Libyan Revolution Day 27 part 2 (return of the revolutionaries!)

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16">AJE Live Blog March 16 (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=view_all&address=439x655007">Day 27 part 1 here.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE72E2F120110315">Libyan website reports rebels sink Gaddafi ships
RABAT, March 15 (Reuters) - An opposition Libyan online newspaper on Tuesday said a rebel MiG 23 warplane and a helicopter sank two pro-Gaddafi warships off the eastern coast near the front line of land battles at Adjabiyah.

It was not clear where the two aircraft took off from. The airbase at Benghazi switched to rebel control when the opposition took charge of the city and several air force officers have been among military men who joined the opposition.

Tony Birtley updates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8HWgzZjot4

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47846475237040129">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
2put some of the rumours to rest: #BabAlazizya was in flames today after man from #Zwara places bombs in the compound and shot sec officers
46 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47847249794965504">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Man from #Zwara set up bombs in #Gaddafi compound of #BaBAzizia, blew it up, sec forces came after him, he shot some of them but was killed
45 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47848132066811904">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Outcome of the acts from the man from #Zwara are still same- #Gaddafi compound in flames, 2 #Gaddafi loyalists in hospital, protests in Trip
42 minutes

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47852815544107010">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@feb17libya @LibyaFeb17_com A witness in Tripoli told me there was no plane, instead, a man from Zwurrah set up bombs in BabAziziya
24 minutes ago

While Gaddafi spoke, protestors in Benghazi threw shoes

"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

[joshcryer]

1. Current time in Libya is 5:22am Wednesday, March 16

[joshcryer]

2. Libyan Oil Buys Allies for Qaddafi

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/africa/16mali.html?smid=tw-nytimes&seid=auto">Libyan Oil Buys Allies for Qaddafi
At this stage, without cash for guns or transport, Mr. Maiga’s group of about 200 young men is more of a fan club than a militia. But like other pro-Qaddafi groups that have sprung up here since the rebellion in Libya began, what it lacks in logistics it makes up in loyalty.

“We’re all ready to die for him,” Mr. Maiga said. “He’s done so much for us, after all.”

Just look at Mr. Maiga’s life: he prays at a mosque in Bamako, Mali’s capital, that Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi built; he watches television on the Malian national network that Colonel Qaddafi set up in the 1980s; and he admires with a feeling nothing short of awe La Cité Administrative Muammar el-Qaddafi, the gleaming new $100 million government complex that Colonel Qaddafi is helping pay for and that bears his name — even though it is for Mali’s government, not Libya’s.

Mali, a desperately poor country near Libya, is a case in point of the allegiance Colonel Qaddafi has bought in many parts of the continent. He has tapped Libya’s vast oil reserves to liberally sprinkle billions of dollars around sub-Saharan Africa, playing all sides and investing in almost anything — governments, rebel groups, luxury hotels, Islamic organizations, rubber factories, rice paddies, diamond mines, supermarkets and the countless OiLibya gas stations.

[joshcryer]

3. @Tripolitanian tweets:

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

[joshcryer]

4. Rebels start using the ancient jets - #UNSC resolution for #NFZ moves faster

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47821365008547840">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Rebels start using the ancient jets - #UNSC resolution for #NFZ moves faster - hmmmm
2 hours ago

[joshcryer]

5. A witness in Tripoli told me there was no plane, instead, a man from Zwurrah set up bombs

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47852815544107010">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
@feb17libya @LibyaFeb17_com A witness in Tripoli told me there was no plane, instead, a man from Zwurrah set up bombs in BabAziziya
45 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

6. Sorry for posting untrue or misleading info. It is true that Bab Aziziya was bombed though.

[joshcryer]

11. There must have been someone who saw an entire jet fly into a compound not too far from downtown?

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47893978217054208">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
There must have been someone who saw an entire jet fly into a compound not too far from downtown? | #Libya #Feb17
3 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

13. This story keeps being posted because 1) bombing at compound + 2) missing opposition pilot.

[joshcryer]

21. Despite the arms embargo, heavy weapons continue to be shipped into port of #Tripoli

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/47914844892053504">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Despite the arms embargo, heavy weapons continue to be shipped into port of #Tripoli | #Libya #Feb17
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

22. Rebels in #Libya say 'the world has failed us' by inaction.

http://twitter.com/#!/LaraABCNews/status/47910443032920064">@LaraABCNews
Lara Setrakian
Rebels in #Libya say 'the world has failed us' by inaction. While our heads are turned #Gaddafi is gaining ground, deadly for protesters
1 hour ago

[joshcryer]

7. alive.in/libya has a whole bunch of new interviews with Libyan people:

http://alive.in/libya/

[joshcryer]

8. Interview with a Libyan Girl Scout "The revolution is going to the right way."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJPNWw5GI6M

[joshcryer]

9. Current Military Situation in Libya:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaL15slRdRA

[joshcryer]

10. He promised right from the start that there will be a civil war and that is exactly what he got.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16#update-12796">7:19am Nezer al Sayyad of University of California, Berkley told Al Jazeera, "Everybody had assumed that Libya was going to follow the course of Egypt and Tunisia but Gaddafi is a lot more brutal than Mubarak or Ben Ali.

"He promised right from the start that there will be a civil war and that is exactly what is happening in Libya."

[Desertrose]

14. That's what I was thinking...he made it into a civil war

at least making it look that way to outsiders.

Hateful man.

[joshcryer]

16. I still don't consider it a civil war, give it another month.

If it continues into another month or so then I'll concede it is a civil war. Civil wars tend to be protracted with a lot of back and forth and reprisal killing.

[Desertrose]

19. No, I don't consider it that either, but G is sure spinning it that way

...hoping it's to his advantage.

I just want him gone so all the Libyans can be safe & rid of him.


It's a revolution!!!!

[Desertrose]

12. Al Jz Arabic-revolutionaries in Ajdabiya have captured 7 tanks in very good condition

22:13 BREAKING from Al Jazeera Arabic The revolutionaries in Ajdabiya have captured 7 tanks in very good condition and have handed them over to the defected 36th battalion.

[joshcryer]

15. VIDEO: Libyans sing and dance in the battlefield (BEAUTIFUL):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5VgYSuDiU

[joshcryer]

17. Repost of Tea of Freedom song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7SIzRiZdCY

This song is so uplifting, how happy they are, how wonderful. :) I will watch this from now on when I am depressed.

O tea of freedom!
Ya la la la laa lee
O you that is dear to me!
Ya la la la laa lee
Your strength is 100/100!
Ya la la la laa lee
O tea of freedom!
Ya la la la laa lee

O traitor of our revolution, off to your grave directly! Hey! Off to your grave directly!
Off to your grave directly!

Oh you who dirtied our reputation, you wellington boots face! Hey! You wellington boots face!
You wellington boots face!

You who made no Governor accept our flag! Hey! No Governor accept our flag!
No Governor accept our flag!

You who’s killing our family, Ya la la laa lee
In control of our things, ya la la laa lee
You who’s killing our family, Ya la la laa lee
In control of our things, ya la la laa lee

You who is spreading our wealth, between Chad and Mali, Hey! Between Chad and Mali!
Between Chad and Mali!

To your grave directly! To your grave directly! To your grave directly!

[joshcryer]

18. No UN move yet as Gaddafi vows to crush protesters

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/03/16/141742.html">No UN move yet as Gaddafi vows to crush protesters
Muammar Gaddafi's forces pushed eastwards towards the Libyan protesters stronghold of Benghazi and his government predicted victory within days while at the UN, proposals for a no-fly zone to ground his warplanes met stiff resistance.

Foreign powers condemn the crackdown, but show little appetite for action to support an uprising that was inspired by pro-democracy rebellions that toppled the Egyptian and Tunisian presidents.

Many in the Arab world may fear a Gaddafi victory and a crackdown on protests in Bahrain could turn the tide in the region.

Group of Eight foreign ministers "agreed that the U.N. Security Council should increase the pressure, including through economic measures, for Gaddafi to leave," said the French host, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe.

[joshcryer]

20. Libya bombards rebels, gets closer to stronghold

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110316/ap_on_re_af/af_libya">Libya bombards rebels, gets closer to stronghold
TOBRUK, Libya – Moammar Gadhafi's forces overwhelmed rebels in the strategic eastern city of Ajdabiya, hammering them with airstrikes, missiles, tanks and artillery Tuesday in an assault that sent residents fleeing and appeared to open the way for an all-out government offensive on the opposition's main stronghold in the east, Benghazi.

In desperation, rebels sent up two antiquated warplanes that struck a government ship bombarding Ajdabiya from the Mediterranean. But as tanks rolled into the city from two directions and rockets relentlessly pounded houses and shops, the ragtag opposition fighters' defenses appeared to break down.

Only 10 days ago, the rebellion was poised to march on Tripoli, the capital, and had appeared capable of sweeping Gadhafi out after 41 years in power, but the regime's better armed and organized military has reversed the tide. Efforts led by France and Britain to create a no-fly zone to protect the rebels have gone nowhere, and some rebels lashed out at the West for failing to come to their aid.

"This is a madman, a butcher," one rebel fighter said of Gadhafi, speaking to The Associated Press by telephone from Ajdabiya as explosions were heard in the background. "It's indiscriminate fire."

[joshcryer]

23. Security Council Uncertain About Intervening in Libya

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/world/africa/16nations.html?_r=1&ref=africa">Security Council Uncertain About Intervening in Libya
The United Nations Security Council remained divided on Tuesday over a proposed draft resolution that calls for a no-flight zone over Libya and authorizes the use of force to halt the bombing of civilians by forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

Diplomats said the resolution, which will be debated by the Security Council on Wednesday, called for the 15-member body to authorize a ban on all flights in Libyan airspace and for member states to “take all necessary measures to enforce compliance.” All flights from outside Libya suspected of bringing arms into the country would also be banned.

The resolution also calls for the tightening of sanctions against Libya, including adding more names to the list of Libyan officials who face international travel bans. It also calls for expanding the list of individuals and financial institutions close to Colonel Qaddafi that would have their assets frozen. On Feb. 26 the Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Libya and referred the government’s actions o the International Criminal Court for investigation of possible crimes against humanity.

But diplomats said the council was far from a consensus on the resolution, with China, Russia and Germany expressing reservations and the United States, with its military already committed in Iraq and Afghanistan, cautious about endorsing any action that could overstretch its capacity. Diplomats said the United States, which would play a key role in implementing any no-flight zone, was concerned that the measure might not be sufficient to halt Mr. Qaddafi. American officials have also said they were reluctant to initiate military action against another Muslim nation.

[joshcryer]

24. Gaddafi forces have reportedly launched heavy bombardment on Misrata.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16#update-13026">10:54am The Reuters news agency is reporting that the residents of western Libyan city of Misrata say that Gaddafi forces have launched heavy bombardment on the city.

[joshcryer]

25. VIDEO: Libyan Army Pushes Towards Benghazi As World Powers Debate No Fly Zone Against Gaddafi

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/VIDEO-Libyan-Army-Pushes-Towards-Benghazi-As-World-Powers-Debate-No-Fly-Zone-Against-Gaddafi/Article/201103315953124?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15953124_VIDEO%3A_Libyan_Army_Pushes_Towards_Benghazi_As_World_Powers_Debate_No_Fly_Zone_Against_Gaddafi">VIDEO: Libyan Army Pushes Towards Benghazi As World Powers Debate No Fly Zone Against Gaddafi
The Libyan army is continuing its push towards the eastern rebel stronghold of Benghazi, as world powers continue to debate about whether a no-fly zone can be imposed.

Heavy fighting continues in the eastern oil town of Brega where both sides are battling for control.

Troops have also attacked the city of Adjabiyah in a bid to open the way to Libya's second city Benghazi, 80 miles (129km).

State TV claimed the town had been "cleansed of mercenaries and terrorists linked to the al Qaeda organisation," but Sky correspondent Emma Hurd, who has been in the city, has disputed this.

[joshcryer]

26. Opposition Member: Liberated Libya Will Remember its Friends

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Libya-Opposition-React-Tarhouni-16march11-118064954.html">Opposition Member: Liberated Libya Will Remember its Friends
A Libyan opposition member says those opposed by Moammar Gadhafi will be disappointed with the United States and the rest of the international community if they fail to impose a no-fly-zone over Libya.

Ali Tarhouni, member of the Economic and Oil Committee of the Provincial Council running the liberated areas of Libya, says the days of the Libyan leader are numbered and the people will remember those who supported them in their time of need.

“I think it is actually a shame that the Western world, particularly the United States, that advocates for democracy and human rights, and now we see more of a cowardly position. The Libyan people are not asking for much. All they are asking for is for no-fly zone,” he said.

Tarhouni says President Obama is not living up to his June 2009 speech to Muslims in Cairo.

[joshcryer]

27. Ali Tarhouni says pro-democracy Libyans want a no-fly zone.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16#update-13036">11:06am Ali Tarhouni, member of the Economic and Oil Committee in liberated Libya says pro-democracy Libyans want a no-fly zone.

Voice of America reports that the opposition member says Libyans will remember those who supported them in their time of need.

[joshcryer]

28. government forces have been hammering Ajdabiya with nonstop shelling

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-16#update-13081">11:32am The Associated Press is reporting that the government forces have been hammering Ajdabiya with nonstop shelling in a bid to rout rebels holding out in the strategic eastern city.

The city's fall would open the way for Gaddafi's forces to advance farther into the long stretch of eastern Libya that has been in the control of the opposition throughout the month long uprising.

Residents say pro-Gaddafi troops also cut off communications on Wednesday and began shelling Misurata, the last rebel-held city in the western half of the country.

Saadoun al-Misrati, a rebel spokesman from Misurata says shelling started at 7:00am.

[joshcryer]

29. I'm VERY worried for Benghazi guys. Almost can't take it anymore.

[David__77]

30. Well, one thing is for sure: Gaddafi cannot win through mass bloodshed.

That would seal his doom. Nothing else would so motivate popular opposition, armed opposition by all means. I am hopeful that there will be a minimum of bloodshed regardless of the outcome.

[joshcryer]

31. When he takes a city he disappears everyone and makes it seem normal.

The world would just turn a blind eye to it. He'd take Benghazi after killing hundreds, but most people don't want to die, I don't care how much you hate a tyrant, instinct kicks in and you don't want to die. So there will be a lot of, even Benghazi youths, "falling in line." They may build underground rebellion groups but in the end thousands will certainly die.

There's no way there will be a "minimum of bloodshed" if he gets to Benghazi. No.fucking.way.

[David__77]

32. Guerrillas warfare and not fixed positional warfare is the only solution for the opposition.

If they maintain fixed positions as they have, they're placing themselves in a worse position than they need to be. They need to quit focusing so much on who "holds" what. You pick your battles to annihilate your enemy. The armed fighters, provided they have sufficiently overwhelming local support, will be able to mainly swim in sea of the people and be protected, relative to other scenarios. I suspect there are certain defectors who would capitulate under the right circumstances, finger to the wind kind of thing.

[joshcryer]

33. Guerrilla warfare means lots of bloodshed.

I thought you were about minimizing bloodshed.

[David__77]

36. Not necessarily.

It depends on how it plays out. There are examples of less bloody guerrilla wars that ended in victory. They had to be centralized, disciplined, and infiltrate the enemy, to be sure. I am not advocating that the opposition forces do this, but I am saying that it would help them to consolidate militarily and prevent the opposing force from re-consolidating its state power over much of the country in the coming days and weeks. It depends on what are their goals more than anything else. It is perhaps facile of me to "hope" for bloodless solutions... I definitely do believe there is just war and unjust war.

[joshcryer]

37. NFZ would make it a just war, now it's going to just be a bloodbath.

[joshcryer]

34. Gaddafi forces tell Benghazi residents to lay down arms

http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE72F0NQ20110316">Gaddafi forces tell Benghazi residents to lay down arms
TOBRUK, Libya, March 16 (Reuters) - The Libyan army told people in Benghazi to lay down their arms on Wednesday as its troops advanced closer to the rebel stronghold for what could be the decisive battle in the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

The town of Ajbadiyah, 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi on the Gulf of Sirte, was firmly in government hands after most of its rebel defenders retreated under fire from a withering artillery barrage on Tuesday. Those who stayed had now handed over their guns, a rebel officer said.

In Benghazi, seat of the insurgents' provisional national council, the mood was a mixture of defiance and nervousness, with some citizens predicting a bloodbath and others confident the rebels would still snatch victory against the government offensive.

Forces loyal to Gaddafi have retaken a string of coastal towns in the past 11 days, reversing gains made by the rebel army early in the uprising against his 41-year-rule of the North African country. Important oil industry facilities are now mostly back under government control.

[joshcryer]

35. I got to go. Good luck, sweet people of Libya.

[joshcryer]

38. Iyad El-Baghdadi made some beautiful tweets, please take the time to read them, I can't post them:

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

[Desertrose]

39. Current time in Libya 8:14pm Wednesday (EET) - Time in Libya

[joshcryer]

40. Day 28 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x664618