Libyan Revolution Day 26 (awaiting UN actions)

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15">AJE Live Blog March 15 (today) http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard 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://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

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=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=637759&mesg_id=637759">Day 25 here.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-rebels-20110313,0,1893818,full.story">Rebels appear to slow government forces' advance in Libya
Benghazi, Libya (CNN) -- Rebels appeared Monday to have slowed the eastward advance of Libyan government forces toward Benghazi at the town of al-Brega.

But it was not clear late in the day who controlled al-Brega, which contains a large oil refinery and natural gas plant, said CNN's Ben Wedeman, reporting from Benghazi, which is about two hours west. Meanwhile, government planes carried out air raids 40 minutes from al-Brega, in the town of Ajdabiya.

CNN was not able to reach the front lines Monday.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/un-council-deadlock-on-libya-nofly-zone-20110311-1bq9z.html">UN council deadlock on Libya no-fly zone
The UN Security Council is deadlocked over whether to vote on a no-fly zone over Libya and anxiously waiting to see the results of key European Union, Arab League and African Union meetings to decide future action, diplomats say.

There is a split between key countries on the council over a proposed no-fly zone to counter Muammar Gaddafi's assault on rebel forces which one Arab ambassador to the UN called "a major rift".

France and Britain have drawn up a resolution on a no-fly zone which has not been officially sent to other members.

China and Russia oppose moves for the council to approve even tentative military action.

"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.)

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".

And so it began.

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2011/03/2011310193023263578.html">France recognises Libya opposition: France has now officially recognised the National Council, the alternative government set up by the Libyan opposition in Benghazi, and has severed ties with Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Reports from France, meanwhile, indicate that Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, is also considering lobbying the EU to back air strikes against specific targets in Libya.

Al Jazeera's Tim Friend reports from Paris.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/feb/27/libya-tripoli-unrest-gaddafi-map">Click here for updated and interactive map

Military Installations



Oil Map



http://bit.ly/fe3P">Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=212059469427545728757.00049c4df2474b6543347&ll=31.203405,30.058594&spn=96.173452,183.867188&z=3">MAP of Protests across the Middle East

Muhannad O. Bensadik, killed by government forces outside Brega

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/13/955925/-Another-dead-freedom-fighter-in-Libya-This-one-was-family">Another dead freedom fighter in Libya. This one was family.
I never met Muhanned O. Bensadik. And now I never will. He was my step-daughter's cousin. He was killed by pro-Gaddafi forces in their attack on rebel-held Brega, a port city on the southeastern coast of the Gulf of Sidra. On March 4, in my diary here and above, he appears smiling, looking into the camera as young men and boys swarm over a liberated tank in Benghazi.

He was raised in Libya. But he was an American citizen, born in Eden, N.C., on Oct. 9, 1989. Summers he often spent in his mother's speck of a hometown, Martinsville, Va. In fourth grade, he attended school all year there. His two sisters, 12 and 8, still live there with his mother. His brother and father live in Benghazi.

From age 7, he was in the Libyan Boy Scouts and when he got older he became a troop leader. He was a fan of the blues, of Bob Marley and Tupac Shakur. His favorite novel was of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities. His favorite movies included Saving Private Ryan and Eclipse (of the Twilight series). He loved The Simpsons, South Park and Happy Tree Friends.

[Rage for Order]

1. The UN is utterly worthless

If they're waiting for UN action, they will be waiting for a VERY long time

[joshcryer]

2. Current time in Libya is 12:06am March 15.

[joshcryer]

3. Ben Wedeman; choice tweets below:

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

[joshcryer]

4. Opposition fighters no longer allowing the media beyond western edge of Ajdabia.

http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn/status/47293557194764289">@bencnn
benwedeman
Opposition fighters no longer allowing the media beyond western edge of Ajdabia. Worried pictures, reports helping Qaddafi forces. #Libya
7 hours ago

[joshcryer]

5. Muhannad Bensadik, a young fighter we interviewed, was killed in Al-Brega. RIP.

http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn/status/47358662951448576">@bencnn
benwedeman
Muhannad Bensadik, a young fighter we interviewed, was killed in Al-Brega. RIP. http://bit.ly/fhpF0b
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

40. friend with high fever ran into my room raving about Ajdabia falling. Assured him it's NOT TRUE.

http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn/status/47427427470815232">@bencnn
benwedeman
Italian journalist friend with very high fever ran into my room raving about Ajdabia falling to Libyan Army. Assured him it's NOT TRUE.
18 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

41. regimes pulling out all stops to counter tide of revolution. It's getting messy.

http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn/status/47428436083478528">@bencnn
benwedeman
#Libya, #Bahrain, #Saudi Arabia, #Algeria, #Yemen, etc. regimes pulling out all stops to counter tide of revolution. It's getting messy.
15 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

6. @tripolitanian; choice tweets below:

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

[joshcryer]

7. Please sign and support #NFZ in #Libya to protect civilians

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47365510781861888">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Please sign and support #NFZ in #Libya to protect civilians | http://bit.ly/nfzlibya
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

8. RUSSIA, Please stop slowing down a #NFZ in #Libya!

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47344923791474688">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
RUSSIA, Please stop slowing down a #NFZ in #Libya!
4 hours ago

[joshcryer]

9. Far Western town of #Zuwara and Eastern town of #Ajdabiya are being attacked by #Gaddafi forces

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47346260709085184">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Far Western town of #Zuwara and Eastern town of #Ajdabiya are being attacked by #Gaddafi forces | #Libya #Feb17
4 hours ago

[joshcryer]

10. #Russia + #China - please don't allow the slaughter of thousands of innocent #Libyans

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47347618464022528">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
#Russia + #China - please don't allow the slaughter of thousands of innocent #Libyans | #Libya #Feb17
4 hours ago

[joshcryer]

11. If it wasn't for #Russia, the UN would be making a decision on #NFZ tomorrow.

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47353150591610880">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
If it wasn't for #Russia, the UN would be making a decision on #NFZ tomorrow. | #Libya #Feb17
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

12. US, UK, France confirm support for NFZ, China is still in the middle, Russia, nope

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47353590876086272">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@RRowleyTucson US, UK, France confirm support for NFZ, China is still in the middle, Russia is still "I don't think so.."
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

13. I have to try, or else my family in Libya will be killed

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47354322295599104">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@Nerealiza I have to try, or else my family in Libya will be killed
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

14. Confirmed: #Gaddafi targeting mosques and hospitals in Eastern war-torn cities

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47355136896544768">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Confirmed: #Gaddafi targeting mosques and hospitals in Eastern war-torn cities | #Libya #Feb17
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

15. Note: By targeting, I mean there have been reports of aerial bombings of these mosques and hospitals

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47355304094072832">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Note: By targeting, I mean there have been reports of aerial bombings of these mosques and hospitals
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

16. #Gaddafi warplanes have destroyed part of the water system in Ajdabiya, residents refuse to leave

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47355769405980672">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
BREAKING NEWS: #Gaddafi warplanes have destroyed part of the water system in Ajdabiya, residents refuse to leave | #Libya
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

17. Zuwara residents firing ancient hunting rifles in an attempt to stop tanks

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47356113095622657">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Zuwara residents firing ancient hunting rifles in an attempt to stop tanks - tanks have now entered city centre | #Libya #Feb17
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

18. Apparently China is ready to make its decision

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47357654061953025">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@pinesol Apparently China is ready to make its decision
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

19. they're taking way too long

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47359774894989312">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@pinesol they're taking way too long
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

20. The EU has just sent a diplomatic team to #Benghazi, #Libya to assess situation

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47370687396052992">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
The EU has just sent a diplomatic team to #Benghazi, #Libya to assess situation: http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/libya-unrest.92o
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

21. #Gaddafi forces have taken #Zwara, residents fear that they will be punished for seeking democracy

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47371030792122369">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Update: #Gaddafi forces have taken #Zwara, residents fear that they will be punished for seeking democracy | #Libya
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

22. (RT) UNSC, UNHCR, Hillary Clinton & now EU all in #Libya assessing. How many reviews do they need?

http://twitter.com/#!/forumeditor/status/47371456472035328">@forumeditor
Lynda Keen
(RT) UNSC, UNHCR, Hillary Clinton & now EU all in #Libya assessing. How many reviews do they need of the situation?
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

23. The @UN is completely useless

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47394674947792896">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
The @UN is completely useless
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

24. Russia and China are prepared to see Libyan population killed as long as they keep their contracts

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47395035725037568">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
#Russia and #China are prepared to see the entire #Libyan population killed as long as they keep their contracts
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

25. #thingsthatdontgotogether #Gaddafi + #Libya

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47395160836935680">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
#thingsthatdontgotogether #Gaddafi + #Libya
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

26. They are buying for time so that the satan called #Gaddafi can take #Benghazi

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47395641684533248">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@dovenews They are buying for time so that the satan called #Gaddafi can take #Benghazi
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

27. My prediction: If there isn't a #NFZ over #Libya within 3 days - it'll all be over

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47395944865607680">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
My prediction: If there isn't a #NFZ over #Libya within 3 days - it'll all be over - the #Libyans will suffer for another 142 years
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

28. I can bet you $150 billion of Gaddafi's money nothing will happen tmrw

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47396258666655744">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@YanniKouts I can bet you $150 billion of Gaddafi's money nothing will happen tmrw
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

29. @BarackObama SCHOOL'S IN LIBYA HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR THE PAST MONTH BECAUSE OF GADDAFI'S VIOLENCE

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47403788272799744">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@BarackObama SCHOOL'S IN LIBYA HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR THE PAST MONTH BECAUSE OF GADDAFI'S VIOLENCE
41 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

72. As #Gaddafi continues to punish #Libya, the #UN waddles over a #NoFlyZone

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47466235520237568">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
As #Gaddafi continues to punish #Libya, the #UN waddles over a #NoFlyZone
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

73. Much respect to #British women in #Libya | http://bit.ly/gXRUTX

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47467234683138048">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Much respect to #British women in #Libya | http://bit.ly/gXRUTX
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

74. The Arab League and the Libyan people asked for a NFZ, should be enough.

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47474041296130048">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@WndlBee @LRozen The Arab League and the Libyan people asked for a NFZ, should be enough.
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

75. In the end its the USs decision, China and Russia can't risk vetoing the US and get chided 4 deaths

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47480035719905280">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@lrozen In the end it's the US's decision, China and Russia can't risk vetoing the US and later getting chided for allow a massacre to occur
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

76. Abstaining would allow them to avoid responsibility while also avoid being criticized

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47480446287749121">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@morstads @lrozen Abstaining would allow them to avoid responsibility while also avoid being criticized for allowing a Gaddafi to kill
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

77. The issue is, the longer they review, the more likely it is a NFZ will be too little too late

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47480672322994176">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@lrozen The issue is, the longer they review, the more likely it is a NFZ will be too little too late
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

78. It's unbelievable that it has taken #Gaddafi 3 weeks now to make any gains on a rag-tag group

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47486068387352576">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
It's unbelievable that it has taken #Gaddafi 3 weeks now to make any gains on a rag-tag group of fathers, brothers, sons | #Libya
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

79. We should ask an important question, if #Gaddafi wanted to go, where would he go?

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47488531555299328">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
We should ask an important question, if #Gaddafi wanted to go, where would he go? ICC and Travel bans have left him w/ little options
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

80. If #Gaddafi really thinks that #Libyans love him, I dare him to walk down the streets of Benghazi

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47490908312174592">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
If #Gaddafi really thinks that #Libyans love him, I dare him to walk down the streets (zenga zenga) of #Benghazi
52 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

81. oops, wrong spot

[joshcryer]

82. oops. wrong spot

[pinboy3niner]

86. Great subthread, Josh!

:evilgrin:

[joshcryer]

101. The "oops, wrong spot" revolutionaries are important!

[pinboy3niner]

103. oops, wrong spot

:rofl:

[joshcryer]

122. As #Gaddafi's forces edge closer to #Benghazi, #Libya continues to beg for a #NFZ

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47563240372314112">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
As #Gaddafi's forces edge closer to #Benghazi, #Libya continues to beg for a #NFZ
33 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

30. EU team sent to Libyan rebel-held Benghazi

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union has sent a mission to the rebel-held eastern town of Benghazi in Libya, a spokeswoman for the bloc's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday.

"The objective of the mission is to gather information and assess the situation to support ongoing prudent planning in response to the Libyan crisis," the spokeswoman said.

A diplomatic source said the possible imposition of a no-fly zone "is part of the prudent planning" undertaken by the 27-nation bloc.

EU members Britain and France have been pushing for the United Nations Security Council to agree to police Libya's skies as troops loyal to Moamer Kadhafi press in against insurgents.

http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/libya-unrest.92o

[suffragette]

31. G8 met in France today about no-fly zone

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x642976

[joshcryer]

32. Iyad El-Baghdadi (mostly) stopped tweeting, but now is doing audio reports, view here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNytrCT0Xg

Listening as I continue updating.

[joshcryer]

33. This is extremely good, they've decided to basically stop talking about their movements.

Every time their movements get released Gaddafi uses that information against them, which explains the new media blackout.

[joshcryer]

34. "Al Zawiyah" != victory for Gaddafi, took 2 weeks to take a town with civilians with little arms.

:rofl:

It's true in retrospect. Took Gaddafi 2 weeks to take a city with basically no supplies or weapons or ammo. (Yes there were a couple of HMGs and small arms but the reality is the vast majority of them had sticks and rocks.)

[joshcryer]

39. Doesn't like western invention talk, this revolution is the Libyans and it starts and ends with them

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSNytrCT0Xg&feature=player_detailpage#t=526s

[joshcryer]

35. A video reportedly showing air strikes in Ajdabiya at the time of Maghrib prayer (sunset):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMgokMDRN2k

[joshcryer]

36. The Guardian speaks with Chris McGreal who was in Brega and is now in Benghazi.

http://audioboo.fm/boos/301795-guardian-s-chris-mcgreal-in-benghazi

[joshcryer]

37. Sultan Al Qassemi tweets: The world is sending the Libyans a message that they

[joshcryer]

38. are not yet being killed in sufficient quantities to justify an intervention.

http://twitter.com/#!/SultanAlQassemi/status/47418605456986112">@SultanAlQassemi
Sultan Al Qassemi
The world is sending the Libyans a message that they are not yet being killed in sufficient quantities to justify an intervention. #Libya
28 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

42. I've neglected FreeLibyanYouth, some of their choice tweets below:

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

[joshcryer]

43. they r lying & promising as they have done 4 the past 35 years. salaries havent changed since 1973!!

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47331960414154752">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@IbnOmar2005 they are lying and promising as they have done for the past 35 years. salaries havent changed since 1973!! cept health in 09.
6 hours ago

[joshcryer]

44. but not even all of them got 450, i know young women getting as low as 90 and 150 a month.

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47332086452977664">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@IbnOmar2005 but not even all of them got 450, i know young women getting as low as 90 and 150 a month.
6 hours ago

[joshcryer]

45. The two tweets above were in response to Gaddafi's "salery raise" (ie, bribe).

[joshcryer]

46. they think they are eternal and they will never stand trial in this life or the next.

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47375362035949568">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@illa_al3rousy they think they are eternal and they will never stand trial in this life or the next. I hope they all pay dearly.
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

47. yeah, its all about money and power. The moer they get, the more they want. It just angers me.

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47376017286893568">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@4thegenerations yeah, its all about money and power. The moer they get, the more they want. It just angers me.
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

48. Look at the africans and arabs helping gaddafi. he wud do the same, and has done! eg Liberia.

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47376190876557312">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@Feb17LibyanMove that's definately what it is. Look at the africans and arabs helping gaddafi. he wud do the same, and has done! eg Liberia.
3 hours ago

[joshcryer]

49. we dont have the millions that gaddafi is paying them. once we r free Egypt will not b 'allies'

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47394391156981760">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@ChangeInLibya we dont have the millions that gaddafi is paying them. I hope that Egypt realises once we are free they will not be 'allies'.
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

50. A lot just 'want peace' and dont wanna get into trouble.

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47395947998752768">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@4thegenerations no, seriously, it's getting to ppl. A lot just 'want peace' and dont wanna get into trouble.
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

51. its much easier 4 u 2 say that 'things will get better' because ur not dying while the world stares

http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth/status/47401265210212352">@freelibyanyouth
Shabab Libya
@FkR818 @Zeinobia it's much easier for u to say that 'isa things will get better' because ur not getting massacred while the world stares.

[joshcryer]

52. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, send troops to Bahrain at the request of the small Gulf kingdom

[joshcryer]

53. Article here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12729786">Gulf states send forces to Bahrain following protests
Troops from a number of Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have arrived in Bahrain at the request of the kingdom, officials say.

It comes a day after the worst violence since seven anti-government protesters were killed in clashes with security forces last month.

Dozens of people were injured on Sunday as protesters pushed back police and barricaded roads.

Bahrain's opposition said the foreign forces amounted to an occupation.

[joshcryer]

54. U.S. urges restraint as Bahrain brings in forces to control protests

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/14/us.reaction.bahrain/index.html?eref=edition_meast&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_meast+%28RSS%3A+Middle+East%29">U.S. urges restraint as Bahrain brings in forces to control protests
Washington (CNN) -- As military forces from the Gulf Cooperation Council arrived in Bahrain to help the kingdom control a wave of anti-government protests, the Obama administration urged GCC members -- including Saudi Arabia -- to act with restraint and to allow the citizens of Bahrain to demonstrate peacefully.

The influx of foreign security forces to control a domestic uprising sparked questions at the White House press briefing on Monday. Spokesman Jay Carney told reporters the United States. is urging "all of our GCC partners to show restraint and to respect the rights of the people of Bahrain and to act in a way that supports dialogue instead of undermining it."

"We urge restraint, we urge non-violence in response to non-violent protesters, the respect for the universal rights of people in the region to gather peacefully, to voice their opinions, to have their grievances heard by their governments, and to have greater participation in the political process," Carney said.

[joshcryer]

55. Coincidence? Middle East dictators crack down while world watches Japan

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/110314/yemen-bahrain-libya-japan">Coincidence? Middle East dictators crack down while world watches Japan
As the world focuses on Japan, leaders in serveral Middle Eastern countries intensified their efforts to quell unrest and rebellion, raising questions over whether they were seizing the distraction presented by the tsunami and earthuake disaster to clean house.

In Yemen today, journalists from three leading Amercian newspapers were quickly ushered out of the country as the country's leader stepped up a violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Meanwhile, Saudi troops entered Bahrain in response to pro-democracy protests that turned violent over the weekend, threatening to overwhelm the ruling royal family's grip on power, the Guardian reported.

And in Libya, the government's troops pounded opposition rebels, claiming a psychological victory by pushing them from the eastern town of Brega under a hail of rockets.

[joshcryer]

56. Need to nap, eyes falling out of my head, will update some more tonight.

[pinboy3niner]

57. K&R

[pinboy3niner]

58. "The Libyan people made up their mind, it is either victory or death..."

Ali Errishi, a former Libyan minister, spoke to Al Jazeera about the situation in Libya.

We are frustrated, the UN should live up to its moral and legal obligations, and do what is right, we are disappointed with the US for not exercising leadership.

People went out to demonstrate peacefully, they were then faced with bullets and with air bombardment. We had to defend ourselves. This fight has been imposed upon us.

The Libyan people made up their mind, it is either victory or death, the rest of the world should know, that there is no room for negations because the other side left no room for negotiations.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15

[pinboy3niner]

59. CNN: Rebels appear to slow government forces' advance in Libya

Rebels appear to slow government forces' advance in Libya

By the CNN Wire Staff
March 14, 2011 -- Updated 2223 GMT (0623 HKT) < (6:23pm EDT) >


Benghazi, Libya (CNN) -- Rebels appeared Monday to have slowed the eastward advance of Libyan government forces toward Benghazi at the town of al-Brega.

But it was not clear late in the day who controlled al-Brega, which contains a large oil refinery and natural gas plant, said CNN's Ben Wedeman, reporting from Benghazi, which is about two hours away. Meanwhile, government planes carried out air raids 40 minutes from al-Brega, in the town of Ajdabiya.

...


Life in Benghazi appeared calm on the surface: stores were open and people went about their business. But some residents expressed an underlying fear that Gadhafi appeared to have gained the upper hand and was advancing his military forward as much of the rest of the world focused on the catastrophe in Japan.

Some expressed fear that Gadhafi may seek to block roads leading to Benghazi and other coastal cities, then lay siege to them. Some worried that, if Gadhafi reasserts control of those cities in eastern Libya that led the revolt against his rule, he might carry out bloody reprisals.


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/14/libya.civil.war/

[pinboy3niner]

60. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 5 AM TUESDAY, MARCH 15

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

[joshcryer]

61. Libyan rebels urge west to assassinate Gaddafi as his forces near Benghazi

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/14/libyan-rebel-leaders-gaddafi-benghazi">Libyan rebels urge west to assassinate Gaddafi as his forces near Benghazi
Libya's revolutionary leadership is pressing western powers to assassinate Muammar Gaddafi and launch military strikes against his forces to protect rebel-held cities from the threat of bloody assault.

Mustafa Gheriani, spokesman for the revolutionary national council in its stronghold of Benghazi, said the appeal was to be made by a delegation meeting the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, and the US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, in Paris on Monday, as G8 foreign ministers gathered there to consider whether to back French and British calls for a no-fly zone over Libya.

"We are telling the west we want a no-fly zone, we want tactical strikes against those tanks and rockets that are being used against us and we want a strike against Gaddafi's compound," said Gheriani. "This is the message from our delegation in Europe."

Asked if that meant that the revolutionary council wanted the west to assassinate Gaddafi, Gheriani replied: "Why not? If he dies, nobody will shed a tear."

[pinboy3niner]

62. Libyan rebels arrest ‘Gaddafi death squad’ that killed Al Jazeera journalist Al Jaber

Libyan rebels arrest ‘Gaddafi death squad’ that killed journalist


By Kim Sengupta in Ajdabiya
Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Four men have been arrested for the murder of an Al Jazeera journalist, and rebel officials claim evidence has emerged that Muammar Gaddafi’s regime is sending undercover squads to carry out assassinations.

The Independent was told that four men were caught in the city of Ajdabiya with evidence linking them to the death of Ali Hassan Al Jaber, who was killed near Benghazi on Saturday. Under questioning, the suspects allegedly confessed that they had been ordered to silence opposition figures and drive out international presence from territories of the protest movement.

Mohammed al-Majberi, a commander of militant fighters, the Shabaab, said: "The men had five guns, some of them with silencers and they also had night sights. Bullets from two of them matched those used to kill the Al Jazeera journalist. The men were dressed in civilian clothing and they had thousands of dinars in cash. But they told us that they were carrying out orders and they had not done the killing for money."

Mr Majberi displayed an Ak-47 with markings stating "502 Khetiba", which he said were used by the 32nd Brigade of the Libyan Army. "We had to chase the men for five hours after a patrol found them at about 1am on Sunday. They were driving a modified pick-up truck of the type used by some units in the army. They said they were from Sabha where, as we know, some people support Gaddafi," he said.


http://feb17.info/general/libyan-rebels-arrest-gaddafi-death-squad-that-killed-al-jazeera-journalist-al-jaber/

[joshcryer]

64. +1, I hope they secure them for trial.

[joshcryer]

63. Libya: British women 'will use table legs to fight off Gaddafi'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8381056/Libya-British-women-will-use-table-legs-to-fight-off-Gaddafi.html">Libya: British women 'will use table legs to fight off Gaddafi'
As many as 40 expat wives, mothers and grandmothers have stayed in the city despite growing fears of a slaughter if the rebel movement crumbles.

One Briton, who has lived in Libya for 30 years, said there was no question of leaving behind friends and family despite sleepless nights of terror.

"The men were afraid for us all," she said. "So they stayed up through most of the night. We all got our weapons out. I've got a table leg with a nail in it. We'll use whatever we've got." Three women were prepared to tell their stories of life in Libya to The Daily Telegraph on condition that their personal details were withheld for fear of bloody retribution from Gaddafi loyalists.

Every day that threat grows more immediate as government troops advance with heavy weapons and air support.

[joshcryer]

65. LIBYA: USD 60-MLN BOUNTY ON GADDAFI'S

http://www.ansamed.info/en/marocco/news/ME.XEF43981.html">LIBYA: USD 60-MLN BOUNTY ON GADDAFI'S
ANSAmed) - ROME, MARCH 14 - Sixty million dollars have been offered to anyone handing over Gaddafi by Abdulmuneim Al Houni, former Libyan ambassador at the Arab League who disassociated himself after the violent crackdown by Colonel Gaddafi's regime on protestors. So reports the Algerian daily An Nahar, which noted that the bounty had been offered ''to prevent further bloodshed''.

[joshcryer]

66. VIDEO: Women’s Protest in Misrata

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SnXzRIiZrg

Beautiful.

[joshcryer]

67. The Arab spring is brighter than ever (The Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/14/arab-spring-protest-crackdown-freedom/print">The Arab spring is brighter than ever (The Guardian)
"The Arab world's much-heralded collective push toward democracy is now in jeopardy," an article for McClatchy newspapers in the US informed its readers at the weekend.

The fact that autocratic regimes in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen are fighting back with lethal force should surprise no one. The more surprising thing is that Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt – two leaders previously regarded as firmly entrenched – were toppled after such a short struggle.

Nor does the fightback mean, as the article's headline suggests, that the outlook for democracy is dimming across much of the Middle East. Looking at the region as a whole, the prospects have never been brighter.

But there is another – far bigger – problem with this revolution-in-jeopardy analysis. By focusing on "democracy" and the ousting of dictators, it ignores a large part of what the Arab revolt is about. It's the same mistake that George Bush made with his calls for democracy and "regime change" in the Middle East – calls that were directed mainly against the regimes deemed hostile towards the US and paid little attention to the desires of ordinary Arabs.

[joshcryer]

68. VIDEO: The Battle for Ras Lanuf (incredible images, beautiful prayers and singing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF7dAY-8UaY

[joshcryer]

69. 13 MPs sign motion against intervention:

http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-11/1565

[joshcryer]

70. John Kerry Op-Ed: The moral imperative of a no-fly zone (The Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/mar/14/libya-nofly-zone-john-kerry/print">John Kerry Op-Ed: The moral imperative of a no-fly zone (The Guardian)
Leaders around the world are vigorously debating the advisability of establishing a no-fly zone to stop the violence unfolding in Libya. Some cite Bosnia, where Nato took too long to protect civilian populations in the mid 1990s, as a reason to act. Others remember Rwanda, where President Bill Clinton later expressed regret for not acting to save innocent lives. But the stakes in Libya today are more appropriately underscored by the tragedy in southern Iraq in the waning days of the Persian Gulf war, 20 years ago.

As coalition forces were routing the Iraqi army in February 1991, President George HW Bush encouraged the Iraqi people to "take matters into their hands to force Saddam Hussein the dictator to step aside". When Iraqi Shiites, Kurds and Marsh Arabs rebelled against Hussein, they believed that American forces would protect them against their brutal dictator's superior firepower. Instead, when Iraqi attack helicopters and elite troops began butchering their own people, coalition forces were ordered to stand down. The world watched as thousands of Iraqis were slaughtered.

The situation in Libya today is not identical. Inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, the Libyan people rose up spontaneously against four decades of repression by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Still, the spectre that haunts me is the same – ordinary people facing off against an autocrat's airpower and well-armed soldiers, counting on the free world to protect them against massacre after we have applauded and bolstered their bravery with our words.

So far, Gaddafi's forces have relied on airpower selectively. But Gaddafi is shrewd. My fear is that he is either choosing to bleed the opposition to death, rather than invite global action with a broad massacre, or waiting for the world to prove itself unwilling to act – at which point he might well begin killing civilians in large numbers.

[joshcryer]

71. Libya rebel leader: I have evidence Gaddafi ordered Lockerbie

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8380133/Libya-rebel-leader-I-have-evidence-Gaddafi-ordered-Lockerbie.html">Libya rebel leader: I have evidence Gaddafi ordered Lockerbie
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the head of the provisional rebel government in Benghazi and Libya’s former justice minister, said he had evidence of Gaddafi's involvement in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie.

"The orders were given by Gaddafi himself," he told Rob Crilly.

Mr Abel Jalil claimed he had evidence that convicted bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi worked for Gaddafi.

"This evidence is in our hands and we have documents that prove what I have said and we are ready to hand them over to the international criminal court," he added.

[joshcryer]

83. Laura Rozen tweets, very interesting take:

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

[joshcryer]

84. No1 sure they want 2 own Libya. Do powers asking 4 restraint on Bahrain want them in lead of Libya?

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47468754078138369">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Nobody sure they want to own Libya. Do powers asking Arabs for restraint on Bahrain want Arabs in lead of Libya? @BBCKimGhattas
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

85. Indians, Germans, Russians, Chinese no NFZ. French, UK, Lebanese yes, US sort of but not firm

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47469302357569536">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
At UNSC today, Indians, Germans, Russians, Chinese no on NoFlyZone on Libya. French UK Lebanese yes, US sort of but internally not yet firm
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

87. Gates under pressure from WH to get out of Iraq, Afghanistan. He's leading dissent on US mil action

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47469574177828864">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Gates under pressure from WH to get out of Iraq, Afghanistan. He's leading dissent on US mil intervention in another Mideast war
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

88. Gates meanwhile complaining at NATO last week partners rushing for exits in Afgh. leaving US alone

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47469738703593472">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Gates meanwhile complaining at NATO last week NATO partners rushing for exits in Afghanistan leaving US alone
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

89. Sen. Lugar warning Arabs must pay 4 any Libya intervention, warning of another ill defined US action

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47470050818523136">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Sen. Lugar warning Arabs must pay for any Libya intervention, warning of another ill defined US military adventure in Mideast
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

90. another question 4 war-weary americans divided on NFZ is what r we getting in2 with this mission & y

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47471382178693123">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
yes but another question for war-weary americans divided on NFZ is what are we getting into with this mission and why @columlynch
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

91. US support thin. No huge US nat'l security imperative & Euros divided

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47472161056768000">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
US support thin. No huge US nat'l security imperative & Euros divided (Germany, Italy contra) @ will rush for exits if tough
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

92. reason US not taking lead in NY is it's not decided what they want to do in NY. evry1 else divided

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47472401285517312">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
The reason US not taking lead in NY is it's not decided what they want to do in NY. everybody else divided while situation on ground changes
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

93. Meantime, Bahrain and Yemen blinking red and US and Saudi divide on both places

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47472558773252097">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Meantime, Bahrain and Yemen blinking red and US and Saudi divide on both places
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

94. don't think you'll get a NFZ until/if US decides that is what it wants. don't think Gates wants it

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47473673128525825">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Maybe. don't think you'll get a NFZ until/if until US decides that is what it wants. I don't think Gates wants it.
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

95. UNSC might decide something by end of week but level of support shaky.

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47478008013012993">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
UNSC might decide something by end of week but level of support shaky. Lebanese will lead need 6 inUNSC (Leb.France UK US+2) @Tripolitanian
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

96. Obama has not launched any new initial overt military interventions since coming into office.

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47481768978300928">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Obama has not launched any new initial overt military interventions since coming into office. Afg, Iraq, etc. he inherited.
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

97. Afg, Iraq, etc. he inherited.

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47481768978300928">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
Obama has not launched any new initial overt military interventions since coming into office. Afg, Iraq, etc. he inherited.
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

98. If Gates telling him, you're already giving me hell abt Afghanistan, do you really want to own Libya

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47486645854945280">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
If Gates telling him, you're already giving me hell abt Afghanistan, do you really want to own Libya, you can see why US not rushing 4 Libya
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

99. And US watching NATO allies in Afghanistan, is not so impressed w/ French UK enthusiasm 4 rushing

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47486978165456896">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
And US watching NATO allies in Afghanistan, is not so impressed w/ French UK enthusiasm 4 rushing into Libya now. When it gets tough?
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

100. ...into Libya now. When it gets tough?

http://twitter.com/#!/lrozen/status/47486978165456896">@lrozen
Laura Rozen
And US watching NATO allies in Afghanistan, is not so impressed w/ French UK enthusiasm 4 rushing into Libya now. When it gets tough?
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

102. In Libya, Colonel Gaddafi's forces in the east are continuing to push the rebels back.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15#update-12146">5:50am In Libya, Colonel Gaddafi's forces in the east are continuing to push the rebels back.

That's as the UN's security council has again discussed imposing a no-fly zone in the country - but with no firm outcome.

But as Nick Clark reports from Libya, time is running out for a population that has a proud legacy dating back thousands of years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXARYmAFZ-Q

[pinboy3niner]

104. WaPo: Rebel council seeks to transform Libya

Rebel council seeks to transform Libya

By Sudarsan Raghavan, Monday, March 14, 10:29 PM

BENGHAZI, LIBYA — They are a rebel leadership who meet in secret places in their own stronghold. Some change residences every few days. Others worry their cellphones are tapped or walk with bodyguards. Their chairman is seldom seen in public: Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi has placed a $400,000 bounty on his head.

...


It is a leadership of lawyers and intellectuals who profess ambitions of creating a Libya governed by democratic ideals, possibly altering the face of the Arab world and inspiring more autocratic regimes to fall. But it is also a leadership that is realizing that revolutionary zeal alone will not end Gaddafi’s 41-year rule on a landscape that is increasingly feeling like civil war.

...


Many of its leaders have no political experience, raising questions about their ability to create and run a post-Gaddafi government. In Egypt, deposed president Hosni Mubarak allowed political parties, elections, trade unions, rights groups and a vibrant free press that ultimately provided vital political training to his opponents. Gaddafi has muzzled the press and banned independent trade unions, political parties and non-governmental organizations.

...


They envision a parliamentary rather than a presidential system, largely because there was a parliament under King Idriss, whom Gaddafi deposed in a bloodless coup in 1969. Sensitive to comments by Gaddafi that they were linked to al-Qaeda and wanted to create an Islamic emirate, rebel officials stressed that while Islam would be the official religion, a post-Gaddafi government would be secular.

“It will never be an Islamic regime,” Daghili said. “The revolution seeks advancement for both men and women. The women here are well educated. It is far from a Taliban-like state.”


http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rebel-council-seeks-to-transform-libya/2011/03/14/ABdDPtV_story.html

[joshcryer]

105. See post #66 for a womens protest in Misrata. Good article, btw.

[joshcryer]

106. God forgives you, O Chavez

This is a blog posting from an anti-inteventionist advocate on twitter (basically marginalized at this point for her hard line position, I don't see her retweeted at all anymore).

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://dimakhatib.blogspot.com/&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhgPwf-9KWNgxPw86QmGEyYJF9L2nA">God forgives you, O Chavez
Hesitated to write because I am you probably hope you will change your attitude towards Libya .. .. Stsahha but you insisted on getting him and his defense. and I will not change, I will say the right word

...

I heard you compare the 2002 coup against you and what is happening in Libya and was amazed .. I said that the media may distort what is happening in Libya and distorted what happened in Venezuela at the time when it claimed that you sent by firing on unarmed demonstrators. I also said that the international community accuses Gaddafi things does not prove it, just as many things Athmuk proved to be incorrect, such as your support for the so-called terrorists

...

It may be true your words, There is no doubt that world powers would like to fill the void to suit its interests in the Arab region. not Ojadlk in it. but does not mean that the uprising of the Libyan people is the U.S. plan and the people Flincher agent of imperialism. then Did you notice that we are peoples Mentvdp conscious stand in the face of the tyrants In the face of customers, too?

...

It may be true your words, There is no doubt that world powers would like to fill the void to suit its interests in the Arab region. not Ojadlk in it. but does not mean that the uprising of the Libyan people is the U.S. plan and the people Flincher agent of imperialism. then Did you notice that we are peoples Mentvdp conscious stand in the face of the tyrants In the face of customers, too?

Saved the entire posting in the event it gets deleted by the author, pretty surprising denunciation.

[pinboy3niner]

107. Brigades near #Misrata blow up a drinking water storage facility. #Libya #Feb17

Hayooo66: RT @LibyanDictator: Brigades near #Misrata blow up a drinking water storage facility. #Libya #Feb17
3 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

108. @ShababLibya: International Day of Action for Libya this Saturday March 19th

LibyanDemocracy: RT @ShababLibya: International Day of Action for Libya this Saturday March 19th 2011 locations & times TBA soon #libya #gaddaficrimes #feb17

[pinboy3niner]

109. Libyan rappers broadcast to front lines

Two young Libyans whose rap music is being broadcast to the front line by rebel Benghazi radio hope they are helping to maintain the morale of fighters outgunned by Gaddafi forces.

"Rap does not physically change things, but it invigorates the soul of people fighting and sends a message to all Libyans," 16-year-old Imad Abbar, sitting perched on a paint can in the patio of his home in Benghazi, told AFP news agency.

Hamza Sisi agreed, and the lyrics - in Arabic - he wrote for their rap song "Shamat Al-Medina", or "Candles of the City", say all:

The candles of the city shine to tell the world what we want,
The candles of the city won't rest and won't give up,
The blood of the fighters is our own,
We won't surrender until the regime falls.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15

[pinboy3niner]

110. Reuters: Gaddafi forces press rebels, no-fly diplomacy crawls

Gaddafi forces press rebels, no-fly diplomacy crawls


PARIS/AJDABIYAH, Libya | Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:21pm EDT

(Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces pressed closer to the opposition stronghold of Benghazi while diplomatic efforts to impose a no-fly zone to help the rebels made little headway.

...


They captured the important eastern oil terminal town of Brega late on Sunday, and on Monday Libyan jets flew behind rebel lines to bomb Ajdabiyah, the only sizeable town between Brega and the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

ROAD TO BENGHAZI

Ajdabiyah commands roads to Benghazi and Tobruk that could allow Gaddafi's troops to encircle Libya's second city and its 300,000 inhabitants.

Soliman Bouchuiguir, president of the Libyan League for Human Rights, said in Geneva that if Gaddafi's heavily armed forces broke through to attack Benghazi, there would be "a real bloodbath, a massacre like we saw in Rwanda".


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/15/us-libya-idUSTRE7270JP20110315

[pinboy3niner]

111. libyafeb17.com: Libya State Media website continues to be repeatedly hacked

Here are screenshots of the first two hack attacks, lol:


1




2

[joshcryer]

112. Dispatches From Tahrir (Rolling Stones). Good essay on Egypt.

http://www.rollingstoneme.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94">Dispatches From Tahrir (Rolling Stones)
On Thursday January 27th, 2011, Safwat El Sherif, the secretary general of Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party, convened an abrupt press conference in the NDP’s headquarters along the Nile, just outside of Tahrir Square.

Egypt had just witnessed its largest anti-government protests in a generation and more unrest was on the way. Protest organizers were calling for a massive turnout the following day, and everybody was feeling fired up by the sight of Tunisians hounding out their own longtime dictator Zine al Abidine Ben Ali earlier in the month. Clearly some sort of government response was called for.

President Hosni Mubarak’s government couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate spokesman. Sherif is a quintessential regime crony, a former information minister whose ties to Egypt’s military rulers date back to Gamal Abdel Nasser in the Sixties. With his jet-black dye job and pancake makeup, the guy just looks like an old-school fascist pimp.

He didn’t disappoint either, delivering a medley of NDP greatest hits – a 15-minute string of clichés that didn’t begin to approach the reality on the streets.

[joshcryer]

113. Gaddafi isolated internationally but still has at least a few friends far away

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-15#update-12216">Gaddafi isolated internationally but still has at least a few friends far away
The Associate Press reports that Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, Cuba's Fidel Castro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega have been foremost in opposing US and NATO military involvement.

They have suggested that reports of atrocities by Gaddafi's troops are overblown or unproven.

Chavez praised the African Union for appointing a commission of leaders to travel to Libya for talks - an effort in line with his own peace proposals.

[pinboy3niner]

114. AP: Libya’s Gadhafi, increasingly isolated internationally, finds supporters in Latin America

Libya’s Gadhafi, increasingly isolated internationally, finds supporters in Latin America


By IAN JAMES, Tuesday, March 15, 1:53 AM

CARACAS, Venezuela —

...


Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, Cuba’s Fidel Castro and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega have been foremost in opposing U.S. and NATO military involvement, and in suggesting that reports of atrocities by Gadhafi’s troops are overblown or unproven.

...


But his critics say Chavez has no credibility to promote mediation because he has ignored abuses by Gadhafi’s regime. And his stance is also uncomfortable for some of his allies and political supporters, who side with the uprising and say it’s time for Gadhafi to go.

That stance has put them at odds with some of their friends. The left-leaning governments of Argentina and Brazil have condemned Gadhafi’s crackdown on opposition. And even some followers of Castro and Chavez have been recoiling from their positions.

Comments posted on Cuban government websites and some articles on the pro-Chavez website aporrea.org have objected to backing for Libya’s eccentric strongman. One article on aporrea.org titled “Neither Gadafi nor imperialism!” argued that Chavez’s government should “support the revolutionary masses of Libya” that have risen up to topple the “capitalist dictator.”


http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/libyas-gadhafi-increasingly-isolated-internationally-finds-supporters-in-latin-america/2011/03/15/AB0V9LW_story.html

[pinboy3niner]

115. Cote d'Ivoire: Street battles continue in Abidjan

Street battles continue in Abidjan

Ouattara supporters advance on Gbagbo stronghold in Abidjan on another day of heavy fighting in Cote d'Ivoire.

Last Modified: 14 Mar 2011 18:57 GMT


Heavy fighting continued on Monday in Abidjan amid an ongoing power struggle between forces loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, Cote d'Ivoire's incumbent president, and those backing his political rival Alassane Ouattara.

Pro-Ouattara fighters were reported to have moved into the Yopougon neighbourhood held by Gbagbo loyalists. Gun battles raged near the home of army chief of staff Phillipe Mangou who has remained loyal to Gbagbo since November's presidential elections. Ouattara is internationally recognised as the winner of that vote.

The state-run RTI television station denied local reports that Mangou's house had been attacked. A spokesman for the pro-Gbagbo army, Col. Hilaire Gohourou, confirmed that the battle in Yopougon was ongoing, but refused to give any further details.

Elsewhere in the city, several witnesses reported heavy gunfire which seemed to originate from the central district of Williamsville, home to two large military camps, including the country's biggest gendarmerie camp, the AFP news agency said.


http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/2011314184344743882.html

[joshcryer]

116. Nice! I wasn't aware they had even 'started'. Tyrants have no where to hide, it seems.

[pinboy3niner]

117. With so much going on it's hard to follow all developments at once

We can't follow all of the other uprising news in this thread, but it helps to be aware, at least broadly, of what else is happening in the region.

[joshcryer]

118. Agreed, I seem to recall an editorial saying that African states would *never* do this.

I find it very promising.

[pinboy3niner]

119. Legalising military intervention in Libya

15 March 2011

Legalising military intervention in Libya

Donald Rothwell and Hitoshi Nasu


The international community is fast approaching another crossroads in its attempts to respond to the continuing violence in Libya.

...


While there may have been some early doubts as to the status of the conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross has now conceded that the level of violence is that of a non-international armed conflict which carries significant implications under international humanitarian law for protection that should be afforded to the civilian population. In other words, Libya has now descended into a bloody civil war.

What more can the international community do? Debate has been ranging in various European capitals and in Washington over the merits of a NATO imposed no-fly zone over Libya. Could such a zone be imposed by NATO alone, or would a UN mandate be required? Resolution 1970 uses the language of the responsibility to protect, recalling the Libyan authorities’ responsibility to protect their population. Australia’s former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans has been a leading advocate of the “Responsibility to Protect” concept in the last decade; an idea that received unanimous support from world leaders in 2005. The basic tenet of the concept is that when national authorities are manifestly failing to protect their populations, the responsibility to protect them will shift to the international community.

...


Whatever the outcome, the UN and the international community have already taken sides. If responsibility to protect is to have any future then decisive international action must be taken to bring about a resolution of the ongoing violence in Libya. Legalising intervention will go that step.


Professor Donald R. Rothwell and Dr Hitoshi Nasu teach International Security Law at the ANU College of Law, Australian National University.


http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45166.html

[joshcryer]

120. That final paragraph is chilling, to be sure. Thanks very much for that, good find.

[pinboy3niner]

121. BBC: Rebel fighters "hiding inside the oil installation in Brega in the daytime"

15 March 2011 Last updated at 03:45 ET

Libya: Government and rebels still battling for Brega


...


But the focus has also moved east to Ajdabiya, the last town before the rebel base in Benghazi.

It seems rebel fighters have been hiding inside the oil installation in Brega in the daytime, in the belief that the government does not want to shell the facility, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Benghazi.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12742858

[joshcryer]

123. Hehe! Good for them!

[pinboy3niner]

124. No-fly zone imposed...

...above nuclear plant in Japan:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/15/japan.disaster/

You were expecting something else, perhaps?

[joshcryer]

125. That's...

...cruel! :P

You got me!

[pinboy3niner]

126. NYT: Diplomacy Stalls as Libya Rebels Face Pro-Qaddafi Forces

Diplomacy Stalls as Libya Rebels Face Pro-Qaddafi Forces

By ANTHONY SHADID and KAREEM FAHIM
Published: March 15, 2011


AJDABIYA, Libya —

...


On Monday, government warplanes launched fresh strikes against this anxious town on the doorstep of the opposition capital, Benghazi, and almost abreast of a highway crucial to recapturing the eastern border and encircling the rebels with heavy armor and artillery.

Residents of Zuwarah, an isolated city near the Tunisian border in the west, told Reuters that the pro-Qaddafi forces that surrounded them three days before had taken control. “Zuwarah is in their hands now,” said one resident, Tarek Abdallah. “They control it and there is no sign of the rebels. They are now in the center — the army and the tanks.”

...


And in an interview on Sunday evening, Gen. Abdul Fattah Younes, the country’s former interior minister and now the head of the rebel army, said the rebels still retained a sizable fighting force, though he said a no-flight zone was still a necessity. General Younes, the former commander of the special forces, said thousands of officers from that unit were now being recalled and mobilized. He said the rebels also had about 100 working tanks that had not yet been deployed. “The time will come,” he said.

...


As the fighting nears Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, rebel leaders, reacting to criticism of their battlefield performance, have contended that they may still have a chance: Colonel Qaddafi’s forces, they contend, are overextending their lines as they push rebels back and might be running short of fuel. Mr. Ghoga said the rebels were not facing a similar fuel shortage.



Anthony Shadid reported from Ajdabiya, and Kareem Fahim from Benghazi, Libya. David D. Kirkpatrick contributed reporting from Tripoli, Libya, Steven Lee Myers from Paris, and Alan Cowell from London.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/africa/16libya.html

[pinboy3niner]

127. France failing to convince G8 so far

France failing to convince G8 so far

10:15 < (4:15 AM EDT) > ReutersFrance has so far not convinced all other G8 parties to agree to push the UN for a no-fly zone. Germany and Russia showed the most reservation. France’s foreign minister Alain Juppe said that the international community was dragging its feet. “If we had used military force last week … maybe the reversal that went against the opposition (forces) would not have happened,” he said. The Russian foreign minister said a no-fly zone could be ineffective or even counterproductive, he suggested urging the UN for other measures to curb the violence.


http://www.libyafeb17.com/

[pinboy3niner]

128. AJE: Reports of fresh fighting in Brega; at least 4 airstrikes on Ajdabiyah

Tony Birtley also reports that one thing heartening the rebels is the defection of a former senior army commander--who brought with him 8,000 troops and heavy equipment.

--From a live report on AJE Live Stream:

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

[David__77]

129. Wow, I heard the Tripoli authorities only had 10,000 to begin with. So they lost 80% in one stroke.

Surely this will be wrapped up soon!

[joshcryer]

130. Not including the mercenaries, but yes, if true this is incredible news!

[pinboy3niner]

132. Where did you hear that???

I've never seen any figures that ridiculously low reported for Gaddafi's forces. Perhaps it meant specifically those forces stationed in Tripoli, the capital, and you misinterpreted.

[David__77]

134. Here...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hyNGleyY5RsfSnIu5r71kTn8lgow?docId=CNG.3641de91692aec1290b0de964b9cbeb6.941

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_1_0_t&usg=AFQjCNEF4LOcflEKR8bGUXMd_c2sWE5ulw&did=a31863045907891&cid=17593871134317&ei=d0Z_TeDXApSCkQTy0vG4Aw&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.examiner.com%2Fforeign-policy-in-national%2Fdespite-pro-gadhafi-airstrikes-protesters-remain-united

I've seen the figure put out there, mainly from opposition sources, I suppose. It's difficult to get a handle on what is going on in terms of strategic balance of forces both militarily and otherwise.

[pinboy3niner]

131. Gaddafi says shocked at 'betrayal' by former European friends; threatens to ally w/Al Qaeda

Gaddafi says shocked by former European friends
Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:57am GMT < (4:57am EDT) >


* Gaddafi "shocked" by betrayal by former European friends
* Says economic ties will be damaged

* Says if west attacks, will ally with Al Qaeda

* No-fly zone would only unite Libyan people


ROME, March 15 (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said he felt betrayed by former European allies like Italy's Silvio Berlusconi who have turned against him and said business links with Europe risked lasting damage.

Gaddafi dismissed demands by world powers for a no-fly zone over Libya or the possibility of airstrikes, telling Tuesday's edition of the Italian daily Il Giornale that: "We will fight and win. A situation of that type will only serve to unite the Libyan people."

The Libyan leader said French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has officially recognised the rebel Libyan National Council and called for targeted airstrikes, had a "mental disorder".

...


If western forces attacked Libya, he would join forces with the radical Islamists. "We will ally ourselves with al Qaeda and declare holy war," he said.

(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Jon Boyle)


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE72E0DK20110315?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

[joshcryer]

133. Part 2 here (for dialup users):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x649432