Libyan Revolution Day 38 (Ajdabiya liberated! Brega looking good. LIBYA HURRA!)

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27">AJE Live Blog March 27 (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=439x744173">Day 37 part 2 here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwx_B38678">Marching On in Libya, for the revolutionaries!

Feb 26, Benghazi, Goran Tomasevio/Reuters

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201132681812362552.html">Libyan rebels advance on Brega - video
Libyan rebels are advancing westwards after recapturing the strategic eastern town of Ajdabiya from government controls with the help of coalition air strikes.

Reports late on Saturday suggested rebels had already pressed onto the key oil-port town of Brega, 80 kilometres to the west.

"We are in the centre of Brega," Abdelsalam al-Maadani, a rebel fighter, told the AFP news agency by telephone. But Reuters said rebels were only on the outskirts of Brega.

Al Jazeera's James Bays, who reached Ajdabiya on Saturday, said that while it appeared that rebels had taken over the town of Brega, it remained unclear who controlled the nearby oil port.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12872863">Libyan rebels at crossroads after taking Ajdabiya
Every conflict in history makes household names out of places which were previously obscure.

That is how we know the names of Stalingrad and Waterloo, and indeed Tobruk in Libya.

The desert town of Ajdabiya may not be destined to be mentioned in the same breath as those great battles of the past, but it may yet mark a crucial turning point in the uprising against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/26/uk-libya-usa-bodies-idUKTRE72P2K320110326">Libya may be placing corpses at bombed sites - Gates
(Reuters) - U.S. intelligence reports suggest that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces have placed the bodies of people they have killed at the sites of coalition air strikes so they can blame the West for the deaths, U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates said in a television interview on Saturday.

http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-a-womans-cry-for-help-in-tripoli-hotel">Libya: a woman's cry for help in Tripoli hotel
Ordinarily, you might hope, that when a distressed young woman bursts into a public place claiming to have been repeatedly gang-raped at gunpoint, that she would be gently comforted, calmed down and her horrifying account of what had happened taken seriously.

But this is Gaddafi's Libya, and today I witnessed the shocking brutality of his regime and how it deals with those who dare dissent.

Eman al-Obeidi, who I’d judge to be in her mid-30s, burst into the dining room of the Tripoli hotel in which foreign journalists have been held under virtual house-arrest for the past two weeks.

She made her dramatic entrance as everyone was having breakfast. She started screaming: "Look what Gaddafi's militiamen have done to me" – and everyone in the room just froze.

Video of the convoy sent to take Benghazi, taken from a dead soliders cell phone (shows how massive the operation was): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M

Sky News went with Gaddafi minders to find a "civilian town bombed" only they were never shown any such thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O5KJavfiQo

TNC presser talking about various details of the revolution (thanks to Waiting for Everyone): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=730234&mesg_id=731532


Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context:

The Battle of Benghazi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0

BBC Panorama on Libya Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA

BBC Panorama on Libya Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s

Tea of Freedom Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc


Latest indiscriminate shelling in Misurata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wop3C4zrPXI


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of the resolution.

How will a no fly zone work? AJE reports: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k

Canada: http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110317/cf-libya-canada/20110317/?hub=WinnipegHome">Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission Norway: http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFOSN00509220110318">Norway to join military intervention in Libya Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-18/la-belgique-prete-a-une-operation-militaire-en-libye-828970.php">Belgium ready for a military operation in Libya Qatar and the UAE: http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/776/?SID=e80884adc09a37d26904578a9b5978cb">Run-up for Western world’s next military commitment ... with unusual support Denmark: http://www.cphpost.dk/news/international/89-international/51229-denmark-ready-for-action-against-gaddafi.html">Denmark ready for action against Gaddafi France: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19libya.html?src=twrhp">Following U.N. Vote, France Vows Libya Action ‘Soon’ Italy: http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE72G2HE20110317">Italy to make bases available for Libya no-fly zone-source United Kingdom: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467">Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote United States: http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/nations-draw-up-plans-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-1.2765122">Nations draw up plans for no-fly zone over Libya Jordan: http://www.smh.com.au/world/military-strikes-on-libya-within-hours-20110318-1bzii.html?from=smh_sb">Military strikes on Libya 'within hours' Spain: http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/03/19/2801s627320.htm">Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya

"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. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

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".

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/25/world/middleeast/map-of-how-the-protests-unfolded-in-libya.html">Click here for updated 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

Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi

"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this began

I'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.

Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg

Mo's last report, a fallen hero trying to spread the word to the world: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecu_iWLn-rg

Mo leaves behind a wife who is with child, she had http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:

We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.

[joshcryer]

1. Current time in Libya, 3:52am Sunday, March 27

[joshcryer]

2. Behind the Scenes of the French Lead on Libya

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-gardels/behind-the-scenes-of-the_b_840946.html">Behind the Scenes of the French Lead on Libya
The French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy and Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders and until last year President Sarkozy's foreign minister, have long been champions of "the right to protect" -- that is, the right of the international community to intervene if a sovereign is committing crimes against his own people.

It is thus no surprise that BHL (as he is known in France) was involved behind the scenes
in moving President Sarkozy to take the lead in Libya. Here is my conversation with him about the lead up to the strikes against Gaddafi's forces, the aims of the military campaign and the nature of the Libyan rebels France has recognized:

[bobbolink]

3. Finally, I got in a first rec again!

Its been a while since I was able to do that.

Good evening, josh... hope your weekend is going well. There have been some exciting reports!

:pals:

[joshcryer]

5. Woot.

Don't be dismayed when it goes back to 0. ;)

[bobbolink]

6. So, we need a no fly zone over the recs?

:hi:

[RandySF]

8. Who in their right minds would support the current regime?

[bobbolink]

16. It would appear that every society has their irrational people.

That was pretty much what people in other countries said about USians, especially after * was reselected.

[joshcryer]

4. Libyan rebels rout Gaddafi forces in strategic town

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/03/26/uk-libya-idUKLDE71Q0MP20110326">Libyan rebels rout Gaddafi forces in strategic town
(Reuters) - Libyan rebels backed by allied air strikes retook the strategic town of Ajdabiyah on Saturday after an all-night battle that suggested the tide was turning against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the east.

In the west, France said its warplanes had destroyed five Libyan aircraft and two helicopters at an air base outside rebel-held Misrata. Pro-Gaddafi forces had earlier pounded the city with tank, mortar and artillery fire that halted only as coalition aircraft appeared overhead, a rebel told Reuters.

Western governments hope the raids, launched with the aim of protecting civilians, will also shift the balance of power in favour of the Arab world's most violent popular revolt.

One inhabitant said 115 people had been killed in Misrata in a week and snipers were still shooting people from rooftops.

[pinboy3niner]

7. K&R

:hi:

[druidity33]

9. K&R. nt.

[tabatha]

10. The women fighting, organising, feeding and healing Libya’s revolution

In a bare, shabby side room in Benghazi's central courthouse, the hub of pro-democracy Libyan operations, Salwa Bugaighis talks animatedly, hardly flinching as gunshots ring out from the raucous crowds outside. They, like her, are in a mood that veers between celebration and defiance to anxiety. They flood the area of the seafront, which is littered with boards displaying caricatures of the Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi and stalls selling souvenirs since the eastern part of the country was liberated on February 20.

The 44-year-old lawyer, an elegant woman dressed in black trousers and jacket, her eyes neatly lined with kohl, was on the steps of the courthouse at the first protest on February 15, when a group of legal professionals and academics gathered to protest the arrest of a colleague and to call for legal reforms, including a constitution. She has barely left the building since. By February 17 the government's vicious reaction had led to calls for regime change, and just three days later rebels claimed control of the city, Libya's second largest after the capital Tripoli.

"There is so much to do," Bugaighis says as she strides down the corridor lined with graffiti, her jacket flying out behind her. "We had no idea we would get rid of Qaddafi in just a few days and we were left with nothing, no institutions at all. We had to quickly work out how to organise everything for ourselves."

.....

"This is one of the reasons Benghazi fell," says Manghoush. "Both men and women, educated and not, were being humiliated. Now we are all rebuilding it together."

http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/africa/the-women-fighting-organising-feeding-and-healing-libya-s-revolution

Oh yeah, all these Al Queda types.

[joshcryer]

13. tabatha, what a touching story. Can't believe the "burka" slanders! Here's the link:

http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/africa/the-women-fighting-organising-feeding-and-healing-libya-s-revolution

No worries about no link!

Stupid ass burka wearing slanders being posted here on DU. :puke:

[tabatha]

14. "an elegant woman dressed in black trousers and jacket"

Yep, burka, alright.

(How did you find the link?)

[joshcryer]

15. I wish I saw that article before posting, I will definitely highlight it on day 39.

[tabatha]

17. Apologies for the missed links.

With all your lack of sleep - you are doing really well. I had a stressful week.
(As the "aggregator" (app developer) with input from hardware, software, drivers, etc, tracking down the source on an issue is draining - then I come here for more angst and stress.)

[joshcryer]

18. Just searched a paragraph of the text in Google. Came up with WLUML (Women Living Under Muslim Law)

It cited the National article it derived from. :hi:

No worries about forgetting the link, sorry for not giving you time to fix it in the edit, but I was reading it and my eyes were watering a bit, and had to comment. :hug:

[tabatha]

23. That link is worth bookmarking on its own.

Thanks.

http://www.wluml.org/

It astounds me how women under such difficult situations have nevertheless become competent professionals.

:hi:

[Ghost Dog]

59. Yes indeed.

:hi:

[bobbolink]

20. This is a wonderful story. It actually reminds me somewhat of my dirtyhippiecommiepinkobum days

in Berkeley, but of course, we weren't under that kind of pressure by any stretch of the imagination.

Is anyone going to post this on DU?

If not, I may just take the chance.....

[MedleyMisty]

21. I've noticed a lot of repetition of rightwing talking points here on DU

And repeating of Gaddafi's own propaganda, about civil war and splitting the country and Al Qaeda and drugs in the Nescafe - which I saw a video clip on Facebook with men in Benghazi drinking tea and chanting "Freedom tea, freedom tea!" LOL.

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=211994652150103

I think there's a lot of fear here about all this change, and yeah - I think some of it is racist. I definitely smell a bit of "My dear boy, we can't let the natives have home rule." on occasion.

[bobbolink]

24. Oh, definitely! I posted earlier today to one of them, "Yeah, that's what they said on Faux",

which was quite true.

It really is our own version of the teabaggers.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." :rofl:

I have said for years that what is missing with "progressives" is that they/we aren't willing to also look at their/our own part in things.

:(

[defendandprotect]

98. LIBYA HURRA -- !!

[Turborama]

36. I've just posted this in the Editorials Forum with several photos & a couple of videos

Wise minds, etc etc: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751

:hi:

[joshcryer]

78. OMG, so great! Thank you Turborama!

I'm so glad to see that posted here on DU and it actually makes me not want to be snarky about the dishonest posts made in the past.

[tabatha]

97. Excellent.

Well done.

[joshcryer]

11. Tripoli witness: Fear and uncertainty

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12870684">Tripoli witness: Fear and uncertainty
He goes on to recount how security officers used what he believes were stun guns in one room where they carried out "group torture".

"We were all lined up against the wall and one security officer came in and shocked the detainees as he walked along - it was random, he somehow missed giving me a hit. I was still blindfolded and all I could hear was the sound of an electric shock and the men making a restrained painful sound through clenched teeth and falling to the floor.

"I kept praying in hushed tones. In the cell where I spent the night, there were countless men who told me they had been there for days or weeks, most were wearing pyjamas - which suggested they were dragged from their homes late at night - and many had urinated in their pants."

He saw families: one elderly man and his three grown sons for example, who were brought in because the fourth son had been grabbed during a protest in Tripoli on 22 February. They have not seen him ever since.

Must read.

[defendandprotect]

100. Unbelievable that they have found prisoners underground for years --

and that they continue to make it a priority to try to find the prisons and the

prisoners to release them. Another reason why the delay in getting the NFZ started

was so heartbreaking!!

LIBYA HURRA!!

[pinboy3niner]

12. Intensive airstrikes on Gaddafi forces along 400km road between Ajdabiyah and Sirte

AJE reports:

Coalition forces were carrying out intensive air strikes on pro-Gaddafi forces on the 400 km long road between Ajdabiya and Sirte, in the east, a government spokesman said Saturday.


2:17am:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[bluestate10]

19. Anyone that thinks Qaddafi deserves one milligram of human sympathy

must read the account of the female rape victim that barged into reporter's breakfast. A million dollar cruise missile is a trivial expense when it is used to stop the type of brutality that woman has and likely still is experiencing. Qaddafi will be beaten, and when that happens, if that woman does not show up safe and secure, he must be tried for crimes against humanity and hanged if found guilty.

[bobbolink]

25. He must be tried no matter what!

[pinboy3niner]

28. International Court Expects Libyan Prosecution

Source: Huffington Post

International Court Expects Libyan Prosecution


Posted: 03/24/11 12:08 PM


CAIRO -- The International Criminal Court's prosecutor said Thursday he is "100 percent" certain that his investigation into attacks on Libyan protesters will lead to crimes against humanity charges against the regime of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi.

Gadhafi's crackdown on anti-regime protests that broke out last month has been the most violent against any of the anti-government uprisings across the Middle East.

...


Moreno-Ocampo said his team is looking into six incidents of "massive shooting of civilians" by security forces in Tripoli, Benghazi and other Libyan cities.

...


The investigation was launched with unprecedented speed, which the prosecutor attributed to technology, which has brought images of Libyan violence to the world.

"Technology is reducing the distance between people in Libya and people in the (rest of the) world," the Argentine prosecutor said. "Journalists showing the killing of civilians in Libya created this willingness to intervene."


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/24/international-court-expects-libya-prosecution_n_840076.html

[bobbolink]

thanks for this. I wonder how far up the chain of command the investigation goes.

I wonder how many high-ranking leaders will actually get prosecuted.

I remember reading that there were announcements being broadcast, warning government fighters that they will be prosecuted.

[pinboy3niner]

22. Airstrikes help Libya rebels advance

Source: Washington Post

Airstrikes help Libya rebels advance

By Liz Sly and Scott Wilson, Saturday, March 26, 9:22 PM


TRIPOLI, Libya — Days of coalition airstrikes appeared Saturday to have pushed open the door to western Libya for anti-government rebel forces, which retook the strategic city of Ajdabiya as a weakened military loyal to leader Moammar Gaddafi fell back.

Although fluid and potentially reversible, the rebel gains on the ground were the clearest indication yet that intensive airstrikes carried out by U.S., French and British warplanes and naval assets over the past week have softened up Libya’s military considerably.

...


Mustafa Gheirani, an opposition spokesman in Benghazi, said advancing rebel forces expect a battle at the river bed outside the oil port of Ras Lanuf, 77 miles west of Brega along the Mediterranean coast. “That is where we lost a lot, so I think it’s going to be where the battle is going to be the most.”

...


To reach the capital, they will have to traverse hundreds of miles of sparsely populated desert highway that runs through some staunchly loyalist areas, notably Gaddafi’s heavily guarded hometown of Sirte. On their last push west they reached Bin Jawwad, 37 miles beyond Ras Lanuf, before they were forced back by government soldiers. Bin Jawwad is more than 300 miles east of Tripoli.

...


“Maybe the coalition attacks have helped us in some way, but they have forced all the army of Gaddafi to enter <Misrata> and now they have no choice but to stay in the city and die,” he said. The loyalist forces have taken control of the main road running through the city and have set up mortar positions in high buildings, he said.



http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/airstrikes-help-libya-rebels-advance/2011/03/26/AFdmWkeB_story.html

[bobbolink]

27. "have softened up Libya’s military considerably." Mushed? Like a smoothie?

I am trying to find that report about how they have held back from some attacks because of civilians in danger, only to realize that they were only making it harder on civilians.

[tabatha]

26. Must watch Video: Snipers in Misrata on rooftop Caught on Camera

March 26: 2011: Watch closely to the zoom points throughout the video. The cameraman captures snipers on rooftops in Misrata. This is an unbelievable site. They have orders to shoot at whatever they find in the streets. The resounding gunfire throughout the video is that of Gaddafi soldiers. This is what they helpless civilians in Misrata have been haunted with for the past three weeks. You can hear off in the distance over the intercom the beautiful sound of recitation of “God is great, and There is no God but God.” A comforting reminder amidst the chilling gunfire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkp0g6kNk3g&feature=player_embedded


http://feb17.info/media/must-watch-video-snipers-in-misrata-on-rooftop-caught-on-camera/

[tabatha]

29. Deleted

Deleted for now, until verification.

[joshcryer]

30. Weird link, finding links to Tripoli Post, but nothing concrete.

Looks like a scam site is trying to mimick the Tripoli post to get clickthroughs.

[tabatha]

31. Maybe I should delete it.

[pinboy3niner]

32. I'm taking a break, Josh

Have fun! :)



:hi:

[tabatha]

33. Thanks, niner! for your energy and time.

[joshcryer]

34. Thanks Niner! Have a good one.

As long as my internet doesn't go out I should be fine for the night. It 'burped' on me and I thought "OH NO!" :P

[MedleyMisty]

35. K & R

In the hope that some people will read it and actually learn about what's going on.

[pinboy3niner]

37. New Libyan rebel leader spent much of past 20 years in suburban Virginia

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

New Libyan rebel leader spent much of past 20 years in suburban Virginia


By CHRIS ADAMS
McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON -- The new leader of Libya's opposition military spent the past two decades in suburban Virginia but felt compelled - even in his late-60s - to return to the battlefield in his homeland, according to people who know him.

Khalifa Hifter was once a top military officer for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, but after a disastrous military adventure in Chad in the late 1980s, Hifter switched to the anti-Gadhafi opposition. In the early 1990s, he moved to suburban Virginia, where he established a life but maintained ties to anti-Gadhafi groups.

Late last week, Hifter was appointed to lead the rebel army, which has been in chaos for weeks. He is the third such leader in less than a month, and rebels interviewed in Libya openly voiced distrust for the most recent leader, Abdel Fatah Younes, who had been at Gadhafi's side until just a month ago.

...


"He made the decision he had to go inside Libya," alHasi said Saturday. "With his military experience, and with his strong relationship with officers on many levels of rank, he decided to go and see the possibility of participating in the military effort against Gadhafi."

He added that Hifter is very popular among members of the Libyan army, "and he is the most experienced person in the whole Libyan army." He acted out of a sense of "national responsibility," alHasi said.


http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/03/26/2136063/new-libyan-rebel-leader-spent.html

[Amonester]

39. I hope this will end the al-Qaeda scares on DU.

It's tiring. If the revolutionaries overthrow the gawd-awfull regime, the U.N. would never allow a small minority of extremists (if any) to take hold, IMO.

[joshcryer]

38. North Africa is Europe's problem – not Obama's

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/27/observer-editorial-libya-barack-obama">North Africa is Europe's problem – not Obama's
Committees are sometimes the fairest way to decide policy; rarely, if ever, are they the most efficient. As a system for conducting wars, their shortcomings are obvious.

Public concern about the risks of intervention in Libya are hardly allayed by the impression that no one appears to be taking ultimate political charge of the mission.

The diplomatic impetus for action came from France and Britain. The US was, after some delay, recruited as a key advocate. Most of the military assets being used in the operation come from members of the Nato alliance. The Arab League is providing diplomatic support and some hardware in the form of Qatari and UAE jets.

The tactical imperative of halting Colonel Gaddafi's assault on Benghazi meant it was necessary last week to shoot missiles first and ask organisational questions later. But those questions quickly reasserted themselves. Almost as quickly, they led to disagreement among anti-Gaddafi allies.

A wise poster here talked about how Africa doesn't have the power to deal with the Libya crisis, so the only allies nearby was EU. This article kinda hits on that.

[joshcryer]

40. Libyan rebels celebrate recapture of Ajdabiya - in pictures

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2011/mar/26/libyan-rebels-retake-ajdabiya-in-pictures">Libyan rebels celebrate recapture of Ajdabiya - in pictures
Latest scenes from Libya as anti-government rebels recapture strategically important city from Gaddafi forces

Awesome pics.



I was looking at Google earth and came across this structure, this was hours before Ajdabiya fell, very sweet photo.



May have to be our photo of the day tomorrow...

[defendandprotect]

101. LIBYA HURRA !!

[joshcryer]

41. Libya: Bernard-Henri Lévy dismisses criticism for leading France to conflict

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/libya-bernard-henri-levy-france">Libya: Bernard-Henri Lévy dismisses criticism for leading France to conflict
Criticism? Bernard-Henri Lévy waves his hands as if dismissing an irritating insect buzzing around him in the Café de Flore. "I say to my critics, you are right, but in that case you do your job and I will do mine," he says. "All they have to do is do their job, and I don't have to do this."

Unruffled as ever in his trademark Charvet white shirt, half-unbuttoned to reveal his tanned chest, the 62-year-old French philosopher is used to being in the line of fire – some of it, from Bosnia in the 1990s and Burundi in 2000, all too real and dangerous.

But last week the censure was political: the self-appointed intellectual-at-large was under attack for reportedly persuading France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to meet and recognise the rebels in Libya. He has been nicknamed "foreign minister B" and was allegedly the driving force behind Sarkozy's "diplomatic blitzkrieg" to secure international approval for military action against Muammar Gaddafi. In short BHL, as he is known, is accused of meddling in affairs of state.

[pinboy3niner]

42. Behind the Scenes of the French Lead on Libya

Nathan Gardels.Editor, NPQ, Global Services of Los Angeles Times Syndicate/Tribune Media
Posted: March 26, 2011 07:12 AM


Behind the Scenes of the French Lead on Libya



The French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy and Bernard Kouchner, founder of Doctors Without Borders and until last year President Sarkozy's foreign minister, have long been champions of "the right to protect" -- that is, the right of the international community to intervene if a sovereign is committing crimes against his own people.

It is thus no surprise that BHL (as he is known in France) was involved behind the scenes
in moving President Sarkozy to take the lead in Libya. Here is my conversation with him about the lead up to the strikes against Gaddafi's forces, the aims of the military campaign and the nature of the Libyan rebels France has recognized:

NATHAN GARDELS: It's been said that you have played the key role in convincing Sarkozy to enter into this war.

BERNARD-HENRI LEVY: The key role, I don't know. President Sarkozy is certainly old enough to know what he has to do. Especially since, as you may know, I am a fierce opponent of his policies. I didn't vote for him in 2007. I will not vote for him in 2012. And he knows it.

GARDELS: Then why is it that you were present on March 10th, at the Elysée, when he received the representatives of the National Council of Transition and recognized them as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people?

BHL: Well, that's something else. I was there because I was the one who arranged the meeting. I am the one who convinced Sarkozy to receive these three men and who had suggested this "diplomatic recognition" to him. I was in Benghazi covering a story in the liberated section of Libya. As luck would have it, I met these people from the National Council of Transition and, in particular, its president, Mustafa Abdel Jalil. And it's true that I called the president of my country from Benghazi to tell him, "There are people here, good people; these people hold the same values as we do, and they're going to die to the last one if we allow Gaddafi to go on to the conclusion of his criminal logic. Would you accept to receive them in Paris and thus send a strong signal to the butcher?" Nicolas Sarkozy immediately said yes. And he confirmed his agreement the following Monday, on the morning I returned, when I went to see him at the Elysée.

GARDELS: Fine. But why did you operate in secret? And place your partners, in particular the Europeans, before the fait accompli?

BHL: Because talking about this idea, verbalizing it, revealing it, would have meant its failure. When you consider everything that happened afterwards -- squawks of protest from one and the other, dilatory maneuvers of all kinds -- you can imagine what would have taken place beforehand: The operation would simply have been drowned in the flood of quibbling and neo-Munichesque blah-blah-blah. It would have been sabotaged before it had even begun. It had to be secret. For this powerful political act, this decisive act of sovereignty, this act that would break with all custom, all diplomatic rules, all conformisms, the effect of surprise was absolutely necessary. Nicolas Sarkozy understood that. And I am grateful to him for that.

GARDELS: From your point of view, what is the purpose of the operation?

BHL: The purpose is written in the resolution. To protect civilians. To prevent the bloodbath Gaddafi is anticipating. And, beyond that, to break the military machine that Gaddafi, as you know, had turned against his own people. Protecting civilians, then, is putting the army and the power of Gaddafi out of commission.

...

More:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathan-gardels/behind-the-scenes-of-the_b_840946.html

[bobbolink]

129. What we're seeing on DU confirms the blah-blah-blah :(

[joshcryer]

43. Libya. The Observer debate: Is it right to be intervening in Libya's struggle for freedom?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/27/observer-debate-intervention-libya-yes-no">Libya. The Observer debate: Is it right to be intervening in Libya's struggle for freedom?
Peter Preston: YES We can't betray the idealistic young in their quest for a better life

It's all very simple when you strip away the deluding detritus of history: simple politically, simple morally, a simple matter of common humanity. We – not just in the west, but east, south and north – say, sometimes passionately, that we believe in democracy and the liberating power of freedom. We rejoiced when freedom's waves rolled over Tunisia and Egypt all unannounced.

We welcomed those revolutions with fair words and soaring Obamaspeak (plus some more lumpen Haguespeak). We may be a bit pensive about Bahrain and the Yemen now, about Syria and Saudi lying somewhere down the line: but there's still no doubt where we stand or what we led those who rose spontaneously against Gaddafi to believe.

That we shared their aspirations, their anger against corrupt, cruel oligarchies. That we were with them.

Some of us are anyway.

BTW, this is a "yes" / "no" forum, it is very long, worth a read if you're bored.

[MedleyMisty]

45. The people who aren't are giving me the same soulless feeling

that I get from Republicans. I swear. The same exact soulless feeling, and the same utter rage at their disregard for the lives of their fellow humans.

I need to take a break from this place before that rage gets out and I get tombstoned. Keep up the good work, and I'll see you guys later.

[bobbolink]

130. "soulless" That pretty much says it. I hadn't tought of it exactly that way... I was thinking

"knee-jerk", which I can relate to, since it is the way I feel about wars, too.

But, yes. the same lifeless arguments, the same dismissal of anything that might disrupt that same knee-jerk, and the same indifference to new information, as exemplified by the lack of response to my post about the women
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x752316


Yeah.... soulless is a good descriptive word.

It is tragic......

[joshcryer]

44. AJE: The cost of US action in Libya - video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBfWv3FGT1M

[joshcryer]

46. Libyan rebels are advancing westwards, and claim to have taken complete control of Brega.

9:40am Libyan rebels are advancing westwards, and claim to have taken complete control of the eastern oil port town of Brega. "Reports from rebels say that in Brega, the anti-government forces have now taken control of that entire town," Al Jazeera's Sue Turton reported from Benghazi on Sunday.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[joshcryer]

47. Libyan rebel fighters have pushed west to Uqayla! Wow...

10:38am Libyan rebel fighters have pushed west to Uqayla after they routed Muammar Gaddafi's forces from the strategic town of Ajdabiya, Al Jazeera Arabic correspondents reported.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[bobbolink]

133. They take that song "Marching On" seriously!

I don't know beans about strategy, so I will just hope and pray it all goes well.

[muriel_volestrangler]

48. French jets strike Gaddafi aircraft

French fighter aircraft have destroyed five Libyan air force planes and two helicopters in an attack on the forces of Col Muammar Gaddafi.

A French spokesman said the aircraft were caught on the ground at Misrata air base preparing to launch attacks in the area of the rebel-held town.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12873105

[joshcryer]

49. Italian-German plan for Libya: "Gaddafi in exile and more rights to the tribes"

http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2011/03/27/news/frattini_piano_italo-tedesco_per_la_libia_gheddafi_in_esilio_e_pi_diritti_alle_trib-14142806/?ref=HREA-1">Italian-German plan for Libya: "Gaddafi in exile and more rights to the tribes" (translated)
ROME - An Italian-German axis to the Libyan diplomatic solution to the crisis. Inevitably destined to flank the initiative announced by Sarkozy and Cameron. The Italian government will not give the baton to the Franco-British control room, in short, has a plan and is working so could result in a proposal. A real document to be finalized with the Registry and submit to the Merkel coalition summit Tuesday in London. A way out policy that Foreign Minister Franco Frattini anticipates Republic in its guidelines and that it should go - here is the turning point - through the exile of Colonel Gaddafi. "In these difficult days, Europe may have lost the pieces - is the reasoning of the head of the foreign ministry - we do not want to miss Germany and move toward a cease-fire will make it easier to return. We work together to travel with their last stretch of road, try to keep Europe together. "

Beginning tomorrow, NATO will take control of operations. At least that Italian diplomacy can claim success. Minister Frattini, what will change the scenario Libyan?
"Until now, at this early stage marked the emergency, there have been three separate controls of the operations. The Italian and American in Naples, a second British and French third. On Monday, the command will be in the hands of a supranational organization , NATO, which will move according to the guidelines of a European military and political. We relied on our good reasons. To be sure, Americans and British had said from the very beginning of agreement. "

[joshcryer]

50. AFP correspondents in Ras Lanuf say rebels have retaken the key oil town.

0938: AFP correspondents in Ras Lanuf say rebels have retaken the key oil town. We'll bring you more on this as we get it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

Gaddafi had nothing, he completely took everything to Benghazi, what a murderous asshole.

[malaise]

51. Imperialism gone mad

Seize the oil town and the oil port.

[joshcryer]

52. They had it 3 weeks ago.

But yes, the two state solution is available now. :hi:

[dionysus]

174. oh lord...

:rofl:

[joshcryer]

53. Al Jazeera's James Bays reported from Uqayla, where opposition rebels had taken control.

12:01pm Al Jazeera's James Bays reported from Uqayla, where opposition rebels had taken control. He said the recent advances made by anti-Gaddafi fighters could prove problematic for western coalition forces.

The coalition forces can say everything they are doing is aimed at protecting civilians. But now it's not Gaddafi forces who are advancing, it's opposition forces advancing. The next big place on the map after Ras Lanuf is Sirte. Now that is a big city, it's Gaddafi's stronghold. If opposition fighters start advancing on that, how can you say it's Gaddafi's forces who are threatening civilians? Gaddafi's forces will be the ones holding the ground, and those that are advancing would be the opposition fighters. (It will be) much harder I think for the coalition then to act in favour of the opposition in the terms of that UN resolution.

[joshcryer]

54. Even money that the revolutionaries get safe passage by Sirte.

[Waiting For Everyman]

63. Why does Bays assume that the opposition would be aggressive?

They haven't been yet, and took a lot of towns the first time. It was towns voluntarily joining. They didn't get to Sirt before, but come on, the hand-wringing needs to back off. The oppositon is NOT Gaddafi-like. It's not who they are. They have only defended themselves when attacked.

[joshcryer]

65. Remember, back during the original push, Sirt was negotiating safe passage.

I believe those negotiations will be restarted.

[Waiting For Everyman]

68. I think you're right.

[CJvR]

69. I hope that...

...NATO have enough brains and balls to bomb any Gaddafi loyalists in Sirte to hell. Leaving the city as a Gaddafi fortress will be to sign the death warrant for every rebel in the west.

[joshcryer]

72. Depends on whether or not they're looking for a two state solution.

Frankly I think a two state solution is goddamn retarded since Tripoli has most of the population and Misrata is under seige. The rebels need to get there.

We'll see soon, within the next week or two.

Hopefully the efforts to get Gaddafi to leave will work out.

[joshcryer]

55. Dozens of Syrians reported killed in Daraa

http://insidethemiddleeast.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/27/dozens-of-syrians-reported-killed-in-daraa/">Dozens of Syrians reported killed in Daraa
Violent protests erupted Friday in Syria, with dozens of people killed in and around the restive city of Daraa and a boy slain in the coastal town of Latakia, reports said.

"The situation in Syria has worsened considerably over the past week, with the use of live ammunition and tear gas by the authorities having resulted in a total of at least 37 people being killed in Daraa , including two children," said Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Among the dead were 15 people who tried to march to Daraa, sources said, and nine others who died when security forces fired on demonstrators in Daraa's main square, said Wissam Tarif, a human rights activist.

[joshcryer]

56. 20 protesters killed in the Syrian town, Sanamein

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3174388.htm">20 protesters killed in the Syrian town, Sanamein
ELIZABETH JACKSON: The violent protests sweeping the Middle East show no sign of abating.

Big crowds have turned out in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and Jordan, renewing calls for freedom and democratic reforms.

In Syria witnesses are reporting another mass shooting, with as many as 20 killed in the southern town of Sanamein, not far from where another mass killing happened on Wednesday.

The government there has promised to investigate the shootings, but it's little comfort to the victims' families.

[joshcryer]

57. At least 55 dead in week of Syria protests-Amnesty

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/25/syria-protest-toll-idUSLDE72O23120110325">At least 55 dead in week of Syria protests-Amnesty
(Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International said on Friday at least 55 people are believed to have been killed since protests erupted in and around the southern Syrian city of Deraa a week ago.

Note: this is the past week of killings.

[joshcryer]

58. 100 killed in civil unrest in Syrian city

http://www.dailypioneer.com/326746/100-killed-in-civil-unrest-in-Syrian-city.html">100 killed in civil unrest in Syrian city
More than 100 persons were killed in police gunfire in Syria’s southern city of Daraa, human rights activists and witnesses said on Thursday.

“There are definitely more than 100 dead and the city will need a week to bury its martyrs,” said human rights activist Ayman al-Asswad in Daraa.

Asswad said security forces had “used real bullets” when firing against demonstrators on Wednesday in Daraa, 120 km south of Damascus, and a second activist put the figure as high as “more than 150” killed.

[joshcryer]

60. Moussa Ibrahim, a spokesman for the rebel council said intervention could lead to instability

1123: Moussa Ibrahim, a spokesman for the rebel council in Benghazi, told the BBC the foreign intervention could lead to instability. "It's not the first time you are attacking a country to implement democracy, and it's not the first time you are failing. Our destiny we decide ourselves through and within the political and social and economic system of Libya."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

[joshcryer]

61. "Rockets and bombs will make the country like Iraq, civil war, de-stability, misery"

1126: "Rockets and bombs will make the country like Iraq, civil war, de-stability, misery," said Mr Ibrahim. "People are feeling bitter, are feeling hateful, angry, and this is not a good atmosphere for democracy."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

[joshcryer]

62. Something about this report. "Moussa Ibrahim" is the Gaddafi spokesman...

...who said the women who was raped was drunk and delusional.

[Waiting For Everyman]

67. That's confusing. Could it be two guys with the same name?

Like "Bob Smith"? That's a good question though - what's up with that?

[joshcryer]

71. Nope: Our 1123 entry mistakenly referred to Moussa Ibrahim as a rebel spokesman.

1158: Our 1123 entry mistakenly referred to Moussa Ibrahim as a rebel spokesman. He is in fact a spokesman for the Libyan government. This has now been corrected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

Knew that was bullshit (I check my facts, damnit!).

[bobbolink]

135. There are certainly a lot of DUers who are quoting this bs, too!

Its one thing to have an opinion without knowing all the facts and history of it... we have all done that from time to time.

Its another thing to have the information in front of you, and refuse to consider it.

[al bupp]

64. A resident of Misrata has told the BBC a huge ammunition depot was hit last night

1144: A resident of Misrata has told the BBC a huge ammunition depot was hit last night. "It kept blowing up all night because of the ammunitions inside, it was quite spectacular. We are relieved that it has been destroyed."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

[joshcryer]

66. Libyan's State TV's translated response to Rape victim Yesterday

http://egyptday1.blogspot.com/2011/03/libyans-state-tvs-translated-response.html

[Waiting For Everyman]

70. The Arabic video title says "Iman al-Obeidi tears tears of crocodiles".

by Google Translator. The description under the vid didn't make much sense after google-translating.

Oops, didn't see that you had it already.

[joshcryer]

73. The BBC's Ben Brown in eastern Libya says the rebels are in a state of high excitement

1208: The BBC's Ben Brown in eastern Libya says the rebels are in a state of high excitement as they move westwards, firing their guns into the air and performing wheel spins as they drive off.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

[CJvR]

77. It would have been better.

If they shot at the enemy and used tyres and gas to chase Gaddafi's troops before they get re-armed at Sirte. Gaddafi's troops lost equipment in the recent battles but not, it seems, alot of troops.

[joshcryer]

79. I'm pissed that they're wasting fucking ammo. :(

[joshcryer]

74. Syrian government officials say President Bashar al-Assad will address the nation soon

1211: Syrian government officials say President Bashar al-Assad will address the nation soon, AFP reports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12776418

[CJvR]

75. Ras Lanuf!

Report that Ras Lanuf has fallen! Thats almost halfway between Brega and Sirte IIRC.

There really isn't anything between the rebellion and Sirte now. Sirte will be the true test of Gaddafi's support in Libya, if it caves in it is game over for Mad Dog % co.

[joshcryer]

76. Yep, and Misrata, after being besieged for almost 2 weeks, will have lots of volunteers...

...ready to march on Tripoli.

Once the people in Tripoli feel safe they will start protesting heavily as they did in the beginning, many of them who are hit by the rationing and the backhanded deals will also be quite unpleased with the way things are going and have a "change of mind."

It's going to be quite fucking interesting. The wealthy in Tripoli have families, too, and they will be hard pressed to just let Gaddafi hold them and their families hostage.

[CJvR]

80. Ah...

...that assumes Misrata can hold, you can bet the screeching to halt the campaign will reach a crescendo at Sirte since it is the last realistic chance to save Gaddafi.

If not... Well the nick of "MAD DOG" is well earned.

[joshcryer]

81. Allies keep hitting airstrikes on Misrata, no tanks are going to get to Sirte that aren't there.

Misrata is already fallen for all intents, it's much much bigger than Al Zawaiya, and it will never be "fully" taken, you can disappear people all day and night, it's 300k people. People might go in to hiding, but overall it's not takable in any reasonable period of time. Tripoli was silenced because most of the military guard is there. Put up checkpoints on every street corner, etc. And there are still reports that green flag people get rocks thrown at them when riding through less pro-Gaddafi areas.

[Waiting For Everyman]

82. Great summation of reasons to support Libya intervention by Juan Cole.

"An Open Letter to the Left on Libya", posted today. I highly recommend it. He has all of the objections dealt with - conclusively, imo.

http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/an-open-letter-to-the-left-on-libya.html

I posted it in GD already:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x750979

[Iterate]

84. Thanks for posting that

I've been looking something like that, but never would have found it and never could have written it.

To me, it is, or should be, a central topic in the left for a long, slow, discussion. If we don't, we'll be played and divided, over and over.

I'll post to it little later; for now though, life intervenes and I have so many ideas in my head it's making my stomach ache.

[defendandprotect]

102. K/R -- LIBYA HURRA!!

[CJvR]

83. Bin Jawwad!

Al-Jaz reporters were with the rebs at Bin Jawwad, scout units were even further out west.

Running Gaddafi loyalists didn't even blow their ammo dumps - thank you very much!

[Yosarian71]

85. thinking about Josh's post above

For starters, these are great threads. I check them several times a thread.

As for the specific reports from Bin Jawwad, it is possible that there is no longer a Gadhafi army in the east after Benghazi, Ajdabiya and the retreat to Brega. We will find out soon enough when the rebels get to Sirte, but it is possible that the tribes of Sirte are literally all that Gadhafi has left east of Misurata. There may not be a regular military left.

[bobbolink]

138. Welcome to DU, and the daily Libyan threads in particular!

:bounce: :toast: :party: :bounce:

I hope that your supposition about Gs troops prove accurate! :yourock:

[pinboy3niner]

141. Welcome to DU, Yosarian71!

Nice first post (and nice username). You're welcome to post here any time. :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

86. Opposition is meeting "absolutely no resistance in its advance"---Jim Maceda, NBC News

Live feed report on MSNBC just now:

The rebels have moved 180 miles in the last 24 hours...met absolutely no resistance...Gaddafi's forces are just not there. A lot of destroyed materiel IS there, the result of allied airstrikes, but no Gaddafi forces..

Government forces are pulling back all the way to Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown. "The whole military aspect of this will become political iln the days ahead."

[CJvR]

88. Lets hope...

...someone in Bengazi remembers to ship food, water, gas and ammo after the enthusiasts.

[pinboy3niner]

87. "Misurata is under attack, the city and the port area where thousands of workers are"

Eyewitnesses say pro-Gaddafi forces have resumed shelling the rebel-held city of Misurata, ending a brief lull in fighting following air raids by international forces.

A resident, Saadoun, told Reuters by phone:

Misurata is under attack, the city and the port area where thousands of workers are. We don't know whether it's artillery or mortars.

4:05pm
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[pinboy3niner]

89. Tripoli: "It is not easy to get fuel, to get bread, to get anything..."

Fuel and food are running short in Tripoli, with long queues forming in front of petrol stations as residents rush to stock up on supplies on Sunday.

A resident, Radwan, told Reuters news agency after waiting 90 minutes for petrol:

It is not easy to get fuel, to get bread, to get anything, food for example. It is hard to get these things and stock for us.

Are they trying to free us or are they trying to get something from Libya? I don't know exactly.

3:30pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[pinboy3niner]

90. Tripoli witness: The Whistlers on the Roof...

26 March 2011 Last updated at 12:34 ET

Tripoli witness: fear and uncertainty

The uncertainties and fear over what is to come and what is happening at present remain rife in Libya, as the coalition air strikes on military targets continue. One Tripoli resident - who did not want to be identified for security reasons - describes the mood in the capital.

...


Whistlers on roof

A new public talent is on display these days.

Every night in Tripoli, since the coalition air strikes began, people race to the rooftops of their buildings or houses at the first audible sound of anti-aircraft artillery shots or the rumble of an explosion.

A few minutes in, you will start hearing the men whistling, some are close, others from a distance, and - in the otherwise still and silent dead of night - the chorus of whistling echoes across the neighbourhoods and rises up.

No-one really knows what the whistling means - we're left privately assuming that there is an underlying tone of excitement in the choir and not of the type that would impress the regime.

Another new talent being enforced is stone-throwing. I have yet to see it for myself, but my friends excitedly tell me of the scenes they witnessed.

"Some people in Ben Ashour area and in Souk el-Jumaa district have been stoning the pro-Gaddafi, green flag-bearing cars that drivedown their streets; they throw the stones and sprint," they say.

...

[deaniac21]

91. Yay, War!

[pinboy3niner]

92. Reuters: U.S. to cut its role in Libya soon

U.S. to cut its role in Libya soon http://t.co/1XtiOJV
4 minutes ago via Tweet Button

[pinboy3niner]

93. Al Jazeera: Rebels say they plan to start exporting oil "in less than a week"

Libyan rebels have said they plan to start exporting oil from fields in their territory "in less than a week", and said the Gulf nation of Qatar will market the crude.

A rebel representative, Ali Tarhoni, said he signed a contract with Qatar recently and the deal will ensure "access to liquidity in terms of foreign denominated currency".

We are producing about 100,000 to 130,000 barrels a day, we can easily up that to about 300,000 a day.

We contacted the oil company of Qatar and they agreed to take all the oil we export and market that oil for us. We have an escrow account ... and the money will be deposited in this account, and this way there is no middle man and we know where the money is going.

5:15pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[defendandprotect]

103. KR

[Waiting For Everyman]

144. Tarhoni is the Univ. of Washington (state) economics professor.

Thread posted yesterday by BluerThanBlue:
http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x739862

Another one:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=729912&mesg_id=729912



Ali Tarhouni
Senior Lecturer in Business Economics, U of WA

PhD, Michigan State University, 1983
MA, Michigan State University, 1978
BA, Libyan University, 1973

Specialties
Managerial economics, macroeconomic analysis, financial institutions and markets, international finance and investments.

Positions Held
Joined the University of Washington in 1985.
Assistant professor at Washington State University (1984-85)

Current Research
Cost factors in trauma centers, productivity measurement in the unified German economy, reaction of bank stocks to Latin American debt announcements.

Honors and Awards
MBA Core Professor of the Quarter for Autumn (2007, 2008)
E-Business Core Professor of the Quarter for Autumn (2003)
MBA Core Professor of the Quarter for Autumn (1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2003)
PACCAR Award for Teaching Excellence (2002)
Daniel R. Siegel Service Award (2000, 2001)
Professor of the Year (1998)
Charles Summer Memorial Teaching Award (1997, 1998, 2002)
ADMIN 510 Outstanding Instructor (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
Tyee Instructor of the Year (1987)

Academic Service
Advisory Board of the Center of Instructional Development and Research (CIDR) and the Business and Economics Development Program (BEDP).
Helped develop the School's Instructional Resources Office (1994) and the Business and Economic Development Program (1992).

Selected Publications
"Valuation of Internet Companies; Irrational Bubble or Change but Rational Expectations?", with Ed Rice, The E-Business Review, September 2003.

"What’s New on the Internet," with Ed Rice, The E-Business Review, September 2002.

Selected Consulting Experience
Food and Agriculture Organization, consultant. Sit on a number of advisory boards of Technology and Internet companies.

http://www.foster.washington.edu/centers/facultyresearc...

[bobbolink]

150. Sadly, the three of us were the only posters. "You can lead a horse to water....."

DUer with hands over ears, singing a favorite song..."La la la la... I can't hear you!"

[pinboy3niner]

94. martinchulov: As #Libya's rebels push west, Sirte remains a fortress...

martinchulov: As #Libya's rebels push west, Sirte remains a fortress. It's #Gaddafi's tribal stronghold & 1 place where his support is staunch.

about 5 minutes ago


Chulov is a correspondent for The Guardian in Libya.

[pinboy3niner]

95. Libyan authorities remove art from journalists' hotel in Tripoli

Curious. Jim Maceda, NBC News, reports art removed. He says when journos asked why, they were told it's because there might be looting. :wtf:

[pinboy3niner]

96. Rebels now control main oil terminals at Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk

Soource: Reuters

Libyan rebels push west, eye Gaddafi stronghold


By Angus MacSwan

BIN JAWAD, Libya | Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:46am EDT


(Reuters) - Libyan rebels took back control on Sunday of the town of Bin Jawad, 525 km (330 miles) east of the capital Tripoli, and said they would push on soon toward Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte.

The rebels have dashed west unchallenged after routing Gaddafi's forces at the strategic town of Ajdabiyah early on Saturday with the help of Western air strikes.

The advance puts the rebels back in control of all the main oil terminals in the eastern half of Libya, namely Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina and Tobruk.

Some 4 km west of beyond Bin Jawad, the rebels were waiting near the main coastal road with three multiple rocket launchers, six anti-aircraft guns and around a dozen machine gun mounted pick-ups.


(Writing by Tom Pfeiffer in Cairo)


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/27/us-libya-east-idUSTRE72Q17S20110327

[pinboy3niner]

99. Only Qaddafi's Ouster Defines Success in Libya: Albert Hunt

Bloomberg Opinion


Only Qaddafi's Ouster Defines Success in Libya: Albert Hunt


By Albert R. Hunt - Mar 27, 2011 8:01 AM PT Bloomberg Opinion


Democratic Congressman Dennis Kucinich raises the possibility of impeaching President Barack Obama for aggressive air strikes against Libya, while Mitt Romney, a potential Republican presidential candidate, says the policy shows the commander in chief to be “tentative, indecisive, timid and nuanced.”

Obama can brush aside these criticisms. Every modern president would have been impeached under Kucinich’s standards. And, to borrow a time-worn phrase, if Obama walked across the Potomac River, rivals such as Romney would say that only proves he can’t swim.

What the president can’t brush aside is Muammar Qaddafi, who he declared must leave power. If a year from now the dictator still rules Libya, thumbing his nose at the West and plotting revenge, Obama’s political prospects will suffer and Romney’s critique will resonate.

...


If the current move doesn’t topple the aging colonel, he will assuredly taunt Obama and plot similar acts of terrorism.

The White House usually doesn’t look to Sarah Palin for political wisdom. When she declared the other day that the objective in Libya has to be to “win it,” and “win it means Qaddafi goes,” she could have been channeling Obama.


(Albert R. Hunt is the executive editor for Washington at Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-27/only-qaddafi-s-ouster-defines-success-in-libya-commentary-by-albert-hunt.html

[defendandprotect]

104. As protesters come closer to Tripoli, anyone's guess as to what Gaddafi will do?

[pinboy3niner]

105. NATO considers expanded role in Libya

NATO considers expanded role in Libya


By Paula Newton, CNN
March 27, 2011 -- Updated 1612 GMT (0012 HKT)



Brussels, Belgium (CNN) -- As NATO prepares to take over responsibility for the no-fly zone in Libya, the 28-member alliance on Sunday was also debating a separate plan to expand military actions in the country at war.

NATO's military committee approved an operations plan early Sunday that would shift the entire Libyan mission to alliance command, including rules of engagement. This technical approval now requires unanimous political consent from all members before NATO officially takes the operation over.

As NATO ambassadors prepared to meet Sunday evening in Brussels to discuss the plan, NATO sources said it was not a done deal and divisions remained about if and when to engage in airstrikes against Libyan ground forces.

At the same time, NATO was putting the final touches on its takeover of the no-fly zone over Libya. The handover from the United States and allies should be complete by Monday. NATO officials described the transition as phased and seamless operation.

While agreement on the no-fly zone was contentious, agreement on taking over the entire operation is said to be even more sensitive with some nations.

...



http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/27/libya.nato/

[Iterate]

106. Posted in Pvid: ITV Tonight Documentary: Gaddafi and Me

ITV Tonight Documentary: Gaddafi and Me
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x567243

or http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/itv-tonight-documentary-gaddafi-and-me/

or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFAmeYiVCGA

[pinboy3niner]

107. Defense Secretary Robert Gates: Libya not 'vital interest' for U.S.

Despite the heavy involvement of U.S. forces and the rising costs of the Libyan operation, Gates said that Libya did not rank high on the list of U.S. national security concerns.

"I don't think it's a vital interest for the U.S.," Gates said on NBC's "Meet The Press," but he added that Libya was part of a Mideast region that was a vital interest.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2011/03/27/2011-03-27_gates_libya_not_vital_interest_for_us.html

[pinboy3niner]

108. Libya: 'son of high-ranking official' raped woman detained in hotel

Source: The Telegraph

Libya: 'son of high-ranking official' raped woman detained in hotel


A woman who has become the public face of Libyan oppression has said the son of a high-ranking official raped her.


By Damien McElroy, Tripoli 5:34PM BST 27 Mar 2011


Moussa Ibrahim, a spokesman for the Libyan government, attempted on Sunday to allay fears for Iman al-Obeidi, who was arrested over the weekend after storming into a Tripoli hotel full of foreign journalists and making public accusations of torture and sexual abuse.

Mr Ibrahim promised those responsible for alleged gang rape would be prosecuted. But he failed to honour a promise that the woman would be allowed to speak to journalists.

Five men, including the son of a security force leader, who has not been named, have since been arrested.

Mr Ibrahim on Sunday implied the woman was forced to earn a living from prostitution. A party with a group of men she had previously known went wrong last week after she was forced to drink alcohol. "We asked her why she was making a political issue of this and unfortunately one of the young men who had raped her was the son of a high-ranking person working for the state," he said yesterday. "It is unfortunate but it seems that she has a young child and is living with her sister after a divorce. It seems that she has to making a living by partying with men." "Look at what Gaddafi's militias did to me," Miss Obeidi told journalists at the weekend. "Look at what happens – Gaddafi's militiamen kidnap women at gunpoint, and rape them – they rape them."

...


The government has promised to arrange a meeting between Miss Obiedi and female correspondents should her sister and other family members agree. "She is keen to meet with the press to explain all this but her family must agree. It's a very local thing – a custom in Arab society that the family must give their consent," Mr Ibrahim said.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8409649/Libya-son-of-high-ranking-official-raped-woman-detained-in-hotel.html

[pinboy3niner]

109. A convoy of 20 military vehicles has reportedly left Sirte moving towards Tripoli--AJE

A convoy of 20 military vehicles have reportedly left Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte and moving towards the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Dozens of cars crammed with families and belongings were seen along the coastal road heading towards the capital.


6:30pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[CJvR]

111. Mmmm...

...promising.

[pinboy3niner]

110. NATO has begun to execute the no-fly zone operations, naval arms embargo--Bouchard

A army officer says NATO has begun to execute the no-fly zone operations over Libya and impose a naval arms embargo.

Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, the Canadian general in charge of NATO operations codenamed "Operation Unified Protector", said on Sunday:

Along with its non-NATO partners, NATO will do everything it can to deny any use of air power and it will do so with care and precision to avoid harming the people of Libya.

Our current mission is to close Libya's airspace to all flights except aid and humanitarian flights.

Bouchard has been appointed to run Libya operations based in Naples, Italy, enforcing a UN-mandated no-fly zone and arms embargo.


6:53pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[pinboy3niner]

112. Libya: Gaddafi forces dig in for stand in home town

Source: The Telegraph

Libya: Gaddafi forces dig in for stand in home town


Nato commanders say Libyan regime forces have begun digging in for a last stand in the town where Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was born, raising the prospect that a bloody battle lies ahead as rebel forces barrel westward.




Libyan rebels on the road to Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte Photo: AFP


By Praveen Swami, Rosa Prince and Toby Harnden 6:01PM BST 27 Mar 2011


Nato sources said regime forces who retreated in the face of the rebel advance have begun locating their armour and artillery inside civilian buildings in Sirte, a tactic designed to make air strikes fraught with risk. Sirte, which Col Gaddafi repeatedly tried to turn into Libya’s capital, is dominated by members of Col Gaddafi’s own tribe, the Qadafdha, who remain largely loyal to the regime.

Nato has already targeted the two squadrons of obsolescent Su22 Soviet-era jets housed inside hardened bunkers at the Sirte airbase, located alongside the civilian airport.

A senior French Nato official told The Daily Telegraph one strategy could be to starve out the regime forces in Sirte, who do not have the stockpiles of supplies needed to weather a prolonged siege.

...


Libyan military convoys traversing the route from Tripoli have already been choked off by air strikes, and Nato has moved in naval assets to close the option of resupply by sea. But a prolonged siege could mean real hardship for civilians. Franco Frattini, Italy’s foreign minister, has said he will be pushing for a plan that involves a ceasefire, a humanitarian corridor and exile for Col Gaddafi.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8409730/Libya-Gaddafi-forces-dig-in-for-stand-in-home-town.html

[pinboy3niner]

113. "I was reported to the security forces...I had...to come.... ...I would be killed or jailed..."

Colin Freeman, the Telegraph's correspondent in Benghazi, interviewed one of Gaddafi's military commanders, who defected to the rebels.

I was reported to the security forces and told I had no choice but to come. I thought I would be killed or jailed otherwise.

Gaddafi has never been a good man, he has never convinced me of his cause, and the morale among his troops has never been high.

But I didn't ever want any kind of fighting between Libyans, I thought that would never happen. I would rather things change in a peaceful way than fighting each other.

17.50:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8390035/Libya-Live.html

[pinboy3niner]

114. Link to full story:

Gaddafi commander: 'I was forced to fight'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8408665/Gaddafi-commander-I-was-forced-to-fight.html

[MedleyMisty]

115. Saw this pic on Twitter today.

[pinboy3niner]

116. Thanks--that's great!

One of the best I've seen. :thumbsup:

:hug:

[pinboy3niner]

117. A graphic description of the horrific aftermath of airstrikes...

A graphic description of the horrific aftermath of airstrikes from Sara Hussein, an AFP reporter on the scene near Ajdabiyah:

The body lies on its back, the charred head staring upwards, the right arm bent and the hand reaching out, everything below the upper torso gone - the remains of a soldier from Gaddafi's forces. The man's curly hair is still visible atop his scorched face. Standing over him, locals from the town of Ajdabiya take pictures and stare wide-eyed.

The body is one of dozens strewn on the road outside of Ajdabiya, a key eastern town that sits at the junction of roads leading to the oil town of Tobruk and the rebel-stronghold of Benghazi. Ajdabiyah was the scene of fierce fighting, and what locals describe as a brutal siege by Gaddafi's forces, which ended in the early hours of Saturday morning, after two days of heavy coalition airstrikes.

The damage caused by the aerial bombardment is astonishing. Body parts - some identifiable as such, pink and covered with flies, others little more than piles of ash - are visible next to blankets and the carcasses of tanks. A medical team from the city works to clear the bodies from the site, loading one after another from a stretcher into the back of a white pick-up truck. Volunteers wearing blue-green face masks try to cover the bodies.

One doctor, Osama Al-Qasy, estimates at least 21 bodies have already been put into the truck at the site, a few kilometres outside of Adjabiya's gate leading west. "But there are so many body parts, pieces, that we don't know yet how many there are here."


13.56:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8390035/Libya-Live.html

[MedleyMisty]

125. I saw that

I feel terrible for the Libyan military - they're being forced to fight just like our government forces our guys to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. I read where one guy was brought to a hospital and treated by the revolutionaries, and he said he was surprised to be treated so well, that he'd been told he was fighting Al Qaeda.

Al Qaeda is like Keyser Soze, I swear.

[pinboy3niner]

126. +2 (Bonus point for Keyser Soze reference :) ) nt

[pinboy3niner]

118. BREAKING, CNN: Explosions in Tripoli nt

[pinboy3niner]

119. BREAKING, REUTERS: Two Reuters TV journalists missing in Syria

Two Reuters TV journalists missing in Syria http://t.co/c8xtbii
6 minutes ago via Tweet Button

[MedleyMisty]

120. Another music video

Going to post it in Political Videos too, but as you know it won't get many recs or replies. Can't be going around seeing the humanity of the Libyans or anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccIf95VyboQ

Tripoli Calling, a song by a Libyan rapper. In Arabic, but you can turn on English subtitles.

Another link that definitely has subtitles - can't find the subtitle button on YouTube now - http://alive.in/libya/2011/03/23/song-tripoli-is-calling-english-subtitles/

[tabatha]

121. Women under Muslim Law - Winter 2011 Newsletter

In the winter 2011 issue of the WLUML newsletter, we feature an article on blasphemy laws and women’s rights in Pakistan, following the death sentence of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, for blasphemy in November 2010 – the first conviction of its kind for a woman. We also interview Iranian activist and WLUML networker, Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh, who won the 2010 Johann Philipp Palm Prize for defending freedom of expression and freedom of the press, on how she is continuing her activism work outside of Iran.

There were winners, too, amongst Muslim sportswomen from around the world – we cover the highlights from 2010.

Global action during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2010 offered the Violence is Not Our Culture Campaign key opportunities for raising the profile of its concerns on ‘culture’- and gender-based discrimination and violence against women – we feature a full report. Other international items include networkers’ reports from conferences in Malaysia, Peru and Senegal; excerpts from an article on technology and gender segregation in Saudi Arabia; and an interview with the London-based leader of the Somali Women’s Media Association.

We also announce the 2010 publication of Control and Sexuality: The Revival of Zina Laws in Muslim Contexts. This joint publication from WLUML and the Violence is Not Our Culture Campaign scopes the (re)emergence of zina laws, which govern and are the basis for prosecution for sex outside of marriage, in Muslim contexts.

Letter: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48488783/WLUML-Newsletter-11

Page link: http://www.wluml.org/node/6930

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WLUML

(Props to Josh for finding the site.)

[pinboy3niner]

122. NATO agrees to take full command of Libya operations--Reuters

NATO agrees to take full command of Libya operations http://t.co/9im37vh
2 minutes ago via Tweet Button

[pinboy3niner]

123. In Libya, The Truth Is Often Tough To Pin Down

In Libya, The Truth Is Often Tough To Pin Down

...


A school I recently visited was closed last month when protests broke out in the capital. When kids returned, they were back to singing their pro-government anthem. I asked the teacher what she told them about why school was closed.

Nothing, she said. Everything is fine here. And that's the message, 24 hours a day on state television, where all you see is green flags waving and a lot of cheering.

For Libyans who watch CNN or Al-Jazeera, the government tells them that's all lies. It says so on billboards around Tripoli, written in Arabic: "Brother citizens, be careful of the news. Lies and rumors are misleading."

The government wants Tripoli to seem like a place full of people who revere Gadhafi. It's not about making that impression on the West — it's about getting this message to stick in the capital.



Story and video from NPR Weekend Edition Sunday:
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/27/134859426/in-libya-the-truth-is-often-tough-to-pin-down

[pinboy3niner]

124. Libyan govt spokesman "appeared to suggest the leader might be moving around the country"

From Irish Times:

Libyan government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told reporters in the capital Tripoli that Gadafy was directing his forces but appeared to suggest the leader might be moving around the country so as to keep his whereabouts a mystery.

"He is leading the battle. He is leading the nation forward from anywhere in the country," said Mr Ibrahim. "He has many offices, many places around Libya. I assure you he is leading the nation at this very moment and he is in continuous communication with everyone around the country."

Asked if Gadafy was constantly on the move, Ibrahim said: "It's a time of war. In a time of war you act differently."


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0327/breaking6.html

[bobbolink]

146. "It's a time of war. In a time of war you act differently." I thought all was well. Peace every

where. Just fine.

It was only a few troublemakers who had hallucinogens in their Nescafe.

[pinboy3niner]

149. Did someone mention "hallucinogens in their Nescafe"?

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. The DEVIL made me do it! :evilgrin:

[bobbolink]

151. Aren't I a damned good straight man for ya?

:rofl:

that is such a wonderful drawing, I wanted to see it again! :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

152. We're a team, bobbo. YOU ROCK!

:hi:


:yourock:

[bobbolink]

154. I couldn't get here until later today, and I was going into withdrawals!

I hope I didn't clog up the thread too much.... ?

You have really created a refuge here, and I very much appreciate it.

Hey... any one who can tolerate my puns is a Great Person (tm)

:pals:

[defendandprotect]

177. IMO, that's a good sign -- Gaddifi no longer feels safe at his Tripoli compound --

[pinboy3niner]

127. Al Jazeera: Tripoli strikes hitting road to int'l airport--witnesses

Explosions were reported in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Sunday night as witnesses said they heard anti-aircraft fire. They said the strikes targetted the road to the international airport, about 10km outside the city.


8:45pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[pinboy3niner]

128. A message to Gaddafi forces from John Fogerty:

:evilgrin:


Bad Moon Rising
Creedence Clearwater Revival:
Songwriter: John Fogerty


I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightning.
I see bad times today.

CHORUS:

Don't go around tonight,
Well, it's bound to take your life,
There's a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes ablowing.
I know the end is coming soon.
I fear rivers over flowing.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

CHORUS

All right!

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we're in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

CHORUS

CHORUS

[Waiting For Everyman]

131. Translation of interview with Eman's family (seems for real)

Just got it from twitter, no time to excerpt, sorry:

http://feb17.info/general/video-eman-el-obeidis-cousin-speaks-out-translated/

They assume she is dead, unless Allah intervenes (a miracle). I'm wondering if Nic Robertson or others might be some part of that miracle though. I sense a twist in the story.

Detail: the journalist who intervened for her at the hotel, did it on purpose, KNOWING already that he was being deported the next day (what luck, right). So he is now out of Libya, and who knows what he might be able to do (Charles Clover of Financial Times btw).

Also, the interview contains info on how things are in Tripoli - not good for Gaddafi. A tweeter with a relative in Sirt also says they can't wait to dump him (lol). Evidently some of them are celebrating the possibility right now.

[pinboy3niner]

132. Jonathan Miller describes how the press tried to intervene:

Miller is a correspondent for Channel 4 News in Libya. His full report is worth reading, but here's an excerpt about part of the altercation at the hotel when Gaddafi's thugs arrived:

It was hard to get her story down though because a hotel waitress, brandishing a knife, was screaming back at her that she was betraying the Brother Leader. That she was a traitor.

Another "waiter", who normally serves us coffee and cold drinks, barged into cameramen who’d arrived at the scene, trying to stop them filming.

Government minders arrived.

These men are Gaddafi's thugs. The Financial Times correspondent, Charles Clover, who had just learned that he was to be summarily deported, bravely challenged the minders and the hotel staff, demanding they back off and leave Ms al-Obeidi alone.

For this Mr Clover was roughly manhandled, pushed and thrown to the floor and kicked. Another government minder, who had previously tried to interfere with our filming, punched me in the face and pushed me backwards over a chair.

I landed on my back, only to have another scuffle break out above me as the CNN crew grappled with other minders who were attempting to seize their camera.

The camera smashed and broke into pieces and the minders grabbed the memory cards.


http://www.channel4.com/news/libya-a-womans-cry-for-help-in-tripoli-hotel

[kenny blankenship]

137. I saw tape that also showed Miller trying to intervene as Gaddafy thugs shoved the woman into a car

He tried to wedge himself into the car door from behind and was shoved away. (I'm sure it's the same man as the guy identified as Johnathan Miller in an interview I saw.)

Obviously he couldn't stop what was going to happen to her, but at least he did all that he could do. He surely knew he couldn't stop it, but he also surely knew he was endangering himself by trying - how much danger would be impossible to say.

I would like to think that anyone here would do as Mr. Miller did, or would at least want to, but as I look over this website I have to admit that a majority would rather leave her to her fate and make lame excuses for the regime and its thugs.

[pinboy3niner]

139. Reminds me of an old song...

Three Dog Night Easy To Be Hard (3:52)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3i8dj_three-dog-night-easy-to-be-hard_music

Easy to Be Hard Lyrics - Three Dog Night


Easy to Be Hard
Three Dog Night

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who care about evil
And social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who say they care about evil and social injustice
Do you only Care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend?
Oh need a friend

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
C'mon Easy to give in
Easy to say no
Easy to be cold
Easy to say no
Easy to say no

[bobbolink]

148. My favorite song from HAIR! See,, my generation had some lasting effect... ^_^

[Waiting For Everyman]

140. Another quick tidbit: press release on her from the TNC (now INC)

Evidently called the Interim National Council now: a pdf file

http://www.freeulema.org/press_releases/INCPress%20Release_27.03.11.pdf a

Btw, it is a capital offense in Libya to be involved with a human rights group. CAPITAL, meaning if caught you'd be executed for it! Unreal. So that eliminates any complaining about human rights abuses, doesn't it?

Well, this pr release does plenty of that. It strikes me as a "stick in the eye" to Gaddafi. And a good one at that.

[pinboy3niner]

134. Reports from MSNBC, others: Airstrikes hitting Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown

NBC News also reports 10 explosions heard in Tripoli, where previous reports indicate the road to the int'l airport was being targeted.

[pinboy3niner]

136. The US has reduced its naval firepower aimed at Libyan forces

Al Jazeera reports:

The US has pulled back its naval firepower aimed at Libyan forces, a sign of confidence that the week-long assault has crippled Gaddafi's air defences, as the military mission gains ground in Tripoli.

At least one of the five navy ships and submarines that launched Tomahawk cruise missiles in the early days of the air strikes has left the area, defence officials said.


9:30pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[CJvR]

157. Modern warships...

...dont have that many missiles to fire. They are probably being pulled back to re-arm in case they are needed again.

[pinboy3niner]

142. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 10:40 PM SUNDAY, MARCH 27

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

[pinboy3niner]

143. Gaddafi's troops "scared as rats...dropping their weapons & uniforms & dressing as cililians"

AJE reports:

Meanwhile, Gaddafi loyalists were reportedly running scared after rebel fighters seized back Ajdabiya and Brega in recent days.

Mohamed Ali el-Atwish, a 42-year-old fighter, told AFP:

Gaddafi's forces are now scared rats. They are dropping their weapons and uniforms and dressing as civilians. We are no longer concerned about Gaddafi's forces at all.

9:48pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[CJvR]

161. Big words!

Once the rebs win a few battles on their own merits those words might even have some substance.

Replace Europe with rebels and this is spot on for the situation...
http://www.seattlepi.com/horsey/viewbytopic.asp?topic=International%20news&id=595

[pinboy3niner]

145. NATO has taken full command of Libya military operations--Sec. Gen. Rasmussen

NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced on Sunday that the bloc has taken full command of military operations in Libya from a US-led coalition. He said:

Our goal is to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack from the Gaddafi regime. NATO will implement all aspects of the UN resolution. Nothing more, nothing less.

9:48pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

[pinboy3niner]

147. African migrants fleeing Libya arrived in Italy today (first landing to reach Europe since uprising)

Boatloads of African migrants fleeing Libya arrived in Italy on Sunday, the first such landing to reach Europe since the start of the uprising against Gaddafi. About 800 mostly Eritreans, Ethiopeans and Somalis in three boats landed on the tiny island of Linosa, close to Lampedusa where thousands have been arriving from Tunisia, fleeing the uprising in that country.

Mussie Zerai, an Eritrean Catholic priest in Italy who has been in contact with many of the migrants via satellite phone, said hundreds of loves of refugees fleeing Libya have been saved. He added:

We know there are still many others trapped in Libya. We appeal to the solidarity of the European Union at this dramatic time... to welcome the Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somalian refugees.

9:57pm:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-27

Link to BBC news report:

Boats from Libya join migrant influx in southern Italy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12876117?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[pinboy3niner]

153. Libya: Airstrikes reported in Tripoli, Sirte--CBS News/AP

March 27, 2011

Libya: Airstrikes reported in Tripoli, Sirte


Explosions, anti-aircraft fire heard in capital; Qaddafi stronghold under coalition bombardment as rebel forces advance from east


(CBS/AP) TRIPOLI, Libya - Several explosions and bursts of anti-aircraft fire were reported in the Libyan capital Sunday.


There were at least nine loud explosions in Tripoli after nightfall, and anti-aircraft fire was heard.


An Associated Press reporter in the capital said international forces were heavily bombarding the city that is Qaddafi's main support base.


Libyan State Television issued a news flash that civilian and military areas had been hit "by the crusader, colonialist aggressors."


State TV also reported that international airstrikes were targeting Muammar Qaddafi's hometown and stronghold of Sirte for the first time.





http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/27/501364/main20047662.shtml

[bobbolink]

155. Its really getting down to business now. Just saw a teaser on this on teevee.

This is make or break time, right?

Here's to NATO, here's to the UN, and here's to the success of the Responsibility resolution!

:toast:

[CJvR]

169. As long as...

...Sirte holds Gaddafi have a realistic chance to win, as was demonstrated by the advance on Bengazi. If Sirte falls it should be the beginning of the end.

[bobbolink]

170. the media is pushing Tripoli right now. Any reliable word how well prepared the revolutionaries are

for Sirte?

Has the coalition "softened it up"?

[pinboy3niner]

171. There were coalition airstrikes there overnight

In the military, that's what's known as 'softening up' a target. :)

[bobbolink]

173. OK, I had missed that.. or hadn't heard it. I hope they were thorough!

Thanks!

[CJvR]

172. Havn't heard anything.

Given the total rout of the Loyalist forces out west it will depend on what loyal forces remains in Sirte. Even if the Rebs are disorganized they should try to roll in quickly before the retreating troops have a chance to regroup and re-arm. If Gaddafi have reserve material available Sirte is probably where it would be stashed.

If Gaddafi have significant support and manages to rally his defeated troops Sirte could be very messy indeed.

[pinboy3niner]

156. Hit by shortages, Tripoli fearful of tomorrow

Source: Reuters

Hit by shortages, Tripoli fearful of tomorrow


By Maria Golovnina

TRIPOLI | Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:55pm EDT


(Reuters) - Outside the impenetrable walls of Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, fuel shortages and endless queues are compounding an atmosphere of gloom in a city already worn out by weeks of conflict.

Rebel forces are advancing fast toward Gaddafi's biggest stronghold, and ordinary people in the capital -- regardless of their political views -- are fearful of what is to come.

Tripoli lives to the sound of explosions and anti-aircraft gunfire as Western air strikes continue, and the new reality has emboldened some to express their frustrations more openly.

"The situation is getting worse and worse. I am a simple person. I don't know why," said Radwan, a man in his 40s, as he lined up to buy fuel at a petrol station in central Tripoli.

"Everything is hard. There is a problem with food, even with bread. You can't buy bread easily. I buy flour and I make my own bread. I am worried. There is a serious problem."

...


More:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/27/us-libya-tripoli-queues-idUSTRE72Q2IZ20110327?WT.tsrc=Social%20Media&WT.z_smid=twtr-reuters_%20com&WT.z_smid_dest=Twitter

[Tx4obama]

158. NATO's new Libya code name: Operation Unified Protector

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Unified_Protector

p.s. I didn't know if this had been mentioned yet.

[CJvR]

165. Couldn't they be honest?

It should be "Operation Kick the Mad Dog - HARD", pityful even the operation names are becoming PC sissyfied.

[pinboy3niner]

159. Turkey offers to broker Libya ceasefire as rebels advance on Sirte

Source: The Guardian

Turkey offers to broker Libya ceasefire as rebels advance on Sirte


Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenges western direct action and says prolonged conflict could lead to a 'second Iraq'


Seumas Milne in Istanbul guardian.co.uk, Sunday 27 March 2011 21.30 BST



Libyan rebels outside Ras Lanouf: The Turkish prime minister urged that 'we have to bring an end' to the civil war. Photograph: Anja Niedringhaus/AP


The Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signalled that Turkey is ready to act as a mediator to broker an early ceasefire in Libya, as he warned that a drawn-out conflict risked turning the country into a "second Iraq" or "another Afghanistan" with devastating repercussions both for Libya and the Nato states leading the intervention.

In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Erdogan said that talks were still under way with Muammar Gaddafi's government and the Transitional National Council. He also revealed that Turkey is about to take over the running of the rebel-held Benghazi harbour and airport to facilitate humanitarian aid, in agreement with Nato.

Speaking in Istanbul at the weekend, Erdogan said Gaddafi had to "provide some confidence to Nato forces right now" on the ground if there was to be progress towards the ceasefire the Libyan leader wanted and an "end to the blood being spilled in Libya".

His comments came as Nato leaders met in Brussels to finalise arrangements for the alliance - with Turkey's participation - to take over the enforcement of the UN no-fly zone from Tuesday, as well as for the more controversial air strikes against Gaddafi's ground forces.


More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/27/libya-turkey-mediators-prime-minister

[CJvR]

164. So the Turks...

...are going to sit down with Mad Dog and negotiate how many dissidents and protesters he is allowed to murder? Perhaps they can bargin it down to half the previous rate - PROGRESS!!! Afterall that is the result of any deal where Gaddafi remains in some form of power, and he will remain - if he intended to leave he could have done that a long time ago.

[defendandprotect]

175. Turkey -- not familiar --

are they in a position to act in a military way to protect Gaddafi and/or Tripoli?

Can they do anything more than try to influence Gaddafi's saving -- and do you know

how much influence they might have on those "softening up" Gaddafi's compound and

Tripoli?

[pinboy3niner]

160. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:05 AM MONDAY, MARCH 28

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

[kenny blankenship]

162. Gaddafy spokesman: Eman Al-Obeidy has been released

only you just can't see her.

Now stop asking me questions about her.

[pinboy3niner]

163. BREAKING, CNN: Thousands march in support of Eman al-Obeidi in Benghazi

CNN just got video in and aired it.

I'll try to post a link when they post the vid on their website.

[defendandprotect]

176. LIBYA HURRA -- !!

Apologies, misunderstood the name --

[pinboy3niner]

166. She reportedly was offered money and a house to change her story nt

[CJvR]

167. Clarifying the Arab League's position...

http://www.seattlepi.com/horsey/viewbytopic.asp?topic=International%20news&id=2169

Dead on!

[joshcryer]

168. Day 39 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x754334

[txlibdem]

178. Americans of all faiths are praying for you, Libyan brothers and sisters!

Our media have been ignoring the atrocities in Libya which, judging by Qaddafi's murderous actions this month, must have been going on for a long, long time. Our corrupt leaders have been content to keep the oil flowing, turning a blind eye to crimes against humanity because the big corporations pay the bills for their political campaigns.

Our prayers are with you, Libyan freedom fighters. Please keep us in mind when we, too, become wise enough to do what you are doing.