Update on Libyan Crisis: Week of June 12, 2011

The National, an Abu Dhabi Newspaper, reports that Libyan rebels are on the move, and are pushing deeper into government held territory. Strains are beginning to emerge, writes the paper, in the Western held alliance trying to topple Qadaffi. One rebel stronghold is in the Western mountains, reports the paper. The Western mountains are to the south-west of Tripoli. Government troops are better armed than the rebels. Qadaffi is describing the rebels as criminals and Al-Qaeda militants. In the words of The National,


"Though under attack from Nato warplanes and rebel fighters, Col Qaddafi's troops have showed they are still a potent force." June 16, 2011.
According to the New York Times — "Germany, which declined to participate in the NATO air campaign against Libya, on Monday recognized the opposition National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of Libya, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said during a visit to the rebel capital of Benghazi."(June 13, 2011) 

According to the New York Times, Loyalist forces are still clashing with rebels in the oil city of Zawiya. This town is the Qadaffi government's last remaining site of fuel. Moussa Ibrahim, Libyan government spokesman, denounced NATO. Qadaffi Government Defiant.  Qadaffi has told the Russian government that he has no intention of leaving. Ibrahim claims the rebels are rolling back under heavy pressure, and that they are Yemeni, Egyptian and Algerian.

Updated Facts on Libyan Crisis: Week of May 1, 2011

May 2, 2011

According to Al Jazeera, the UN Staff left Tripoli after a mob attack. Western embassies and UN offices have been targeted after a NATO bombing reportedly killed Ghadaffi's son and grandchildren. Al Jazeera also reports that doubt has been cast on the claim that Ghadaffi's son has been killed. NATO says that it is stepping up attack is on Libyan targets. NATO plans to step up attacks on the palaces, headquarters, and communications centers that Ghadaffi uses to maintain his grip on power in Libya. (New York Times).

NATO officials and western leaders are defending the increasingly aggressive air strikes in Libya after the Libyan government said one barrage had killed four members of Ghadaffi's family. The US, British, and Italian embassies were attacked and burnt by mobs in the Tripoli. (Washington Post) Ghadaffi, tanks shelled Misurata, amid fears that Ghadaffi will use chemical weapons against NATO and Libyan rebels (Washington Post).


May 1, 2011.

NYT reports that three of MG's grandchildren were killed. Cannot believe that Ghadaffi's grandchildren were killed. I am really sad about that. I was telling a friend that I hoped Ghadaffi had the sense to move his grandchildren to somewhere safe. They are just children. Of course, the same can be said for children killed by his forces fighting the rebels. I mourn for them as well. I am a mother and I am soft-hearted, what can I say. On that topic, here is what has happened to rebel families according to NYT:

     "The pro-Qaddafi forces resumed shelling and firing rockets into the city in the morning and again late at night. At least 15 people were reported killed, including at least five rebel fighters, an old man who was struck by shrapnel, and a young father of four children.  The young man’s children and his wife were all wounded. They huddled at a Red Crescent clinic, unaware he was dead. “It is not easy to tell them,” said Absalom Essid, who stood at the door to the room where the dead man’s wife was being treated.   At another clinic, the wounded included a baby girl who appeared to be about 10 months old and suffered a broken leg. She was teary-eyed with a pacifier in her mouth as doctors prepared to set the bone."

Al Jazeera reports that the Libyan government announced the death of Ghadaffi's youngest son, Seif al-arab Ghadaffi, in an airstrike. At least one missle fired by NATO hit the Ghadaffi Tripoli home in the al Garghour neighborhood. (Note to self, are they suicidal? I am sure they are not living there, unless MG totally insane).

It does seem NATO's mission has crept, and that it no longer has anything to do with protecting civilians. I agree with Libya Spokesman Ibrahim Moussa on this.

According to the NYT, (link here)

     "Earlier Saturday, NATO officials had rejected an offer by Colonel Qaddafi to call a cease-fire and negotiate as false. The proposal was delivered in a rambling and often defiant speech, broadcast over Libyan state television, in which Colonel Qaddafi insisted he would never leave Libya."

WMB

Updated Facts on Libyan Crisis: Week of April 11, 2011

Dear readers

This update is culled from Al Jazeera, the New York Times, the Washington Post and Democracy Now. WMB

Gaddafi accepted the African Union's road map for peace, which calls for an immediate cease fire, and a dialogue with the opposition about the reform. The rebels said that the only thing that will satisfy them is the ouster of Gaddafi and his family. The African Union is not thought to be neutral because it is packed with Gaddaffi allies. (Washington Post, 4.10.11)

The Libya contact group has met in Qatar. The Libyan rebels are seeking international recognition. They are to tell world powers at a meeting in the Qatari capital Doha that Gadadafi's removal from power is the only way out of their country's deepening crisis. (Al Jazeera 4.12.11) Libyan rebels offensives on Misurata. Widespread fighting continues as NATO comes under pressure to step up its military campaign against Gaddafi's forces.  Qatar has delivered oil products to Benghazi. The gulf state also confirms it has marketed one million barrels of Libyan crude oil on behalf of rebels. (Al Jazeera 4.12.11)  Misurata is under siege by Gaddafi's forces. (Al Jazeera 4.12.11) France and Britain want NATO to fight harder against Gaddafi's forces (Washington Post, 4.12.11)

A truce plan for Libya is rejected by the rebels (NYT, 4.13.11)  Rebel groups in Libya have rejected an African poposal to end the fighting unless leaders Muammar Gaddafi agreed to leave office immediately. Ali Suleiman Aujali, the former Libyan ambassador to the US argues that Libyans cannot accept Gaddaffi or his family. (Democracy Now, 4.12.12)

Updated Post on Facts of Libyan Crisis: Week of April 3, 2011

Dear readers


Sorry for the hiatus on news reporting. I went to Kenya to pick up my children this weekend. I evacuated them from Egypt during the Revolution. So we are all back in a New Egypt. Okay, back to work! WMB


Updated April 9, 2011, 11:21 p.m. Cairo time. 


There is the possibility that Libya will be partitioned as war continues into a stalemate. 


http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/392903


Updated April 8, 2011, 12:03 p.m. Cairo time. For previous updates, click here . 


According to Democracy Now, Libyan rebels accuse NATO of killing rebels in air strikes near town of Brega. Rebel leaders have sharply criticized NATO of failing to stop advance of Qadaffi. {editors, note, surprised what a big difference between NATO and US, and also surprised at how strong Qadaffi is.} Four journalists, including two Americans, have been detained in Libya.


April 5th
Democracy Now reports the following:  The FBI has begun questioning Libyans and Libyan Americans living in the US. Libyan Rebels have rejected a proposal that would depose Qaddafi but leave one of his sons in power (Seif Al Islam el-Qaddafi). Rebels are beginning to export oil to fund their operations. Libya is Africa's third largest oil producer. Mohammed Nabous, a Libyan citizen journalist in Benghazi was shot and killed Saturday morning. According to the New York Times,  "Forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi battered rebel fighters on the road outside a strategic oil town Tuesday." Libyan Rebels Flee Brega. Apparently, since NATO has taken charge of the air command, air strikes are less frequent. The Libyan government spokesman stated that Qaddafi must remain in power or risk a power vacuum.