Libyan Revolution Week 21 part 2 - Democratic Underground

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Wed Jul-13-11 06:11 AM
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Libyan Revolution Week 21 part 2

Sergey Ponomarev/Associated Press

Day 135 July 2

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8b4a7a90-a416-11e0-8b4f-00144feabdc0.html">Western rebels revive hope in Libyan fight
Rebels in western Libya are seeking more gains in their fight with Muammer Gaddafi’s forces, boosted by arms and political support from powers abroad seeking to end resistance by his regime to months of civil war and Nato bombings.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38920&Cr=libya&Cr1=">UN team finds deep humanitarian needs in Nafusa mountains
“The humanitarian situation in the Nafusa mountains remains a top concern”
http://english.libya.tv/2011/07/01/libyas-abandoned-stockpiles-attract-smugglers/">Libya’s abandoned stockpiles attract smugglers
Packed to its limit with crates of artillery shells, the once-secret military base in the eastern Libyan desert is now open to anyone looking for an easy way to stock up on free ammunition.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/02/libya.war">Two Libyan cities shelled after Gadhafi rallies supporters
Heavy shelling fell on the besieged port city of Misrata and the embattled city of Dafniya on Saturday, according to a CNN team in Libya who heard the explosions.
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-AC6739AB-4C3328EF/natolive/news_75942.htm">NATO tackles threat of attacks in western Libya
In recent days, NATO-led Operation Unified Protector has stepped up its military pressure on pro-Qadhafi forces in western Libya, disrupting attempts to increase their attacks on civilians.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-02/clinton-says-libyan-rebels-strengthening-rejects-qaddafi-threat.html">Clinton Says Libyan Rebels Strengthening
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Libyan rebels are gaining momentum and that the country’s leader, Muammar Qaddafi, should stop issuing threats against foreign nations.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/02/libya.war">Libyan rebels, Gadhafi forces exchange fire; 11 rebels wounded
Libyan rebels and troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi shelled each other for hours on Saturday in clashes at the highly contested frontline of Dafniya, an embattled town just west of the besieged port city of Misrata.
http://youtu.be/yT-lFUwVebA">Libya from colonization to Gaddafi's "Freedom, Socialism and Unity" - video
Singer: Aït Menguellet from his album A kwen-ix?ae Rebbi (1992) - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1401485&mesg_id=1404241">lyrics here
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/publications/article.cfm?id=5410&cat=briefing-documents&ref=footer-features">Trapped in Transit: The Neglected Victims of the War in Libya
Since the beginning of the war in Libya, more than one million1 civilians have fled the conflict, most of them crossing land borders to Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Chad, Niger, and Sudan.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/01/990315/-Did-Qaddafi-Bomb-Peaceful-Protesters">Did Qaddafi Bomb Peaceful Protesters?
Almost from the being of the Arab uprising in Libya, Qaddafi met the peaceful protesters with maximum violence. By 21 February, he was already using war planes against demonstrations in Tripoli and Benghazi.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/01/misrata-band-libya-rebels-fb-17">Misrata band lays down a soundtrack for Libya's rebels
Bands the world over complain about how tough it was in the early years: no money, no gigs, money-grabbing producers. But such annoyances pale alongside the travails of Libya's FB 17.

Day 136 July 3

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_686699.html">Libyan rebels hope to retake gateway to Tripoli
LIBYA'S rebel army on Saturday said it hoped to recapture areas to the south of Tripoli over the next 48 hours, as they attempt to push within striking distance of the capital.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iFPqknfbpI7tRiOkj6x18OeNyQgA?docId=CNG.d97d1583cba2c514095cbdcb58e788d5.381">Libyans 'executed' for shunning Kadhafi rally: relative
Hours after thousands packed Tripoli's Green Square cheering for Moamer Kadhafi, Mohammed said the still warm body of his nephew was dumped outside the family home with two bullets in his head.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gin6_hAV6K3gD7P-4kIYJsDmzxHA?docId=CNG.c45b1499618bdfc8c2602868ded684ec.81">Libya rebels poised for push towards Tripoli
Buoyed by French arms drops and intensified NATO air strikes on the regime's frontline armour, Libya's rebel army said it is poised for an offensive that could put it within striking distance of Tripoli.
http://news.yahoo.com/turkey-recognizes-libya-rebels-gives-300-million-174140388.html">Turkey recognizes Libya rebels, gives $300 million
Turkey's foreign minister says his country recognizes the leadership of the Libyan rebels as the sole legitimate representatives of the country.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/07/201173113123144759.html">World politics and the revolution in Libya
Revolts and revolutions begin locally but their outcomes are often determined globally. The rebels themselves understandably are focused on bringing down the regime that oppresses them. But the course of their struggles and the ultimate fate of their revolution can be shaped by faraway forces and events.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/07/2011721054895234.html">Libya: 'We win or we die'
Libyan rebels continue their struggle against Muammer Gaddafi loyalists; for the rebels it is a matter of life or death.
http://www.dc4mf.org/en/content/libyans-journey-doha#.Tg9YI_Zwvb4.facebook">A Libyan's journey to Doha
I've been working in the media since 2001 and with Libyan state TV since 2008. Being a news anchor at state television, I had been reporting on the developments in the region and we knew something was going to happen in Libya soon.

Day 137 July 4

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jul/04/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-2">Turkey cuts diplomatic ties with Gaddafi regime, recalls ambassador, freezes assets
Turkey has cut its diplomatic ties with Muammar Gaddafi's Libyan government and recalled its ambassador, the Turkish Official Gazette reported over the weekend.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8615040/Saif-Gaddafi-My-father-will-not-leave-Libya.html">Saif Gaddafi: 'My father will not leave Libya'
In an interview for French television Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam defiantly states that Western powers are doomed to lose their military campaign to oust the Libyan leader.
http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76302Z20110704?sp=true">Libyan government says talks with rebels
The Libyan government has had meetings in foreign capitals with representatives of the country's opposition to try to negotiate a peace deal, a spokesman for Muammar Gaddafi's administration said on Monday.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-07-04/qaddafi-should-face-trial-if-he-stays-in-libya-opposition-says.html">Qaddafi Should Face Trial If He Stays in Libya, Opposition Says
Muammar Qaddafi can remain in Libya provided he resigns and is prepared to face prosecution, said Jalal el-Gallal, a spokesman for the rebels’ National Transitional Council.
http://blog.bridging-the-divide.org/news/room-to-grow-free-libyas-emergent-civil-society">Room to Grow: Free Libya’s Emergent Civil Society
“Who’s actually running things in free Libya?” Such was the question posed by PhD candidate Ryan Calder in a recent article for Foreign Policy, “The Improvised State.” Eastern Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC) has shouldered much of the burden, Calder writes, but it has mostly had its hands full with top-down management – particularly of its ad-hoc military and oil facilities.

Day 138 July 5

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/europe/05russia.html">Russia Renews Push for Libyan Peace
Russia stepped up its efforts to negotiate a resolution to the war in Libya on Monday, with officials here receiving the president of South Africa, who has also offered his services as a mediator, and the secretary-general of NATO.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/04/ap/world/main20076721.shtml">Gaddafi regime claims to intercept boats with Qatari arms intended for rebels
Libyan officials said that shortly before dawn they intercepted two boats loaded with weapons from Qatar that were intended for the rebels.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14026216">Waiting game for rebels in western Libya
Morale on the government side seems to be very low. There are indications on the front line in the mountain village of Kikla, for example, that the pro-Gaddafi soldiers would surrender quickly if their officers let them.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jRjBpiDTQxittcV_eMGOwdlxd0pw?docId=dd1aba15612a45b190d1bc1b78524891">Gadhafi's forces strike rebels in western Libya
Moammar Gadhafi's forces stepped up pressure near the port city of Misrata and a key western mountain range to try to block rebel fighters from advancing toward the capital of Tripoli, rebels said Tuesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/05/us-libya-aid-idUSTRE7643UI20110705">ICRC alarmed by situation in Libya, fears worse
The shifting frontlines near Misrata and the Nafusa mountain region of western Libya, southwest of Tripoli, have forced more families to flee their homes, said Castella. "We don't think that the frontlines will stabilize anytime soon."
http://english.libya.tv/2011/07/05/two-kilometre-independence-flag-and-close-to-a-million-people-expected-in-benghazi-rally">Two kilometre independence flag and a million people expected in Benghazi rally
In a full-bodied sign of unity, Libyans in Benghazi and other liberated cities and towns are planning for a massive rally which has not been seen since the beginning of the uprisings in mid-February.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38940&Cr=libya&Cr1=">Libya: UN introduces regular vessel to ferry aid from Benghazi to Misrata
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched the first ship with a regular schedule to ferry relief supplies and aid workers from the Libyan city of Benghazi to Misrata
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14035281">Three days of farce in Gaddafi's Libya
... up until this week, none of the foreign journalists locked up in our five-star gilded cage in Tripoli had been offered a chance to see Col Muammar Gaddafi's loyal fighters up close on the front lines.
http://youtu.be/Qn8tquQh6gc">Libyan mountain town seeks to rebuild - video
In Jadu, a small town in Libya's western Nafusa Mountains, protesters destroyed many icons of Muammar Gaddafi's regime soon after the uprising began in mid-February.
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/?ref=main-menu">Voices from the Field
First-hand Accounts from MSF Aid Workers and Patients

Day 139 July 6

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Libya-rebels-becoming-self-sufficient-20110705">Libya rebels becoming self sufficient
Benghazi - Libya's rebels, increasingly confident on the ground, no longer need weapons drops from France, Paris said on Tuesday as a Russian official reported Muammar Gaddafi is conditionally ready to step down.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/libyans-who-fled-tripoli-1000035.html">Libyans who fled Tripoli describe furtive protests
Rebel sympathizers, driven underground by a security clampdown in Tripoli, have resorted to furtive protests such as writing "No" next to pro-government wall graffiti and releasing balloons with rebel flags attached, according to two Libyans who have escaped the capital.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304447804576413792782010496.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Prolonged Libya War Puts Defected Diplomats in Limbo
Libya's war has thrown many diplomats who abandoned Col. Moammar Gadhafi's government into a curious limbo, as they attempt to hold together stateless embassies while the conflict drags into its fifth month.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14037358">Libya: Rebels 'create Misrata arc'
Libyan rebels have succeeded in creating a defensive arc south and west of the port of Misrata by linking up two fronts, they have told the BBC.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2011/Jul-06/Libya-rebels-launch-assault-on-gateway-to-Tripoli.ashx">Libya rebels launch assault on gateway to Tripoli
ZINTAN: Libyan rebels launched a promised assault on a key gateway to Tripoli early Wednesday, attacking positions just 50 kilometers from the capital, an AFP correspondent reported.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/2011766657771381.html">Civilians killed in Misurata shelling
Libyan rebels say scores wounded after pro-Gaddafi troops shell besieged enclave in west of the country.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-06/oil-tanker-fidias-is-moored-at-rebel-held-port-in-libya-1-.html">Oil Tanker Fidias Is Moored at Rebel Held Port in Libya
Fidias, an oil products tanker, is moored at the rebel-held port of Benghazi in eastern Libya, a sign that enemies of Muammar Qaddafi seeking to end his four- decade rule are still getting fuel deliveries by sea.
http://www.universalsubtitles.org/sv/videos/P6a4IMpOjMIh">Sa'if Gadaffi's recent rambling and bizarre speech to a group of Revolutionary Council thugs in Tripoli.
This video illustrates what the freedom fighters are up against, in it Saif talks of expunging all non-Gaddafi supporters from Libya (as Iterate notes that's at least 2/3rds of Libya, though that's being conservative). And at the end he even says the "spoils of war" will go to them. It's disgusting. Normally I wouldn't post Saif/Gaddafi propaganda, but I pity anyone who watches this and still has doubts about the freedom fighters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI2ncwCCYnM">Freedom Fighter heroes Monday July4 after liberating area west of Misrata - video
Video of a long chain of celebrating freedom fighters after they helped liberate an area west of Misrata

Day 140 July 7

http://cjchivers.com/post/7315200016/pics-from-the-capture-of-al-qualish-libya">CJ Chivers: Pics from the Capture of Al Qualish, Libya.
Rebels opposed to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi captured the town of Al Qualish today, moving closer to Garyan, the city astride the highway running south from Tripoli.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/in-libya-rebels-gaining-in-the-west/2011/07/06/gIQAmNvA1H_story.html">In Libya, rebels gaining in the west
Rebel victories in Libya’s western mountains are shifting the focus of efforts to topple Moammar Gaddafi’s regime, as fighters close in on cities that control the government’s main supply routes.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/uk-china-libya-idUKTRE7660Q520110707">China deepens engagement with Libyan rebels
A Chinese diplomat met with leaders of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) at their base in Benghazi, state media said on Thursday, building deeper relationships with rebels seeking to oust Muammar Gaddafi.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201107070633.html">Libya: Botswana Supports the Warrant of Arrest Issued by ICC
Botswana wishes to reiterate her position in support of the warrant of arrest. This decision was not reached lightly.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/07/in-tunisia-nations-compete-to-aid-libyan-refugees/241394">In Tunisia, Nations Compete to Aid Libyan Refugees
Qatar's lavish camp is currently winning the competition to best provide for Libyans fleeing the civil war, even outperforming the UN, but to what end?
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/07/libya-expels-telegraph-journalist-over-pro-rebel-report/39684">Libya Expels Telegraph Journalist Over Anti-Qaddafi Report
There's a secret war going on in Tripoli, and Qaddafi's regime is going to great lengths to keep it a secret.
http://cjchivers.com/post/7350661468/landmines-used-by-qaddafi-forces-in-nafusa-mountains">CJ Chivers: Landmines Used By Qaddafi Forces in Nafusa Mountains
When Al Qawalish fell to the anti-Qaddafi forces on Wednesday, the rebels encountered a worrisome hazard — a large minefield along the left flank and, to a lesser degree, the front of a blocking position on the road.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/uk-libya-alqawalish-idUKTRE76666520110707">Gaddafi forces shell ghost town after rebel advance
The frontline Libyan village of Al-Qawalish was a ghost town Thursday, a day after it was seized by rebels, who said life may return to normal in the area after the exit of Muammar Gaddafi's troops.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hzcV5HR_nwKoRqjVuQVcks0BqnpA?docId=af776e3bd13a47928580d0931d0a623e

Moammar Gadhafi is loved in Libya's rebel capital — as a subject for street artists to mock.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/07/07/talking-free-press-libya">Talking to the free press in Libya
Farooq, our Libyan fixer, turned up at the Al Jazeera house here a couple of nights ago and asked me to do him a favour. Would I give a talk to a bunch of budding young Libyan journalists about journalism and, in particular, about how to handle press conferences?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjboApiIgRE">Jadu's anti Gaddafi demonstration - video
Jadu is near the front lines in the western mountains. These people would in immediate danger of violating law 19 and 71 which restrict free association, with article 206 rendering the penalty of death.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGe2m2V9q14">BBC News' Mark Doyle reports from Nafusa Mountains
Mark Doyle discusses Berber-Arab unity, along with the reintroduction of the Berber language which Gaddafi has banned for 42 years (but somehow it has persisted). Also talk of tribal divisions, no doubt fomented by Gaddafi.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/07/06/gun-running-libyan-rebels">Gun running with the Libyan rebels
As the daughter of a ship’s captain, I’ve been on some strange voyages in my time. But our passage to Misrata in late June had to be the craziest.
http://youtu.be/Ow3H8UtbPYQ">Video from TripoliCalling demonstration in Misrata - video
Today at 6:00 PM local time Misratah, hundreds of Misrahties demonstrated in Sana Mehidly st. and ended up at Freedom Place. There they made their voices clear to the world, "Gaddafi it is time to leave."

Day 141 July 8

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/uk-libya-gains-idUKTRE7662YV20110707">Analysis - Rebel gains too slow to hurt Gaddafi badly
More battlefield gains in rural areas will help raise flagging morale among Libyan rebels impatient for victory but won't shift the military balance decisively against Muammar Gaddafi soon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/08/us/politics/08powers.html">House Sends Conflicting Signals on Libya
The House voted down a measure on Thursday that would have prevented the United States military from using force in Libya, but it also blocked military support to the Libyan rebels
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/uk-libya-un-idUKTRE76707920110708">U.N. chief, Libya PM discuss need to solve fighting
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke with Libya's prime minister by telephone on Thursday about the need to end the current fighting in the North African nation, according to a statement from Ban's spokesperson's office.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/captured-gaddafi-soldiers-including-foreign-fighters-tell-of-low-morale/2011/07/07/gIQAGspi2H_story.html">Captured Gaddafi soldiers, including foreign fighters, tell of low morale
In interviews conducted separately at the rebel-run jail in Ziltan, the detainees said that as many as half the forces deployed by the Gaddafi regime to the front lines come from countries such as Niger and Mali. ... In the capital, government officials offered him Libyan citizenship in exchange for taking up arms for Gaddafi, he said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/20117853828409960.html">'The bitter price of freedom' -- Despite losses, Zintan ready to keep fighting
Residents of remote town in western Libya will not accept anything less than the end of Gaddafi's government.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-jul-8-2011-1937">NATO warplanes bomb Gaddafi forces in Western Mountains
NATO warplanes bombed forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi in Libya's Western Mountains on Friday at the front line where Gaddafi's troops retreated two days ago from a rebel advance.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-08/misrata-rebels-say-they-captured-libyan-village-after-three-days-of-battle.html">Misrata Rebels Say They Captured Libyan Village After Three Days of Battle
Rebels in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata said they captured a village on the outskirts of the government-held town of Zlitan after three days of fighting.
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=228521">Gaddafi threatens 'martyr' attacks in Europe
Muammar Gaddafi threatened on Friday to send hundreds of Libyans to launch attacks in Europe in revenge for the NATO-led military campaign against him.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8626622/Libya-Gaddafi-army-attacks-supply-route-as-rebels-make-advance.html">Libya: Gaddafi army attacks supply route as rebels make advance
A sustained assault by pro-Gaddafi forces on a vital opposition supply route close to the Tunisian border is threatening to undermine a rebel advance on Tripoli.
http://www.wbez.org/story/sebastian-junger-and-world’s-policeman-88908">Sebastian Junger and the world’s policeman
One person who has added meaningfully to this conversation over the last two decades is journalist and filmmaker Sebastian Junger. He has spoken up in favor of American intervention, but knows the costs can be high: His friend and partner, photojournalist Tim Hetherington, was killed during the fighting in Libya in April.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2011/jul/08/guardian-journalist-expelled-tripoli-libya">With Guardian and Daily Telegraph expelled, no British or American reporters remain in Tripoli
The Guardian has been expelled from Tripoli for the second time in three weeks as the Libyan regime seeks tighter control over how the conflict is reported to the world.
News stories that got reporters deported by the Gaddafi regime:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/06/tripoli-night-battles-rebels-shootings">Tripoli: a stronghold by day, a battleground at night (David Smith)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8620881/Libya-covert-guerrilla-war-in-Tripoli.html">Libya: covert guerrilla war in Tripoli (Adrian Blomfield)
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/07/libya.tripoli.rebel">From deep inside Tripoli, displays of defiance
The view that journalists get while driving through Tripoli is typically witnessed through the windows of government buses driving along routes selected by government minders that show a pro-government landscape.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/07/08/libya-government-lays-more-mines-western-mountains">Libya: Government Lays More Mines in Western Mountains ('Shameful,' says HRW)
Libyan government forces have placed at least three minefields containing antipersonnel and antivehicle landmines outside the village of al-Qawalish in the western Nafusa Mountains, Human Rights Watch said today.
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/07/07/156560.html">Libya Soup Kitchen
After an arduous day of fighting the frontline, in Misrata, Libya, volunteers have set up a soup kitchen catering especially to ravenous rebel soldiers.

http://www.reuters.com/places/libya">Click here for updated map

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

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

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

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

Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component.

Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade.

Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations.

Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters.

France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft.

Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade.

Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations.

Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support."

NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO.

Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane.

Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base.

Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft.

Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand.

Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters.

Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign.

Turkey: The Turkish Navy http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo.

United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission.

United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers.

United States: The United States has http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.

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">23 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),

Czech Republic (June 29),

Turkey (July 3),

Poland (July 9).

"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.