In Libya, Massacre Site Is Cleaned Up, Not Investigated

[EFerrari]

By KAREEM FAHIM and ADAM NOSSITER
Published: October 24, 2011

SURT, Libya — In the parched garden of the Mahari Hotel, volunteers on Monday scrubbed signs of a recent massacre. They collected dozens of bodies, apparently of people executed on the hotel grounds several days ago, but left other evidence behind, like the plastic ties that were used to bind the hands of victims and shell casings, scattered on the dead grass in patches of blood.

The volunteers said the victims included at least two former Qaddafi government officials, local loyalist fighters and maybe civilians. The killers, they believed, were former rebel fighters, belonging to anti-Qaddafi units that had used the hotel as a base in recent weeks. It appeared to be one of the worst massacres of the eight-month conflict, but days after it occurred, no one from Libya’s new government had come to investigate.

The interim leaders, who declared the country liberated on Sunday, may simply have their hands full with the responsibilities that come with running a state. But throughout the Libyan conflict, they have also shown themselves to be unwilling or incapable of looking into accusations of atrocities by their fighters, despite repeated pledges not to tolerate abuse.

The lack of control came into sharp focus last week, when former rebel fighters arrested Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. In videos of the capture on Thursday morning, victorious fighters were shown manhandling Colonel Qaddafi, who appeared to be bleeding and distressed but conscious. This was moments after he was pulled from a large drainage pipe where he had hidden after a NATO air assault destroyed part of his convoy. Subsequent video shows his bruised corpse, with at least one bullet wound to the head.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/world/middleeast/libyas-interim-leaders-to-investigate-qaddafi-killing.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rss&%2359;&adxnnlx=1319526446-cL0vwU%20xuDC7g9AnR1Z0yw&%2359;emc=rss

[Fumesucker]

1. Omelettes and eggs don't ya' know..

The new crew is just blowing off a little steam by righteously taking vengeance.

Boys will be boys.

[court jester]

2. R&K Net recommendation: 0 votes (Your vote: +1)

"had their hands full"

Yup

"they have also shown themselves to be unwilling or incapable of looking into accusations of atrocities by their fighters, despite repeated pledges not to tolerate abuse..."

Yup

But they are on "our" side, or, we are on "their" side so this shouldn't matter

right?

Let's ask our Chief "Diplomat" Hillary Rodham Clinton...

Ooops, she's celebrating, can't interrupt that, can we. Maybe she will accept a question when she's done grave dancing...

clusterf*

[dipsydoodle]

3. Its worse than that on the rec's

Same happened to me. :(

[EFerrari]

4. These poor people can't catch a break

Fuel blast 'kills 50 in Libya'
Breaking news

An explosion at a fuel tank has left more than 50 people dead in the Libyan city of Sirte, officials and local residents have said.

National Transitional Council commander Leith Mohammed said that the blast happened late on Monday.

"There was an enormous explosion and a huge fire," he was quoted as telling AFP, adding that there were "dozens of charred bodies" at the scene.

The explosion happened as a crowd waited nearby to fill their cars.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15442856

[Fumesucker]

Net recommendation: 0 votes (Your vote: +1)

[Fumesucker]

5. Dupe, self delete..

[rpannier]

6. That's our team inaction nt

[malaise]

7. Shhhhh! It's all for humanitarian reasons

:sarcasm:

[Skittles]

8. be careful what you wish for

[pinboy3niner]

9. Human rights orgs have documented war crimes on BOTH sides

ALL should be investigated and prosecuted as war crimes.

When anti-interventionists post only articles disparaging the Revolutionaries--and NEVER post articles about Gaddafi atrocities--I can't help wondering, 'Why? Why are only SOME war crimes highlighted?

Whatever our differences about this war, we ought to agree that ALL war crimes should be investigated and prosecuted--not just the ones on the side you oppose.

[EFerrari]

11. For me, it's simple. The corporate media went off at a gallop

demonizing Gaddafi and taking the so called rebels' side as if that was the only rational position, which was obviously the message the administration wanted people to adopt.

So I don't see the need to add to the Wulitzer unless I find something that hasn't been covered. That usually involves difficulties had by or abuses committed by TNC forces, and not stories that are being circulated by the Pentagon's sock puppets on Facebook and Twitter.

[sendero]

10. I really need an investigation..

.. to know what happened or to give a shit. The enemy commander was captured and shot. Ho fucking hum.

[Octafish]

12. Faster than Elections.

Soon, Libyans will enjoy the same freedoms as the Haitians.

And a similar standard of living.