan capital, raising hopes among his opponents that Muammar Gaddafi’s regime is finally on the brink of collapse.


By Nick Meo, in Zintan, Libya

12:03AM BST 21 Aug 2011


Gunfire, anti-aircraft fire and explosions rang out across the city on Saturday night as rebel commanders hailed the start of an attack on the dictator’s final stronghold.


Residents reported fighting in neighbourhoods in the north, east and south-west of the city and said rebels were in the streets, although the Libyan government insisted the capital was “safe and stable”.

...


But a British nurse working in Tripoli told the BBC that it had been a "horrific night" of fighting in the capital.

...


A Libyan government spokesman admitted that “armed people sneaked into Tripoli” but claimed they had been dealt with. They said the rebels attacked in “small groups of a few dozen”.

...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8713761/Libya-conflict-Col-Gaddafi-faces-rebel-uprising-on-streets-of-Tripoli.html

[Iterate]

103. Zlitan: more post-liberation video

Trípoli: la última batalla de Gaddafi

21 agosto, 2011 por Omar Havana Dejar un comentario
http://omarhavana.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/tripoli-la-ultima-batalla-de-gaddafi/

Nice blog as well.

or just the video:
http://youtu.be/Rq1mwW1N028

[pinboy3niner]

104. Zawiyah Rises Again To Take On Gaddafi, by Alex Crawford

(The new byline reads, "Alex Crawford, special correspondent in Zawiyah.")

Source: Sky News

7:25am UK, Sunday August 21, 2011

Zawiyah is a very different place now. Its landmarks are damaged, the mosque in its central square has been levelled, its streets are strewn with rubble and there are makeshift barriers forming makeshift chicanes.


Alex Crawford, special correspondent in Zawiyah


Zawiyah is a very different place now. Its landmarks are damaged, the mosque in its central square has been levelled, its streets are strewn with rubble and there are makeshift barriers forming makeshift chicanes.


There are also some other key differences: its rebels are well-armed, trained and this time, ready to fight.


The last time I was here was in March when myself and my colleagues Tim Miller and Martin Smith were trapped in Zawiyah along with all its residents as Gaddafi's military machine unleashed its fury on the town.

...


One doctor who spoke to us told me later he was jailed for two months for giving the interview. Another risked his life driving us out of Zawiyah on the third day, under fire and through numerous checkpoints.

...


"I never thought I would see such terrible things," (one doctor) said.


He spoke about how thousands of Zawiyah's residents were rounded up by Gaddafi troops who entered their homes searching for those considered disloyal.

...


More, w/ video and Crawford's video report from Zawiya in March:
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16053932

[nadinbrzezinski]

105. Unconfirmed: Tweets Say Gaddafi Has Left Libya [BREAKING]

http://mashable.com/2011/08/20/gaddafi-left-libya/

[pinboy3niner]

106. Report from a Tripoli uprising participant

We just spoke with Taher, a Tripoli resident on Sleem Street who has taken up arms against Gaddafi's regime with other residents of his neighbourhood, which is near Bab al-Aziziya, Gaddafi's command center and compound.


Taher told us that he and his neighbours went out last night and have blocked the roads in the area. They are armed with AK-47 assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, he said. This morning, security forces armed with heavy machine guns and 14.5mm anti-aircraft guns arrived to confront the men and took up positions on the roofs of nearby buildings, including the Nigerian Embassy and Noor Eye Clinic.


Taher estimated the regime forces numbered 30 to 40 men. AK-47 and machine gun fire was audible in the background. He said that he his mother and niece are hiding inside his house and that they need a NATO helicopter to fire on the security forces on the rooftops.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-0948

[pinboy3niner]

107. AJ video report with voice of Taher reporting on fighting in his Tripoli neighborhood

Here's Taher from Tripoli describing the fighting in his neighbourhood, which only began on Sunday morning after protests last night (3:56):

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1057

[pinboy3niner]

108. Libyan rebels say they are closing in on Tripoli

By DARIO LOPEZ and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 27 mins ago


TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels say they are closing in on Tripoli from the west and the front line is now less than 20 miles (30 kilometers) from the capital.


They say a 600-strong rebel force that set out eastward from the coastal city of Zawiya reached the outskirts of the town of Jedaim on Sunday.


Murad Dabdoub, a rebel fighter who returned to Zawiya from the front, says forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi were shelling the rebel force with rockets, mortars and anti-aircraft fire.


http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-closing-tripoli-075405312.html

[pinboy3niner]

109. Report: 450 prisoners freed from Tripoli military base by local Tajoura residents

A resident of the Tajoura neighbourhood in Tripoli tells Al Jazeera that around 450 prisoners were freed from a military base after residents took control of the area and pushed out Gaddafi forces, who are currently shelling the neighborhood. The prisoners are in poor health, he said.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1131

[pinboy3niner]

110. Gunshots heard in Tripoli after daybreak

(Reuters WRAPUP 5)

Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:42am GMT

• Fighting between Gaddafi forces and "infiltrators"

• Government claims attack in Tripoli crushed

• Rebels say Tripoli fighting is "zero hour"

• Gaddafi scorns rebel "rats"


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Explosions and gunfire rang out in Tripoli after dawn as opponents of Muammar Gaddafi rose up in the capital, declaring a final push to topple the Libyan leader after a six-month war reached the city's outskirts.

...


At daybreak, more than 12 hours after the fighting first broke out, shooting could still be heard in the capital, though it was less heavy and sustained.


A Reuters reporter at a hotel in the city centre said she could hear bursts of machine gun fire about every few minutes, and occasional booms from heavy weapons.


A rebel activist in Tripoli said pro-Gaddafi forces had positioned snipers on the rooftops of buildings around Bab al-Aziziyah, Gaddafi's compound.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

111. Rebels advance from Zawiya closer to Tripoli--Al Jazeera

Rebels today have advanced from Zawiyah, the coastal city with a key oil reinfery, to al-Mayah, around 17 kilometers farther east down the road and another 52 kilometers from Tripoli. Advances look to be coming more quickly now that fighting has begun in Tripoli:




http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1150

[pinboy3niner]

112. The Guardian has opened its live blog on a Sunday (very rare)

Live blogging on events in Libya has begun, with Peter Walker manning the blog:

Libya, Syria and Middle East unrest - live updates

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest

[pinboy3niner]

113. Tripoli resident describes rebel victories

Asmaa, an opposition activist in Tripoli, spoke with Al Jazeera this morning and described rebel victories in the capital. She said many of Gaddafi's forces had been injured (2:45):

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


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1148

[pinboy3niner]

114. Rebels are reported moving on Tripoli from the west and south

Updates from The Guardian's live blog:

...the rebels say they are advancing on the city from the west, and are now less than 20 miles away, with forces moving from the city of Zawiya reaching the edges of Jedaim. Reuters quoted Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, deputy head of the rebels' National Transitional Council in Benghazi as saying the end was near:

The zero hour has started. The rebels in Tripoli have risen up.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-1

As well as the advance from the west, Libyan rebels are also seemingly moving on Tripoli from the south. Reuters said one of its reporters saw rebels bringing in mortar launchers and pick-up trucks carrying anti-aircraft guns near Al-Aziziyah, around 30 miles from the capital. The agency quoted a rebel saying:

Hopefully we'll take Al-Aziziyah today and then march to Tripoli.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-3

[pinboy3niner]

115. Reinforcements being moved from Benghazi to Zawiya by sea--rebel official

In the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, the rebels' main stronghold, a rebel official said fighters were being transported from the city by sea to Zawiyah, which has a port, to reinforce their colleagues advancing on Tripoli.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

116. The rebels are advancing from the south, the east, the west; regime on 'very last legs'

Peter Walker posts on The Guardian's live blog:

I've just had a chat (above) with the Guardian's Luke Harding, who is with rebel forces just south of Tripoli, near the town of Al-Aziziyah, which he says is still under government control.


The rebels retreated for a period to allow Nato air strikes on government positions, Luke said, and were telling him in the meantime that relatives in Tripoli described a city in chaos, with pro-Gaddafi forces firing mortars at an uprising in the east of the city while fighting continued in the centre. "Basically there's a war going on there," he said.

The end seemed to be approaching for Gaddafi's regime, Luke said:

It would be daft to predict when this will be over, but it really does feel like the end. People here are saying are going to be in Tripoli in hours. I think that's not the case, there is still resistance... (but) there's no doubt who's going to win this war. The rebels are advancing from the south, the east, the west, there's an insurrection in Tripoli. I think this regime's on its very last legs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-7

[joshcryer]

118. At first I felt the Tripoli uprising was too early, but it does cause Gaddafi...

...to fight on even more fronts. He has a choice, focus on the insurrection inside Tripoli, or focus on the encroaching rebels outside Tripoli, he can't do both.

"Do you believe you will win?" "Yes." "Why?" "I believe in God, and NATO." Heh.

[pinboy3niner]

119. PHOTO from fighting at Gadayem forest, west of Tripoli

Libyan rebels take position during fighting against regime forces at the Gadayem forest,
west of Tripoli, in this AFP photograph by Filippo Monteforte.

Thanks to AJE live blog
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1321

[joshcryer]

120. Alex Crawford: Explosions In Tripoli As Rebels Advance (rebels 30km from Tripoli)

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16053951">Explosions In Tripoli As Rebels Advance
Fighters from the western city of Zawiyah have pushed forward and taken Jaddaim, less than 20 miles (30km) from the capital.

Sky News' special correspondent Alex Crawford, who is in Jaddaim, said the rebel force consisted of several dozen foot soldiers and an armed convoy. She said they had encountered "very little resistance" as they passed into the next village of Mayah and advanced towards Tripoli.

"This is a march on the capital, they are heading for the presidential palace," she said.

...

"They want to raise the rebel flag above Gaddafi's presidential palace."

OMG, Alex Crawford, moving with the rebels. Be safe, dear. What a courageous woman!

[Iterate]

126. And they finally got the map nearly right

2011feb17 Tweeting Tripoli
I can now safely say that 99% of Tripoli hates Gaddafi's guts. #feb17 #Tripoli #Libya 9 seconds ago

2011feb17 Tweeting Tripoli
I would like to ask Daffy, where are his 8 million supporters he showed us on his TV in Zawyia, Zliten, Sorman and Tripoli? #daydreamer 2 minutes ago

2011feb17 Tweeting Tripoli
In my neighborhood of about a 1000 homes, there used to be about 4 houses who raised Daffy's Green flag on their roofs. Today I see none 12 minutes ago

2011feb17 Tweeting Tripoli
Zawyat Aldihmani is where the old main State-TV HQ is. #feb17 #Libya #Tripoli 36 minutes ago

2011feb17 Tweeting Tripoli
Independence flags are everywhere in Zawyat Aldihmani. #feb17 #Libya #Tripoli 37 minutes ago

I've said until now that I haven't been surprised by much, but I have to say now that most media sources are nearly as current and more coherent than twitter. I didn't expect they would keep up.

[joshcryer]

121. AJE: rebels in control of 3 Tripoli neighbourhoods: Fashloum, Zawiyat Dahmani and Mansoura

http://twitter.com/#!/AJELive/status/105227996343959552">@AJELive
#Libya #AlJazeera's Zeina Khodr reports that rebels are in control of 3 #Tripoli neighbourhoods: Fashloum, Zawiyat Dahmani and Mansoura.
22 minutes ago

edit: I seem to recall reports of road barricading, as they did in Misrata. If you pile up rubble in the streets you effectively stop or slow any attempts to invade with trucks and even possibly tanks (tanks would get caught in the rubble and be ripe for an RPG).

[joshcryer]

122. SkyNewsBreak: Reuters: 31 pro-Gaddafi troops killed and 42 captured in fighting in Tripoli

http://twitter.com/#!/SkyNewsBreak/status/105229891858989057">@SkyNewsBreak
Sky News Newsdesk
Reuters: 31 pro-Gaddafi troops killed and 42 captured in fighting in Tripoli
18 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

123. Rebels kill 31 Gaddafi fighters in Tripoli - Al Jazeera TV

Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:51am GMT


CAIRO Aug 21 (Reuters) - Rebels fighting for control of the Libyan capital Tripoli have killed 31 of Muammar Gaddafi's forces and captured 42, Al Jazeera television said on Sunday, citing its correspondent.


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFC6E7JA01720110821

[pinboy3niner]

125. Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim appeals for negotiations :)

@BreakingNewsBreaking News

Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim appeals for 'all parties to sit down and negotiate a peaceful way out of this crisis'

1 minute agovia breakingnews.com

[joshcryer]

127. I transcribed (puke), it's definitely a swan song:

NATO has intensified, it's immoral campaign against our people in the last few weeks. Indeed hundreds of people have been killed, it has been attacking everything, roads, checkpoints, schools, farms, houses.

And since NATO is the judge and the one who executes the punishment and the one who is listened to and heeded, NATO can justify everything. Everything is command and control center, every house, every school, every university.

And NATO has in the last week been truly in a professional way opening the roads ahead for the rebels, who are too weak to do anything by themselves. A very special type of freedom fighters that they are. They can never take a city and make people fight with them, they're always scaring people. And NATO is opening the way for them.

Many thousands of our brave soldiers and volunteers have been massacred in the last few weeks. And NATO has gone mad indeed, it is fearing that any victory of the Gaddafi means the end of NATO. What is important now for NATO is for the Gaddafi government to fall. The rebels indeed have been committing crimes in some cities, mark my words, and I will hold you to it, we know it, we know your names and faces, and you will bare witness to the people being executed in the streets in Zawiya, Zliten, Az-Zaziya, Al-Gayrayn (LOL, see the images posted in this thread).

All of this is as a result, a direct result of NATO. The most common crime is execution, they take people out of their houses and kill them in the streets. Then there is robbery, burning houses as a sign of strength, rape, torture, and many other crimes.

Now NATO is intensifying its airstrikes around Tripoli, and any military presence in Tripoli. You are all witnesses to the peace in Tripoli. NATO is doing this to cause chaos, so that troops will withdraw or volunteers to escape.

This will allow the rebels in to Tripoli, the minority.

What we are feeling now is a true vendetta that knows no limits, and the international community were falsely claiming that we were going to commit a massacre in Benghazi, and that was a legitimate reason for the international community to intervene. Now these rebels do not have a moral record, a good one, and they have come with such hatred. In this conflict people have lost their family as indeed would happen in any conflict. So many of these rebels, many of these rebels, do not have any true political agenda. Many joined the cause for revenge, no more. Or greed, no more. So their priority when they come here, if they come here, they will not have a political project to establish.

They will not have love and peace and justice. Democracy and human rights are not their priorities. What will be their priorities will be blood, revenge, to silence the voices of hatred inside them with blood. So the world cannot claim that they have not been warned. As I am in the presence of the international media and you can convey this message.

NATO has provided these rebels with weapons, this is no secret. NATO has provided these rebels with air coverage, with funds, with intelligence, logistics. Every drop of blood shed by these rebels is the responsiblity of NATO especially the western countries.

We hold Obama and Cameron morally responsible for every death that occurs in this country. We have thousands upon thousands of professional soldiers who are ready to defend this city against the rebels. And again I insist that they are nothing without NATO, they are not freedom fighters nor do they have popular support. Even the cowards can march forward with NATO help.

Tripoli is defended by thousands of fighters, they have their families, their houses, their lives. They wholeheartedly believe that if the city is captured, their blood will run everywhere.

We have said time and time again that we want to have political change, adopt the African roadmap. We said we want to achieve peace and justice and to move forward for this country. We were very happy that 53 AU countries agreed with this position. Latin American countries joined them. But then the roadmap was put aside, because it did not fulfill NATO's political aspriations.

They were judging every peace proposal, whether it's good for Libya, but for NATO and for the future of NATO. This morning, we had geniune and credible reports about many executions being committed and carried out in cities west of Tripoli. As you know communication is still open, so you can phone people there. The city of Garyan witnessed the execution of 34 people. All of them were killed without an investigation or without a court. Some of these women executed were women. In the town of Surman many incidents of rape took place. And the people of Surman know this, you can phone them.

Don't make this about one man. We want the world to be human and just. Libyans came out on their streets in millions. Even if you don't believe the number at least you know that many came out in support of the government. So the government has support. Many people want it. Let's move forward from here. Let's attempt to achieve a peaceful solution, but the world does not want to hear. I studied in Britian for many years, I thought I knew the west, I thought I was able to reach the heart of western civilization. I actually stopped using the word "west" because I thought it was stereotypical. I was so happy to have discovered many "wests" and a new international movement, reaching out to other cultures and civilizations. But in this conflict I've seen another west, the west of killing and occupation, the same west that killed my grandparents and has no moral heart.

This west is living in a delusions or morality, it has this machine that spins everything and makes the world live in such an illusion. I have personal friends in the west who could not pierce through the lies and misinformation and see what is happening in Libya for true. The west needs to install its morality, it's heart. And now is the time to save the last shred of dignity for the west. What is happening now and what is going to happen is not the power of the rebels, it's the power of NATO. A major force for evil that has no heart. Using armed gangs to occupy a whole nation. I want to stand to you tall before you and say this so that no one of you can claim you did not know. We are warning of disasters, of killings.

Of massacres in many Libyan towns. This is my statement, I have said it, and we are going to fight on, unless everyone agrees on a cease fire. As a nation we have our honor, and we know that people scared in their houses will have revenge killings before of course the "UN steps in" and talks of a "transitional process."

Thank you very much.

I bet that's the last we see of Tom. He's gone I bet money.

[pinboy3niner]

128. Wow, good job!

I heard it, thanks to your heads-up. And what I heard was a self-serving, hypocritical diatribe.

Of course, he's just interested in "saving the last shred of dignity for the West." :rofl:

And he has it all wrong--the problem with the AU "roadmap" wasn't NATO. It was the failure of the AU, when it had the chance, to devise a plan that the rebels could find acceptable. It was rejected by Libyans who could not afford to put their lives and the lives of their families on the line in a transition with Gaddafi still holding the power to punish those who opposed him. It's too bad that the AU, when it had an opportunity to exercise real leadership, stuck to protecting Gaddafi.

I think you're right. Ibrahim probably was packed and ready to go before he stepped up to the mic.

[pinboy3niner]

129. Libya rebels say they control parts of Tripoli

(Reuters WRAPUP 7)

Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:31am GMT

• Heavy fighting overnight in districts of capital

• Government claims attack in Tripoli crushed

• Rebels say their forces advancing on the capital

• Gaddafi scorns rebel "rats"

(Updates throughout)


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels said they had seized control of pockets of Tripoli after a night of fighting, while allied forces advanced on the capital on Sunday, predicting a final showdown with Muammar Gaddafi.


The Libyan leader dismissed the rebels, fighting since February to topple him, as "rats" and said he would not yield.


In a coordinated revolt that rebels have been secretly planning for months to end Gaddafi's 41-year rule, shooting started on Saturday night across Tripoli moments after Muslim clerics, using the louspeakers on mosque minarets, called people on to the streets.


The fighting inside Tripoli, combined with rebel advances to the outskirts of the city, appeared to signal the decisive phase in a six month conflict that has become the bloodiest of the "Arab Spring" uprisings and embroiled NATO powers.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[joshcryer]

130. Thanks for that, I posted the twitter feed (from official source) but an article is better.

BTW:



(Gimme a minute or two. :P)

[pinboy3niner]

131. :)

I can use a break, when the new OP goes up. :hug:

[joshcryer]

133. I have to walk my pup so don't worry if I'm not updating!

I'm going to stay up all day and watch this closely. It's going to be an interesting day.

[joshcryer]

132. Week 27 part 2:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1782476