Gaddafi is working hard for that ceasefire of Tonio's and Joseph's: by killing off the other side
No match for Gaddafi's forces
GADDAFI OFFENSIVE ROLLS UP REBEL-HELD TOWNS
By Mohammed Abbas
AJDABIYAH, Libya | Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:26pm GMT
Muammar Gaddafi’s troops seized the strategic Libyan oil town of Brega Sunday forcing rebels to retreat under a heavy bombardment while world powers considered imposing a no-fly zone.
Losing Brega and its refinery further limits rebel access to fuel after the insurgents were pushed out of Ras Lanuf on Sunday, another major oil terminal some 100 km to the west along the coast road where all of Libya’s important towns are located.
Defeated rebel soldiers were demoralised
“There’s no uprising any more,” said rebel Nabeel Tijouri, whose heavy-machinegun had been destroyed in the fighting. “The other day we were in Ras Lanuf, then Brega, the day after tomorrow they will be in Benghazi.”
“Brega has been cleansed of armed gangs,” a Libyan government army source told state television.
Brega is 220 km (137 miles) south of the rebel stronghold of Benghazi with the town of Ajdabiyah the only sizeable town standing in the way. From Ajdabiyah there are roads to either Benghazi or Tobruk, close to the border with Egypt.
Libya’s flat desert terrain means the government’s air supremacy and big advantage in tanks outweighs the rebels’ enthusiasm and light weaponry. Only towns and cities provide some cover for the insurgents and partially even the odds.
“He’s out of Brega. He’s on the way, maybe in half an hour his rockets will reach us here,” said rebel fighter, Masoud Bwisir, at the western gate of Ajdabiyah.
NO-FLY ZONE
The speed of the government advance may overtake drawn-out diplomatic wrangling on whether or how to impose a no-fly zone.
The United States said a call by the Arab League for a U.N. no-fly zone over Libya was an “important step,” but while Washington said it was preparing for “all contingencies,” it has remained cautious over endorsing direct military intervention.
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said the League had “officially asked the U.N. Security Council to impose a no-fly zone against any military action against the Libyan people.”
That satisfies one of three conditions NATO agreed Friday are needed for it to take on the task of policing Libyan air space; that of strong Arab support. The others are proof that its help is needed and a U.N. Security Council resolution.
A NATO official said: “Regional support is one of the three conditions. For us the three conditions have not changed, and we do not have a U.N. mandate.”
The United States does not want to appear to be leading the drive to oust Gaddafi and made no proposal for an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
Even if the Security Council does meet to discuss a no-fly zone, it is far from clear whether it would pass a resolution as veto holders Russia and China have both publicly opposed the idea.
MUTINY?
Meanwhile fresh from crushing the revolt in Zawiyah, west of the capital Tripoli, elite government troops and tanks turned to Misrata, Libya’s third biggest city and the only pocket of rebel resistance outside the east.
But a mutiny among government troops stalled their advance for a second day Sunday, rebels said.
“From the early morning they (the government troops) are fighting among each other. We hear the fighting,” Mohammed, one of the rebel fighters, told Reuters by telephone.
“This division between them came to us from God. Just when we thought the end was coming, this happened. Now we are waiting to see what will happen.”
The events could not be confirmed independently. Journalists have been prevented from reaching the city by the authorities. A government official in Tripoli dismissed the reports as rumours.
“There is a hard core of al Qaeda fighters there,” said government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim. “It looks like a Zawiyah scenario. Some people will give up, some will disappear … Tribal leaders are talking to them. Those who stay behind, we will deal with them accordingly.”
It took a week of repeated assaults by government troops, backed by tanks and air power, to crush the uprising in Zawiyah, a much smaller town 50 km (30 miles) west of Tripoli.
The death toll in Zawiyah is unknown but much of the town was destroyed, with buildings around the main square showing gaping holes blown by tank rounds and rockets. Gaddafi’s forces bulldozed a cemetery where rebel fighters had been buried.
After fighting ceased in Zawiyah Friday, one soldier there was asked about the fate of rebels. He made a throat-cutting gesture and laughed.
As in Zawiyah, the rebels in Misrata were heavily outgunned.
“We are bracing for a massacre,” said Mohammad Ahmed, a rebel fighter. “We know it will happen and Misrata will be like Zawiyah, but we believe in God. We do not have the capabilities to fight Gaddafi and his forces. They have tanks and heavy weapons and we have our belief and trust in God.”
(Additional reporting by Maria Golovnina and Michael Georgy in Tripoli, Tom Pfeiffer in Benghazi, Mariam Karouny in Ras Jdir, Tunisia, Alister Bull in Washington; Writing by Jon Hemming; Editing by Jon Boyle)
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12726032
Daphne, I believe you are, like myself, someone who cannot be bought at any price. So this makes it difficult for me to adopt the mindset of those that can be bought. All I do know is that Gaddafi would probably find it at least somewhat bemusing to come across Maltese citizens that cannot be bought.
Are we in the minority?
It intrigues me to know for just how little or how much people would be willing to get into bed with this man.
It’s over for them now either way.
Sanctions will last for months if not years and any cash left in Libya is as good as lost.
Or is it?
Sanctions are nothing new. Gaddafi survived them. If he managed to free Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, and get every country in the EU toppling over itself to do business with LIbya in the past, he or his family will do it again.
The thing is that he is likely to emerge stronger than ever, having ‘cleansed’ out a few thousand of his most active opponents.
Probably we too will be having members of parliament embracing him or his son in a few years’ time. It’s been justified as good neighbourly relations in the past. Would you think that things change? Libya hasn’t moved its location.
Unfortunately, for the sanctions to work, they have to somehow inflict some pain on his people – those who seem to be supporting him. Those people have living memory of the previous sanctions. The only way to demoralise them and bring them to their senses about how evil this man is, is to make them experience similar sanctions. That should make them realise that with this man and his family at the helm, their life is not going anywhere.
People who “cannot be bought” are very much in the minority, wherever you go. People from all walks of life lack principles. How else would one explain the fact that, for example, a mafia gangster “earned” himself a tomb within the Vatican’s walls? ( http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2010/07/mafia-tomb-reopened-to-solve-girls.html )
Any money donated by an ex-gangster would no doubt have been derived from illicit and, at times, atrocious, actions, and yet, at times, people see no wrong in accepting it..
I meant on Vatican property, not within the Vatican’s walls.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110313/local/france-wants-to-speed-up-libya-no-fly-zone-as-rebels-retreat
“Western nations will help us,” one man in Benghazi tells a reporter. What sad and touching faith.
Try and imagine the workings of the average politician’s brain. I know it’s hard but try for now please. OK. Now what do you think about Libya? Hmmmmm (smells wood burning) ….
ahh yes, Any votes in it?
Any cash in it?
The moral issue: They are raghead non-Christians so that’s the church out of the equation.
The human race is doomed and if ever we need a second coming its RIGHT NOW.
Cynicism does nothing to enhance the present situation.
I dare certain commentators here and elsewhere to define what exactly they would do any different if they were in the Prime Minister’s shoes.
What difference would it make to Gaddafi if the government would declare that Gaddafi is a bad boy and should be shot.
What will a direct condemnation in the loudest and strongest terms, make any difference to the protesters who are on the front line?
Cash and votes aside, what materially, can Malta offer the rebels in order to help them oust Gaddafi?
The big shots like the US, EU (collectively) and NATO prefer to sit around tables with lots of Perrier to quench their parched throats (from talking too long and too much) rather than tackle the nuts and bolts which can make the no-fly zone operative in a matter of hours. Can Malta push hard enough in order to hasten the action?
What can the Church do to help? It may have legions of followers who can pray but not much more. Funny you mention the church when one of the protesters plainly said, “We do not have arms to fight with, but we have faith”. I wish we had a few dozen heroes like the young fighter.
We tend to feel cozy because we enjoy a democracy nearly lost only three decades ago and we are good preachers, but rarely follow that which we so freely impart on others.
I see no men (and women) volunteering to help the protesters. I see no boats leaving Malta for Libya to compensate for the lack of bravado expected from our government, do I?
It is so easy to sit in front of a television set being indignant towards the lack of strong words from the PM or his Minister while sipping a hot latte.
And lastly, I wonder what the public’s reaction would have been had the government suggested that our Armed Forces send a platoon over to Libya to fight alongside the protesters! Maybe “Jahasra, Gonzi l-ewwel qatilna bil-guh, ghollilna id-dawl u l-ilma u issa biex jghaxxaqha, se jibghad l’uliedna biex jiggieldu ghal barrani” Malta would surely turn into a second Libya within 24 hours, am I wrong? Oh sorry, I nearly forgot the ‘neutrality clause’!
So disgusting, nay, immature.
If the status quo prevails, Gadaffi’s troops will soon be in Benghazi and the rebellion crushed. With his war-trained army and airforce, what will stop Gadaffi from attacking his ‘enemies’ outside Libya’s borders?
That would include those countries that did not support him and especially those countries harbouring rebels and their exiled supporters (Malta is such a country).
This is a nightmare scenario that the PM and those who are ‘neutral’ about everything should seriously consider.
Remember a certain Adolf Hitler who like Gadaffi considered his enemies to be vermin? The democracies tried to appease him by conceding to the dictator the ‘far away’ land of Czechoslovakia by the Munich agreement. They thought that after this sacrifice all would be over and the dictator will be appeased.
But Hitler eventually attacked all the countries around him (Switzerland was just lucky). Will we be the next ‘Czechoslovakia’? Anyone for more appeasement?
So well said, Farrugia. I do not know if any of the politicians that count follow this blog, but this would make good reading for them. Your message has been simple, factual and clear. I think they are not capable of understanding the more philosophical musings.
The sad thing in this story is that because of the UN’s procrastination, Gaddafi will prevail.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/03/13/libya-end-violent-crackdown-tripoli
Soon it will be business AS USUAL in Libya.
Yes, and the fence-sitters will then hop off back into the green side, rather than into a democratic black, red and green one, as long as their own personal interests are protected.
On the green side, there are some fat cows ready to be milked again.
If the West coordinates a bit better its drive to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, it might manage to put it in place by the time Gaddafi has landed his fighter jets involved in the battle for the last rebel-held town.
At which point, Gaddafi would not need to fly his fighter jets any more.
At best, Malta will end up with two Mirage fighters that cannot be returned to Libya.
How sad.
Here’s a quote for our politicians to ponder on:
Lady Thatcher on Gaddafi “I never hugged him, I bombed him.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8378222/Libya-Margaret-Thatcher-gives-Colonel-Gaddafis-Labour-friends-a-history-lesson.html
These hypocrites from France and Britain were all in bed with Gadaffi before the trouble started. The only thing they are worried about is the amount of money they invested in Libya recently. I personally hope they lose the lot.
News coming out suggests outside help for the revolution that looks like it will be crushed within another week.
Rueben (spelt correctly?), please re-phrase the last sentence because it is slightly incoherent.
David Cameron is a new PM and was not responsible for ties with Gaddafi (prior to the Conservatives in government, there was a long stint of Labour rule, unless you did not notice).
Secondly, France and Britain showed that they are NOT WORRIED about the investments in Libya because they are the staunchest of critics of Gaddafi’s regime.
If they were worried about English and French investment, they would be more guarded in their statements about Gaddafi (check the Maltese official statements of these last few days for a comparison).
On the point of whether a ceasefire is be called for – http://blackstarnews.com/news/135/ARTICLE/7182/2011-03-13.html
In the meantime 5 African leaders have been appointed by the African Union to attempt mediation in the Libyan conflict. http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/AU-tasks-5-leaders-with-Libya-mediation-20110312
By the end of this week, Libya will be cleansed of Gaddafi and his family.
Well, provided they don’t find refuge elsewhere …
I’ve got this gut feeling that France will act alone.
[Daphne – It’s not a gut feeling, John. It’s your common sense. Think about why France would have stuck its neck out by recognising the National Council of Benghazi as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people. There wasn’t any reason to do that so quickly, except the obvious: when and if the National Council asks France for help against Gaddafi, France has a mandate to respond under international law, because the request is made by one government to another and so is perfectly legitimate. We tend to forget, too, that European states are 100% familiar with his weapons and know what he has and how many, because they’re the ones who sold them to him.]
If that will be the case, then Malta should return the two grounded Mirage jets to the Libyan people, that is to the Benghazi government which desperately needs air cover.
Just calling for Gadaffi to leave and doing nothing to bring that about does not help at all and simply adds the voice of Malta to the EU empty talk we hear.
It is becoming increasingly urgent that Malta recognises the interim government in Benghazi rather than keep diplomatic relations with the Gadaffi family. When has a family (and what a family!) become more important than a nation?
Urgent for MALTA to recognise the interim government in Benghazi? Why?
Why are you calling the Benghazi interim council, or whatever, a government? By whose authority?
What makes it any more ‘legitimate’ than the Gaddafi regime?
Oh yes, now I know, Sarkozy visited Malta on his honeymoon(?), so in starred admiration, we should follow his ill-timed recognition of the Benghazi group!
Why not Merkel, Berlusconi et al? Ah how a job well done goes to our head so fast.
Now answer my question John Schembri…how am I spineless?
Wrong thread, dott. Trid tkun veru bla sinsla u bezziegh biex tghajjar lil xi hadd bla sinsla u tinheba wara nom-de-plume.
Jekk hu bla sinsla, int iktar minnu.
If that’s the case I hope it’s sooner rather than later. I feel like we’re running out of time very quickly.
As much as I would like to remain the ultimate optimist, I find it very disturbing that there is so much loss of life in Libya which could have been avoided.
I still agree with Troy that by the end of this week, Gaddafi and his clan would be history. However, it has been such a pain-stakingly long wait (for international meaningful action) and the death toll so big that it seems like an eternity waiting for a Security Council resolution.
And this, notwithstanding the fact that Gaddafi’s military can be wiped out in only a few hours by any conventional single military force such as the French, the British or even the Italians (let alone the US).
As I have said before, there might be agendas for the delays in direct military action against the regime, which might be even justified, as hard as it seems to swallow. I wake up each morning waiting to hear that some sweeping military attack might have taken out the regime’s army and air force.
France could send in ground forces. It has done this before in Africa in recent times.
It could also provide reasonable air cover from the Charles De Gaulle. This is the French navy’s only aircraft carrier. It is nuclear-powered and carries a formidable complement of attack aircraft mainly Super Etendard .
However, as I have said before, imposing a watertight no-fly-zone lies only within the competence of the commander-in-chief from Hawaii.
He is the only person on earth who can dramatically change the course of events.
He will only do that if he considers it to be in the interest of the United States of America. Until now it seems that he remains unconvinced.
He is biding time, maintaining a low profile and getting all the required military assets in place.
It all depends on when and what he decides.
At the moment the mighty USA is in pre Pearl Harbour mode while people die like flies.
We have to wait and see…with ba(i)ted breath.
PS
Sorry but I forgot the joker in this card game.
And that is Pan Am Flight 103.
No one has really paid the full price for that horrendous massacre (of mainly US citizens) yet.
Saddam was eliminated sixteen years after his Kuwaiti adventure.
Lockerbie is past its 22nd birthday.
You forgot flight 772 UTA (170 dead, 54 French citizens among them). Fine way to fight. When he couldn’t beat them on the battlefield, Gaddafi retaliated against their airliners.
Well said.
Even France owes the monster retribution.
For Pan Am Flight 103, we gave him the Order of Merit.
For 772 UTA, we gave him Gieh ir-Repubblika.
Xi haga hekk. Taf x’iweggghani l-iktar, Ciccio? Li s-sens komun u s-sentimenti fuq dan il-blog qishom l-ilhna fid-desert.