Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 17 (or 19*), Part 2

[Catherina]

Libyan Revolution Tweets, Day 17 (or 19*), Part 2

Today's threads: Part 1, , , , ,

#Feb17 Youth organizers invite Gaddafi's collaborators to stand under his umbrella ella ella ella ella ella http://bit.ly/faa34E

"We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. Plan A is to live and die in Libya. Plan B is to live and die in Libya. Plan C is to live and die in Libya."
- Saif Islam Qaddafi during interview

*I called this Day 17 because the official start date was #Feb17 but events kicked off 2 days earlier.

Previous Day 16 threads: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10

The world’s 100 largest arms dealers, excluding Chinese vendors, sold weapons for $401 billion in 2009, with US vendors in first place

Threads for Days 1-16 are in my journal

"I was born in Tunisia, I persevered in Egypt, I sacrificed myself in Libya, I have fought in Yemen&Bahrain. I am Freedom, I will not die."
- Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub

LibyanThinker The Libyan Thinker
New video of Soldiers Executed for Refusing to Shoot Protesters in #Libya

MAP of Protests across the Middle East


Click here for updated and interactive map
Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries

Please rec if you read these so I know if the effort here is worth it.

[Catherina]

1. #Zawya: During brutal Italian colonialism, it was a center for resistance >>>

Tripolitanian Libyan
Background on #Zawya: During brutal Italian colonialism, it was a center for resistance. #Libya
28 minutes ago

[Catherina]

2. AFP reporting the death toll from an arms dump explosion in Benghazi #Libya has reached 27

fieldproducer Neal Mann
AFP reporting the death toll from an arms dump explosion in Benghazi #Libya has reached 27
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

3. If US is willing to help, we want a No-Fly Zone, not boots on our soil. TY

Tripolitanian Libyan
Let's make this clear: If the US is willing to help the democracy movement in #Libya, we want a No-Fly Zone, not boots on our soil. TY
13 minutes ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

But one simply doesn't come without the other!

[Catherina]

4. Az Zawiyah Freedom fighters reinforcing lines.. Expecting a new attack wave by Gaddafi's loyalists

C0d3Fr0sty Anonymous
Reports Az Zawiyah Freedom fighters reinforcing lines.. Expecting a new attack wave by Gaddafi's loyalist.. #Libya #feb17 #Azawiya
11 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[pinboy3niner]

5. K&R

[Catherina]

6. CHECK OUT- LIBYA: REVOLUTION RESOURCE - finally all the #Libya #Feb17 links you need in one place!!

Sarurah Sarah M (Analibyana)
CHECK OUT http://bit.ly/LYResource - LIBYA: REVOLUTION RESOURCE - finally all the #Libya #Feb17 links you need in one place!!!
11 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


https://spreadsheets5.google.com/pub?hl=en&hl=en&key=0AskxLbi9NQCBdFJoVHFKQ2RpQWltaFBodV9oMTlsRWc&output=html

[Catherina]

7. "Amazing scenes in #Zawya,Lightly armed civilians defeating well equiped heavy armed forces" skynews

septimius_sever septimius severus
"Amazing scenes in #Zawya,Lightly armed civilians defeating well equiped heavy armed forces" skynews reporter in Zawya now #libya #feb17
12 minutes ago

[Catherina]

8. #Qatar: Arrest of Sultan Khulaifi & three other Qatari nationals

SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
Al Karama: #Qatar: Arrest of Sultan Khulaifi & three other Qatari nationals http://bit.ly/fkRTDC via @Fairbear
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Qatar: Arrest of Sultan Khulaifi and three other Qatari nationals
03 March 2011

On 1 March 2011 at nine o'clock at night, a number of state security agents raided the house of Mr. Sultan Khalifa Al Khulaifi in Doha. After searching his house and car for two hours, he was taken to an unknown place by the State Security agents.

A female officer who was accompanying the agents informed the wife of Mr. Khulaifi that they were sent by the Attorney General, but without they were unable to produce any judicial warrant justifying the decision.

Alkarama fears that the arrest of Mr. Sultan Khalifa Al Khulaifi is as a result of his human rights activities. We were recently contacted by him regarding three cases of arbitrary detention in Qatar, which Alkarama has transmitted to the Qatari authorities in the hope that they will release them. The three names are the following: Abdullah Ghanem Mahfouz Muslim Jouar, Salim Hassan Khalifa Rashid Al Kuwari and Hamad Rashid Al-Marri.

Mr. Al Khulaifi served as Secretary-General of the Alkarama Foundation until the beginning of 2010, before leaving to found a new organization for the defense of human rights.

...

http://en.alkarama.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=675:-qatar-arrest-of-sultan-khulaifi-and-three-other-qatari-nationals-&catid=32:communiqu&Itemid=174

This is important because AJE won't be reporting on any protests in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Saudi Arabia and Qatar just signed a *terrorism* deal.

[Catherina]

9. last Oil port in Gadaffi hands was reclaimed, #Zawya stand strong , 1000s out in Musrata & Tajoura >

septimius_sever septimius severus
24 hrs #Libya:the last Oil port in Gadaffi hands was reclaimed, #Zawya stand strong , 1000s out in #Musrata & #Tajoura still defient #Feb17
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Ghost Dog]

14. Info on Libya's ports (including offshore oil/gas) here & here:

http://www.temehu.com/Libyan-ports.htm
http://www.libyaonline.com/business/pages.php?cid=310

eg:


Brega, Elbrega or Elbriga is located in the Gulf of Sidrah (the Sirte Gulf), about 270km west of Benghazi city. The name is usually written as " Marsa Elbrega Port" , which translates to "Port Elbrega Port " . The port is used for loading general cargo and oil and petrochemical products.
Operator: Sirt Oil Company.
Port activities: loading general cargo, crude oil & petrochemical products...

The Zawya (Zawiya or Azzawya) port, located about 50km west of Tripoli, handles about 480 vessels a year. The port is running throughout the year 24 hours a day. Berthing is allowed only during daylight.
Operator: Zawya Oil Refining Company.
Port Activity: loading oil products & crude oil...

Ras Lanuf oil terminal is located in the Gulf of Sidrah (the Sirte Gulf). The offshore oil export terminal, consisting of 2 conventional buoy berths and 2 SPM's, receives approximatelyimately 300 vessels a year. Contact Veba Oil Operations for details...
Operator: VIBA Oil Company.
Port activity: loading crude oil products...

Bouri oil terminal is located approximately 50nm off the Libyan coast, about 150 km north-west of Tripoli, in western Libya. The el-Bouri oilfield, the largest in Libya with an output around 60,000 bbl/d, was discovered in 1976 and is located on Block NC 41-B, a 37,700 sq km tract in the Libyan sector of the Gulf of Gabes. El-Bouri is Libya's first offshore field, with an estimated reserve two billion barrels of crude oil, and also large volumes of associated natural gas...
Port Activity: loading crude oil...

[defendandprotect]

69. LIBYA HURRA -- !!

[Catherina]

10. Nothing more coming across from tweets I trust

Tripoli is still blocked from all comms so I;m going to catch some zzzzzs for a few. See you soon.

[pinboy3niner]

11. AJE: Gaddafi fights to regain control; fierce battle in Az Zawiyah

I just posted this in GD, with AJE Live Blog entries and link to Catherina's live tweet thread added:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x562986

[pinboy3niner]

21. Checkpoints set up by Gaddafi's troops now encircle the city of Az Zawiyah

(All times are local in Libya GMT+2) < (USA EST +7, PST +10) >


1:28pm

Checkpoints set up by Gaddafi's troops now encircle the city of Az Zawiyah, a city home to 100,000 people.


1:22pm

Gaddafi security forces have set up checkpoints 4km from the centre of Az Zawiyah, Al Jazeera Arabic reports.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

12. Death toll reaches 27 for explosion of Benghazi arms dump

From AJE:

AFP says the death toll from last night's explosion at the arms dump in Benghazi has now reached 27.

"We're not quite sure whether it was sabotage, an accident or an air strike, but nobody saw any planes," Mustafa Gheriani, a spokesman for the national council in Benghazi, told the agency.

We don't expect to find people intact (on the site). It has been estimated that around 40 people were in the compound.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

13. Surgeon: 150-250 injured in Az Zawiyah battle

From AJE:

Dr Hamdi, a surgeon in Az Zawiyah hospital, is on the phone with Al Jazeera. He tells us of the scene around him:

I am at the centre of Martyrs' Square. A large number of people are gathering in the centre, after they managed to push back Gaddafi's forces, the tanks have been pushed out of the city.

There have been a number of tanks - the security forces of Gaddafi came into the city with armoured vehicles and tanks and trucks carrying antiaircraft wepons. We managed to capture two tanks, and a number of four-wheel drive military cars.

I live in one of main roads of the city, but I couldn't leave home, because a large number of Gaddafi security men were shooting at anyone who came out.

I couldn't go to the hospital. But when our courageous fighters pushed them back, I could get to the square and helped administer first aid.

There are between 150-250 injured as of now.

At this moment, there are no Gaddafi security forces in the city; they have all been pushed outside of the city. The revolutionaries have taken control and have pushed them to the outside of the city.

There is news that the security forces are gathering and preparing for another attack; the revolutionaries are also preparing for another attack. About 10,000 revolutionaries are preparing for the attack, and they are all happy for what has been achieved so far today.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

20. "We could so far bury four martyrs, yet many people have been killed or injured"

Mohammed Gassim, a political activist in Az Zawiyah, told Al Jazeera the death toll from the morning's fighting was still unknown:

"We could so far bury four martyrs, yet many people have been killed or injured."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

15. Zbigniew Brzezinski: U.S. should take a more active role in Libya

From AJE:

National Security Advisor to president Jimmy Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski - who helped arm anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan from 1979 (at a reported cost of $20 million a year, in one of the longest ever CIA covert operations) - believes the US should take a more active role in Libya. He spoke to Al Jazeera.

< Watch the brief clip on youtube: >

Zbigniew Brzezinski on Al Jazeera (0:53)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUiuefty2r8&feature=player_embedded


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[CommonSensePLZ]

31. Sadly

Qaddafi can't win any other way than pulling out the military and attacking from the skies, the protesters always beat him on land and in numbers so he's getting desperate.

Could the US just enforce a no-fly zone to even the odds and mayb save Libyan fighter pilots being forced to fight for Qaddafi? I think Catherina said no, but why?

[sabrina 1]

68. Gates is against it. Says it would mean using the military

to destroy Libyas airforce. Congress voted for it and other prominent representatives were for it, but Gates has apparently ended that idea.

[defendandprotect]

71. Don't know if I believe Gates ...

he was a primary player in the October Surprise and is a rw hawk --

Am sure you're also questioning --

I don't know -- couldn't they just tell Gaddafi that if he puts a plane in the air

the US will shoot it down? They must have a carrier in the area somewhere?

And if he used anything on the ground to try to knock out a US plane, I'd bomb his

compound.

Think Gaddafi has already cleared out homes around his compound -- there were reports

he was taking those people hostage!

You know a very large fuel/tanker/truck fell over a few days ago near his compound ----

many wondered, at first, if it was an attack, but seemed to be legit.

In the case of this man, Gaddafi, I have no mercy -- just a wish that someone would

bring an end to this slaughter of these innocent Libyans!


:hi:

Did you lose access over the days of problems here at DU -- was looking for you!!

:)

[sabrina 1]

73. It's always nice to see you, defendandprotect. Yes, I did lose

access for about two days. I thought it was my computer but a few people emailed to let me know what was wrong, which was good.

I don't trust Gates at all and don't know why Obama chose him for SOD. Seems like these people never go away. We can get rid of elected officials, but these unelected operatives keep coming back.

[defendandprotect]

74. Agree -- it's the way the right wing hold steady control ...

and look how many of them Obama has kept in place!!

[pinboy3niner]

75. What I recall...

...is that in the past, the U.S. has managed to enforce no-fly zones without first destroying ground air defenses, aircraft and runways. Ground air defense facilities were destroyed only when a pilot detected that a facility was tracking the aircraft in preparation for locking onto it to launch SAM's.

It's possible that technological advances in air defense have closed the window pilots used to have to detect and eliminate threats. It's also possible that Gates and military commanders are exaggerating what is realy necessary to enforce a NFZ.

[defendandprotect]

70. KR -- Brzezinski relates they created/financed Al Qaeda/Taliban thru ISI Pakistan ....

and they financed it up to 9/11 -- maybe beyond - who knows?

US troops went into Afghanistan 6 months before the Russians came in --

and this was done to "bait the Russians into Afghanistan ... in hopes of giving

them a Vietnam-type experience."

Obviously, we couldn't be the only "losers" -- !!!

How many Americans even know this -- though Brzezinski has regularly "crowed" about

it -- even on the Bill O'Reilly Show - 5/6 years ago, or more!


We also played a large role in trying to create a perception of a VIOLENT Islam --

US/CIA created those violent Islamic tex books which our TV networks played up for

so long -- they created them -- wrote them, printed them -- and shipped them into the

ME.

We have a really sick and fascist nation on our hands here in America!!

[pinboy3niner]

16. Opposition fighters push further west after capturing Ras Lanuf

From AJE:

Armed anti-Gaddafi fighters who yesterday overran the oil supplying town of Ras Lanuf are reportedly pushing further west, and are now in control of the small town of Bin Jawad - halfway between Ras Lanuf and the Gaddafi stronghold of Sirte - reports Reuters.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

17. Council to meet in secret: "It's a safety issue. This guy still assassinates people"

The national council declared in Benghazi will have it's first meeting today - but it will be held in secret for fear of the long reach of Gaddafi's forces. A spokesman told AFP:

"It's a safety issue. This guy stil assassinates people."

--AFP via AJE

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

18. BREAKING: AJE reports airstrikes on outskirts of Ras Lanuf, heavy gunfire

Just reported on-air by AJE correspondent in the town.

But, she said, airstrikes by Gaddafi forces "only increase the resolve" of the opposition.

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/

[pinboy3niner]

19. Update on airstrikes and fighters moving toward Gaddafi's hometown

Fresh airstrikes are targeting the oil port town of Ras Lanuf, which was taken over by anti-Gaddafi fighters yesterday, our correspondent reports - yet many of the opposition force has already pressed westwards to Bin Jawad - and even aim to seize Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte.

Speaking to our correspondent on the phone, we could hear lots of gunfire in the background. Residents and anti-Gaddafi fighters are not worried about the aerial raid, she reports, as a sandstorm has moved in, limiting pilots' visibility.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

29. Ras Lanuf: Large number of Libyan military have joined the armed opposition groups

2:00pm Al Jazeera's correspondent in Ras Lanuf tells us that a large number of Libyan military figures have switched sides and have joined the armed opposition groups.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

22. Pro- and anti-Gaddafi tribes have clashed in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte

1:33pm Pro- and anti-Gaddafi tribes have clashed in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte - formerly reported as a stronghold of the de facto Libyan leader. More details to follow.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

23. Inter-tribal clash in Sirte began with dispute over supporting G in Ras Lanuf

1:40pm

The inter-tribal fighting in Sirte was sparked by one tribe refusing to support Gaddafi's fighters in Ras Lanuf yesterday, Al Jazeera Arabic reports. This has reportedly opened a political divide overnight in the city, which is home to 135,000 people - and which houses several government ministries.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[JanDutchy]

24. Do they have a discussion on this

[pinboy3niner]

27. Ha!

I'm sure many have visions of this dancing in their heads. :evilgrin:

Good morning, Jan! :hi:

[JanDutchy]

33. Hi , good afternoon

:grouphug:

[CommonSensePLZ]

25. Only reason someone would be "pro-Qaddafi" is because they sold their soul nt.

[pinboy3niner]

26. Egyptian Dr Describes the Injuries Of Libyan Casualties 04.02.11

This video purports to show an Egyptian doctor, volunteering in Al Bayda. He describes the injuries caused by the ammunition he has removed from patients. He describes his amazement at the way there are more people being killed than injured- a proportion which is usually in reverse.


Watch on YouTube (2:37)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptPlTQoFJw&feature=player_embedded


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[pinboy3niner]

28. As many as 35 of Gaddafi's tanks are approaching Az Zawiyah from the city's east

2:11pm As many as 35 of Gaddafi's tanks are approaching Az Zawiyah from the city's east, Al Jazeera is told.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-5

[Iterate]

30. News now of Azawiya sustaining another wave of #Gaddafi attacks

@iyad_elbaghdadi: News now of Azawiya sustaining another wave of #Gaddafi attacks as we speak. Some 20 tanks and 50 4x4's.
2 minutes ago via web

iyad_elbaghdadi: Gaddafi tanks now shelling all buildings around Martyrs Square in Azawiya with civilian residents still inside. #Libya”
about 2 hours ago

The area around the square is full of small apartments and tower blocks.

@iyad_elbaghdadi: Gaddafi battalions are entering Azawiya now after artillery bombardment. Situation dire. #Libya
about 3 hours ago

@iyad_elbaghdadi Attacks on Azawiya are Khamis Brigade staffed by #Gadaffi loyalist Libyans from Sirt. #Libya #Azawiya #feb17
about 4 hours ago

This seems to imply the limits of Gaddafi's forces. The recent attack on Azawiya was preceded by the removal of a "battalion" on Thursday from nearby Zintan, leaving it undefended.

[CJvR]

32. Last few days.

The development of the last few days have not been particulary promising, the rebels are being defeated in detail. Several cities have fallen to Mad Dog's forces greatly strengthening his hold in the west. If Zawiyah were to fall it would be a major blow to the revolution allowing Gaddafi to turn the sharp end of the stick eastward and roll up the cities one by one with a reasonably secure rear area. The events in March shows how even bad leadership is better than no leadership at all.

[JanDutchy]

34. Alert concerning possible movement of dangerous individuals and assets:

In case you will meet

http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2011/PR015ON.pdf

[JanDutchy]

35. Berlusconi calls for democratic change in Libya

Same car?



http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110305/local/berlusconi-calls-for-democratic-change-in-libya

[Iterate]

37. But these are the actions of an occupying army,

not a conquering or liberating one, and it's been that way for over a week now. In that sense the revolution has won, even to the point of gaining international legitimacy, if not outright recognition. How many revolutions have been fought for decades before reaching that point?

Moreover, even if some of the area around Tripoli can be somewhat secured by his very best troops, as an occupying army with no truly secure rear area, it won't take long for Libyans to adopt the methods of urban guerrilla warfare. Even if the idea of securing the west then striking east was his obvious tactic, I think it's more delusion on his part to imagine that they can now somehow disengage then move 600km west without consequence. We don't know how much of a reserve was held back in Sebha, though there were some reports of columns moved north during the week.

One last point, though my memory may be failing for the moment (as I hope someone will point out if I'm wrong):

Gaddafi has never won a war.

[pinboy3niner]

36. CNN: Libyan rebels claim victory in Zawiya, gain control of Ras Lanuf

Posted in GD here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?

[pinboy3niner]

38. ****"Ppl prepared to go as far as it takes at whatever cost to liberate the entire country"****

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley said on AJE's Live Stream just moments ago:

"These people <the opposition> are prepared to go as far as it takes, at whatever cost, to liberate the entire country."

[Catherina]

39. News now of Azawiya sustaining another wave of #G attacks >>>

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
News now of Azawiya sustaining another wave of #Gaddafi attacks as we speak. Some 20 tanks and 50 4x4's. #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Azawiya is very low on supplies, especially medicines & children's food.

Thanks @dadlani for the question; Abdallah Senussi has disappeared since he was replaced as Intel Chief last week by Gaddafi.

Abdullah Senussi's disappearance seems fishy; he was one of the regime's "pillars"

More fishy: Abdullah Senussi's "replacement" came a day after a 20-minute live gunfire incident within Bab al Azizia, last week.

@habibstah They're unarmed and the clamp down has been extremely severe. They need some guns.

Aljazeera live call from Azawiya: At least 8 of #Gaddafi's troops killed and three captured so far.

Aljazeera live call from Azawiya: "We are low on supplies & ammo but our spirits and morale are very high."

There are now additional reports that on the eastern front, revolutionaries have progressed to and taken Bin Jawad.

Aljazeera live call from Azawiya: We call upon our brothers in the tribes of Sorman, Bani Walid and Tarhouna, where are you?

Aljazeera live call from Azawiya: "Live with dignity or die with dignity, but do not sit in your homes." #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[JanDutchy]

43. Good day Catherina!

[Catherina]

54. Hello Jan. Good 2 c u!

:hi:

[Catherina]

40. Aljazeera live call from Ras Lanuf: There were air strikes today on arms depots; revolutionaries >>>

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Aljazeera live call from Ras Lanuf: There were air strikes today on arms depots; revolutionaries have progressed past Ras Lanuf. #Libya
1 hour ago Favorite Retweet Reply


Aljazeera live call from Ras Lanuf: Reports that towns & villages just to the east of Sirt have joined the revolution.

Aljazeera live call from Ras Lanuf: Aljazeera now reporting deep divisions & in-fighting in Sirt between Gaddafi's and Furjan tribes. #Libya

Aljazeera live call from Ras Lanuf: Many townships in Sirt are flying the independence flag (refer to my tweets yesterday)

[Catherina]

41. Regarding Sirt>>>>>

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Regarding Sirt, refer to the entry at 1:40 PM on today's Aljazeera live blog: http://j.mp/hGUpLF #Libya
58 minutes ago

1:40pm
The inter-tribal fighting in Sirte was sparked by one tribe refusing to support Gaddafi's fighters in Ras Lanuf yesterday, Al Jazeera Arabic reports. This has reportedly opened a political divide overnight in the city, which is home to 135,000 people - and which houses several government ministries.

1:33pm
Pro- and anti-Gaddafi tribes have clashed in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte - formerly reported as a stronghold of the de facto Libyan leader. More details to follow.

1:28pm
Checkpoints set up by Gaddafi's troops now encircle the city of Az Zawiyah, a city home to 100,000 people.

1:22pm
Gaddafi security forces have set up checkpoints 4km from the centre of Az Zawiyah, Al Jazeera Arabic reports.

Regarding, Sirt, refer to my tweets yesterday, they seem to be getting confirmed today (should I tweet them again?) #Libya
59 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

As revolutionaries progress from Ras Lanuf to Sirt, they call upon towns to raise the independence flag so they know not to attack. #Libya

OK I'm re-tweeting whatever I reported/analyzed yesterday regarding Sirt, this will come over several tweets..

We reported early (first or second day of the revolution) that #Gaddafi distributed weapons in Sirt, saying "you'll need them soon". #Libya

We also reported that elements of the Furjan tribe have joined the revolution, esp. in Tarhuna.

For a little background, the Furjan tribe have a presence in Tarhuna, Sirt, and Ajdabia.

It seems that today (yesterday) in Ras Lanuf's action, some Furjan soldiers under #Gaddafi refused to comply.

When revolutionaries entered the Ras Lanuf army camp, they found 20+ bodies of soldiers with their hands tied behind their back. #Libya

It appears now that these were soldiers who refused to comply, many of them Furjan.

It's also revealed that in Sirt, #Gaddafi did not in fact distribute weapons to the entire population, not even to his entire tribe.

It appears he only distributed weapons to his own branch of the #Gaddafi's, showing he doesn't even trust his own tribe entirely. #Libya

Now it appears that Sirt has been ready for revolt, but the presence of the Saadi brigade prevented that.

With Furjan soldiers slaying, a significant population of Sirt appears ready to join the revolution as it approaches.

The humiliating defeat of the Saadi brigade today (yesterday) in Ras Lanuf also helps increase probability of uprising in Sirt.

Previously, there were voices calling to completely avoid attacking Sirt, afraid that a bloody tribal battle will ensue...

But with these new revelations, it seems that an approach by revolutionary forces towards Sirt may tip the city over to the uprising.

This is significant because revolutionary forces are reported to be within 150 kms from Sirt right now.

If Sirt would join the revolution, it would be a game changer, allowing free movement from the east to the west, esp. Misurata.

I need to explain something about the tribal makeup of Libyan society. I must make it clear that all consider themselves one nation. #Libya

(That's what I tweeted yesterday about Sirt; part reports and part analysis. It seems it's in fact getting confirmed today.) #Libya

Hence in much of the Arab world, you belong to a family, which belongs to a clan, to a tribe, to a nation. #Libya

A "tribe" here is simply a unit of social organization, not a "nation within a nation" diverting allegiance away from #Libya.

[defendandprotect]

72. LIBYA HURRA --!!

[Catherina]

42. Khamis Gaddafi & Saadi Gaddafi Battalions >

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Thanks @MaiSutherland for the question; Khamis & Saadi are two of Gaddafi's sons, and each has his own battalion...

Khamis has a long experience in the security forces and his brigade is known to be elite; name itself used to scare people before. #Libya
47 minutes ago

Saadi #Gaddafi on the other hand isn't as experienced as Khamis, but has his own battalion as well.

Saadi #Gaddafi's brigade was concentrated in #Benghazi, and was pushed back after the taking of the Fadhil camp early on.

Thanks @jechago for reminding me; Saadi #Gaddafi is an ex-footballer who played in Italy: http://j.mp/fyzaZf #Libya

[Catherina]

44. revolutionaries on the eastern front are closing in on Sirt, have advanced in east till Wadi Hurawah

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
More reports now that revolutionaries on the eastern front are closing in on Sirt... #Libya
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply


Reports now that revolutionaries have advanced in the east till Wadi Hurawah (a little over 50 kms from Sirt)... getting very close. #Libya
19 minutes ago

[Catherina]

46. revolutionaries now at Wadi Hurawah and everything behind it flies the independence flag.

Reports that revolutionaries now at Wadi Hurawah and everything behind it flies the independence flag... #Libya
20 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

45. #G needs 2 take out Azawiya cuz it's 2 close 2 Tripoli close for comfort", major oil refinery + port

It seems that #Gaddafi really wants to take out Azawiya because it's "too close for comfort"; closest city to Tripoli...


yad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Besides, Azawiya is a major oil refinery + port; #Gaddafi recently lost two of these (Berga & Ras Lanuf) #Libya
26 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[pinboy3niner]

50. And Gaddafi may need the oil revenues to pay his army

We don't know how liquid he is or how much cash he controls, but it takes a lot to field an army in battle.

AJE's Tony Birtley, reporting from Benghazi, made the observation that the fighting in Libya seems to be concentrated around oil towns, which Gaddafi is keen to gain control of "while his assets are being seized all over Europe."

[Catherina]

47. audioboo from Sky's correspondent in Azawiya confirming reports & taking of #Gaddafi tanks

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Thanks @lyonsoccer87, audioboo from Sky's correspondent in Azawiya confirming reports & taking of #Gaddafi tanks: http://j.mp/eo2kUz #Libya
8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Sky's special correspondent Alex Crawford reports from Zawiyah in Libya - as fighting continues this morning
about 4 hours ago
play

AUDIO in clear English

http://audioboo.fm/boos/294418-sky-s-special-correspondent-alex-crawford-reports-from-zawiyah-in-libya-as-fighting-continues-this-morning

[Catherina]

48. didn't get any information from #Tripoli today, but will try to get a updatee

Gheblawi Ghazi Gheblawi
I didn't get any information from #Tripoli today, but will try to get a update on the situation later during the day #Libya
51 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

49. #Saudi Intr Min says security forces will take all measures 2 prevent attempts 2 disturb order

fieldproducer Neal Mann
Saudi Interior Ministry says security forces will take all measures to prevent attempts to disturb order - State TV - Reuters
47 minutes ago

[Catherina]

58. All protests & marches are banned. Security Forces will use all measures

SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
BBC World Service: #Saudi State TV: All protests & marches have been banned. Security forces will use all measures to prevent disruptions.
4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Rep

[Catherina]

51. think that although #G forces are brutal & equipped, their size & capability were overestimated

Gheblawi Ghazi Gheblawi
I am starting to think that although #Gaddafi forces are brutal and equipped but their size and capability have been overestimated #Libya
45 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[pinboy3niner]

63. Q: Can G bring in mercs fast enough to replace all the defectors? nt

[Catherina]

65. With external help, 2 incl covert help, I think so

Libyan Army is very poorly equipped. He never trusted them. They have only whatever weapons they've captured and old weapons from bases they took over. They also have very little ammo for those weapons which is why he's bombing all the ammo depots.

Algeria sends 4x4 for the mercs and who knows what else.

Algeria is sending mercs.

Who else is sending things? I don't think the oil industry and the MIC are sitting back just watching people take their oil away with sticks and stones. I don't trust certain EU countries or the ppl who employ Blackwater either.

#G has plenty of mercs in Libyan desert too. He tells ppl cut off from all news some sob story about Libya being under attack, pays then, arms them. Bad news

He's also been kidnapping families of pilots etc to force them to follow his orders.

His friends in Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, etc not only owe him huge favors but need him in power. They'll do all they can to send more mercs and must be stopped.

Don't forget, Gaddafi is the King of Kings of Africa. Lots of allegiance there. We have to tie the hands of his friends but we won't. Look who some friends are. UAE, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, etc

Notice the puppet government in Egypt (hope this will change with yesterday's new PM) didn't lift a finger when he sent envoys to Egypt to recruit Egyptian mercs.

that's my uneducated take.

[pinboy3niner]

66. Remember the flights to/from Belarus, too

Strongly suggestive of military equipment being transported to Libya.

[Catherina]

52. of #Sirte joins revo > great boost to momentum and strategically significant

Gheblawi Ghazi Gheblawi
if #Sirte joins the popular uprising in #Libya this will be great boost to momentum and strategically significant #Libya
43 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

53. Disagreements between the tribes in Sirt

LibyaFeb17_com LibyaFeb17.com
BREAKING: Disagreements between the tribes in Sirt - #feb17 #libya - libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaki…
42 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

15:00 BREAKING: Almanara Media reports that there are disagreements between the tribes in Sirt at the moment. A huge development!

[Catherina]

55. Sky News Corr in Zawiya reports very quiet for last hour or so >>>>

15:23 Sky News Correspondent Alex Crawford says it has been very quiet for the last hour or so. The main square, which was the scene of a pitched battle between rebels and two pro-Gaddafi brigades earlier this morning, is almost silent, she adds, and people are beginning to walk and drive around the city again. However, she says there are at least 11 tanks deployed on the outskirts of Zawiya, where a military cordon has been set up. The city’s hospital is treating at least 60 casualties, and there are number of dead bodies still inside the city’s mosque, she adds.

http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaking-gaddafis-forces-close-in-on-az-zawiya/

[Catherina]

56. BREAKING: Libyan Analyst says that Algeria is sending planes with mercenaries to Libya

LibyaFeb17_com LibyaFeb17.com
BREAKING: Libyan Analyst says that Algeria is sending planes with mercenaries to Libya - #feb17 #libya - libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaki…
16 minutes ago

15:31 BREAKING Libyan Analyst Jummah Al Gamati on Al Jazeera states that a neighbouring country, namely Algeria, has been sending planes with mercenaries to Libya which have been landing in Miteega Air Base in Tripoli.

[Catherina]

59. BREAKING: Emirates on the brink of sending 100 Toyota Landcruisers to Libyan regime

LibyaFeb17_com LibyaFeb17.com
BREAKING: Emirates on the brink of sending 100 Toyota Landcruisers to Libyan regime - #feb17 #libya - libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaki…
13 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

15:34 BREAKING Jummah Al Gamati on Al Jazeera also stated that he has intel that the Emirates is on the brink of sending a shipment of 100 new Toyota Landcruiser 4×4 cars to Libya to be used by the Gaddafi regime.

[Catherina]

57. Electricity, telephones, and Internet is out in Zawyia right now

ArabRevolution تباً لكم ياطواغيت
Jazeera: Electricity, telephones, and Internet is out in Zawyia right now. #Libya #Feb17
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[JanDutchy]

67. Libyan authorities cut internet as civil war looms

Kadhafi regime blackhole services in attempt to wrest back control of troubled nation

Phil Muncaster



Read more: http://www.v3.co.uk/v3/news/2275133/libya-internet-outage-ghadaffi#ixzz1Fjc7XrBS

[lonestarnot]

60. K & R.

Thank you.

[Catherina]

61. #G forces just follow orders After a little bit of fighting, they just run away" shows morale low

MilitantNews Stephen Morgan
#Libya #Ras #Lanuf Pro- #Gaddafi forces "They just follow orders After a little bit of fighting, they just run away" shows morale low #feb17
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Catherina]

62. translation of the declaration of a temporary council in Libya

AliveIn Stories from MENA
#Libya A translation of the declaration of a temporary council in Libya. http://l.alive.in/2 (Mar 5) #feb17
10 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

A translation of the declaration of a temporary council in Libya.

on MARCH 5, 2011

Below is an unofficial translation of the Declaration of the Establishment of the National Transitional Temporary Council in Libya.

The original, in Arabic, can be viewed here: http://www.libya-alyoum.com/news/index.php?id=21&textid=2554

The Libyan Republic

Declaration of the Establishment of the National Transitional Temporary Council

In affirmation of the sovereignty of the Libyan people over the entirety of their territory, land, sea, and air; and in response to the demands of the Libyan people, towards the realization of the free will with which they shaped the uprising of February 17th; and in preservation of the Libyan people’s national unity; we resolve to establish a national council named ‘the National Transitional Temporary Council’ to be the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Article 1

Functions

1. To ensure the safety and peace of citizens and the national territory

2. To coordinate national efforts to liberate the remaining quarters of the nation

3. To coordinate the efforts of local councils working towards the return of civic life

4. To supervise the military council so as to ensure the realization of a new doctrine for the national army towards the defense of the Libyan people and protection of its borders

5. To supervise the election of a founding assembly charged with developing a new constitution for the country to be submitted to public referendum, so that the legitimacy of the constitution is founded on: the will of the people, the triumphant uprising of February 17th, respect for human rights, guarantee of civil liberties, separation of powers, an independent judiciary and the establishment of national institutions that provide for broad and pluralistic participation, the peaceful transition of authority and the right of representation for every segment of Libyan society

6. To form a transitional government to pave the way for free elections

7. To conduct and to steer foreign policy, to organize relations with foreign nations and international and regional organizations, and to represent the Libyan people before them

Article 2

The Council’s Organizational Structure

1. The Council is composed of 30 members, representing all of Libya’s regions and all segments of Libyan society, with youth membership representing no less than 5 members.

2. The Council will select from its members a president, an official spokesperson and coordinators for a variety of domestic and foreign functions.

Article 3

Seat of the Council

The Council’s permanent seat is at the capital, Tripoli, taking Benghazi as its temporary seat until the capital is liberated.

Article 4

It is the responsibility of the Council to set protocols for its regular and emergency meetings and to make decisions in accordance with the interests of the Libyan people, in a manner that does not contradict the people’s demands, the basis of which were declared by the uprising of February 17th: the fall of the Gaddafi regime and the establishment of a civil, constitutional and democratic state.

Article 5

Based on agreement of municipal councils across various liberated areas, the Council selects Mr. Mustafa Abdul Jaleel as the President of the National Transitional Temporary Council and Mr. Abdul Hafid Abdul Qader Ghoga as his Deputy and the Official Spokesperson for the Council.

Long Live a Free and United Libya

Glory to the Martyrs of the February 17th Uprising

Liberated Libya March 2, 2011

February 17th Revolutionaries

(stamped by the Coalition of February 17th)

http://alive.in/libya/2011/03/05/a-translation-of-the-declaration-of-a-temporary-council-in-libya/?utm_campaign=libyatweet&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

[Catherina]

64. Part 3 here

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x563488