Libyan Revolution Week 26

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya">AJE Libya Live Blog http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/libya">The Guardian http://uk.reuters.com/places/libya">Reuters http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/">Telegraph 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://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/">Libya Alhurra archives and updates http://www.ustream.tv/channel/benghaziradio">Benghazi Free Radio, in Arabic (may have translators present at times) http://www.tributefm.com/">Tribute FM (English broadcast 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 https://twitter.com/#!/TheyCallMeSof">Sofyan Amry (arrived in Benghazi recently) http://twitter.com/#!/KiloFoot">KiloFoot (general Arab Spring news aggregation)

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=439x1707930">Week 25 part 2 here.

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

Libyans mourned the death of the five rebels during their funeral at Freedom Square in Benghazi.

Gianluigi Guercia / AFP


Day 171 August 7

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7J700E20110807">Power, petrol shortages in Tripoli irk Libyans
As rebels continue to fight loyalist forces along several fronts, blackouts have rolled across Tripoli with increasing frequency in recent weeks.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77606U20110807?sp=true">Libya rebels say they hold gains south of capital
Libyan rebels said on Sunday they were firmly in control of the town of Bir al-Ghanam, a staging post about 80 km (50 miles) south of Tripoli, rejecting a government assertion they had been pushed back.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c23c9014-c0f5-11e0-b8c2-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss#axzz1UModDD00">Libya rebels to form oil protection force
Libya’s rebels are close to establishing an oil protection force to ward off forces loyal to Colonel Muammer Gaddafi, as they seek to restart crude production and generate much-needed cash.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8687316/Libyan-rebels-strike-key-oil-pipeline.html">Libyan rebels strike key oil pipeline
Libyan rebels have inflicted a devastating blow on Col Muammar Gaddafi’s Tripoli stronghold with a strike on a key oil pipeline that has triggered widespread electricity blackouts in the capital.

Day 172 August 8

http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Rebels-post-Gaddafi-Libya-plan-revealed-20110808">Rebels' post-Gaddafi Libya plan revealed
A rebel blueprint for a post-Muammar Gaddafi Libya would retain much of the current regime's infrastructure in the hope of averting an Iraq-style descent into chaos, the London Times reported Monday.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14440843">Rebels 'still holding' captured town
The Libyan town of Bir al-Ghanam, close to Tripoli, appears to be still under rebel control after an assault on Saturday, despite government denials.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7770JU20110808?sp=true">Rebels push north of Bir Ghanam
By Monday afternoon, rebel fighters had pushed on a few kilometres north of Bir al-Ghanam, coming to a stop at a point they said was about 35 km from Zawiyah.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14447545">Tripoli power cuts anger Libyans in Gaddafi stronghold
After months of war, rolling blackouts and rising prices in the Libyan capital Tripoli are taking their toll on Col Muammar Gaddafi's seat of power.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77717320110808?sp=true">Libya rebels dissolve cabinet after commander's death
Libyan rebels have dissolved their executive committee after "shortcomings" by some members in the handling of the shooting dead 12 days ago of their military chief, a rebel spokesman said on Monday.
http://patrickjohnmillsgallery.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-war_04.html?spref=fb">The New War
This month, the Patrick John Mills Gallery is featuring a group exhibit on the subject of war. For the first time in history, social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and Youtube have given populations the ability to join forces and take on suppressive government regimes with the simple click of a button.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/in-pictures-libyas-boy-scouts-become-grave-diggers/article2122219">In pictures: Libya's Boy Scouts become grave-diggers
Benghazi Boy Scouts construct about 12 graves a day to keep up with casualties in the civil war, down from 60 graves a day when fighting began in February.

Day 173 August 9

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7780IC20110809?sp=true">Libya rebels clean house after slaying of commander
While the Younes killing brought things to a head, Jalil is also seen as taking the opportunity to get rid of underperforming cabinet members and permit the reappointment of a more effective body.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7780SY20110809">NATO bombs frigate in Tripoli harbour
NATO warplanes bombed a Libyan warship docked in Tripoli harbour after observing that weapons were being (taken) from it that were expected to be used to conduct attacks, the alliance said on Tuesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/energyOilNews/idAFLDE77810520110809?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true">Libyan rebels recall horror stories from crackdown
Libyan rebels planning an offensive on their hometown Zawiyah are still haunted by memories of what they say was a brutal government crackdown against an uprising in the town earlier this year.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110809-714805.html">Libyan Attempt To Bring Back Oil Cos Fails To Ignite Interest
A new attempt by Libya's government to bring back foreign oil companies to the war-torn country has failed to ignite interest, people familiar with the contacts said in recent days.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/africa/09berbers.html">Amid a Berber Reawakening in Libya, Fears of Revenge
In the evening, as the searing desert temperatures subside, the residents who have returned to this rebel-held city near the front lines appear on the streets. Some of them carry cans of paint, and begin to decorate murals with the characters of an ancient language that had been forbidden by the government of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

Day 174 August 10

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFN1E7781IE20110809">Envoys want NATO answers about strike on Libyan TV
Russia, India and other U.N. Security Council delegations voiced concerns on Tuesday about NATO strikes on Libyan state television last month, saying they were awaiting results of a NATO investigation.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77818V20110809">Libyan TV shows footage of Khamis Gaddafi
Libyan state television showed on Tuesday what it said was footage of Muammar Gaddafi's son Khamis, who rebels said last week had been killed, visiting Libyans wounded in an air attack east of Tripoli.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/10/us-violence-idUSTRE7791F620110810">Hospitals, medical staff targeted in wars, ICRC says
Hospitals, health care workers and ambulances are increasingly targeted in conflicts from Libya to Somalia, depriving millions of sick and wounded of treatment, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/484689">650,000 have fled Libya in last 45 days
The total number of refugees fleeing Libya's turmoil has reached more than 650,000 over the past 45 days, according to an international report released Tuesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7790LR20110810?sp=true">Rats, dogs, and sundry insults fly at Libyan front
Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi and Libyan rebels holding the strategic town of Bir al-Ghanam exchanged rocket fire interspersed with verbal abuse on Wednesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77905920110810?sp=true">Libya crisis takes toll on European oil groups
Civil war shut off Libyan oil supplies to Austrian energy group OMV and Italian refiner Saras in the second quarter, driving down profits and clouding the outlook in the region.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77914D20110810?sp=true">Tunisia says seizes contraband fuel bound for Libya
Tunisia has intercepted five truckloads of fuel set to be smuggled into neighbouring Libya, an official said on Wednesday, in a move to curb an illegal trade which is helping to keep Muammar Gaddafi in power.
http://www.cphpost.dk/news/national/88-national/51975-denmark-throws-out-remaining-libyan-diplomats.html">Denmark throws out remaining Libyan diplomats
The remaining Libyan diplomats in Denmark have been told to leave the country within five days by foreign minister Lene Espersen.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=7356441&c=AME&s=TOP">Demands to Grow for U.N. Peacekeepers, Says Outgoing Chief
"There are other countries where we might be called," the French diplomat added. Planning is already underway for an observer force for Libya, if a ceasefire is ever agreed.
http://news.yahoo.com/nato-libya-airstrike-killed-troops-not-civilians-202858296.html">More significant rebel gains Wednesday put them closer to coastal towns
... rebel fighters moved closer to Libyan coastal towns held by Moammar Gadhafi, scoring another significant gain in an offensive launched over the weekend, a spokesman said.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyan-rebels-say-key-oil-town-within-their-grasp">Libyan rebels say key oil town within their grasp
Libya's rebels said on Wednesday they were on the verge of capturing the coastal oil town of Brega, in what could be a decisive step toward unlocking the country's oil wealth and forcing out Muammar Gaddafi.

Day 175 August 11

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5huc4sNLpqDdFX2Nlvc3r-NvEunEQ?docId=CNG.8c552b16960439c4d35947018cdb7b48.701">US, EU up pressure on Libya as new fighting hits Brega
The United States and European Union turned up the heat on Libya, as fresh fighting erupted Wednesday along rebel lines at the oil town of Brega and state television showed footage of a son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, days after rebels reported him dead.
http://213.158.162.45/~egyptian/index.php?action=news&id=20310&title=Libya%20rebels%20hit%20trying%20to%20take%20heat%20off%20Misrata">Libya rebels hit trying to take heat off Misrata
Libyan loyalists killed one rebel and wounded 10 others as the insurgents moved on the town of Taurga in a bid to snuff out rocket fire on the besieged city of Misrata, medics said on Thursday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A09720110811?sp=true">Western Libya rebels strike north towards coast
Rebel forces in western Libya drove their offensive north toward the town of Zawiyah near the Mediterranean coast on Thursday, trying to get within striking distance of the capital, Tripoli.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/11/us-libya-fuel-tunisia-idUSTRE77A3MU20110811">Tunisia says army to curb fuel smuggling to Libya
Tunisia said Thursday its troops were patrolling fuel stations to curb the flow of smuggled gasoline into neighboring Libya, a trade which is helping Muammar Gaddafi hold on to power.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7JB1Z020110811?sp=true">More Libyan rebel assets to be unfrozen-UK
More countries are likely to announce next week that they will free up frozen assets for the use of rebels in Libya, a British official said on Thursday, adding that economic and military pressure had left Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi "desperate".
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77A14I20110811?sp=true">Libyan rebels capture eastern part of Brega - spokesman
Libyan rebels have captured the residential districts of Brega but soldiers loyal to Muammar Gaddafi still hold western parts of the town where the oil facilities are located, a rebel spokesman said on Thursday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8695558/Libya-Gaddafis-diplomats-in-London-tried-to-sell-assets-before-they-were-expelled.html">Gaddafi's diplomats in London 'tried to sell assets before they were expelled'
Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi's diplomats in London tried to sell off embassy assets including cars before they were expelled by the British Government, sources have claimed.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11223/1166660-455-0.stm">Libyan expat, son from Scott die fighting in homeland
A father and son from suburban Pittsburgh who returned to Libya to join the rebels fighting the Gadhafi regime died together on Saturday when a mortar struck their vehicle.
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/08/injured-libyan-rebels-find-ways-to-connect-to-the-front-lines-digitally222.html">Injured Libyan Rebels Find Ways to Connect to the Front Lines, Digitally
Hassan Sadek, a 29-year-old Libyan engineer turned rebel group leader, lies in his Tunis, Tunisia, hospital bed, straining his eyes and neck to view the laptop resting on his chest. Occasionally he stops, clenching his teeth, contorting his face in pain, as he lifts one of his two casted legs for relief. He muffles his cries of discomfort and sometimes refuses to take pain medication.

Day 176 August 12

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139535992/in-libya-a-father-and-sons-brief-war">In Libya, A Father And Son's Brief War
Mabruk Eshnuk and his son Malik left their home in Pittsburgh to volunteer and fight with rebels in western Libya's Nafusa Mountains.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-11-2011-2102">UAE hands seized Libyan regime cargo plane over to rebels
A Libyan cargo plane seized by authorities in the United Arab Emirates was handed over to rebel forces in their eastern bastion of Benghazi, a rebel official told AFP on Thursday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77B0MM20110812?sp=true">Captured intel officer says Gaddafi still strong
About 70 percent of Libyans in Muammar Gaddafi's main stronghold Tripoli still support him and he is in no danger of falling anytime soon, a captured Libyan intelligence officer said on Friday.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-12-2011-1606">Russia imposes sanctions on Libya, freezes assets of Gaddafi
Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, has signed a decree toughening sanctions on Libya five months after the measure was passed by the UN Security Council in March, the Kremlin said on Friday.
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/08/11/natpkg.liohn.ambulance.cnn">Photographer André Liohn describes the time he spent with an amubulance driver in Misrata - video
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903918104576502543278194586.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Libyan Rebels, in Show of Unity, Plan for Transition
Rebel officials here, amid signs of disarray in their leadership, have ramped up preparations for governing Libya after the fall of Col. Moammar Gadhafi, drafting a timeline for elections and a plan for establishing a security force.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/diy-weapons-armoured-vehicles-prove-effective-for-libyan-rebels/article2127238/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Home&utm_content=2127238">DIY weapons, armoured vehicles prove effective for Libyan rebels
If any future museum showcases the way rebels beat the regime in Libya, the exhibits will likely include homemade weapons that look like props from a Mad Max movie: a shotgun fashioned from a steel pipe; a troop carrier built from scratch; a pickup truck groaning under the weight of an antique anti-aircraft gun.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Libyan_civil_war">here for updated map. The size of the circles show population, the color represents control, red for FFs, green for tyrants.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">A topic on the women of the revolution, dispels myths about the treatment of women in Benghazi.

Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0">The Battle of Benghazi. BBC Panorama on Libya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA">Part 1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s">Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M">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=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_embedded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc">Tea of Freedom Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41kQvx4uKw">Libya: Part 2 - The Uprising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vNWCGDkdWY">Benghazi - Backbone of the Libyan revolution

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.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of UN resolution 1973. How will a no fly zone work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k">AJE reports.

Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component. Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade. Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations. Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters. France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft. Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade. Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations. Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support." NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO. Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane. Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base. Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft. Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand. Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters. Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign. Turkey: The Turkish Navy http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo. United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission. United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers. United States: The United States has http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.

As of this week the National Trasitional Council has been formally recognized by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_Libyan_Republic#Recognition">31 countries. France (March 10), Qatar (March 28), Maldives (April 3), Italy (April 4), Kuwait (April 13), The Gambia (April 22), Jordan (April 24), Sengal (April 28), The United Kingdom (June 4), Spain (June 8), Australia (June 9), UAE (June 12), Germany (June 13), Canada (June 14), Panama (June 14), Austria (June 18), Latvia (June 20), Denmark (June 22), Bulgaria (June 28), Croatia (June 28), Turkey (July 3), Poland (July 9), Netherlands (July 13), Belgium (July 13), Luxembourg (July 13), United States (July 15), Japan (July 15), Albania (July 18), Slovenia (July 20), Montenegro (July 21), Portugal (July 28).

"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://english.libya.tv/2011/04/25/eastern-libyans-believe-in-national-unity-distrust-au-and-turkish-mediation-survey-reveals/">The first free public opinion poll ever conducted in Libya reveals clues to Eastern Libyan sentiments
* 98 percent of the respondents do not support the division of Libya as a part of the political solution for the current conflict with the Gaddafi regime. Around 95 percent also don’t see any role for Gaddafi or his sons in a transitional period, and think it is impossible to implement any political reform in Libya if Gaddafi or one of his sons stays in power

* Around 96 percent of those polled, believe that the 17th of February revolution can consolidate the national unity of Libya and support the model of a democratic Libya based on a constitution which respects human rights

* Al-Qaeda has not played any role in the 17th of February revolution, say 94 percent of the Eastern Libyans, and 91 percent thinks it’s impossible for Al-Qaeda to play any political role in the new Libya

* The National Transitional Council is seen by 92 percent of those surveyed as “expressing the views and wishes of Libyans for change”

This is equivalent to 17% the entire population of Libya, doing the numbers very conservatively.

http://jenkinsear.com/2011/03/19/a-legal-war-the-united-nations-participation-act-and-libya/">A Legal War: The United Nations Participation Act and Libya
The above link is to an overview of why Obama's implementation of the NFZ and R2P is perfectly legal under the law. I will not post it entirely here, however, all objections come down to the misinformed position that Obama, by using forces in Libya, was invoking Article 43 of the United Nations. This is wrong. Obama invoked Article 42, which does not require congressional approval to implement. Proof of this is that Article 43 has http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml#rel5">never been used.

It goes like this: The US law (Title 22, Chap. 7, Subchap. XIV § 287d) grants the President the right to invoke UN Article 42 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00000287---d000-.html">without authorization, the War Powers Act (Title 50, Chap. 33 § 1541) grants the President permission to act without authorization under http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/50/1541–1548.html">"specific statutory authorization" which, by definition, is what 287d does. § 1543 of the War Powers Act requires the President to report to Congress, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/obama_explains_libya_mission_to_congress/2011/03/03/ABU9377_blog.html">which he did. One can argue all day and night about the legality of the War Powers Act, doesn't change the fact that under the law as it is written, the President acted within the law.

Editorials and stories worth reading.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2011/03/2011328194855872276.html">Libyan Karzai? Chalabi? Forget it, http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/04/04/110404taco_talk_anderson#ixzz1HvS7iW22">Who Are the Rebels?, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/vision-democratic-libya-interim-national-council">A vision of a democratic Libya, http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/is-qaddafi-an-anti-racist/">Is Qaddafi an anti-racist?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/20/left-slipping-towards-qaddafi">The left: slipping towards Gaddafi?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/27/once-again-“stop-bombing”">Once again on "stop the bombing", http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/an-open-letter-to-the-left-on-libya.html">An Open Letter to the Left on Libya, http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/top-ten-ways-that-libya-2011-is-not-iraq-2003.html">Top Ten Ways that Libya 2011 is Not Iraq 2003, http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/09/110509fa_fact_anderson">Sons of the Revolution http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/?ref=main-menu">Voices from the Field

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_ded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire is a documentary about Mo's last days, please watch it.

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

Mo leaves behind a wife and a newborn 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. Libyan Revolution Day 177 updates below, current time in Libya, 2:00pm Saturday, August 13

A Libyan man prayed inside a memorial museum for people who died in the battle for control of Misurata.

Giovanni Diffidenti / AFP


Odds on people not realizing it's not actually 6 months yet despite that we're in to the 26th week? (The end of this week will be 6 months, etc.)

[joshcryer]

2. Opposition fighters control some residential areas outside of oil port city + capture Tawurgha

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181215510690602.html">Opposition fighters control some residential areas outside of oil port city + capture Tawurgha
The rebels took over the residential zone of New Brega, located about 15km from the central oil terminal and port area, on Thursday.

...

Rebel commanders said there were still some snipers inside the town and bombardments were now coming from a village south of the town.

Further south along the main road, truck after truck of rebel fighters pressed forward to new positions, as heavy fighting continued.

Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons, reporting from Tawurgha, said it was a heavily co-ordinated operation with NATO, with six tanks involved.

[al bupp]

3. Reuters: Libyan rebels advance on Zawiyah

Rebels in western Libya advanced north to within 25 km (15 miles) of the coastal city of Zawiyah on Saturday after a six-hour battle with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Rebel fighters pushed government troops back about 7 km from their previous positions, fixing a front line about 5 km north of the village of Bir Shuaib, near a diaper factory. They set up a checkpoint on the road and about 150 fighters gathered, some firing weapons in the air to celebrate their advance.

Rebels said it had been a heavy battle, with pro-Gaddafi forces using anti-tank guns. A medic said three rebel fighters were wounded in the battle but none were killed. Government troops withdrew after six hours of fighting, the rebels said.

...

Judging by impact craters, wrecked buildings and burned-out tanks, NATO warplanes have bombed government military targets on the route of the rebel advance over the past week, providing close air support.

More at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/13/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110813

[tabatha]

4. Posts from Libyan on AJE

WADI EL-HAI, Libya—Scores of Libyan families are taking advantage of a rebel advance toward coastal towns to flee Tripoli into the opposition-held western mountains. The families are fleeing through desert back roads that appeared to be less guarded amid the fighting between rebels and Moammar Gadhafi's forces. The rebels say they registered 55 families that fled Tripoli in the past three days for the Nafusa mountains. Sassi Ahmed says he left the capital with his wife and six children early Saturday. The 47-year-old teacher says they left because the situation in Tripoli is "frightening," with no gas or electricity.
Rebel commander Fathi el-Ayeb says his fighters are 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Gadhafi-held Zawiya, a key target in their push to Tripoli.

TheyCallMeSof Sofyan Amry by hominoid555CONFIRMED: From my extensive family in Gheryan via phone.The largest city in the Nafusa Mtns,closest to #Tripoli has been LIBERATED #feb171 minute ago ;)
Family on the phone SCREAMING,"FF'S ARE HERE,WE ARE FREE,WE ARE FREE!!".Mosques are telling ppl via loudspeaker "stay in ur homes!" #feb17 theycallmesof

wow - been reading up for the last hour or so. If just half of it will be confirmed real, it's still awesome. What a determination from those brave, brave freedomsfighters - can't do anything else than deeply honor and admire them.

A Libyan rebel spokesman says rebel forces have siezed from Moammar Gadhafi’s control a major mountain town that is a strategic gateway on the road to the capital, Tripoli.The spokesman, Gomma Ibrahim, says the town of Gharyan fell on Saturday after brief clashes before Gadhafi’s troops withdrew. He says residents welcomed rebel fighters as they entered.Gharyan is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Tripoli in Libya’s western Nafusa Mountains. The mountain range is now largely under rebel control, and the town is key because it lies on the road north directly to the capital.Rebels have launched a major new offensive from the Nafusa, trying to move into the coastal plain west of Tripoli.Feb17DOTinfo

12:32pm: A hospital in Ajdabiyah, several kilometers away from Brega in northeastern Libya, has repeatedly received wounded soldiers from the battlefield and is short of doctors and medical supplies.About 20 wounded soldiers from the frontline have been sent to the hospital every day with five, on average, severely wounded. They have had to be sent to hospitals in Benghazi for further medical care after receiving emergency treatment in the Ajdabiyah hospital. Those who were not severely injured were released from hospital and sent back to the frontline once again.Many doctors have gone to the frontline to rescue the wounded and some have gone to Benghazi, the provisional capital of Libya’s National Transitional Council. In the hospital, there were more people in uniform than those in medical clothes.

1:47pm: Rebels in western Libyan advanced north to within 25 km (15 miles) of the coastal city of Zawiyah on Saturday after fighting a six-hour battle with pro-Gaddafi forces, Reuters journalists at the scene reported.Rebel fighters pushed government troops back about 7 km from their previous positions, fixing a front-line about 5 km north of the village of Bir Shuaib, near a diaper factory.Rebels pushing north from the mountains southwest of the capital are hoping to capture Zawiyah, cutting off Gaddafi’s stronghold Tripoli from access to the outside world along the coast road.

I am listening Radio Benghazi Geryan is liberated. People are calling from different towns confirm the news as they have relatives there.
At the moment Heli Air ambulance above my house (near the hospital) bringing wounded from brega.
Today was the funeral of 11 FF.
R.I.P.

thank you.....and those brave Ff should be honoured

They are and they will be.
The young boys liberated their fathers and mothers.
No mother whose son died for Libya cried.
My friend has a neighbour. She lost 5 sons only one left.
My husband was crying as a doctor he was one to tell the father that 3 wounded sons have died. He has the other 2 sons on the front.

FANTASTIC SIGHT : ) #Skype has just changed the FLAG for #Libya from the green rag to the original independence flag RT

ehkayy FreeLibya. #Gadaffi brigades located in #Gharyan defected and joined the FF. This is definitely a blessed month alhamdullilah. #Libya #Feb17

@4Adam #Gharyan - Apache helicopters hovering over the city to protect civilians from the shelling by retreated G forces. #Libya #Feb17

#GHARYAN residents JOINED FF iout of ANGER bc 2,500 men were arrested & kidnapped in town since GF took Gharyan many months ago #Libya

[joshcryer]

5. If true, only Ziltan and Zawiya have to be liberated, then the long wait for Tripoli to break.

It could be months but it is only a matter of time before Gaddafi's regime collapses from within.

[tabatha]

6. NATO is hoping for a collapse from within.

It is the less messy.

Added post:
I have told one week back that very big number (I will not write the number..you understand) of FF from Benghazi went to Tripoli to Tripoli to help FF from there.
Benghazi FF are known with their skills to fight inside the city.

[tabatha]

9. More Geryan

I called my friend from Geryan to verify that he taking of Geryan is true. He just told me that he spoke with one of his nephews and he said there were indeed fights going on right now in the center of Geryan. So taking Geryan is likely coming soon, but its not a done deal.

He also as an aside told of the thousands that were imprisoned by G in Geryan that will likely get out soon now too, including some of his family. Although he said "if they are still alive" as they have been in prison now for months and reports of horrendous torture are coming out. They actually created a new prison to houseall the protestors that they took. They went through all the video footage of confiscated phones.

No wonder no one said a word when the Rixos reporters came by.

[achtung_circus]

10. Shooting heard at Zawiyah on west Libya highway

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/13/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110813

A Reuters TV producer and other journalists were traveling from the Tunisian border to Tripoli but had to turn back because the road was blocked where it passes near Zawiyah.

"I heard gunfire, skirmishing," producer Martin Veal said from the outskirts of the town.

Rebels trying to topple Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi hope to capture Zawiyah and cut off Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital from access to the outside world by severing the coast road.

[tabatha]

7. VOICES FROM THE GROUND: Surgeon in Misrata

For some of us donating is just a sum of money that we send to a cause we feel we should support. We rarely get to hear what it is like for those on the ground who need or have used our help.

In the first of a series of interviews with people on the ground, we meet Rafik*, a young surgeon in a Hospital in Misrata, which has been at the frontline of so much of the conflict.

“A year ago my life was filled with eating, sleeping and work. I was just another young Libyan doing a job filling each day as a trainee surgeon. I dealt with everything from a burst appendix to a hernia - looking back I can see I felt lost.

Over the last six months, my life and work has changed in a number of different ways. Each day I wake at 10am, I treat my patients and I sleep at 4.30am but it isn't about routine, what I do is vital. My mind has changed about the way I work and when I treat a patient I am doing something that matters. The community has also changed its view of me and now regards me with a greater sense of respect which I never felt before.

My colleagues at the hospital have touched me the most. I see them work against all odds in difficult conditions. The happiest moment was when we thought that Gadaffi had gone to Venezuela and the saddest was when we treated a young five year old girl called Malak who lost her leg.

If I were given a microphone to the outside world I would thank you for your help.”

http://wmclibya.org/wp-content/newsletter/05_WMCL_Newsletter_August_2011.htm

[tabatha]

8. Ex-Kadhafi colonel says regime crumbling

By Andrew Beatty (AFP) – 57 minutes ago

MISRATA, Libya — An imprisoned Libyan army colonel who surrendered to the rebel forces two months ago told AFP on Saturday that Moamer Kadhafi's regime is riven with division and in the process of collapse.

Speaking from a prisoner of war camp in the rebel enclave of Misrata, Colonel Wissam Miland said Kadhafi's military hangs together through coercion and mercenary-enforced martial law, but that infighting is rife.

"I think it will soon collapse," he said, offering a rare glimpse inside Kadhafi's three-pronged loyalist force, made of up army regulars, militia fighters and mercenaries.

"Among the militias, the Libyan soldiers were starting to fight with the foreign mercenaries, there are many problems," he said in an interview.

"Kadhafi is losing now because of this," he said, pointing to a series of recent military losses suffered by the regime.

The prospect of mounting divisions among Kadhafi's fighters will be an encouraging sign for many NATO countries, which have warned that there can be no clear-cut military solution to Libya's nearly six-month-old civil war.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hKPlinekzBBkkRZPkXgGvkUdPQ4g?docId=CNG.884081aef56acf1a58718197b01abfb5.731

[inna]

11. Colourful, but woefully misleading: Libya's ragtag rebels are dubious allies

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/patrick-cockburn-libyas-ragtag-rebels-are-dubious-allies-2335453.html

The foreign media had its failings in Iraq, was worse in Afghanistan but has reached its nadir in covering the war in Libya. Reporting has become largely militarised. Much of it is colourful stuff from the frontline about the dashes backwards and forwards of rebel militiamen. It takes courage to report this and reporters naturally empathise with the young men with whom they are sharing a trench. Their coverage tends to be wholly in favour of the rebels and in opposition to Gaddafi.
...
To this day politicians justify Nato's intervention in Libya by citing atrocities supposedly carried out by pro-Gaddafi forces such as mass rape or extensive use of mercenaries. Human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch long ago revealed that there was no evidence for most of the atrocity stories, as did a UN commission headed by the distinguished legal scholar Cherif Bassiouni. These well-researched reports were almost entirely ignored by the media which first published the Gaddafi atrocity stories,

The militarisation of reporting in Iraq and Afghanistan was boosted by the system of "embedding" reporters with military units. This was inevitable to a degree given the danger from Iraqi insurgents or Taliban. But the outcome has been that war reporting has reverted to what it was during imperial skirmishes in the 19th century, with the world getting only a partial and often misleading account of what is happening in Libya.

[tabatha]

12. Libya War: Rebels Enter Zawiya, Heavy Clashes

BIR SHAEB, Libya -- Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.

Zawiya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) from the capital, is a key target for rebels waging a new offensive launched from the mountains in the far west of Libya, an attempt to break the deadlock in combat between the two sides that has held for months in the center and east of the country.

A credible threat from the rebels in the west could strain Gadhafi's troops, which have been hammered for months by NATO airstrikes. Defending Zawiya is key for the regime but could require bringing in better trained forces who are currently ensuring its hold over its Tripoli stronghold or fighting rebels on fronts further east.

A group of about 200 exuberant rebel fighters, advancing from the south, reached a bridge on Zawiya's southwestern outskirts, and some rebels pushed farther into the city's central main square. They tore down the green flag of Gadhafi's regime from a mosque minaret and put up two rebel flags. An Associated Press reporter traveling with the rebels saw hundreds of residents rush into the streets, greeting the fighters with chants of "God is great."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/13/libya-war-rebels-zawiya_n_926214.html

Tweet:
@ChangeInLibya Waiting videos ;). Now we have confirmation of AP , they have a journalist with FF and is in Zawiya in the center of the city8 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[ellisonz]

14. Libya conflict: Zawiya claims denied by Moussa Ibrahim

A "small group of rebels" had been repelled by government forces as they tried to move into the town, said government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim.

Around 50 rebels had begun fighting inside the town, but they they were being rounded up, he added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14519304

:popcorn:

[tabatha]

18. NotLibyaStateTV Twitter Feeed

LibyanStateTV NotLibyaStateTV
We assure you that nothing is happening in Az Zawiyah right now and we will take the media there in 7 to 10 days to prove our point. #Libya
1 hour ago

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

[tabatha]

13. Libyans thank the world

http://youtu.be/jeUE-V3WCC4

[al bupp]

15. Skye News Report: Az Zawiya Road Closed from Tunisia

Ian Woods reporting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_E_9y1_Mfs&feature=share">Libyan rebels have been involved in a gun battle in the key town of AzZawiya, 18 miles from Tripoli

[pinboy3niner]

16. LIBYAN REVOLUTION DAY 178: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:35 AM SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[tabatha]

17. A lot of interesting stuff will come out after the end.

The official spokesman of the military of the National Council, Colonel Ahmed builder, said on Saturday that the bombing of the homes in "Almajer" in the city Zliten was done by forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

The military spokesman, that after NATO planes bombed, that NATO was able to monitor the house used by al-Qaddafi as a store of ammunition. The neighbouring houses were Subject to heavy bombing half an hour after that by Qaddafi's troops.

Most of the people of the region are well aware of what happened, but because of the terrible grip of security that they can not express their feelings and talk about what happened themselves, stressing that everyone knows very well that Gaddafi was behind this incident himself.

[pinboy3niner]

19. Rebels inside Zawiya report intense fighting, expect to liberate the town soon

From Reuters:

"A very small group of rebels tried to move into the south of Zawiyah but they were stopped easily because of our armed forces," (government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim) said.


But a rebel spokesman, Mohammed Ezzawi, speaking from inside Zawiyah, said the rebel force was about 800 metres from Martyrs' Square in the city centre.

"The Gaddafi Brigade occupy the eastern part of the main road while we are on the western side. There has been an intense exchange of fire on this road, which links Tripoli to Tunisia," he told Reuters by telephone.


"If we manage to take Zawiyah we will be blocking this road and it will mean the death of Gaddafi," he said, predicting the town would fall by Sunday.

If rebels take Zawiyah, an oil refinery town so close to Tripoli, it would deliver a psychological blow to Gaddafi's supporters. It would also leave the capital under partial siege because the main supply route to Tunisia would be cut and Tripoli would be starved of fuel, already in short supply.


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77C01F20110813?sp=true

[uppityperson]

20. Thank you josh. Rec'd up to zero. sigh

[pinboy3niner]

21. Heavy clashes at Tunisian border as rebels push to capture key Ras Jdir checkpoint

Reuters sources report fighting at the checkpoint and at the town of Abu Kammash (10 km away):

Tunisians close to the border later told Reuters that rebels were clashing with Gaddafi's forces a few kilometres from the main Ras Jdir border crossing, which also controls the vital road carrying supplies to Tripoli.


A businessman called Ali, who trades with Libya, said there were clashes at Abu Kammash, an industrial town on the Mediterranean coast about 10 km from Ras Jdir.


A second businessman from the border area, who did not want to be named, said: "There are heavy clashes going on ... to try to control the Ras Jdir crossing." A third source, at the crossing, said the military had brought up tanks to protect the checkpoint.


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77C01F20110814?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

22. Gaddafi forces, rebels fight over Zawiyah

By Martin Veal and Missy Ryan

NEAR ZAWIYAH/TRIPOLI, Libya | Sat Aug 13, 2011 8:03pm EDT

...


"We took over the center of Zawiyah about an hour ago. There were mercenaries there. The fighting lasted about 30 minutes and then they ran away," said a rebel fighter named Ahmed.


He said people had come out in to the streets to celebrate.


A second rebel, Abdelsalam, said: "We're in control of the center. Some Gaddafi troops have fled to Tripoli, some are left over, and there are also mercenaries in the town. So we don't have complete control yet."


Dr Asim Shaybee, at a field hospital at Bir Ayyad gate south of the fighting, said four rebels were killed by an accidental NATO airstrike on a rebel tank at Zawiyah. Several rebels were wounded,"one of them ... shot in the head by a sniper," he said.

...


The source inside Zawiyah said the rebel advance was helped by a NATO strike at Nattafah 15 km south of the city. "There was a very large number of Gaddafi forces in that region," he said.

...


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/14/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110814

[pinboy3niner]

23. NATO airstrikes conducted Friday, August 12

Key Hits 12 AUGUST:


In the Vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammo Storage Facility.


In the vicinity of Brega: 2 Armed Vehicles.


In the vicinity of Bir Al Ghanam: 5 Armed Vehicles, 2 Anti Aircraft Guns.


In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Surface to Surface Missile Launcher, 1 Surface to Surface Missile Facility.


In the vicinity of Misratha: 1 Military Facility, 1 Ammo Storage Facility.


In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Military Armored Vehicle Storage Facility.


In the vicinity of Al Khums: 1 Ammo Storage Facility.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110813_110813-oup-update.pdf

[pinboy3niner]

24. Libya slams UN chief over civilian deaths

Source: AFP

2011-08-13 23:21


Tripoli - Libya on Saturday accused UN chief Ban Ki-moon of playing with words after he acknowledged Nato efforts to avoid civilian casualties a day after urging restraint over "unacceptably" high deaths.

"The secretary general has consistently called for restraint and caution to avoid civilian casualties. He of course recognises and appreciates Nato's efforts to avoid civilian casualties," UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Friday.

In a statement released by his office on Thursday, Ban had sounded the alarm over civilian deaths and called for new efforts to find a political solution between Libya's long-time strongman Muammar Gaddafi and opposition rebels.

...


http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Libya-slams-UN-chief-over-civilian-deaths-20110813

[pinboy3niner]

25. Libya clashes threaten Gaddafi grip on supply route

Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:37am BST

• Clashes around Zawiyah, fighting closer to Tripoli

• Fighting near Tunisian border over key supply route

• 21 rebels, six soldiers killed on eastern fronts


By Martin Veal and Missy Ryan


NEAR ZAWIYAH/TRIPOLI, Libya, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Rebel fighters clashed with Libyan government forces near the Tunisian border and in the western town of Zawiyah, threatening a vital supply route to the Libyan capital Tripoli.


The two sides also fought on two eastern fronts on Saturday, but neither side reported major changes in positions near Misrata or round the oil town and terminal of Brega.

...


Libya's state news agency said a NATO air strike had killed six "martyrs" in Brega, and the alliance said it had attacked two armoured vehicles there.


At least 15 rebels and six government soldiers had been killed and 50 rebels wounded in fighting for Brega oil terminal in the past two days, hospital workers said on Saturday.


In fighting around Misrata, a port under rebel control for months and much closer to Tripoli, at least six rebels were killed in the past 24 hours, rebel sources said. There was no word on government casualties.


http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/14/libya-idUKL5E7JE00A20110814

[pinboy3niner]

26. Libyan rebels tighten grip on Tuarga

Source: AFP

Posted: 14 August 2011 0912 hrs


TUARGA, Libya: Rebels fighting east of Tripoli strengthened their grip on the town of Tuarga on Saturday, winning key battles against Muammar Gaddafi's forces and creating a buffer zone for the city of Misrata.


On day three of a major offensive, rebels from the port enclave of Misrata said they routed all but a few pockets of loyalist forces, some of whom were now in hiding.


For much of the day the rebels had been closing in on Gaddafi's remaining sniper and artillery positions in the east of the town, after establishing control over the north, centre and south on Friday.


Shortly before midnight military spokesman Ali Gliwan told AFP rebels now controlled all of Tuarga from the main road in the west to the eastern gate of the town.


That claim could not be fully verified, but late on Saturday an AFP reporter witnessed little evidence of continued heavy fighting seen the day before.

...


http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1146904/1/.html

[pinboy3niner]

27. Libyan Teen's News Site Hears The Rebel Yell

Source: NPR (Weekend Edition Saturday)

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

August 13, 2011


A Libyan teen is fast becoming a media star in rebel-held Benghazi. The 14-year-old has established his own online news outlet. His father drives him to press conferences in Benghazi, and he is increasingly well-known among rebel leaders. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reports.


Transcript and audio report (3:45):
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/13/139600683/libyan-teens-news-site-hears-the-rebel-yell

[pinboy3niner]

28. Rebels say they are gaining ground in Libya; government disputes claim

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Government spokesman: Al-Zawiya is "absolutely under our control"

• Rebels say they are in control of the coastal city of al-Zawiya

• Rebels say they captured the town of Garyan to the south

• A government spokesman calls the rebel efforts "weak"

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 13, 2011 -- Updated 2337 GMT (0737 HKT)


Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Rebels said Saturday that they were gaining traction in a series of offensives in several parts of Libya controlled by ruler Moammar Gadhafi -- claims that the Libyan government swiftly disputed.

...


Sixty miles to Tripoli's south, rebels said they captured the town of Garyan and pushed the Gadhafi forces to the south, cutting them off from the road to Tripoli. The soldiers left behind heavy artillery and ammunition, rebel field commander Adel al-Zintani told CNN.


"We captured many anti-aircraft artillery vehicles, two full fuel tankers and 106 anti-tank piercing artillery and shells," he said. Seven people were injured in the clashes, he said.


"The rebels have 95% control of Garyan and have surrounded a Gadhafi brigade inside a military camp inside Garyan," said the spokesman in the media office of the Military Council of the Western Mountain Region.


Finally, in the opposition-held port of Misrata, missile attacks by Gadhafi forces ended after rebels captured the nearby town of Tawargha, National Transitional Council spokesman Guma El-Gamaty told CNN. That city was being used by Gadhafi forces to launch missiles indiscriminately into Misrata, he said.

...


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/13/libya.war/

[ellisonz]

30. Over by the end of September.

[pinboy3niner]

29. Heavy clashes as Libyan rebels enter Zawiya

By KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 1 hr 37 mins ago.


BIR SHAEB, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.

...


A credible threat from the rebels in the west could strain Gadhafi's troops, which have been hammered for months by NATO airstrikes. Defending Zawiya is key for the regime but could require bringing in better trained forces who are currently ensuring its hold over its Tripoli stronghold or fighting rebels on fronts further east.

...


Rebel spokesman Jumma Ibrahim claimed that the opposition's fighters controlled most of Zawiya by nightfall. "What remains are few pockets (of Gadhafi forces) in the city," he said. "The road is now open all the way from the western mountains to Zawiya, we can send them supply and reinforcement anytime."


Perhaps more importantly,the rebels now control the main highway linking Tripoli to the Tunisian boarder, according to Fadlallah Haroun, the head of the rebels' security council in Benghazi. The road passes through Zawiya.

...


Speaking to the AP by telephone, Abu Riyak said residents were now joining up with the rebels' assault, saying, "95 percent of Zawiya's people are with the revolution."

...


http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-clashes-libyan-rebels-enter-zawiya-171327097.html

[joshcryer]

32. Alex Crawfords report on Zawiya in March:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_lQY7PuH7M

[pinboy3niner]

31. AJE's Libya live blog is firing up for coverage of Sunday's developments

It's common for The Guardian's blog to begin with a morning summary, not AJE. This looks like a signal that AJE will be live-blogging Sunday's developments closely:

Here's a round-up of events so far in Libya:


• Opposition fighters in Libya have launched a new offensive to strangle supply routes to Tripoli.


• Fighting is raging just 30 kilometres from the Libyan capital, in the city of Az-Zawiyah, on the coastal road to Tunisia - controlling the city would cut off Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's last remaining supply route from Tunisia.


• So far, they have allowed Gaddafi to maintain access to everything from food and water, to weapons.


• The rebels have been fighting in Gharyan - a major Gaddafi military base.


• Earlier, rebel fighters took the town of Tawurgha east of Tripoli, which had been a launchpad for attacks on Misrata.


Read our news story for more detail and context.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-0655

[joshcryer]

33. Proud to be Anti-Gaddafi PSA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJVBdCVn7Ps

:cry: :loveya:

[pinboy3niner]

34. AP video of rebels in Zawiya (1:35):

Published on Aug 13, 2011 by AssociatedPress

Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday, in their most significant advance in months (Aug. 14 2011)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOHy8lXRx-Q&feature=player_embedded

[pinboy3niner]

35. "And on the other fronts, rebel advances seem to be endless"

"A sign, perhaps, that the battle for Libya may be drawing to a close"--Al Jazeera correspondent Omar Alsaleh, in Zawiya.

Rebel fighters in Libya say they are within 50 kilometers of the country's capital, Tripoli.

Fighting continues between opposition forces and soldiers loyal to Muammar Gaddafi in the city of Az-Zawiyah, which is on the coastal road towards Tripoli.

The opposition say they are trying to stop supply routes to Gaddafi's forces in the capital.

Al Jazeera's Omar Alsaleh has the latest developments (2:02):

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-0945

[pinboy3niner]

36. Battle for Libya: Latest on Az-Zawiyah

Al Jazeera reports that the main Gaddafi forces have retreated outside of Zawiya, and it is not clear whether that is a withdrawal or if they will attempt to mount a counter-offensive. Rebels have not yet finished clearing the city of pockets of Gaddafi troops and snipers.

Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Az-Zawiyah west of Tripoli on Saturday, in their most significant advance in months.


They battled snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Muammar Gaddafi's forces holding the city.


Az-Zawiyah, 50 kilometres from the capital, is a key target for rebels waging a new offensive launched from the mountains in the far west of Libya, an attempt to break the deadlock in fighting between the two sides that has held for months in the centre and east of the country.


Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from Libya, says the opposition fighters were "able to fight their way into Az-Zawiyah but they have still not been able to secure it." (1:13)


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1007

[pinboy3niner]

37. BREAKING, Reuters reporter: Libyan rebels are in control of center of Zawiyah

BreakingNews Breaking News
Reuters reporter: Libyan rebels are in control of center of Zawiyah, about 30 miles west of capital
4 minutes ago via breakingnews.com

http://twitter.com/#!/BreakingNews/status/102655594544115712

Hat tip to Tx4obama. :toast:

[pinboy3niner]

38. UPDATE 1 - Libya rebels control Zawiyah centre-Reuters reporter

Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:26am GMT

By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya Aug 14 (Reuters) - Rebel fighters are in control of the centre of the town of Zawiyah, about 50 km (30 miles) west of the Libyan capital, a Reuters reporter in Zawiyah said on Sunday.


The reporter said he could see about 50 rebels near Zawiyah's main produce market shouting "Allahu Akbar!," or "God is greatest!" The red, black and green rebel flag was flying from a shop.


Rebel fighters told Reuters there were still forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in the town, including snipers. The sound of occasional gunfire could be heard, but no heavy fighting.


Rebels said the capital was their next target. One rebel fighter smiled as he pointed to a roadsign marking the highway from Zawiyah to Tripoli.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D00Y20110814

[pinboy3niner]

40. "Today's victory would be the opposition's most significant in months"--AJ correspondent

Rebel fighters in Libya's Az-Zawiyah tell the Reuters news agency some pro-Gaddafi forces, including snipers, are still in the town.


Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, who is on the ground, said opposition fighters claim "they have managed to take 70 per cent of the town, despite the threat of snipers still in the area."


The gains are possible "because the Gaddafi forces' defences were weak and that fighters received help from inside the city. As they expected, residents took up arms and fought alongside them when they arrived.


"The town had previously risen up against Gaddafi, but government forces quelled that uprising.

"Today's victory would be the opposition's most significant in months because they were just 50km from Tripoli, a mere half an hour's drive, if they could hold the territory and stave off a Gaddafi counter offensive," our correspondent said.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1056

[pinboy3niner]

39. Syrian gunboats fire on coastal city; 5 killed

By ZEINA KARAM - Associated Press | AP – 2 mins 49 secs ago


BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian gunboats firing heavy machine guns pounded impoverished districts of Latakia on Sunday, killing at least five people in a renewed assault on the Mediterranean coastal city, activists said.


As the gunships blasted waterfront districts, ground troops backed by tanks and security agents stormed several neighborhoods. The sharp crackle of machine-gun fire and loud explosions could be heard across the city.


The intense operations in Latakia, a key port city once known as a summer tourist draw, are part of a brutal government crackdown on several Syrian cities meant to root out protesters demanding the ouster of President Bashar Assad.


At least 20 tanks and armored personnel carriers rolled into the city's al-Ramel district Saturday amid intense gunfire that sent many residents fleeing the area. Activists said at least two people were killed in the initial assault.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-gunboats-fire-coastal-city-5-killed-080147542.html

[pinboy3niner]

41. Syria: 'Deadly Military Attack' on Latakia (Protestors; 6 Killed, Forces Storm Under Heavy Shelling)

Posted in LBN by Hissyspit:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4960591

[pinboy3niner]

45. AP update 5 minutes ago: Death toll at least 10, and 30 wounded

Syrian gunboats fire on coastal city; 10 killed

http://news.yahoo.com/syrian-gunboats-fire-coastal-city-10-killed-092921275.html

[pinboy3niner]

42. Al Jazeera video map of Tripoli supply routes (0:22)

Fighting is ongoing in the centre of the Libyan city of Az-Zawiyah and around its oil refinery.

Hundreds of opposition fighters entered the city, 50km west of the capital,Tripoli.

Gaining control of Az-Zawiyah would cut off Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's only remaining supply routes from Tunisia.

The government, however, says it still has control of the city, and there are reports of heavy fighting there.

Find out more about the main roads and supply routes in Libya as fighting continues in Az-Zawiyah (0:22):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REdi65Uc4Dw&feature=player_embedded


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1149

[pinboy3niner]

43. Libya rebels enter strategic town near Tripoli

Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:52am GMT


• Rebels occupy centre of Zawiyah, west of capital

• Town controls Tripoli's main supply route

• Gaddafi government says rebels in Zawiyah defeated

• Reports of clashes near Libyan-Tunisian border


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels hoisted their flag in the centre of this town near the capital on Sunday after the most dramatic advance in months cut off Muammar Gaddafi's capital from its main link to the outside world.


The swift rebel advance on the town of Zawiyah, about 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, will deal a psychological blow to Gaddafi's supporters and also cuts the coastal highway to Tunisia which keeps the capital supplied with food and fuel.

...


Rebels from the Western Mountains region south of this Mediterranean coast town dashed forward into Zawiyah late on Saturday, encountering little sustained resistance from pro-Gaddafi forces.

...


In the Tunisian capital, where many Libyans have fled from the fighting in their home country, Libyans came out on to the streets late on Saturday to celebrate after hearing unconfirmed rumours Gaddafi and his family had fled.


But there was no indication of any change in Tripoli. State television said Gaddafi's supporters were heading to his Bab al-Aziziyah compound to show their support.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JE00A20110814?sp=true

[Iterate]

44. Personal Account of Algerian Fleeing Tripoli in February

August 13, 2011 - Personal account received by Libya Alhurra:

On Sunday 20th of Feb 2011 I was teaching in Tripoli. I finished my classes at 8 00 pm. I was approached by three men in military uniforms, and I was asked to go with them. They called me by my name and were friendly and assured me that they needed my help and that I was recommended. I got into the car ( a gray Hyundai Sonata 2011 with no licence plates). They told me that they will drive me home and on the way they kept giving me details about my life, my parents’ details, jobs, where I’m from originally, my best friends’ names, cars, my cars details, where I hang around and that when I thought i would never see daylight because I knew how the system works there, I was told that I have lived in Libya and its time to pay back or give back the favour. I was told to go home and get ready to leave the next day to destination they would tell me about the next day, they told me it was time i became a Libyan resident as i have lived 25 years there as well as being born in Tripoli. I had to get a personal photo to put on the Libyan ID they were gonna give me the next day, and they gave me an envelope with 2000 Libyan dinars to give to my parents.

I refused to take the money. I kept saying let me think about it, and the man at the back seat next to me who appeared to be the highest ranked among them told me that this would be considered high treason. They dropped me home. That night I couldnt sleep, eat or talk to anyone, knowing that they are surveilling the phone lines, I even thought about going to the Algerian embassy but then they are pro-Gadaffi and they would deliver me on a silver plate to the Libyan army. The next day, in the morning, they were waiting for me and from their behaviour I realized that someone I knew recommended me because they were acting nicer than they are supposed to. They asked to get into the car and took me to Mitiga airport. On the way they asked me about my language skills and that I just have to translate to some construction workers in Ajdabya what to do. When we got to Mitiga airport, they blind-folded me and I was driven to “Mathaba Thowrya” where his millitias prove their loyalty, and thats where I got traumatized. I’m sure it was in “ain zara” area in Musa Kusa’s office buildings. I was taken to an office and asked for my clothes sizes and shoe size, and in the other offices I could hear screaming. I told the officer that I’m not a soldier and that I can’t carry weapons because I was a coward and that I can’t even see blood or I’ll faint. The officer changed tone and slapped me and I was dragged by two officers to a cell where there were a lot of men CRYING from pain. One of them was Algerian and told me the offer, you should give in your passport, they handle you 500 euros and an AK47 with 6 magazines, you get in a Toyota Tundra with another foreigner and two Libyan soldiers, the driver MUST be Libyan, you get 100 LYD for every “traitor” you gun down and 300 LYD if you capture him alive. If a patrol manages to get more than 15 cadavers they give you 2000 LYD bonus. I was taken back to the office after a few hours and another officer showed me a small safe with hundreds of thousands of Euros. He told me that I can be a respected citizen with a rank and insurance and other privileges. I kept repeating that I’m not a soldier and I kept mentioning powerful family names to show that I’m well connected. He completely ignored all I said saying.

I was driven home, and on the way I kept trying to convince the officers in the car to take me out of this mess. The one in the back seat got really angry and started hitting me with a taser, telling me that we foreigners are dogs and we know nothing but taking Libyan money. When we got to my area the driver told me to be there at 8 00 am sharp and if I don’t my family will disappear, so i went home. I didn’t inform anyone I packed a backpack and got to a friend’s home in the airport road. I hid in his house for three days, and after a week I left Libya with help from airport officers to go past the thousands of millitias around. The mercenaries were not brought from abroad, they chose foreigners who speak Libyan perfectly and cant be noticed as not. As I mentioned you give in your passport, and get paid 500 euros as an engagement payment, 100 lyd for every head and 300 lyd for getting one alive. I met a man called Mohamed Hnish and he is the son of Gadaffis driver and he asked me to join them 2 days before I left, so the details are confirmed, and with every city that falls they execute those mercenaries to get rid of evidence.

Posted at 1:16 AM
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/post/8882809317/personal-account-of-algerian-fleeing-tripoli-in

[Iterate]

46. Report on The Liberation of Gheryan

Translation by Wafaa:

They are advancing on all axes. Concerning Gheryan, there is a big improvement today. Some of the previous info was very optimistic. I’d like to be specific on details : today. Gheryan - Freedom Fighters entered el Qawasim area through the road el Hamra, which it leads to Qawassim from Gitiif, and they liberated fully el Qawassim. EL Qawassim is the first area, coming from Tripoli to Gheryan. Freedom Fighters are combing the area. There is some bombing now and Ghaddafi troops that are in ghass in the middle of Gheryan are bombing to prevent Freedom Fighters of advancing to them. There are also some Ghaddafi troops in another axe in Bourchada area bombing the Freedom Fighters, trying to prevent them from advancing to the middle of the city. We are positive that FF will succeed to liberate Gheryan completely. The people of gheryan are supporting and joined Freedom Fighters. The Freedom Fighters are advancing from el Qawassim with heavy weapons toward Ghassat the middle of Gheryan. All the battalions (Sahban and the 8th battalion ) willl be completely destructed. I appeal to all the Libyans in the battalions to surrender and save their lives because there is no way out and don’t suicide for the sake of the tyrant. That will end very soon. Return to your families.

Posted at 3:08 AM
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/post/8886890034/report-on-the-liberation-of-gheryan

There were several uprisings in Gheryan. Initially successful, it was quickly put down by the large local garrison. There was a second one that occurred when troops were pulled out for the attack on Zawiya, and Gaddafi control regained in early March after they returned. The topography and location of neighboring towns would have made it a bloody battle without their support, as would an attack from the Miskah-Al Asabeah districts. The trigger for this uprising came from the advances over the mountain pass to the north that was taken after Bir-Ghanam.

[Iterate]

52. #Gheryan update!

LibyaAlHurraTV LibyaAlHurra
@NATO UNCONFIRMED There are reports of a convoy of 60 cars w/ missile launchers from #Gheryan to #Rabta via Aburshada Street. #Libya #Feb17 11 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Gaddafi filth left #Gheryan via back road to attack #AlRabta (+32°12'51 N +12°54'10 E) #Libya #Feb17 @NATO 11 Aug

Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub
#Gheryan: Opposition came into city,fighting still occurring to fully secure. Ppl told to stay in houses until its safe to come out. #Libya 13 Aug

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
#Zintan's military council seems to be confirming the good news coming out of #Gheryan. Reports that FF have successfully entered the city. 13 Aug

Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub
Moussa Ibrahim on #Gaddafi tv says that it's the lies of journalist and NATO that produced news of #Gheryan and #Zawiya take over. #Libya. 12 hours ago

Libyan4life Jeel Ghathub
Moussa Ibrahim said that opp fighters didnt enter #Gheryan today---that means they did. #UltimateConfirmation 12 hours ago

LibyanNewsToday Mahmoud by AsmaaBintLibya
#NATO is busy tonight ... Another G military column was destroyed , this time was heading to #Gheryan form #Azizizyah #Libya #Feb17 11 hours ago
(=where they just came from)

diceylee808 Dicey Lee
#Libya Tweeps - My contacts say only a few snipers & hidden #Gaddafi cells remain in #Gheryan. _Freedom Fighters completely control Gheryan_ 13 hours ago

4libya Jeanie Abdullah
The arrest of Mabruk Sahban Al-Megrahy commander of the toughest unit of #Gaddafi forces in #Gheryan is confirmed. #Libya via @sabha17feb 8 hours ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Gharyan: central Gheryan is in the range of 20 buildings and architecture, all under the control of sniper battalions. #Libya 2 hours ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Gharyan: FF are now combing the area Ngsat heading towards the insurance company to eliminate the remnants of G thugs #Libya 59 minutes ago

dovenews Libyan™
BREAKING! #FF have arrived to the city center of #Gharyan & have passed #Alrabatah hotel & they freed #Jandoba prison. #Nafusa 58 minutes ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
FF in #Gheryan arrested one of GF in insurance building and others runaway #Libya 27 minutes ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Gharyan: G's snipers stationed on the insurance building have fled. 2 of the snipers were caught. 1 FF was injured #Libya. 10 minutes ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Nafusa Page: FFs at #Gheryan have taken the Saahban military base. #Libya #Feb17 16 minutes ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Gheryan: FFs constantly advancing. G forces = low morale, some have fled south. Not long till it's totally free hopefully #Libya #Feb17 7 minutes ago

ETA: I don't know if that was clear, but essentially (if true), the FF waited near Qabillat Lagat after taking Bir-Ghanam. When the Gheryan garrison left town to attack/reinforce Zawaiya (predictably, as they had done in March), they were hit by Nato. Then the FF slipped behind them and into Gheryan. When the Gheryan garrison tried to return they were hit again by Nato and it looks like part of the brigade went to Rabta (with its base and former Chemical Weapons Production Facility) and those remaining in the city fled south. I hope it's not inaccurate or premature to say "well done".

[Iterate]

58. #Gharyan: Aljunduba detention center

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Gharyan: FF aiming to take control of Aljunduba detention center, where there R rumored to be over 3000 detainees, held there by GF #Libya 1 hour ago

ETA:
ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Gheryan: Freedom fighters attacked the Jandoba prison & initial reports indicate that up to 3,000 political prisoners have been freed #libya 1 hour ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan Gheryan - Apache helicopters helped in the Jandouba Prison release.The Apaches hit the G troops to force them to flee, FFs then combed the area & release

[pinboy3niner]

47. AP update: Gadhafi forces, Libyan rebels fight in Zawiya

By KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 1 hr 2 mins ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Residents say Libyan rebels and forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi are battling inside Zawiya a day after opposition fighters entered the strategic western city.


An Associated Press reporter in Zawiya says pro-Gadhafi snipers are shooting at rebels from an overpass deep in the city. Sporadic loud booms can be heard echoing across Zawiya, and a column of heavy black smoke can be seen rising over the city's outskirts.


Zawiya is 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, Libya's capital, and has been a key target for rebels waging a new offensive launched from the mountains in the far west of Libya to topple Gadhafi's regime.


A group of some dozen men in Zawiya were greeting rebels with chants of "freedom, freedom" Sunday.


http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-forces-libyan-rebels-fight-zawiya-103322873.html

[pinboy3niner]

48. Updated Reuters timeline on the Libyan Revolution

TIMELINE-Libya's uprising against Muammar Gaddafi
Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:55am GMT

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7HE0120110814?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

49. Advancing Libyan rebels turn sights on Tripoli

14 Aug 2011 12:12


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 14 (Reuters) - For Issam Legun, the fact that he and his fellow rebels were standing inside this town near Tripoli on Sunday felt like a turning point in the six month conflict with Muammar Gaddafi's forces.


"I hope we can go and attack Tripoli in a few days," said Legun, a taxi driver turned anti-Gaddafi fighter who was wearing a T-shirt with the word "Raw" written across it. "Now that we have Zawiyah, we can free Libya," he said.


Rebels from the Western Mountains region, about 100 km south of here, poured into Zawiyah on Saturday and by early on Sunday controlled most of the town, though pro-Gaddafi forcers were still holding out in northern districts.


Taking the capital is still a long way off: Gaddafi is likely to have withdrawn his best-trained forces to save them for the defence of Tripoli. And rebels have said before their victory is imminent, only for Gaddafi to fight back.

...


http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/advancing-libyan-rebels-turn-sights-on-tripoli

[pinboy3niner]

50. Fighting around Zawiya forces convoy of foreign journalists to return to Tunisia

Fighting erupted late Saturday on the road leading to Zawiya, close to the Tunisian border. It forced a convoy of foreign journalists who had just crossed the border and were heading to Tripoli to turn back to Tunisia.


The journalists were traveling with Libyan government minders to the Rixos hotel in the capital, where foreign reporters have been covering Gadhafi's government. The minders dropped them off at the Tunisian border because they decided it was too dangerous to continue traveling and made no further plans to try to take them into Tripoli.


http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-fight-key-city-near-capital-121936569.html

[pinboy3niner]

51. Rebels take control of key highway linking Tripoli to Tunisia--Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr, reporting from Az-Zawiyah, says that the rebels have just managed to take control of a key highway that links Tripoli to Tunisia, though central parts of the city remain contested. The rebels are leading a march through a neighbourhood near the highway, chanting slogans against Gaddafi.

She says the rebels are confident that they will be able to take the town.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1615

[pinboy3niner]

53. NATO airstrikes conducted Saturday, August 13

Key Hits 13 AUGUST:


In the vicinity of Brega: 7 Military Vehicles, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher


In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Military Vehicle.


In the vicinity of Waddan: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility.


In the vicinity of Zlitan: 2 Military Vehicles


In the vicinity of Bir Al Ghanam: 1 Military Vehicle


In the vicinity of Misratah: 4 Anti-Aircraft Guns.


In the vicinity of Zawiyah: 2 Tanks.


In the vicinity of Tawurgah: 2 Military Vehicles, 1 Anti-Aircraft Guns.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110814_110814-oup-update.pdf

[pinboy3niner]

54. Zawiya: Rebels face snipers, fear regime will send reinforcements

Bashir Ahmed Ali, the rebel battalion commander in Az-Zawiyah, says that government snipers are posted in some residential areas, making "some families ... virtual hostages in their own homes".


The representative for Az-Zawiyah on the rebel's National Transitional Council says that there are fears that the government will send in reinforcements to crush the rebel assault.


"We fear the arrival of reinforcements from Tripoli," particularly by sea, he said from the rebel capital of Benghazi in the east.


"But if Zawiyah falls (to the rebels), we will be able to control everything east of Tripoli to the Tunisian border. This is the beginning of the end for Gaddafi," he said.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-14-2011-1744

[pinboy3niner]

55. Rebel: "We control 70 percent of Garyan. There is still fighting taking place at the moment"

Libya rebels say attack town south of Tripoli

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D05I20110814

(Edited to substitute link to updated story)

[pinboy3niner]

56. Libya rebels claim Tripoli advance

Rebels opposed to the Gaddafi regime claim they are advancing on the capital on three fronts and meeting little resistance

Chris Stephen in Misrata
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 14 August 2011 15.12 BST


Libyan rebels claim to be advancing on Tripoli on three fronts and meeting only sporadic resistance.


Thirty-five miles west of the city, television pictures appeared to confirm reports that they are in control of much of the town of Zawiya, including the coastal highway to the Tunisian border.


Fifty miles to the south, opposition fighters say they have pushed out of the Nafusa mountains to capture Ghariyan, cutting one of only two main highways linking Tripoli to the rest of Libya.


To the east, rebel forces in Misrata have this weekend completed their capture of Tawarga.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/14/libya-rebels-tripoli-advance

[Iterate]

57. #Sabratha

annmarlowe Ann Marlowe
#Sabratha Brigade making progress advancing - took Al Mahmia base Sunday halfway to Surman 9 Aug

haythamabubaker Haytham Abubaker
FF's have made massive gains in Libya! Driving G forces out of #Zawiya and #Garyan. Also hearing of fighting in #Surman and #Sabratha 4 hours ago

FromJoanne Joanne
#Surman 6000 FFs have entered the city W of Zawiyah Some FF entered #Sabratha W Of Surman #Libya 3 hours ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Zawiya Page: Heavy fighting taking place in #Surman and #Sabratha. #Libya #Feb17 2 hours ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - #Sabratha - FFs control the main coastal highway #Libya #Feb17 54 minutes ago

EmadDlala Emo Libya
BREAKING: ALL HIGH WAY ROAD FROM #SURMAN TO TILEEL IS UNDER FFs CONTROL. BASICALLY 10 km WESTERN OF #SABRATHA #LIBYA 56 minutes ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - #Sabratha - Fighting taking place at AlAthar road, the last main road not yet under FF control. #Libya #Feb17 42 minutes ago

EmadDlala Emo Libya
FUNNY #Sabratha. Cause elect. is off, few G men were not aware of the situation. They r found chanting G songs til surprised by FFs #Libya 28 minutes ago

EmadDlala Emo Libya
SOME MINOR CLASHES STILL GOING IN THE MILITARY SCHOOL IN #SABRATHA BUT SITUATION UNDER FFs CONTROL. THEY WANT THEM TO SURRENDER. #LIBYA 26 minutes ago

libyanproud libyanandproud
BREAKING : #Gaddafi forces are Sheling the UNESCO Sites of #Sabratha "Theater" and "Temples" . #Feb17 #Libya @NATO @UKMilOps @UKinLibya 24 minutes ago

[tabatha]

60. I can imagine their joy and relief.

EmadDlala Emo Libya BREAKING: SABRATHA IS LIBERATED. DOWNTOWN IS FULLY UNDER CONTROL. THERE WAS LITTLE RESISTANCE BUT NOW IT'S SAFE. JUBILANT SCENES.

EmadDlala Emo Libya by ChangeInLibyaMY FRIEND WAHEEB FROM #SURMAN JUST HUGGED HIS MOTHER AFTER 6 MONTHS. HE JOINED #NAFUSA FFs AND HE NOW LIBERATED #SURMAN. BOTH WERE CRYING

#Libya #Feb17 RT @Alexblx #SURMAN PRISONERS ARE FREED!!! MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ARE FREE. I GOT CONFIRMATION… goo. gl/fb/GK0cM

libyanandproud
The brave Freedom Fighters are releasing their fellow imprisoned Freedom Fighters from #Surman and #Janduba . #Feb17 #Libya
FRE FREE FREED FREEDOM!!!!!!

[pinboy3niner]

59. Rebels say capture another town (Surman) west of Tripoli

Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:09pm GMT


ALGIERS Aug 14 (Reuters) -

...


"The revolutionaries today entered the centre of Surman. They are now in full control of the town. There is no fighting there now," the spokesman, called Abdulrahman, said by telephone from the town of Zintan. His account could not immediately be verified.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D06920110814

[Iterate]

62. #Surman

Want some spare tweets?

Alexblx Alexblx
HOPE 4 #TripoliPrisoners "Report that #FF are at #Surman prison - have it surrounded & are preparing to free the jailed FFs" #Libya 3 hours ago

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Unconfirmed reports that thousands of FF/political prisoners are being freed from the Sorman prison RIGHT NOW by freedom fighters #libya 3 hours ago

IamLibya somaya kalla
Families going out on the streets to welcome their sons in open arms in #Zawiya #Subratah & #Sorman 1 hour ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
For months those peopel of 'fetna' keep saying #Gheryan #Sabrata #Sorman silent &with #Gaddafi look to situation now 1 hour ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Sorman: FF now have almost full control of Sorman. They were able to seize 10 cars. 20FF suffered minor injuries. via #zintan FB #Libya 3 hours ago

AbzMCR Abz ElOmari
My cousins Said the FF promised 2 pray fajir in #Subratah.Now that #Zawiya has been liberated, #Sorman will be in a matter of hours. #Libya 5 hours ago

That last one quickly became old news, but when anyone is so right about something they should get honorable mention.

[pinboy3niner]

61. Video: Libyan rebels 'take Az-Zawiyah'--Al Jazeera (2:11)

Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish on Aug 14, 2011

Libyan rebel fighters claim they have taken control of 70 per cent of the key western town of Az-Zawiyah, which lies on the highway connecting Tripoli, the capital, to Tunisia.

The opposition says that they suffered "many casualties" due to sniper fire from troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, while taking the town, but that they will now march on to Tripoli.

The rebels had previously taken the city, but were pushed out when Gaddafi forces launched a security operation there.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Az-Zawiyah, Libya (2:11).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdMlYeXYim4&feature=player_embedded

[tabatha]

63. Al Jazeera reporter directly from the corner Sunday August 14

http://youtu.be/6KmzXWHoc7I

(I assume that this is from the center of Az-Zawiyah.)

[tabatha]

64. 4Adam Adam Libya

4Adam Adam Libya
Gharyan,Zawiya,Subrata&Surman are all in military fight against Gadafi that only indicates there's NO civil war in #Libya but all fighting G
21 minutes ago

Latest from Ras Jedir border-crossing - 4:00pm local time 8.14.2011 youtube.com/watch?v=UcsKrg… #Libya #Feb17
42 minutes ago

Reuters - Rebels say capture #Surman just west of #Tripoli reut.rs/rhOaAt #Libya #Feb17
1 hour ago

Khalid Kaaim in interview on State TV 'We were betrayed by some people' #Libya #Feb17
1 hour ago

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Az-Zawiyah - Libyan rebels 'take the city' youtube.com/watch?v=HdMlYe… #Libya #Feb17
1 hour ago

Eyewitness - Ras Jedir border-crossing is now closed in the Libyan side after NATO's airstrikes near the border this morning. #Libya #Feb17
8 hours ago

@LibyaNewMedia Yes! but that is not new, they have been always relying on what they capture from Gs.
9 hours ago

Reuters- Rebels in #Brega youtube.com/watch?v=bAYe8E… #Libya #feb17
9 hours ago

Controlling the Az-#Zawiya would cut off Gaddafi's only remaining supply routes from #Tunisia youtube.com/watch?v=REdi65… #Libya #Feb17
9 hours ago

AJE reporter 'Many fighters entered the #Zawiya battle without arms hoping they capture weapons from retreated Gaddafi forces' #Libya #Feb17
9 hours ago

Tataouine - Ras Jedir border-crossing still run by Gaddafi forces. 8.14.11 #Libya #Feb17
9 hours ago

#Libya, Rebels captured four mercenaries they showed their identification cards and they had money, in the city of #Zawiyah, #Gaddafi
10 hours ago

Interesting that #NATO activity around #Zawiyah no greater than normal so rebels gains r own achievement. goo.gl/4viyN #Libya
10 hours ago

Reuters reporter - Libya rebels control #AzZawiya center - 8.14.11 reut.rs/q9cnUQ Libya #Feb17
10 hours ago

http://twitter.com/#!/4Adam

[Iterate]

65. #Tarhuna

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
Libya hrar TV: Gunfire heard in inside Tarhuna #Feb17 #Libya 22 hours ago

israalibya Israa
calling family in tarhuna as I tweet... 22 hours ago

Iman17feb Iman Libya
Confirmed bia thuraya phonecall to tarhuna, even the mosques in the centre of the tarhuna are kabaring! Allah akbar! #libya #feb17 22 hours ago

EmadDlala Emo Libya
#Tarhuna is the only route remaining for Gaddafi to flee to #Chad. He has to hurry because there's news #Tarhuna is being liberated. #Libya 21 hours ago

iyad_elbaghdadi Iyad El-Baghdadi
Some news of an uprising in Tarhuna. Nothing confirmed though, and not clear if it's a citizens uprising or an FF backed operation. #Libya 19 hours ago

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
Gunfire in the streets of Tarhuna & reports of casualties. #Libya #Tarhuna #Gaddafi 19 hours ago

der_bluthund Anonymous Watcher
@acarvin Tarhuna is more or less liberated but there is a WMD plant to the west that needs sealing off and dealing with very carefully 21 hours ago
(someone was trying to get Andy Carvin wound-up)

acarvin Andy Carvin
@der_bluthund Is that the same as this one, that supposedly never really got off the ground? bit.ly/eBjMkt #libya 21 hours ago
(Carvin wasn't buying it)

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
#Tarhuna #FF attacked 6 vehicles which were coming from Tripoli at #Fum #Mulgha 25km away, 2 of them got direct hits #Libya 20 hours ago

diceylee808 Dicey Lee ✔
#Libya Gharyan - Apparently #Gaddafi forces heard a rumor prior of a very large army of FF coming for them, many ran away to Tarhuna...20 hours ago
(a tweet not supported -and an example of one to tag "maybe")

bentbenghazi76 somaia
@libyans_revolt: #Tarhuna Caller: Heavy clashes between Freedom fighters & #Gaddafi forces inside the city now. #Tarhuna #Libya #Feb17 @NATO 20 hours ago

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla by israalibya
#Tarhuna: Reports of mass revolt in the town and that the center of the town has been liberated..#Libya #Feb17 #gaddaficrimes 20 hours ago
(example of wishful thinking -to be ignored at this point)

FreeBenghazi Libya.elHurra
Gaddafiforces entered #Tarhuna w heavy machine guns, 14.5 & are firing themt at thuwar. #Tripoli #Libya youtube.com/watch?v=t8MUD7… 17 hours ago
(similar reports, multiple sources)

SanadMouzughi Sanad H Mouzughi
#Gaddafi forces execute 30 Libyan army officers from #Tarhuna for refusing to shoot on their own families in #Tarhuna. 16 hours ago
(credible, with other sources, but not sure if the sources are simply repeating each other)

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
Tarhuna: Electricity cut off as well as Libyan and Madar Mobile networks #feb17 #Libya 7 hours ago

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
Crackdown in Tarhuna. No one allowed in or out & Gaddafi forces shooting at minarets. #Tarhuna #Libya 6 hours ago

LibyanHawk Faith freedom
#Tarhuna is under complete siege by #Gaddaf's troops and news of a 5 year old child hit by grad missile in the center of the city#Libya 3 hours ago
(that seems to be the consensus from people with contacts)

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
Ahrar TV: Ali AlTarhuni: Tarhuna: Yesterday the whole town rose. Gunfire did not stop from 9am to dawn with 7 martyrs. #feb17 #Libya 32 minutes ago
(first news report that has some detail mentioned in tweets)

LibyanHawk Faith freedom
#Trahuna: Hensheri,One of #Gaddafi close aids was sent to city to convince FF's to surrender or #Tarhuna will face total destruction.#Libya 3 hours ago

Collective punishment, as per Libyan law. And that fits the Gaddafi pattern as well as any other town.

ETA:
Iman17feb Iman Libya
Just found out that one of those killed in tarhuna yesterday is a my second cousin shaheeed inshallah fe jannat el firdous #tarhuna #libya 4 hours ago
(so much for stereotypes about people tweeting #libya. For most it's as real as can be.)

[tabatha]

66. Progress maps

[tabatha]

67. TRIPOLIPRISONS

ceoDanya Danya B Mohammed
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS CONFIRMED!!!! The people in #TRIPOLIPRISONS are being shot with NEEDLES ...what the F*** is in the needles!!!
17 minutes ago

ceoDanya Danya B Mohammed
Okay PUT them IN JAIL but why the HELL are you INJECTING the #TRIPOLIprisoners #F***YOUGADDAFI. ... Ya allah!
17 minutes ago

ceoDanya Danya B Mohammed
There goes half of the Libyan population in #TRIPOLI ....freeking injected with god knows what ....
15 minutes ago

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~ from AJE blog post

it might be something to keep them from running away when attempts are made to free them.
There was a recent account from someone who escaped - he had been injected with something that prevented him from controlling his body. He was unable to protect himself from blows when he was being beaten . terrible.... add it to the list of war crimes to be prosecuted later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ from AJE blog post

“Freedom, freedom,” chanted a group of men greeting revolutionaries inside Zawiyah. One of those in the crowd rolled up his pants to show black-and-blue bruises he said came from a beating by Gaddafi forces who have been in control of the city for months.

“From March until last night, we felt fear. But when the revolutionaries came, we were really happy,” said Rabih Aboul-Gheit, an accountant in Zawiyah.

sa Korogle, a 35-year-old unemployed man, said he had been hiding in farmland near Zawiyah because he feared for his life since taking part in an uprising earlier this year.
“It feels like the first day of my life because I’m back in Zawiyah,” he said today.

[tabatha]

68. MalikAlAbdeh - possibly all over.

https://twitter.com/#!/MalikAlAbdeh

alharriri Anas Al Hourani
by MalikAlAbdeh
“@tweetminster: Unconfirmed reports that two South African planes have landed in Tripoli (via @nytjim) #Libya”
18 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
Strong rumours of splits within #Gaddafi family on whether to leave #Libya. Sa'di, Hanibal want to leave, Seif & Mutasim want to stay.
25 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
Strong rumours of splits within #Gaddafi family on whether to leave #Libya. Sa'di, Hanibal want to leave, Seif & Hannibal want to stay.
28 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
@abuhatem @NuffSilence I have sources within Libya. The info I'm tweeting on situation there is hot off press.
31 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
It's all over: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gaddafi Abdul Ati al-Obeidi in negotiations with representatives of the Transitional Council for the delivery of Tripoli and the peaceful transfer of power #Libya
39 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
@dwalshmedia My own private sources within Libya.
47 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
Libya latest: #Gaddafi's FM now in negotiations with #NTC reps in Tunis hotel on surrender of #Tripoli, peaceful transition of power. #Libya
48 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
It's game over for #Gaddafi. Reliable info tell me he's looking to escape #Libya by boarding South African jet. Waiting on US approval.
51 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
In mopping-up operation, rebels who liberated #Sabratha (west of #Tripoli) arrest long list of #Gaddafi informants, collaborators. #Libya
55 minutes ago

MalikAlAbdeh Malik Al-Abdeh
Confirmed news: #Gaddafi is now looking to escape #Libya by hitting last-minute deal with US. Plan involves him boarding #Zuma's pvt jet.
1 hour ago

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If it is all over it came faster than I thought - the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr.

[pinboy3niner]

73. Well, that settles it...

AnaximanderQC Randall Page "The leader is here in Libya, fighting for the freedom of our nation. He will not leave Libya," Ibrahim said." Well, that settles it. They're on the planes waiting for take-off....
Gaddafi will “blow up” Tripoli · 6 minutes ago

:)

[tabatha]

69. UPDATE 1-Libya rebels and govt hold talks in Tunisia:source

DJERBA, Tunisia Aug 14 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels and representatives of Muammar Gaddafi's government held negotiations late on Sunday in a hotel in southern Tunisia, a source with direct knowledge of the talks told Reuters.

There was no immediate confirmation that any talks were taking place from the government in Tripoli or the rebel movement.

The talks were being conducted behind closed doors at a hotel on the Tunisian island of Djerba near the border with Libya, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He did not identify any of those involved in the negotiations.

"Representatives of the rebels and Gaddafi representatives are having a meeting now," said the source.

Speculation that Gaddafi may seek talks have intensified since rebel fighters fought their way into the town of Zawiyah west of Tripoli at the weekend, cutting off Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital from its supply lifeline to Tunisia.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D08920110814

[pinboy3niner]

70. LIBYAN REVOLUTION DAY 179: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 2 AM MONDAY, AUGUST 15

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[pinboy3niner]

71. Gaddafi spokesman denies any negotiations under way

From Update 2:

A spokesman for Gaddafi's government denied there were any talks about the Libyan leader's departure, and said reports about such negotiations were part of a media war against Tripoli. There was no immediate comment from rebel officials.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D08920110814?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

72. Gaddafi urges Libyans to take up arms against NATO

Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:43am GMT


TRIPOLI Aug 15 (Reuters) - Libyan state television early on Monday broadcast what it said was a live speech by Muammar Gaddafi calling on the Libyan people to arm themselves to liberate the country from "traitors and from NATO."


The speech, which was broadcast in audio only with no images, was the first time Gaddafi had spoken in public since rebel fighters launched their biggest offensive in months in the area around Tripoli.


"The Libyan people will remain and the Fateh revolution (which brought Gaddafi to power in 1969) will remain. Move forward, challenge, pick up your weapons, go to the fight for liberating Libya inch by inch from the traitors and from NATO," the Libyan leader said.


"Get ready for the fight ... The blood of martyrs is fuel for the battlefield."

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E00A20110815

Reuters also noted that "The sound quality was poor and cut out completely several times during his speech."

[joshcryer]

74. I'd bet money he's not in Tripoli anymore.

The fact that he's hiding is going to make the "real" supporters he has left lose a lot of confidence in him.

[pinboy3niner]

75. Gaddafi defiant, govt said talking with rebels

Reuters WRAPUP 1:

Mon Aug 15, 2011 1:19am GMT


* Gaddafi urges people to 'liberate Libya' from NATO

* Rebels, gov't representatives talk in Tunisia-source

* Govt spokesman says no talks on Gaddafi departure

* Rebels occupy centre of Zawiyah, control supply route


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi urged his people early on Monday to "liberate Libya" from NATO and traitors, a day after rebels captured a key town on the road west to Tunisia, severing Tripoli's main supply route.


Late on Sunday, representatives of Gaddafi's government were holding talks with rebels at a hotel on the southern Tunisian island of Djerba, a source with direct knowledge of the talks said -- though the government spokesman denied it.


The talks followed a dramatic advance by the rebels that won them control of the town of Zawiyah, 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli on the coast, enabling them to halt food and fuel supplies from Tunisia to Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital.


Tripoli was not under immediate threat from a rebel attack, but rebel forces are now in their strongest position since the uprising against 41 years of Gaddafi's rule began in February, controlling the coast both east and west of Tripoli.

...


"The leader is here in Libya, fighting for the freedom of our nation. He will not leave Libya," (government spokesman Moussa) Ibrahim said.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JF00D20110815?sp=true

[tabatha]

76. Now there are tweets that the SA planes story was false.

Either way, if he leaves or stays, things are going downhill for him. Fast.

[pinboy3niner]

77. The Disappeared

In Newsweek Magazine

Hisham Matar’s new novel takes on a very personal subject: a father’s abduction by a brutal regime and a son’s unsettling sense of loss.

Maya Jaggi

Aug 15, 2011 1:00 AM EDT



As Hisham Matar was finishing his latest novel, about a young man so grief-stricken by a father’s absence that he stalks his lovers and wears his suits, word reached Matar that his own father might still be alive. Jaballa Matar was a leading Libyan dissident who vanished without trial in 1990 into Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s dungeons. Over 20 years, the family received only two letters from him, smuggled out of his cell. They feared he was among more than 1,000 political detainees shot dead in a prison riot in the mid-’90s. Then came this sliver of hope, that he had been seen alive in a jail in the capital, Tripoli.

...


Anatomy of a Disappearance is out in the U.S. on Aug. 23. By coincidence, it came out in London on the heels of the Libyan uprising in February that could yet bring a resolution to the author’s torturous uncertainty. On Feb. 3, when Gaddafi still hoped to head off protests, two of Matar’s uncles and two cousins were released after 21 years of wrongful imprisonment, along with eight other political prisoners. His father was not among them.


Matar, 40, with ink-black curls, has a gentle air of detachment and a haunting past. He was born in New York, where his father was a U.N. diplomat, the year after Gaddafi’s bloodless coup. He was raised in Tripoli until he was 9, when his family fled to Egypt. At boarding school in England, he lived under a false identity as “Bob,” a Christian from Cairo, because Libyan agents were picking off political exiles and their families. He was 19, an architecture student in London, when his father was abducted from their Cairo home by Hosni Mubarak’s security forces. They handed him over to be tortured in Tripoli’s Abu Salim prison.

...


Matar’s 2006 debut, In the Country of Men, revealed a Libya of public executions and private betrayals through the eyes of a boy in the late ’70s whose dissident father is incarcerated by the “Guide.” After that novel, a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, Matar campaigned openly for his father. Desmond Tutu and Salman Rushdie were among his supporters.

...


http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/08/14/hisham-matar-s-anatomy-of-a-disappearance.html

[tabatha]

78. Qaddafi's Long Arm

One of least report aspects of Mummar Qaddafi's struggle to continue his 42 year totalitarian rule has been the way he has used Libyan security personnel to extend his dictatorship to Libyans even when they are out of the country. In many cases this has been done through the mis-use of embassy staff to harass and intimidate Libyan students studying aboard and other Libyans who support the freedom fighters. In many countries, the ambassador and staff have come over to side of revolution and the Transitional National Council but in others they are still loyal to Qaddafi. Many of those have been involved in what is regarded in diplomatic terms "inappropriate behavior," been named "persona non gratis" and thrown out of the country.

Here is a round-up of news from the worlds media about this front in the Libyan freedom fight.

. Libyan Embassy in Jordan harasses student supports of freedom fighters.
. Libyan student president in Italy arrested for intimidating other students.
. Five Libyan diplomats expelled from Canada
. Libyan student murdered by Qaddafi marksman after returning from Australian.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/08/14/1006920/-Qaddafis-Long-Arm

[pinboy3niner]

79. Al Jazeera's morning summary of developments in Libya

Here's a round-up of events so far in Libya:


- Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has called on people to rise up against NATO and those he called "traitors".

- His comments on state television were made as opposition forces moved into what is being seen as their strongest position yet.

- Rebel fighters have claimed major advances in three key towns - but Gaddafi urged his supporters to get ready for battle.

- Gaddafi also predicted that Libya's rebels will meet a "swift end" - but that appears less likely than ever:

- Rebels are now just 50 kilometres from the capital Tripoli

- The latest prize within their grasp is the town of Az-Zawiyah - rebel commanders say they now control 70 per cent of it - the town is a key supply route for Gaddafi.

- Opposition fighters say they have also secured Surman and Ajaylat - west of Az-Zawiyah.

- And on the southern front the rebels claim they have also captured the city of Gharyan.


Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr followed the opposition fighters as they launched the operation to take Az-Zawiyah (2:11):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdMlYeXYim4&feature=player_embedded


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-0640

[joshcryer]

80. Tripoli Calling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hy2XzK6kw

[Iterate]

81. #Mizdah

I posted some maps and whatnot about Mizdah a few weeks ago but this one is probably more informative and easier to find:

http://twitpic.com/64i25g

SecularLibya MargBar Khamenei
Heinz: Mizdah and the junction to #BaniWalid is the next target for #Nafusa FFs. #Libya #Feb17 14 hours ago

freeourlibya jamal tripoli
Most of the defeated G forces who have fled from Gheryan and other liberated cities & villages nearby,retreated to #Mizdah & #Fassano #Libya 4 hours ago

LibyaAlHurraTV LibyaAlHurra
Shelling in #Mizdah happening now. #Libya #feb17 3 hours ago

freeourlibya jamal tripoli
Update : FF in #Mizdah have now taken control of a #Gaddafi military base, in their push to liberate the town . #Libya #Feb17 3 hours ago

freeourlibya jamal tripoli
FF are attacking #Gaddafi forces & mercenaries in #Fassano & #Mizadah . #Libya #Feb17 2 hours ago

GH on AJE
good morning free libya
as i say yesterday mizdah is now in ff hand we will see what happend today.
the ff size weapons and amu for another 2000 fighters yesterday and this morning ,including tanks and artellerie.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/node/51656#comment-286801280

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Wamis & #Mizdah both now in the hands of the #Freedomfighters. #Libya #Feb17 29 minutes ago

That was it? Seems too simple for taking a major military base. 150km from Bani Walid and it's now nearly cut off from two main roads. The road junction 130 km south cuts off the Algerian route for supply (or escape), or 210 km SE cuts off Sabha.

What was that from last week about Gaddafi controlling 20% more of Libya?

ETA two more, there are always two more:

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
According to Report it was in collaboration with FF Gharyan and FF Mizdah via Gharyan FB #Libya
4 minutes ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
Independence flag flying in #Mizdah. Mizdah has been liberated. If true that's another masterstroke by FF via Gharyan FB #Libya
5 minutes ago

[Iterate]

103. #Mizdah update

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
Reports Mizdah FFs in control of intersection leading to Beni walid & Sabha thus cutting supply route to Tripoli from South #feb17 #Libya 2 minutes ago

KhiriaElf Khiria
Reports that the people are in control of #Mizdah & #Gaddafi regime is sending it's battalions in that direction. @NATO #Libya 1 minute ago

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Reports that more than 100 tanks have been captured by FFs in Mizdah / plus more captured in Gheryan yesterday #Libya @NATO @NATOpress 3 hours ago

libyanproud libyanandproud
#Mizdah the mother of all Ammo Dumps ! Thank You russia ! #Feb17 #Libya 3 hours ago

Plus
libyanproud libyanandproud
@acarvin the road from sirte to tripoli is taken by FF of misratta at a crossing called sdadda
2 hours ago

libyanproud libyanandproud
@Proudlibyandoc big battle at sdadda yesterday ! Nice farmlands btw , 1 Gaddafi officer and 2 Chad Military in uniform ! Need pics
2 hours ago

[al bupp]

109. Mizdah FFs in control of intersection leading to Beni walid & Sabha

Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
Reports Mizdah FFs in control of intersection leading to Beni walid & Sabha thus cutting supply route to Tripoli from South #feb17 #Libya
1 hour ago

http://twitter.com/#!/Thanku4theAnger/status/103152574764548097

[joshcryer]

82. Map of Nafusa Mountains Aug. 14:

http://bit.ly/pzIHFJ

(very big so no inline)

[Iterate]

83. #Tiji

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Nafusa: Cabao was shelled with grad rockets this morning from G thugs position in Tiji. Buildings damaged, no casualties reported #Libya 12 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Gaddafi filth attacked #Cabao w/ GRAD rockets from #Tiji at 2am, no reports of any casualties. #Libya #Feb17 13 Aug

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
Cabao is being shelled right now by Gaddafi forces in Tiji. #Libya #Nafusa #Gaddafi 8 hours ago

4Adam Adam
Revolutionaries from different parts of Nafusa Mtns have moved towards Tiji early Monday Aug,15 to free Taiji from G forces. #Feb17 #Libya 3 hours ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
In the early hrs of this morning FF from Nafoussa mt. move on Tiji to Liberate it from G thugs. via Nalut media centre #Libya 2 hours ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: G thugs is shelling FF positions with tanks but FF are progressing & determined to liberate Tiji via Nalut media #Libya 2 hours ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: FF are now at the outskirt of Tiji. Fierce battle ongoing! FF from the East/West are involved via Nalut media #Libya
#Tiji: 5 minor injuries reported so far as a result of G's thug shelling via Nalut media #Libya 1 hour ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: FF are now at the entrance of the city #Libya 1 hour ago

emmaomo2011: #Tiji: FF have now entered the company infrastructure which is about 3km from Tiji. G thugs are retreating #Libya” 1 hour ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: Fierce battle near the military camp and Gas station. via Nalut media #Libya 48 minutes ago

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
Revolutionaries are at the entrance of Tiji & say they're seeing 14 buses ready to depart. Hope it can be liberated today. #Libya #Nafusa 28 minutes ago

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
Nalut Media Centre FB page reporting that the town of Tiji has been liberated without much of a battle. Apparently they fled #Libya #Gaddafi 23 minutes ago

libyanproud libyanandproud
#Tiji : Spoke too soon, #Gaddafi forces are heavily shelling the town of Tiji ! #Feb17 #Libya 18 minutes ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: G thugs are randomly shelling Tiji. FF rescuing the people and taking them to the mountain for safety. via Nalut media #Libya 18 minutes ago

libyanproud libyanandproud
#Tiji : Freedom Fighters are evacuating civilians to Tomzeen under heavy shelling. (via #nalut FB) #Feb17 #Libya 15 minutes ago
#Tiji : There are no #Gaddafi forces in Tiji nor at the military base, but town is under heavy shelling ! #Feb17 #Libya 13 minutes ago

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
Shelling of #Tiji might be coming from #Badr. Just my candid opinion. #Libya 10 minutes ago

New maps...

ETA: 4Adam Adam
#Tiji is LIBERATED, families asked to move to Tammzeen town after G forces started counter attack. 8.15.11 v Natut Media Grp #Libya #Feb17 4 minutes ago

ETA: 4Adam Adam
1 Martyr inside Tiji due to indiscriminate shelling by Gaddafi forces. #Libya #Feb17 7 minutes ago
emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Tiji: 1Martyr and 4 wounded via Nalut media #Libya 1 minute ago

[ellisonz]

84. Gaddafi's forces don't have a good route out of Tiji.

It'd be a long way to the coast or Tripoli. Hopefully they give it up.

[al bupp]

85. Libyan interior minister arrives in Egypt with family

The Libyan Interior Minister arrived in Egypt with members of his family on Monday, official sources at Cairo airport said, amid reports that he was abandoning the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

They said the minister arrived with nine members of his family, telling security officials at the airport that he was on holiday.

Reports have been circulating for hours that the minister had abandoned the embattled Libyan leader, who is facing NATO-backed revolt by rebels seeking to bring an end to his four decades in power.

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=233838

[al bupp]

86. BBC: Libyan interior minister 'flies to Egypt'

More this "unannounced holiday" from the BBC:

Libya's interior minister has arrived in Egypt on an unannounced holiday with nine members of his family, officials at Cairo airport say.

Nasser al-Mabruk arrived on a special plane from Tunisia and told Egyptian officials that he was "on a tourist visit", the sources said.

The visit has led to speculation of a possible defection from Col Muammar Gaddafi's inner circle.

It comes as rebel fighters advance on Col Gaddafi's stronghold in Tripoli.

More at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14529118?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[al bupp]

108. Correction: Former Interior Minister & current Deputy Interior Minister

JomanaCNN jomana karadsheh
As many have pointed out al-Mabrouk is a frmr #Libya min of Int- most recently it appears he was a deputy min of int.
3 hours ago

http://twitter.com/#!/JomanaCNN/status/103118481641308161

[pinboy3niner]

87. NATO airstrikes conducted Sunday, August 14

Key Hits 14 AUGUST:


In the Vicinity of Al Zawiya: 1 Anti Aircraft Gun.


In the vicinity of Garyan: 1 Military Facility.


In the vicinity of Tripoli: 11 Surface to Surface Missile Trans/Loader Vehicles, 1 Surface to Surface Missile Trailer, 3 Radars.


In the vicinity of Zlitan: 4 Military Facilities, 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Artillery Piece, 1 Armed Vehicle.


http://www.nato.int/nato_static/assets/pdf/pdf_2011_08/20110815_110815-oup-update.pdf

[pinboy3niner]

88. UN envoy arrives in Tunisia for Libya talks

Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:36pm GMT


TUNIS Aug 15 (Reuters) - A U.N. special envoy trying to find a way to end the conflict in Libya has arrived in neighbouring Tunisia for talks, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.


"Ban Ki-moon's envoy for Libya, (Abdel Elah) al-Khatib has arrived in Tunisia," said a ministry spokesman. "Tomorrow he will meet the (Tunisian) foreign minister and after that we don't know but certainly he will meet the Libyan parties."

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E0KS20110815

[pinboy3niner]

89. Gaddafi defiant, rebels poised to strangle capital

Reuters WRAPUP 6:

Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:31pm GMT


• Gaddafi urges people to 'liberate Libya' from NATO

• Rebels, gov't representatives talk in Tunisia-source

• Gaddafi's interior minister flies to Cairo


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 15 (Reuters) -

...


Egyptian sources said Nasser al-Mabrouk Abdullah, described as interior minister, flew to Cairo airport with nine relatives, from the Tunisian island resort of Djerba. He told officials he was on holiday. There was no immediate comment from Tripoli.

Unnamed envoys of Gaddafi's government were reported to have held talks with rebels at a Djerba hotel on Sunday, on a possible resolution of the 6-month-old civil war.

...


Medics outside Zawiyah on Monday said sniper and mortar fire by Gaddafi forces killed three civilians. One man was shot in the head and a 15-year-old girl died of shrapnel wounds.

...


A doctor said Zawiyah teaching hospital, with 600 beds, had been taken over by the military and turned into huge weapons storage area, particularly the floor under the maternity ward.


Libyans fleeing south in their cars reported gunfire in a place called Harsha, between Tripoli and Zawiyah.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JF00D20110815?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

90. Gadhafi forces try to block Libyan rebel advance

By KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 22 mins ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi's forces pushed rebels back from the center of the strategic city of Zawiya on Monday in fierce fighting to try to prevent the opposition from consolidating a major advance to within 30 miles of the capital Tripoli.

...


The rebel advance was raising fears among Tripoli residents over the prospect that fighting might soon reach the capital. Cars carrying civilians fleeing Tripoli crossed checkpoints on a desert road around Zawiya, headed for the rebel-held western mountains.


"We are afraid of whatever is coming," said Mohammed Bilkheir, an accountant escaping Tripoli with his family. He said he was leaving to stay with relatives in the western mountains, fearing battles would break out in Tripoli.


On Monday, regime forces pushed the rebels back from the center of Zawiya in fighting concentrated on the main coastal road connecting Tripoli and the border crossing with Tunisia. Armed pickup trucks dashed to and from Zawiya's city center on Ghanam Street, where the battles have raged over the past four days.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-forces-try-block-libyan-rebel-advance-140747299.html

[pinboy3niner]

91. Libya's western mountain rebels taste success

By KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 4 hrs ago


ZINTAN, Libya (AP) — Rebels in the western mountains of Libya spent weeks meticulously organizing in the town of Zintan for what has now become the opposition's most successful advance in months against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.


Hundreds of regime opponents filtered in from the coastal city of Zawiya and other parts of the Gadhafi-controlled western heartland along the Mediterranean. They formed fighting units in hopes of "liberating" their home towns.


This town of 40,000 on the plateau of the Nafusa Mountains overlooking the coastal plain has become the nerve center of what is now the most promising front in the rebel campaign to oust Gadhafi: an attempt to flank the grinding deadlock in the center of the country with an assault from the far west.


Already, the rebels have managed to push northward, threatening Gadhafi's main supply line linking the capital of Tripoli with the Tunisian border to the west.


Virtually everyone in Zintan, from policemen to hospital cooks and dentists, has either picked up a gun or works at the home front without pay.

...


"We are looking for freedom," said Mustafa al-Fakhal, 35.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libyas-western-mountain-rebels-taste-success-094841713.html

[pinboy3niner]

92. Juan Cole: Rebels Advance, Surround Tripoli, as Qaddafi Totters

Posted on 08/15/2011 by Juan


The long slow slog of the Libyan struggle to throw off the rule of Muammar Qaddafi, accelerated this weekend, possibly decisively, with rebel forces making major advances . Tripoli was said to be ready to embrace the rebel youth when they came into the capital.


Free Libya forces made substantial advances over the weekend, coming up from Zintan to take much of Zawiya on the coast, with the help of the majority in the city that opposes dictator Muammar Qaddafi. Zawiya was the site of among the first and biggest anti-Qaddafi demonstrations, and was brutally repressed with tank and artillery fire on unarmed noncombatants by Qaddafi brigades. Since March it has been under secret police rule, but that was thrown off jointly by locals and by their allies from the Western Mountain region to the south.


Not only did they take most of Zawiya, but they went into the neighboring towns of Surman and Gharyan, where there was heavy fighting. If the Free Libya fighters can keep Zawiya, they can cut Tripoli off from arms and supplies that flowed to Qaddafi from smugglers in Tunisia along the Mediterranean. Zawiya itself has an important petroleum refinery, which could end up being denied to Qaddafi in Tripoli.

...


Qaddafi forces do not appear to have defended Zawiya very vigorously, suggesting a collapse of esprit de corps. The same conclusion could be reached on observing the sudden decamping of Qaddafi loyalists from Tawarga, which left even the rebels puzzled. ... Despite a defiant television appearance Sunday in Tripoli, Qaddafi must have a premonition that his rule of Libya is effectively over with. His last ‘million man march’ in the capital drew only 100 people. Mysterious negotiations between his rump government and the Transitional National Council, which now has the bulk of the country, took place in Tunisia on Sunday evening. Were they discussing the terms of Qaddafi’s exile?


http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/rebels-advance-surround-tripoli-as-qaddafi-totters.html

Hat tip to pampango. :toast:

[pinboy3niner]

93. Libya's Zawiyah on edge after rebel capture

Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:11pm GMT


• Gaddafi snipers menace town

• Suspicions run deep

• Rebels want Tripoli next


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 15 (Reuters) - For 12 hours, Libyan rebel Ahmed Oraybee had been moving from one building to the next in the town of Zawiyah, trying to hunt down the pro-government snipers stalking its neighbourhoods.


Suddenly he became a victim himself when a bullet struck him in the leg.

...


Rebels attacked Zawiyah on Saturday and say they now control about 80 percent of the strategic town which lies 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli.


The fighters are focused on capturing or killing the snipers and clearing out any other pro-government forces so they can then set up barricades, secure Zawiyah and move on to the capital Tripoli, Muammar Gaddafi's stronghold.


Gaddafi's men have recaptured Zawiyah twice before so the rebels say they are being extra cautious and thorough.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E0KA20110815?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

94. Turkey sends more fuel to Libya as rebels advance

Mon Aug 15, 2011 3:40pm GMT


LONDON Aug 15 (Reuters) - Turkey is ramping up shipments of diesel to Libyan rebels, effectively joining Qatar and trader Vitol in fuelling the uprising against leader Muammar Gaddafi.


Trade sources told Reuters Turkey is preparing to deliver a third shipment of fuel to the rebels in the east as part of a multi-million dollar deal.


Ankara is stepping up support at a time that the rebels are in their strongest position since the uprising began in February against 41 years of Gaddafi rule. They have advanced into the town of Zawiyah, 50 km west of Tripoli, cutting off Gaddafi's stronghold in the capital from its supply lifeline to Tunisia.

...


Turkey so far has not agreed on any long-term supply deal with Libya's National Transitional Council, which Ankara recognized last month. But its current support could lay the groundwork for negotiations with the rebels once Libya's eastern oil fields are up and running.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7JF00D20110815

[pinboy3niner]

95. Estimated 100-150 regime snipers reported in Zawiya

From The Telegraph's live blog:

Zawiyah apparently under "indiscriminate bombing and shelling", including residential areas, according to Libyan doctor and blogger Naseebah Khalil. Fighting is certainly going on in the city; Gaddafi's men are still in the central Martyr's Square, mortar shells are landing, and an opposition fighter tells Al Jazeera that there are 100-150 snipers in the city.

16.08:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8701592/Egypt-Libya-and-Syria-live.html

[al bupp]

101. Has there ever been any other time or place where...

...one of the primary military tactics has been the widespread use of snipers?

I know they were used extensively by the Nazis in WW2 (as portrayed in Saving Private Ryan) particularly in urban/suburban areas to slow Allied troop movements but they seem not to have had so much relative importance w/in the overall range of tactical options as they appear to be in Libya.

I suppose it's yet another sign of weakness on Gaddafi's part. If he had the manpower, why resort and rely upon snipers to such a degree? On the other hand, they can bring an advance to a grinding halt as each one gets rooted out, in what I guess must be an excruciatingly slow and deliberate process.

[joshcryer]

137. Siege of Sarajevo, Gaddafi is taking a playbook right out of those tactics.

As Sarajevo showed it's not hard to end such conflicts if the class that is being besieged has outside help. For years Sarajevo didn't have outside help and it just festered, the forces were besieged. NATO helped end it in about three months, but they had an abyssal Rules of Engagement and killed more non-fighting civilians than necessary, if I recall correctly (technology may not have been sufficient then, either).

I think as long as you have material support you can keep a city besieged with snipers and smaller arms indefinitely, you don't even need tanks or anything.

[Iterate]

96. Video: Revolutionaries freeing prisoners from Surman prison

Video: Revolutionaries freeing prisoners from Surman prison
This video was taken on August 14, 2011 from the city of Surman just west of Zawiyah, which has been recently liberated of Gaddafi forces. Hundreds and thousands of protesters and political opponents of the regime were imprisoned after the crackdown of the initial protests in Libya in February. They will all placed in this jail in Surman. In this video these hundreds and thousands of imprisoned civilians are now being freed at last by the revolutionaries.

http://feb17.info/media/video-revolutionaries-freeing-prisoners-from-surman-prison/
or http://youtu.be/C9XU3LdoNWQ

ETA tweets
LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
Report that FF are at #Surman prison, have it surrounded and are preparing to free the jailed FFs. #Libya #Feb17 14 Aug

KhiriaElf Khiria
#Zawia caller said that 1200 innocent people were freed from prison in #Surman by the people. #Libya #Feb17 18 hours ago

LibyaAlHurraTV LibyaAlHurra
CORRECTION: large number of prisoners were released yesterday,near #Surman. In #Zawiya,prisoners being held in shipping containers. #Libya 17 hours ago

libyaoutreach Libya Outreach
Prisoners being freed from Surman prison, some of these men were kidnapped in Tunisia. #Libya fb.me/WHYopPmd 40 minutes ago

LibyaNewMedia LibyaNewMedia
The Chadian guards refused to surrender & were killed by revolutionaries. They opened fire at prisoners but no one was hurt. #Libya 18 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

97. Egyptian judge stops live Mubarak trial broadcasts

By AYA BATRAWY - Associated Press | AP – 36 mins ago


CAIRO (AP) — Television cameras won't be allowed in the courtroom for the rest of ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's trial, the presiding judge ruled Monday.


Judge Ahmed Rifaat adjourned the trial until Sept. 5, when Mubarak, his former security chief and six other senior officials are scheduled to face charges of conspiring to kill protesters during the mass uprising that ousted them from power.


State TV cameras had been allowed in the courtroom for the first two hearings, but Rifaat said he decided to ban them before summoning witnesses.


"It is in protection of the general interest," Rifaat said.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/egyptian-judge-stops-live-mubarak-trial-broadcasts-111953226.html

[pinboy3niner]

98. Rebels say they have shut down all four main gas/diesel pipelines to Tripoli

"We shut down all four pipelines to Tripoli," said Nurial-Bouaisi, one of the rebels. He also said all coastal roads leading from Tripoli to the Tunisian border at Ras Ajdir were now under rebel control. The claims could not immediately be verified.


Rebels in Zawiya were running low on ammunition. Some sat huddled on the sides of streets, taking cover by the walls of buildings as they waited for more supplies to arrive.

...


On Monday, rebel commander Jumma Dardira said rebels were still clashing in the Sabratha area, 20 miles (32 kilometers) west of Zawiya on the coast. He also said rebels were in control of Surman, near Sabratha to the southeast.


"We are closing the roads for Gadhafi so there is no way for him to bring anything to Tripoli," Dardira told The Associated Press.


http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-forces-try-block-libyan-rebel-advance-140747299.html

[pinboy3niner]

99. "No stalemate in Libya – the writing is on the wall for Gaddafi"

A quick exit for the colonel matters less than a well-managed transition, preparing the country for representative government


Brian Whitaker
guardian.co.uk, Monday 15 August 2011 17.15 BST


Take a look on Google and you'll find more than 1,500 news items combining the words "Libya" and "stalemate". Repeating the search for Syria and "stalemate" reveals a mere 109 items, and for Yemen only 73.


This is rather strange, because the Yemeni and Syrian uprisings – unlike that in Libya – are both obvious examples of a state of stalemate. In Yemen and Syria, the regimes have no prospect of restoring the status quo, but at the same time it's difficult to see how their opponents can decisively gain the upper hand.


That has never really been the case in Libya, despite many articles predicting that stalemate would occur, and others treating it as an established fact. Once Nato intervened and the National Transitional Council (NTC) began winning international recognition, the writing was on the wall for Gaddafi.


It has turned into a drawn-out struggle and Gaddafi's forces have had successes as well as failures along the way, but the overall direction has always been clear: the regime's opponents have been getting stronger while the regime itself, under multiple pressures, has been steadily weakening. There is also no realistic possibility now that Gaddafi can reverse this trend.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/15/no-stalemate-libya-gaddafi

[pinboy3niner]

100. Turkey's FM issues "final" strong warning to Syria

The Telegraph's live blog reports:

The Turkish foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, who earlier asked the Syrian army to be more "sensitive" towards the people it is shelling, has now made a rather stronger statement:

This is our final word to the Syrian authorities, our first expectation is that these operations stop immediately and unconditionally. If these operations do not stop there will be nothing left to say about the steps that would be taken.

17.48:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/8701592/Egypt-Libya-and-Syria-live.html

[pinboy3niner]

102. UN chief's envoy in Tunis for Libya talks (Chavez envoy reported there, too)

(AFP) – 3 hours ago


TUNIS — UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's envoy on Libya flew into Tunis Monday, saying he would be joining talks between rebels and the government of embattled leader Moamer Kadhafi, an AFP photographer saw.


Former Jordanian foreign minister Abdul Ilah al-Khatib said negotiations on Libya's future would be taking place in a hotel in the Tunis suburbs.


Earlier sources close to Tunisian security services said representatives of the two warring sides had met in Djerba, near the Tunisian-Libyan border.


Libyan Health Minister Ahmed Hijazi and Social Affairs Minister Ibrahim Cherif stayed in Djerba on Sunday, where they were joined by Foreign Minister Abdelati Obeidi, the national TAP news agency said.


Negotiations were under way with "several other foreign parties", the agency added, without giving details of the content of the talks.


A reliable source said an envoy of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a Kadhafi ally, was also present.

...


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjv8Mm-UPVyJd2ACj7o3Hc2nSUpQ?docId=CNG.2676121f83532a605fead5c9c6c1ed38.f1

[pinboy3niner]

104. Reuters update: "Radical change in situation"

(From WRAPUP 8)

• Rebels say they seize Garyan, completing siege of Tripoli

• Gaddafi urges people to 'liberate Libya'

• UN envoy in Tunisia where rebels, govt said to hold talks

• Gaddafi security official flies to Cairo


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels said on Monday they had seized a second strategic town near Tripoli within 24 hours, cutting off the capital's two main supply routes after the boldest advances of their six-month-old uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.

...


"Garyan is fully in the hands of the revolutionaries. They crushed the Sahban Brigade, the main command centre for Gaddafi in the Western Mountains. They took the brigade's heavy and light weapons," a rebel spokesman, Abdulrahman, said by phone.


"Gaddafi has been isolated. He has been cut off from the outside world."


RADICAL CHANGE IN SITUATION


After months of only incremental gains in their struggle against Gaddafi, rebel advances in the last two days have transformed the situation, beginning with the capture of the town of Zawiyah which cut Tripoli's main lifeline road west.


Reuters reporters in the town say Gaddafi's forces still hold an oil refinery and have sniper positions on rooftops, but the highway linking Tripoli to the Tunisian border is shut.


At a hospital, medics said six rebels had died and 26 were wounded. They also said firing by Gaddafi forces killed three civilians. One man was shot in the head and a 15-year-old girl died of shrapnel wounds.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JF00D20110815?sp=true

[CJvR]

112. If accurate...

...it is a major victory for the rebels, on the level of lifting the siege of Misrata.

EDIT: Although it should be pointed out that while Bali Waled remains in the hands of the loyalist Tripoli still have a link to Sirte and the rest of Gaddafi held Libya.

[pinboy3niner]

105. US encouraged by rebel gains in Libya

August 15, 2011 1:31 PM


(AP) WASHINGTON —

...


Officials in Washington are stopping short of predicting victory but say they are encouraged by recent rebel advances near the capital of Tripoli and an apparent high-profile defection from Gadhafi's inner circle. White House press secretary Jay Carney says it's becoming clearer that Gadhafi's days are numbered. Neither Carney nor State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the rebels now have the upper hand.


But U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity say there is reason to think the rebels may now have enough momentum to wrest full control of the country. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the fast-moving developments.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/15/ap/business/main20092528.shtml

[pinboy3niner]

106. Netherlands releases Libyan gov’t assets to the World Health Organization ($144 million)

15 August 2011


THE HAGUE (BNO NEWS) -- The Dutch government on Monday announced it will release a part of the frozen assets belonging to the Libyan government to the World Health Organization (WHO) so it can distribute more medicines.


Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said the Dutch government is the first country in the world to help the Libyan people directly by releasing some of the regime's assets. He said the decision was taken at the request of the WHO, which will use the money - 100 million euros ($144 million) - to distribute medicines among civilians.


"The Netherlands can release this money to the WHO because the sanctions committee of the United Nations has approved this," the Dutch Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "The medicines will be distributed to the people in Benghazi and other rebel-controlled areas, areas where fighting is continuing, and civilians who are still under the control of the regime."


Rosenthal said the move by his government is an example of how sanctions should work. "I always say that sanctions should squeeze the regime, and that the people should not fall victim to this. This is exactly what is happening now: frozen money of (Libyan leader) Gaddafi will be used to save Libyan lives."

...


http://channel6newsonline.com/2011/08/netherlands-releases-libyan-govt-assets-to-the-world-health-organization/

[tabatha]

107. GH on planes

"the 2 airbus from daffi contain gold ,daffi goons load it since 3 days now.may be saif or others want to escape with it.problem for them there are a lot of real libyan in the area with contakt so the plains will crash into the holes on the run way. the italian mlr are very accurate. sorry saif but plan z failed."

So, if any planes other than those approved by NATO try to leave ... well, it'll be a bumpy ride on the runway ... forget about airborne ...

Other posts
Malik Al-Abdeh by jjiaamud
#Tripoli sources say Iranian military advisers co-ordinating #Gaddafi forces, army officers unhappy about taking orders from them. #Libya

17:47 AFP The Dutch government has unfrozen €100 million ($144.5 million) of Libyan assets on request of the World Health Organization. The amount is only a fraction of the total assets seized by the Dutch government in March, but the funds will be used by the WHO to distribute medicine to the Libyan people

@Jonny_Hallam Jonny Hallam FT paper reporting that chinese construction workers will be back in #Benghazi in a month. Building $6B new home project.

thanku4theanger Awesome: Ppl of Sebratah were given light weapons by G forces to fight FFs.They handed them to FFs as soon as they arrived LoL #Feb17 #Libya

Freedom fighters in Libya | Posted on Monday, Iran's third shipment of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people. The Iranian News Agency (IRNA) that the shipment contained 40 tons of medicines and medical equipment. For his part, said Zaher Rostami, Secretary General of the Iranian Red Crescent: "It's the first time that it to send aid from Iran to Libya directly," and noted to it will dump the load in the airport in Benghazi, Libya. He explained that Iran had been sent earlier in two shipments of humanitarian assistance to the Libyan people by Tunisia

MORE GH

with the coastal towns in the next days more then 10.000 fresh ff will join the front .
the weapons sponsored by daffi are still on the way.
the recruting stations in the towns overflow in the moment.
young men from the area want to fight again daffi

the ff size weapons and amu for another 2000 fighters yesterday and this morning ,including tanks and artellerie.

there is a plan and west is one week ahead of the plan

[pinboy3niner]

110. ANALYSIS-Libya rebels show new discipline in push to Tripoli

Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:41pm GMT


• Rebels who took Zawiyah were more orderly fighting force

• Previous advances squandered by poor organisation

• Fighters will need resolve to hold onto latest gains


By Michael Georgy


ZAWIYAH, Libya Aug 15 (Reuters) -

...


After a six-month-old conflict when inexperience and ill-discipline undermined their offensives time and again, rebels have formed themselves into a more organised fighting force.

...


Rebels are now formed into units, mostly based on their native towns or villages, and each unit has a commander. That may be standard battlecraft, but for the sometimes anarchic rebel movement, it is a novelty.


In contrast to previous offensives, the rebels do not waste ammunition. There is little celebratory gunfire.


The rebels also seem to have at least a rudimentary idea about military tactics.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E0IZ20110815?sp=true

[Iterate]

111. Airport intrigue

No revolution would be complete without rumor, and some of it turns out to be partly true. We've shied away from posting it, for the most part, but this one is pretty good. It's had some legs all day.

Almanara Libya (@AlmanaraMedia)
Posted Monday 15th August 2011 from Twitlonger

#Libya // Breaking: Reports to Almanara that #Tripoli Airport is now witnessing an unusual event as tens of Protocol (Marrasim) cars and other cars are present. The reporter expects the cars are for #Gaddafi and his family/relatives and official Gaddafi close men with their families getting ready to run away from the city on 4 air planes which is now ready in the airport.

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
Breaking: via Libya.tv 2 airplanes originating from South Africa have landed in #Tripoli airport with #NATO permission. #Libya 20 hours ago

From early AM:
on Gaddafi will “blow up” Tripoli 4 hours ago

the 2 airbus from daffi contain gold ,daffi goons load it since 3 days now.may be saif or others want to escape with it.
problem for them there are a lot of real libyan in the area with contakt so the plains will crash into the holes on the run way .the italian mlr are very acurate .
sorry saif but plan z failed .
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/node/51656#comment-287002000

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
The airplanes mentioned were managed by German engineers who left #Libya when the conflict began...again FALSE, no planes landed in #Tripoli ..cont..both planes are painted in African Union colors, used by #Gaddafi and have been at #Tripoli airport since February..#Libya 18 hours ago (spoilsport)

Marguer_d Marguerite Dehler
/@malikalabdeh: CLARIFICATION: 2 S. African jets, 1 Ifriqiyah Airlines jet, on stand-by at #Tripoli airport, have not yet taken off. #Libya
RT @malikalabdeh: Civilian jets have been seen taking off & landing from #Tripoli airport. Security at airport has been tightened. #Libya 26 minutes ago

LOrion LOrion
Tens of PROTOCOL cars NOW AT TRIPOLI AIRPORT twitlonger.com/show/cdqeqq / NOPE No confirmation #JustRumor #LIBYA

FromJoanne Joanne
#DJERBA airport source: A South African jet and 2 Qatari military Helicopters were sitting on the tarmac at airport of Djerba Tunisia #Libya

Tunisia_Live Tunisia Live
No planes on #Djerba airport tarmac. Only one russian cargo plane is parked at the outskirts of the landing zone #libya yfrog.com/hssxkuuj 3 hours ago

rifi01 I A
#Gaddafi fleeing? don't be too swiftly to expect that. but there is really much activity in #tripoli airport which is suspicious.. #libya 2 hours ago

FromJoanne Joanne
al manar MEDIA REPORTS GADDAFI + Family To BE EVACUATED with Collaboration of UN #Libya #TRIPOLI airport seeing unusual high activity 1 hour ago

FromJoanne Joanne
In my PERSONAL opinion #Tripoli Aircraft and cars at airport have ALL 2 do with the UN envoy and LITTLE with #Gaddafi family leaving #Libya 1 hour ago

SanadAttia Sanad Attia
BREAKING!!Libyan #FF advance on Aziziya, not far from Tripoli airport. They notice abnormal air traffic activity despite no-fly zone. #Libya 1 hour ago

INTLRevolver INTL.Revolver
#Libya // Breaking: Reports to Almanara that #Tripoli Airport is now witnessing an unusual event as tl.gd/cdqeqq via @AlmanaraMedia 14 minutes ago

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
A source of mine at Libyan airport denies that any planes landed. He says there are no foreign planes & Libyan ones didn't move. #libya
Therefore, my source denies that 2 South African (or any other nationality) jets landed in Tripoli International Airport yesterday #libya
He wouldn't know, however, if something landed at Mitiga Airport which is Gaddafi's private jet airport/military base in Tripoli #libya
Basically: Nothing suspicious or new at Tripoli International Airport yesterday. No idea about Mitiga Airport (Military base) #libya #feb17

FromJoanne Joanne
all I can say jpkrebs is there were planes coming and going at #Tripoli International airport I got that confirmed from my source #Libya 1 minute ago

ETA: nolesfan2011 Steen Kirby
al manar media reporting #gaddafi will be evac from #tripoli airport anytime now. hope so!! #libya #feb17 2 minutes ago

[tabatha]

114. This --- needs a head bang

:banghead: :banghead:

[pinboy3niner]

113. BREAKING: Moussa Ibrahim has nothing to say :)

I couldn't help but be struck by one line in Reuters' latest update on Libya:

Gaddafi's officials in Tripoli did not respond to a request for an update on the military situation on Monday.

When Ibrahim has nothing to say, you know Gaddafi is in dire straits.

The latest update has a few added details:

WRAPUP 9-Rebels say Tripoli encircled; Gaddafi defiant
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JF00D20110815

(Edited to substitute link to Reuters' corrected WRAPUP 9.)

[joshcryer]

138. HAHA! Nice ponboy3niner!

[pinboy3niner]

115. Libya shows signs of slipping from Muammar Gaddafi's grasp

As rebels seem close to controlling supply routes, and a senior minister leaves the country, opposition forces are optimistic


Julian Borger, Chris Stephen in Misrata, and Richard Norton-Taylor
guardian.co.uk, Monday 15 August 2011 19.29 BST


Muammar Gaddafi's regime has shown fresh signs of buckling as rebels have come close to cutting off supply routes and the Libyan interior minister arrived in Egypt in what appeared to be the highest-ranking defection for many months.

...


The anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council (NTC) also claimed to have taken the city of Surman and said it was close to gaining control of Sabratha, along the same coastal road. A rebel spokesman said that talks were under way with government forces over their surrender.

...


There were clashes near the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia, and opposition forces were reported to be pushing towards Tripoli from the south having taken the strategic crossroads of Garyan over the weekend. Control of Garyan, in the Nafusah highlands, cuts off Tripoli from the Gaddafi stronghold of Sabha in the south. The multi-pronged offensive was an attempt by rebel commanders to cut off Tripoli's supply lines and regain the initiative after the killing of their military leader, General Abdul Fattah Younes.

...


A NTC statement issued on Monday called on people in Gaddafi-controlled area to organise themselves into "local committees to maintain security on the eve of the regime's downfall, and to raise awareness about the need for safeguarding public property, including universities, schools, hospitals, petrol stations, facilities and buildings, as they are the people's property, built with our own effort, sweat, money and sacrifice."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/15/muammar-gaddafi-losing-grasp-libya

[pinboy3niner]

116. Al Jazeera video: Fighting continues in western Libya (2:15)

Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish on Aug 15, 2011


Libyan rebels have made significant advances over the past several days, launching a two-pronged offensive in the west to try and cut off supply routes between Tunisia and Tripoli.

They say that they are now in control of Gharyan, home to a large government military base, as well as Surman and Ajaylat, both towns on the coastal highway.

The key fight, however, continues in Az Zawiyah, a town 50km from the capital that is home to Gaddafi's last remaining oil supplies in western Libya.

Rebels say they entered the city on Saturday night, but that they are continuing to meet fierece resistance.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Az Zawiyah, western Libya (2:15).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr5t92hL2Q0&feature=player_embedded

[pinboy3niner]

117. Rebels remove more than 3,000 mines in Brega in 3 days

Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley has just tweeted from Brega:

tonybirtley

fighters held up by mines. in three days they have collected more than 3,000. just 5km area covered

Mon Aug 15 19:19:04 +0000 2011

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-2222

[tabatha]

118. FB 17 Tripoli I Love You

Libyan cross-section (damn those lies of racism)

http://youtu.be/dkXxNIVMF_4

[joshcryer]

139. I'm tearing up watching this.

The reason being is that it's not as black and white as a lot of people make it out to be, with their vile commentary. Just read the stupid YouTube comments from Gaddafi-paid thugs.

[pinboy3niner]

119. Rebels take journalists to Brega

In the east of the country, rebel advances have been slower. Rebels were able to take journalists on Monday to the deserted oil port of Brega, the frontline for months. Since last week, rebels have held residential parts of the city, while Gaddafi's troops still hold the refinery, oil terminal and port.

Unexploded shells lay on streets, amid burnt out vehicles and the occasional dead sheep. Rebels said they feared Gaddafi's troops would destroy the oil terminal rather than give it up.

--From Reuters' WRAPUP 10
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JF00D20110815?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

120. Col Gaddafi fires scud missile at rebel territory as Nato braces itself for final violent showdown

Source: The Telegraph

Col Muammar Gaddafi's Libyan government appeared to be preparing for a last violent final showdown after it emerged that his beleaguered regime had fired a Scud missile at rebel territory as the forces closed in on Tripoli.


By Damien McElroy, Zintan, Richard Spencer, Middle East Correspondent

9:00PM BST 15 Aug 2011



The rebels were attempting to identify the trajectory of the missile which was fired from Col Gaddafi's stronghold of Sirte even as his envoys headed for new talks with the opposition and a United Nations special envoy in Tunisia.


Despite rumours that he is preparing to flee, the opposition fear Col Gaddafi is preparing a desperate last stand in Tripoli and towns still loyal to him in the face of recent rebel advances on two fronts which has cut off his crucial supply routes.

...


The launch of the ballistic Scud missile, which has a range of more than 200 miles, was detected by a US Aegis destroyer in the Mediterranean on Sunday, officials told The Daily Telegraph.


The regime is thought to possess more than 100 of the Scud B variant missiles. It agreed to destroy them in a deal to end sanctions a decade ago, but rows over their replacement mean the systems remain intact.


Although military planners believe that the majority of the missiles were taken out in recent air strikes, several mobile brigades are thought still to exist.

...


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8703041/Col-Gaddafi-fires-scud-missile-at-rebel-territory-as-Nato-braces-itself-for-final-violent-showdown.html

[pinboy3niner]

135. US officials: Gadhafi fires first scud missile

7:01 p.m. Monday, August 15, 2011

By LOLITA C. BALDOR


The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A U.S. military official says Libyan government forces fired a scud missile for the first time in this year's conflict with rebels, but it landed east of Brega and hurt no one.

The official says the early Sunday missile launch was detected by U.S. forces shortly after midnight and it landed in the desert about 50 miles outside Brega. Rebel and regime forces have battled over the strategic port city, and control has gone back and forth between the two sides.


http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-officials-gadhafi-fires-1111776.html

[tabatha]

121. Libya’s western mountain rebels taste success

Rebels in the western mountains of Libya spent weeks meticulously organizing in the town of Zintan for what has now become the opposition’s most successful advance in months against Moammar Gadhafi’s forces.

Hundreds of regime opponents filtered in from the coastal city of Zawiya and other parts of the Gadhafi-controlled western heartland along the Mediterranean. They formed fighting units in hopes of “liberating” their home towns.

This town of 40,000 on the plateau of the Nafusa Mountains overlooking the coastal plain has become the nerve center of what is now the most promising front in the rebel campaign to oust Gadhafi: an attempt to flank the grinding deadlock in the center of the country with an assault from the far west.

Already, the rebels have managed to push northward, threatening Gadhafi’s main supply line linking the capital of Tripoli with the Tunisian border to the west.

Virtually everyone in Zintan, from policemen to hospital cooks and dentists, has either picked up a gun or works at the home front without pay.

http://feb17.info/news/libyas-western-mountain-rebels-taste-success/

[pinboy3niner]

122. Advancing Libya rebels fear oil terminal's sabotage

Mon Aug 15, 2011 7:58pm GMT

• Rebels says smoke points to oil facility sabotage

• Govt has blamed rebels, NATO for oil installation damage


By Robert Birsel


BREGA, Libya, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi will destroy the oil terminal in Brega to prevent one of the country's most important economic lifelines falling into the hands of advancing rebels, the fighters said on Monday.


The oil port of Brega has been the main front line in the east of the country for months. Rebels have seized the port's eastern residential areas since last week, but Gaddafi's forces still control its oil terminal, refinery and port.


Black smoke billowed over those areas on Monday, which the rebels said was a sign that Gaddafi's forces were already carrying out sabotage.


"We could be making $35 million a day from Brega port in exports of oil," the rebels' military spokesman, Ahmed Bani, told Reuters during a visit by reporters to the battle-scarred section of the town the rebels hold.


"Because of that, Gaddafi will destroy it. Scorched earth. We know his mentality," Bani said.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E0Q520110815?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

123. Secret Libyan discussion - report (Aircraft from South Africa, Qatar reported at Djerba)

Updated: 05:03, Tuesday August 16, 2011


Libyan rebels have joined members of the government of embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for secret talks in the Tunisian town of Djerba, sources close to Tunisian security services said.

At the same time, a South African jet and two Qatari military helicopters on Monday were on the tarmac at the airport of Djerba, a south Tunisian island close to the border with Libya, an airport source told AFP.

'Talks took place during last night at a Djerba hotel under heavy security,' a source close to the Tunisian security services told AFP.

'Corteges of cars on Sunday crossed the border at Ras Jedir, near Djerba', the source added, asking not to be named.


http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=650654&vId=2635878&cId=Top%20Stories

[pinboy3niner]

124. U.S. accredits NTC rep as Libyan Ambassador

The US says that it has accredited Ali Aujali, the representative of the Libyan opposition, as Libya's ambassador to the United States.


"Aujali has been accredited and the embassy has been opened," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters after saying he had been issued a visa to the United States on Friday.


State department officials have told the AFP news agency that they expect that Aujali has also been given access to the frozen Libyan embassy accounts, which contain between $10 million and $12 million.


At a meeting last month in Istanbul, the United States recognised the rebel National Transitional Council as "the legitimate governing authority in Libya".


Aujali was the Gaddafi government's ambassador to the United States until he resigned in February and declared his allegiance to the opposition.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-2306

[catchnrelease]

125. So much activity now

I hope it means that Gaddafi will be gone soon.

[joshcryer]

141. It does. I'll start part 2 soon.

[pinboy3niner]

126. Pro- and anti-Gaddafi demonstrators protest in Djerba, Tunisia, site of "secret" talks

AFP reports that dozens of Libyans held a protest in Djerba against the talks reportedly taking place between pro- and anti-Gaddafi officials.


Rebel supporters chanted "No to Normalisation with Gaddafi" and "Faith to the souls of martyrs" as they rallied against talks, said a witness speaking on condition of anonymity. Nearby another group, of Gaddafi supporters, chanted "treason" at rebel supporters.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-15-2011-2344

[tabatha]

127. From AJE blog by Azizor

Sammy sorry I did not unswer before.
You do not need to come to Libya to live there are many ways to help it from the country where you and your family live.
But one never knows...what if Libya becomes the place as Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dabi...and it is not a dream..it is reality...
I am happy you decide to come and visit Libya...people are changed during this 6 months that I sometimes can not recognize them...their eyes shining, faces worried but shining with strong wish for the better future.

[tabatha]

128. From Tunis - a defector.

This guy was close to the G regime, but not close enough to have bad stuff on his hands. He has been posting on Disappearing Spring, and was hinting that he was going to leave the country, soonish. He had thought that Gaddafi would bring out the nasty stuff to keep Zawiay, and was shocked to see it fall. He has left, and here are his posts from Tunisia.



Greetings from Tunis all. :)

Things look quite the hairy for the regime. Apparently, the people of az-Zawyah rose up with efficiency and speed to make regime forces ceede the city. The supply line west is now essentially cut off and reports are the southern route has or is about to go.

Thank you - only a day or two soon enough in time too. So much for the regime plans to hold the western supply road at all costs. The collapse of zawyah was quite a shock, I have no idea what happened but that was quite a sudden change in fortunes. Everyone has gotten out or is getting out now, its over - time to run or be caught up in the nastiness to come.

Expect everything now. Scud missiles, activation of the civilian militia, shelling of zawiyah, bunker mentality. Nasser Abdullah fled to Egypt. A stream of upper tier society has all fled as well - there is little left in Tripoli now but the people who could not flee and those ready to fight to the death.

Believe it or not, there still is a strong swell of support for the regime in Tripoli and a lot of fear remaining. It will be very nasty and ugly an do not expect an easy surrender or fleeing...there is no where to go.

I could give you an estimate, but I can't say I am 100% confident in it. I would estimate there are about 10,000 hardcore regime supporters who will fight to the death. The regime thinks it can field about 50,000 armed troops in and around Tripoli - I'd discount this to the remaining Khamis brigade and Interior militia police, about 10k, who are heavily armed and know how to fight. They are also fanatical loyal - they believe in Gaddafi and have everything to lose if the regime falls, they have 'blood on their hands' and have basically been groomed their entire life to be the enforcers.

Yes, I do. I believe (without anything other than rumor to confirm it) that those south africa planes were to evacuate the remaining diplomatic and international staff remaining in Tripoli (probably some journalists as well). Gaddafi has given the call and Tripoli is going to get ugly now. Time to go.

Thank you, they were safe long ago and some trusted long time family workers just made it out as well. They are pro-revolutionary freedom fighters - not everyone who got out is pro-Gaddafi, most just want to avoid fighting.

[pinboy3niner]

129. LIBYAN REVOLUTION DAY 180: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 12:01 AM TUESDAY, AUGUST 16

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[al bupp]

130. Another defection?

HebaShi_Mub HebaShi Mub
#BREAKING #LIBYA #LibyaAhrartv : Mohammed Ismail, a senior aide to #Gaddafi 's son Saif al-Islam arrives to #Cairo #Egypt with his family
35 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/HebaShi_Mub/status/103216612647256064

[tabatha]

132. THANKU4THEANGER

THANKU4THEANGER
Unconfirmed reports of Gaddafi officials fleeing Libya like Mohamed Ismail, Saleh Ibrahim & Masud Abdelhafiz Gaddafi #feb17

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".

[pinboy3niner]

131. Libyan rebels try to isolate Tripoli, Gadhafi

By KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 4 mins 50 secs ago


ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Libya's rebels threatened to isolate Tripoli by blocking key supply routes and cutting oil pipelines on Monday after a dramatic weekend advance put them in the strongest position since the 6-month-old civil war began to attack Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold.


In Washington, the Obama administration said the U.S. was encouraged by the rebel advances and hoped they had broken a monthslong stalemate with Gadhafi's forces.

...


The rebels' push into the strategic city of Zawiya on Saturday brought them within 30 miles of Tripoli, the closest they have ever gotten. After three days of fierce battles for the city of 200,000 on the Mediterranean coast, rebel commanders said they controlled the south and west of the city and were fighting for the refineries. Oil-rich Libya's only functioning refineries are in Zawiya.

...


Gadhafi's troops fired dozens of artillery shells and Grad rockets, and the loud booms sounded across the city. Six shells hit in quick succession in Bir Ghanam Street, which leads from the city center to the south. One shell struck a highway overpass and another hit near a small mosque along the street.


Dead and wounded were rushed to a small clinic on the outskirts of the city. Reporters at the clinic saw at least four dead bodies and at least 20 people with serious injuries, including one man with a leg torn open by shrapnel.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-try-isolate-tripoli-gadhafi-200029145.html

[pinboy3niner]

133. U.S. encouraged by Libya rebel push, embassy open

Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:31pm GMT


• Washington's assessment becoming more upbeat

• Reports that interior minister has defected

• US still working on releasing frozen Libyan assets


By Andrew Quinn


WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The United States believes Libyan rebel advances are choking off Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the capital Tripoli and significantly increasing pressure on the Libyan leader, the U.S. State Department said on Monday.


State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said an envoy from the rebel's National Transitional Council had reopened Libya's embassy in Washington, further formalizing ties between the United States and the rebel government.


"What we are seeing is an effort by the rebels to choke off the access routes into Tripoli and to up the pressure on Gaddafi," Nuland told a news briefing.

...


"It appears that the military advances and fractures within Gadaffi's regime have reached a possible turning point," said Brian Katulis, a security expert at the Center for American Progress think tank.

...


Nuland said Aujali would resume control over the embassy's immediate assets, but that the United States was not yet in a position to follow through on vows to unlock more than $34 billion in Libyan assets.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFN1E77E17C20110815?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

134. The Berbers join the Arab revolt

Source: The Economist

North-west Africa’s minority

Springtime for them too?

Aug 13th 2011 | RABAT | from the print edition


IN MOROCCO their language has been made official. In Algeria they lead protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s regime. In Tunisia they are rediscovering a long-suppressed identity. In Libya they man the rebels’ western front in the mountains south of the capital still held by Muammar Qaddafi. Even in Egypt’s oasis of Siwa, near Libya’s border, Berbers are finding that the revolution has given them a chance to revive their cultural rights.


“There is a Berber renaissance taking place across north Africa,” enthuses Mounir Kejji, a Moroccan Berber campaigner. ....

...


Libya’s rebellion is fiercest in the Nafusa Mountains, a Berber heartland long neglected by the government. Colonel Qaddafi has refused to acknowledge Berber culture for most of his reign, describing it as “colonialism’s poison” intended to divide the country. Only in 2006, apparently after his son Seif al-Islam intervened, did he lift a ban on the use of Berber names.


Berbers make up about 5% of Libya’s 6m-7m people, though some activists put the figure higher. In recent weeks they have set up a radio station. The rebel-controlled Libya TV, based in Qatar, now broadcasts in Tamazight, the Berber tongue, for two hours a day. In June, says Mr Kejji, a delegation of Libyan Berbers affiliated to the rebels’ Transitional National Council put a linguistic query to their Moroccan counterparts: how should they write “army”and “national security” in Tamazight, so that Libyan uniforms could have a badge in their own language alongside Arabic?

...


http://www.economist.com/node/21525925

[pinboy3niner]

136. Libya shows signs of slipping from Muammar Gaddafi's grasp

Posted above in this thread, and also posted in GD by Lunabelle:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1746472


Might be worth popping in to welcome Lunabelle (now at 15 posts) to DU.

[pinboy3niner]

140. The number of posts in this thread is TOO DAMN HIGH!

No pressure, Josh. :evilgrin:

[joshcryer]

142. 15 mins. :) I saw Daffi shot scuds! That gots to go in the new thread.

I didn't expect to have a part two so soon! I think as this thing comes to a close we may have to go back to daily threads. :rofl:

[pinboy3niner]

144. One SCUD--so far

I'm thinking it's only one because his gunners, with NATO around, are probably saying, "You want me to do WHAT????" :rofl:

I had a hunch that you were already working on it. The way things are moving, you might want to look at preparing the NEXT OP, too--unless you want some of this again:





:rofl:

[joshcryer]

145. Haha

Only thing missing is the Nescafe. :P

[pinboy3niner]

146. Are you thirsty, Josh? Here ya go... :)

[joshcryer]

143. Week 26 part 2 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1747426