Libyan rebels reject African Union cease-fire plan

[Baclava]

Source: MSNBC/AP

Pro-Gadhafi forces step up attack on rebel-held city of Misrata

BENGHAZI, Libya — Rebel leaders rejected a cease-fire proposal Monday from African mediators, saying the terms did not include their demand for Moammar Gadhafi to relinquish power after four decades as Libya's leader.

Gadhafi's forces, meanwhile, battered the rebel-held city of Misrata with artillery fire, despite an announcement by the African Union negotiators hours earlier that he had accepted their cease-fire proposal. The shelling killed six people, one of them a 3-year-old girl, a doctor said.

The head of the rebels' Transitional National Council, former Libyan Justice Minister Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, said the initiative "did not respond to the aspirations of the Libyan people" and only involved political reforms. "The initiative that was presented today, its time has past," said Abdel-Jalil. "We will not negotiate on the blood of our martyrs."


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42529732/ns/world_news-mideast/n_africa/

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No surprize there...and the war drags on.

[David__77]

1. The rebels have made clear they will not accept anything but surrender.

Which is why it is interesting that the Western countries keep talking about "diplomacy." I see no room for such a thing. The authorities in Tripoli can continue to endorse peace measures, but it matters little for practical purposes.

[Baclava]

2. "Cost of Libya war for US at $608 million: Pentagon"

WASHINGTON (AFP) April 4, 2011 – The cost of the air war in Libya for the US military has reached $608 million, a US defense official said Monday.

The cost estimate covers the period from the start of international air strikes in Libya on March 19 to April 4, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

US officials previously had said the operation had cost $550 million through March 28.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/libyaconflictusnatomilitarycost

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How many school lunches will that buy?

Of course, you can probably double any Pentagon estimate of war costs. I figure we're well over a billion dollars so far.

[David__77]

3. Oh, I'd prefer the intervention be ended immediately.

And not only that, but I prefer that military spending by greatly curtailed. We can bring the military forces back to the US, close most overseas bases, give the troops a raise, and still save a lot.

It is terrible what has happened with this intervention.

[joshcryer]

5. US role now is very much a backseat.

I'm just waiting for a report of US jets actually getting involved again (at the request of NATO) so people can role out the derisive deflections...

[David__77]

6. Backseat or not, my position is the same.

I certainly am pleased that the role is fairly minimal.

[psychopomp]

8. Who do you think is calling the shots?

Allegedly covert operations are being conducted by American soldiers and spies. I wouldn't doubt they are actively involved in missions confronting Libyan soldiers. NATO has taken over the mission and the US controls NATO.

The US has not taken a backseat, just has gone behind the curtain.

[joshcryer]

4. Exile is not a diplomatic option?

So when Ben Ali and Mubarak left it wasn't due to diplomatic pressure?

[David__77]

7. Mubarak is in Egypt.

Exile may be a diplomatic option now, but it would not be if the ICC filed charges.

[Uncle Joe]

9. Gaddafi, it's time for you to go, it's only a matter of time.

Thanks for the thread, Baclava.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Uncle Joe]

11. From what I understand they've already degraded his military by 30%,

if Gaddafi were smart, he and his sons would leave.

Had he brought about democratic reforms instead of ruling for 40 years as a dictator, his legacy would've been far different and I believe this is the primary lesson for all the world's dictators, whether they're "friends" or foes of the West.

The Internet is changing the world and they better get used to it fast.

[Baclava]

12. As long it's not OUR boots on the ground, let the EU take him out.

WE need to stay the hell out of any ground war on this one.

[Uncle Joe]

13. Except for the CIA I don't believe we will or need to be on the ground.

With time I believe the Libyans; themselves will take him out if he doesn't leave.

[psychopomp]

14. Personalizing this conflict by calling for the EU to "take him out" is reminiscent of

the personalization of the Iraq invasion.

Making this a battle against one man plays right into the media hype surrounding this war. Level-headed thinking is called for, not oversimplification and war as dramatic evening television entertainment.

[Baclava]

15. Isn't personalizing a war by siding with "freedom fighters" you know nothing about just as bad?

WE have NO business being in this mess to start with. Of course it's about taking out Moe, Hillary said as much from the start.

NO MORE fucking WARS!

That's my stance.