Fears Grow Of Humanitarian Crisis In Besieged Libyan City

[Purveyor]

By Mary Beth Sheridan and Liz Sly, Wednesday, March 23, 9:29 PM

Aid organizations scrambled Wednesday to prepare for large-scale relief operations in Libya, as fears grew of a potential humanitarian crisis in a key city besieged by government forces.

International military forces on Wednesday stepped up attacks on government troops in Misurata, 131 miles east of Tripoli. The airstrikes seemed to bring a temporary respite from the fighting that had raged for six days between forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi and rebels, as government tanks retreated from the city center.

But after nightfall, the tanks returned and resumed their attacks, according to a doctor at the city’s main hospital. “They are shelling everywhere,” he said by telephone.

Patients were being treated on the floor, medical supplies were falling short, fuel for the generator was running low, and water had been cut off, said the doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he feared retaliation by Libyan forces.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/fears-grow-of-libyan-humanitarian-crisis/2011/03/23/ABJA8PLB_story.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Boots on the ground in 3, 2, 1...

So predictable.

[Ghost Dog]

6. Certainly not American boots.

Undesirable and in any case politically impossible.

[DevonRex]

2. I recced this. Didn't matter tho.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Don't we have some Meals on Wheels we can send over there? Oh, HERE THEY ARE:

Look at that sub-sandwich launcher they got on there! Probably can switch out for a baked potato bar in the back to give some variety.





PB

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. Obviously Ms Sheridan and Ms Sly....

...don't read DU. It's not 'a humanitarian crisis'.

It's a bunch of rebels who picked the wrong side in a civil war and have to suck it up and deal with it.

I have no doubt that Gadaffi will stand aside and let the aid organizations in. That's just how he rolls.

[SpartanDem]

5. Yup

no humanitarian here