Here comes Libya! -- Libya newsfeed

[Fulanito de Tal]

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112167051422444.html


Violent protests break out in Libya

Clashes reported in eastern city of Benghazi as security forces and government supporters confront demonstrators.

Protesters have clashed with police and government supporters in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, reports say.

Demonstrators gathered in the early hours of Wednesday morning in front of police headquarters and chanted slogans against the "corrupt rulers of the country", Al Jazeera's sources said.

Police fired tear gas and violently dispersed protesters, the sources said without providing further details.

In a telephone interview with Al Jazeera, Idris Al-Mesmari, a Libyan novelist and writer, said that security officials in civilian clothes came and dispersed protesters by using tear gas, batons and hot water.

And hours later, Mesmari was reported to have been arrested.

Anti-government protesters have also called on citizens to observe Thursday as a "Day of Rage". They are hoping to emulate recent popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia to end Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year-old rule.

The rare protests reportedly began after relatives of those killed in a prison massacre about 15 years ago took to streets. They were joined by scores of other supporters.

The relatives were said to have been angered by the detention of Fathi Terbil, human rights lawyer and official spokesman of the victims' families, who was arrested by the Libyan security forces, for no apparent reason.

However, Terbil was later released, according to reports.

Fourteen prisoners were killed in the Abu Slim prison massacre on June 29, 1996 after they had objected to their inhumane conditions inside the prison.

Those killed were buried in the prison's courtyard and in mass graves in Tripoli. The families of the victims have been demanding that the culprits be punished.

Mohammed Maree, an Egyptian blogger, said "Gaddafi's regime has not listened to such pleas and continues to treat the Libyan people with lead and fire."

"This is why we announce our solidarity with the Libyan people and the families of the martyrs until the criminals are punished, starting with Muammer and his family."

[Kiev Communard]

Gaddafi's military dictatorship had actually implemented rather sweeping neoliberal reforms in 1990s and 2000s, so I don't think anyone should be fooled by the fake "socialist" or even "stateless" political facade the Libyan regime still maintains around itself. In fact, Gaddafi's proclamation of "People's Arab Jamahiriya" in 1970s had more to do with the desire to substitute the Italian bourgeoisie and their compradors for his own cronies under the guise of "anti-imperialism" and secure Soviet military aid. Modern Libyan state is, in fact, busy cooperating with IMF and EU - ironically enough, with Berlusconi's Italy in particular.

[scarletghoul]

Modern Libyan state is, in fact, busy cooperating with IMF and EU - ironically enough, with Berlusconi's Italy in particular.They have a choice between this and being like North Korea. Needless to say they would be criticised whatever happens.

I am under no illusions about the Libyan government, but honestly Gaddafi seems to be more in touch with the people than the other arab leaders. See the thread I'm about to make..

[Rakhmetov]

Beautiful ... beautiful ... just beautiful ... :thumbup:


when will the Saudis join the fray????

[Toppler]

Gaddafi might have been an asshole, but the facts remain, Libya was, and still, is the most developed African country, except for Mauritius http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UN_Human_Development_Report_2010_1.PNG http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_countries_by_Human_Development_Ind ex and it was even more of a shining light in an Afrcan wasteland in the past http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/World_map_of_Energy_consumption_1979-1981.svg/2000px-World_map_of_Energy_consumption_1979-1981.svg.png but yes, it has worsened in the recent decades http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/World_map_of_Energy_consumption_1979-1981.svg/2000px-World_map_of_Energy_consumption_1979-1981.svg.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/World_map_of_Energy_consumption_2001-2003.svg/2000px-World_map_of_Energy_consumption_2001-2003.svg.png .

I applaud the Libyans for expressing their opinion, but I fear that realistically, the alternatives to Gaddafi are far worse. It shouldn't be like another 1991 (USSR collapse, people especially in Central Asia realizing afterwards how the alternatives for it are far worse). Lybia is not like Egypt, where most woman undergo genital mutilation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_circumcision#Laws_and_prevalence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_circumcision#Africa .

[B5C]

I oppose any violent revolution, but it's not my job to tell them so. Gaddafi and any dictator must be removed and be replaced with a Democracy.

[Cheung Mo]

Didn't be back Ben Ali in Tunisia? Why would a "socialist" do that?

[Crux]

They have a choice between this and being like North Korea.
Yes, that's the way of regime's like that. Thankfully that's not our objective.

[Rafiq]

I hear shit is going down in Iran too. It looks like the middle east is what Europe used to be before WW1.

[Toppler]

I oppose any violent revolution, but it's not my job to tell them so. Gaddafi and any dictator must be removed and be replaced with a Democracy.

I would agree with you if my mother was not forced by circumstance to flee Ukraine in 1991 because of economy totally collapsing in the 90s as a consequence of the "liberation" of USSR. Your viewpoint is too idealistic, more so, when most US installed "democracies" are extremely corrupt at best and brutal capitalist dictatorships masqueraded as democracies at worst.

[freepalestine]

'Day of rage' kicks off in Libya

Protesters have reportedly taken to the streets of four cities despite a crackdown, heeding to calls for mass protests.

Last Modified: 17 Feb 2011 07:55 GMT




Protesters in Libya have defied a security crackdown and taken to the streets in four cities for a "day of rage," inspired by uprisings in Egypt (http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/anger-in-egypt/) and Tunisia (http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/tunisia/), reports say.
Several hundred supporters of Muammar Gaddafi, the country's longtime leader, have also reportedly gathered in the capital on Thursday to counter online calls for anti-government protests.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said that Libyan authorities had detained 14 activists, writers and protesters who had been preparing the anti-government protests.

Libya has been tightly controlled for over 40 years by Gaddafi, who is now Africa's longest-serving leader.
According to reports on Twitter, the microblogging site, Libya's regime had been sending text messages to people warning them that live bullets will be fired if they join today's protests.
Thursday is the anniversary of clashes that took place on February 17, 2006, in the country's second largest city of Benghazi when security forces killed several protesters who were attacking the city's Italian consulate.

Ibrahim Jibreel, a Libyan opposition member based in Barcelona, told Al Jazeera, "I think the demonstrations are going to be rather serious.
"Libyan people have been oppressed for more than 41 years and they see to the west and to the east of them, people have been able to rise and to change their fate."
At least two people were killed in clashes between Libyan security forces and demonstrators on Wednesday, in the town of al-Baida, east of Benghazi.
The victims were identified as Khaled ElNaji Khanfar and Ahmad Shoushaniya.


Angry chants

Wednesday's deaths come as hundreds of protesters reportedly torched police outposts while chanting: "People want the end of the regime."
At least 38 people were also injured in the clashes, including 10 security officials.
"All the people of Baida are out on the streets," a 25-year-old Rabie al-Messrati, who said he had been arrested after spreading a call for protests on Facebook, said.

Violent protests were also reported earlier in the day in Benghazi.
In a telephone interview with Al Jazeera, Idris Al-Mesmari, a Libyan novelist and writer, said that security officials in civilian clothes came and dispersed protesters in Benghazi using tear gas, batons and hot water.
Al-Mesmari was arrested hours after the interview.


Late on Wednesday evening, it was impossible to contact witnesses in Benghazi because telephone connections to the city appeared to be out of order.
State media reported there were pro-Gaddafi protests too across the country, with people chanting "We sacrifice our blood and souls for you, our leader!" and "We are a generation built by Muammar and anyone who opposes it will be destroyed!"

However, Jibreel said, "There are few who come out in support of the dictator in Libya and they are not going to succeed.
"We are trying to get the voices out of Libya, we are trying to get media attention to the plight of the Libyan people, to get the media to focus on the injustices that are happening in Libya.
"We are urging the governments and diplomatic missions that are in Libya to act as observers, to document the abuses that are going to happen and we know that they are going to happen because this is a totalitarian, brutal regime," he added.

As the wave of unrest spread south and westwards across the country, hundreds of people marched through the streets in the southern city of Zentan, 120km south of the capital Tripoli.
They set fire to security headquarters and a police station, then set up tents in the heart of the town.
Chants including "No God but Allah, Muammar is the enemy of Allah," can be heard on videos of demonstrations uploaded to YouTube.
Independent confirmation was not possible as Gaddafi's government keeps tight control over the movements of media personnel.


Online activism

In a country where public dissent is rare, plans for Thursday's protests were being circulated by anonymous activists on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
One Facebook group urging a "Day of Anger" in Libya, which had 4,400 members on Monday, saw that number more than double to 9,600 by Wednesday.
Social media sites were reportedly blocked for several hours through the afternoon, but access was restored in the evening.

Al Jazeera is understood to have been taken off the state-owned cable TV network, but is still reportedly available on satellite networks.
People posting messages on opposition site www.libya-watanona.com (http://www.libya-watanona.com), which is based outside Libya, urged Libyans to protest.
"From every square in our beloved country, people should all come together in one city and one square to make this regime and its supporters afraid, and force them to run away because they are cowards," said a post on the website.

Also calling for reforms are some of Libya's eminent individuals. A group of prominent figures and members of human rights organisations have demanded the resignation of Gaddafi.
The demands came in a statement signed by 213 prominent Libyans from different segments of the society, including political activists, lawyers, students, and government officials.


Oil factor

Though some Libyans complain about unemployment, inequality and limits on political freedoms, analysts say that an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely because the government can use oil revenues to smooth over most social problems.
Libya accounts for about 2 per cent of the world's crude oil exports.
Companies including Shell, BP and Eni have invested billions of dollars in tapping its oil fields, home to the largest proven reserves in Africa.

Source:
Al Jazeera and agencies


http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121755057219793.html

[Princess Luna]

Didn't be back Ben Ali in Tunisia? Why would a "socialist" do that?
He also called Mubarak "a great man"

[Toppler]

Well, he is a nutty dictator. But whatever did he say, he is still better than most of the corrupt despots in the area, and he is far more of a socialist than any of them. If the people overthrow him, and install a socialist democracy there, I will applaud them. But if they overthrow him, and somebody like Anastazio Somoza in Nicaragua takes his place, i'll say they fucked shit up.

[freepalestine]

video and blog here: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya



Live Blog - Libya


Live Blog - Libya (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya)


By Al Jazeera Staff (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/profile/al-jazeera-staff) in

Middle East (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east)
on February 17th, 2011.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/BlogsMainImage/ghadafi.jpg

From our headquarters in Doha, we keep you updated on all things in Libya.

AJE Live Stream (http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/) - Libya marks 40 years of Gaddafi (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/09/2009911375446471.html#) -

(All times are local in Libya, GMT+2)
9:00pm Oya_libya tweets: if you are in #libya and can’t open youtube, use this DNS server 208.67.222.222 and 208.68.220.220
8:00pm Abdulla Darrat, a Libyan American activist, told Al Jazeera that he is organising a mass Libyan solidarity rally in Washington DC, Los Angeles and Seattle.
7:00pm Hundreds of young Egyptians demonstrate outside Libyan consulate in Alexandria. A statement signed by various political groups – including representatives of the January 25 youth movement – delivered a petition asking Libya to respect popular demand for change and to avoid using violence against protesters.
6:30pm Several hundred people gathered on the fringe of London's Hyde Park, near the Libyan embassy.
At the pro-Gaddafi camp, protesters waved the Libyan flag in front of large posters of their leader and banners praising his adminstration.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/680_11.jpg
Photo by Jacqueline Head
Ibrahim, a 39-year-old lecturer from Libya, said he was there to "protect" his country. "What's happened in Tunisia and Egypt is a different situation to Libya," he said. "Libya is a peaceful country and we are just living as one nation."
Closeby, another group of protesters held placards reading "Get out". Abdulnasser Ashukr from Beghazi in Libya, said he came to support people back in Libya: "We have one message to Gaddafi and his regime: it's time for you to go. There is no other way. It's done. The Libyan people have decided, and they want you out of the country.
Mohamed Abdulmalek, chairman of Libya Watch, a human rights organisation, said he believed there would be a lot of casualties in Libya, and wanted the international community to stand against Gaddafi's government.
"We condemn the brutal use of force in Libya, which the European Union and America and other countries have called upon Libya not to use, but the Libyan state knows no other language.
"They have threatened to use live bullets against citizens. They have even threatened young people to close their Facebook accounts. They have also threatened the heads of tribes," he said.
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/680_12.jpg
Photo by Jacqueline Head
6:00pm Abdullah, an eyewitness in Benghazi, told Al Jazeera that he saw six unarmed protesters shot dead by police. He also claimed that the government released 30 people from jail, paying and arming them to fight people in the street.

5:30pm Several hundred supporters of Gaddafi, as well as the leader himself, have also reportedly gathered in the capital, Tripoli, to counter online calls for anti-government protests.

5:15pm AFP news agency reported that six people have been killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in the coastal city of Benghazi, according to opposition websites.
4:15pm AP news agency reports that at least 14 demonstrators have been killed in clashes with pro-government groups since Wednesday.
9:30am Another video from Albeida from YouTube user MeddiTV



9:20am A video from Zintan from YouTube user MeddiTV




9:00am If you are in Libya and have witnessed protests then send your pictures and videos to [email protected] and [email protected]

6:00am Libya is set for 'day of anger' (http://www.facebook.com/17022011libya?v=wall#%21/17022011libya?v=wall%20%20%20), as the wave of popular unrest that swept away the Tunisian and Egyptian ­presidents spreads to the oil-exporting north African country ruled by Muammer Gaddafi since 1969.

5:59am Protesters clash with police in Benghazi.



5:58am At least two people have been killed in (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121623948974864.html#) clashes between Libyan security forces and demonstrators in the town of Bayda, east of Benghazi, the second largest city, as activists plan major anti-government 'day of anger' protests throughout the country on Thursday.

All the people of Beyida are out on the streets, said 25-year-old Rabie al-Messrati, who said he had been arrested after spreading a call for protests on Facebook.

[Luís Henrique]

Well, he is a nutty dictator. But whatever did he say, he is still better than most of the corrupt despots in the area, and he is far more of a socialist than any of them. If the people overthrow him, and install a socialist democracy there, I will applaud them. But if they overthrow him, and somebody like Anastazio Somoza in Nicaragua takes his place, i'll say they fucked shit up.

Why, and how, would someone like Somoza take Khadaffi's place?

Luís Henrique

[danyboy27]

Well, he is a nutty dictator. But whatever did he say, he is still better than most of the corrupt despots in the area, and he is far more of a socialist than any of them. If the people overthrow him, and install a socialist democracy there, I will applaud them. But if they overthrow him, and somebody like Anastazio Somoza in Nicaragua takes his place, i'll say they fucked shit up.


peoples are pissed with authoritatian regime in the region, this is the main point of all those protest.

[Toppler]

Why, and how, would someone like Somoza take Khadaffi's place?

Luís Henrique

CIA intervention.

[Os Cangaceiros]

CIA intervention.

Makes sense, considering how cozy the US State Department and Libya have gotten in recent years.

[danyboy27]

2115: A doctor in Benghazi has told the BBC that a senior army officer there has switched sides and joined the protesters. The doctor says that protesters joined by sections of the Libyan army have taken over Benghazi airport. Neither report can be confirmed. The doctor adds that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi offended tribal loyalties when security forces killed protesters in recent unrest.

[Palestine]

Right now my main source for news from Libya is through Twitter.
"RT @ShababLibya (http://twitter.com/ShababLibya) I am also getting messages from benghazi, its now like Cairo, where youth are organising traffic & guarding property #Libya (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Libya)"

"Gaddafi pure evil. RT @ShababLibya (http://twitter.com/ShababLibya): caller on radio says sister is a dr & she says patients showing signs of water poisoning #Libya (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Libya) #Feb17 (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Feb17)"

Amnesty International are reporting 46 deaths in Libya today.
IMO I think Gaddafi is a mad man, he imported mercenaries from Africa to kill his people, and Live ammunition is being fired at protesters. This man would rule over an empty country with no problems.
On the bright side his presidential residence can be removed easily :P

[Luís Henrique]

CIA intervention.

And who would be this supposed Somoza-like person, what would be his or her base of power, and how would he or she manage to get into power amid popular mass-demonstrations?

Luís Henrique

[wunderbar]

I applaud the Libyans for expressing their opinion, but I fear that realistically, the alternatives to Gaddafi are far worse.

Isn't this what U.S. politicians kept saying about Hosni Mubarak in Egypt?

[Os Cangaceiros]

It appears that the protests in Libya have evolved into a full-on armed insurrection.

posted earlier on libcom:

Ud9XuqVV_Js

[RebelDog]

I wonder if Tony Blair is advising Gaddafi what to do. He does get paid $1m a year to do so.

[scarletghoul]

What's interesting is that the protesters have got very powerful in the eastern cities and the BBC even reported some soldiers joining them, but the people in Tripoli seem completely Loyal to Gaddafi. Could a civil war be on the horizon ?

[Palestine]

I just read on twitter some Libyans from Benghazi the third largest city in Libya which fell in the hands of the revolutionaries, that heavy artillery is being fired on them and they claim that there are more than 200 deaths and many injured. I cannot confirm this.

[Palestine]

This is confirmed from twitter, mortar attacks on Benghazi and 55 martyrs just now

[Red_Struggle]

Damn, this is nuts...

I never viewed Ghaddafi as a military dictator of sorts, but more of an islamic fundamentalist social-democrat. I guess I don't know enough about the guy.

I wonder what the Libyans think of his "Little Green Book".

[Palestine]

Damn, this is nuts...

I never viewed Ghaddafi as a military dictator of sorts, but more of an islamic fundamentalist social-democrat. I guess I don't know enough about the guy.

I wonder what the Libyans think of his "Little Green Book".

You can know what they think of his stupid little green book, by seeing the protesters as they ruin a monument of that retarded green book.

[Palestine]

The Libyan people just won a battle against a battalion, and this is confirmed from twitter, Gaddafi executed several army generals to avoid any coupe or that the army sides with the people.
And the number of dead people exceeded the 300.
Hospitals are running short from medical supplies and some doctors are having nervous breakdowns.

[danyboy27]

The Libyan people just won a battle against a battalion, and this is confirmed from twitter, Gaddafi executed several army generals to avoid any coupe or that the army sides with the people.
And the number of dead people exceeded the 300.
Hospitals are running short from medical supplies and some doctors are having nervous breakdowns.

how toe fuck those things are not on bbc.

[Palestine]

how toe fuck those things are not on bbc.

Most of these are coming twitter and the posters confirmed those.

[danyboy27]

Most of these are coming twitter and the posters confirmed those.

i guess that news network cannot report info they cant verify.

anyway, that what happen when you opress a people with intense military training

[danyboy27]

eyewitness report kadafi nefew dead, killed in an explosion.

Protester have now full control of the east side of the country, including the border.

little notice: the oil rig and industrial installation are located at the east.

[Fulanito de Tal]

Any word on what the protesters want? When will they know they have what they are fighting for? Is there a political party leading this? Is there a leader?

I don't know if I should be happy or not! :confused:

[Palestine]

Any word on what the protesters want? When will they know they have what they are fighting for? Is there a political party leading this? Is there a leader?

I don't know if I should be happy or not! :confused:

The protesters want to kill Gaddafi, as for leaders there are none, and as for parties none too.

[Palestine]

http://www.libyafeb17.com/

this site should help

[scarletghoul]

LxamRMhAJXw

its crazy over there.. but the people are not giving in.. seems like this is only the start of a huge bloodbath

[Palestine]

A man pleading from Benghazi(Libya)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmSKHo_R-V0&feature=player_embedded#at=47

[The Grey Blur]

i can only say that i am incredibly inspired by the uprisings of the arab world. restores a little lost faith in humanity.

[PhoenixAsh]

the forces opened fire at mourners at a funeral for those who died in the last three days. 15 people are dead...at least. This happened in Benghazi

[Fulanito de Tal]

Wow!

I still don't know how to feel about this.:unsure:

[Os Cangaceiros]

I don't see how there's ambiguity in this situation...judging from what little info is out there, Gaddafi is waging war against the Libyan people.

[danyboy27]

now lets see how reliable those mercenaries will be when it will be clear gadafi will no longer be able to pay them.

[Red Commissar]

I saw some a picture of some of them holding the monarchy-era flag on the yahoo page

http://l.yimg.com/a/i/ww/news/2011/02/19/libya.jpg

That's the colored flag with the star and crescent symbol. Unless these protesters can make it nationwide though, they'll get choked out by the repressive state. Is there any indication of action in Tripoli or elsewhere?

[Leonid Brozhnev]

There was a woman with her face pained in those colours too on the BBCNews page. Larger image seems to be gone...

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Elburro/GoogleEarth/gsr.jpg

They'll be wanting all trace of Gaddafi gone... can't blame them really, he's totally fucking insane if he's allowing the mortaring of protesters.

[Red Commissar]

There was a woman with her face pained in those colours too on the BBCNews page. Larger image seems to be gone...

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Elburro/GoogleEarth/gsr.jpg

They'll be wanting all trace of Gaddafi gone... can't blame them really, he's totally fucking insane if he's allowing the mortaring of protesters.

Yeah, Qaddafi is nuts and delusional. I just wish some of them were not using imagery associated with the Libyan monarchy though, that'll be something that can be turned against them as the regime attempts to discredit them.

[danyboy27]

Yeah, Qaddafi is nuts and delusional. I just wish some of them were not using imagery associated with the Libyan monarchy though, that'll be something that can be turned against them as the regime attempts to discredit them.

this flag is called the liberation flag, and was the flag established after the fall of the king. then, kadafi put the green one instead.

[Red Commissar]

this flag is called the liberation flag, and was the flag established after the fall of the king. then, kadafi put the green one instead.

Huh? I thought the Red-Black-Green with a star and crescent was the monarchy flag. I can see it as a "liberation flag" in so much that it was the first flag of an independent Libya following colonization. The flag after the king was thrown out was one typical of Arab nationalist/republican flags:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Flag_of_Libyan_Arab_Republic_1969.svg/800px-Flag_of_Libyan_Arab_Republic_1969.svg.png

Then an eagle was added when Qadaffi tried to associate with other Arab nationalists in a union:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Egypt_1972.svg/800px-Flag_of_Egypt_1972.svg.png

The current green one was put in 1977, some eight years after Qadaffi became leader after his break with Arab nationalism and tried to push his "Islamic Socialism" or w/e he sugar coated it as.

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

heavy use of state violence against protesters basically delegitimizes the claims of Gaddhafi to be a revolutionary. If he really cared about his people, he'd apologize for the protest deaths and retire.

[PhoenixAsh]

As it stands now the situation is highly confusing and fighting has been going on all through the night.

Twitter reports that there are at least 500 people killed according to the central hospital. This number is not independently confirmed but it has been confirmed that women and children have been amongst the dead and injured.

More troops are confirmed to have entered Benghazi and Tobruk. And it has also been confirmed the army uses anti aircraft bullets on protestors on the ground.

Also security forces are rumoured to go into hospital and arrest and/or execute doctors.

THe Al-Fahdil brigade building is supposed to have been taken....and it is reported that Benghazi is in protesters controll...but there is still fighting going on and as I said..more troops are comming into the city.
Snipers are reported to be everywhere and water, power and gas have been turned off.

People have armed themselves....as is evident from this video: http://yfrog.com/ekonez (http://yfrog.com/ekonez)
But the question is if they can and will be effective.

The problem with twitter is that it is highly unreliable as a news source. One person posts somethig and another retweets...all too soon everybody tweets it and its seen as fact....not everybody knows the right words to indicate what is happening or what kind of ammunition is used.


edit: confirmed there are now massive protests in Tripoli.

[Sasha]

Mainstream press are reporting a massacare, more than 200 killed by machinegun fire and snipers.
Telling how fast the 3th positionist lybia regime is dropping its "socialism" in favor for its fascism when threathend.

[PhoenixAsh]

Ok...here is what I understand so far.

There is much confusion about who protests where. It seems to be the case that pro- and con- Gadaffi protests are orchestrated simultaniously.

As it now seems the protests in and around Tripoli are pro-Gadaffi. It is these protests Gadaffi attended (in reference to the OI thread).

In the east in Benghazi, Tobruk and Misurata the protests are anti-Gadaffi.

There seems to be a split between the North-west and East in the country considering popular opinions....that creates a possibility for the government to start rumours circulating about the nature of the protests. As we have seen in Tunesia and Egypt they try to blame foreign agents for the "riots". This is succesful in the northern part of the country which largely agrees with the current government.

However....religious leaders and tribal elders in the north have condemned the killing of civilians by the government and by government supporters. Stating this is against God.

Rumoured is that there will be, or currently are, also anti-Gadaffi protests in the North which are hampered by severe security presence in the cities.

Up until now the government cuold count on support of the tribal elders and leaders. Unfortunately there are increasing (UNCONFIRMED) reports of rapes and sexual assaults committed by security forces and pro-government supporters. As I am informed this will mean that if there are tribal women amongst the victims of these assaults the tribes will not support Gadaffi much longer seeing as how this now becomes a question of tribal honour...envoking rights orf revenge.

If the tribal support for Gadaffi stops then he will have an increasing narrow support base and these tribes ARE armed...and WILL use force. Or so I am told.

[punisa]

update: Protests in Libya are now live at Al Jazeera (http://www.advance.hr/tv-uzivo/al-jazeera/)

[Fulanito de Tal]

But what will be the outcome? If the people lose, then people died for nothing and social control increased. If the people win and establish another oppressive system, then there was loss of life for nothing too.

If you like to be on the side of struggle, that's fine, but make sure the goal of the struggle is something you want.

[Os Cangaceiros]

But what will be the outcome? If the people lose, then people died for nothing and social control increased. If the people win and establish another oppressive system, then there was loss of life for nothing too.

If you like to be on the side of struggle, that's fine, but make sure the goal of the struggle is something you want.

I'm pretty sure that 1) the revolution failing, and 2) another form of oppression arising in a successful revolution's wake has been the reality for, like, all of human history. That doesn't really stop the left from supporting uprisings, though.

[Palestine]

Please someone sticky this and make it the official Libya topic for news feed.
To all those of you who doubt these revolutions, never bet against the people, you'll end up losing, because the people always wins. Even if one Libyan survives all this, this is a win. So remove that negative energy and start operation optimism

[danyboy27]

benghazi: alsa'iqa brigade now roaming benghazi looking for the last of the mercenaries as gunfire is reported in outskirts #Libya (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Libya) #Feb17 (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Feb17)

[Vampire Lobster]

They have a choice between this and being like North Korea. Needless to say they would be criticised whatever happens.

I am under no illusions about the Libyan government, but honestly Gaddafi seems to be more in touch with the people than the other arab leaders. See the thread I'm about to make..

Yeah, we're talking about a regime here that is by no means democratic nor really has anything to do with socialism. They should be criticized whatever happens and "being in touch with the people" in cases like this usually just mean plain populism, designed to keep the administration still the administration instead of actually trying to fulfill the ~will of The People~ and it would be fucking sad for a socialist to expect a dictator to do that.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC is reporting that the protesters have taken control of much of Benghazi, and Gaddafi's son is to address the nation tonight.

[Palestine]

http://mepanalysis.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/because-libya-also-deserves-freedom/

An article I wrote on my blog, should help those who don't understand the situation.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC has just aired video of the protesters carring AK45s and rocket launchers, and they have unconfirmed reports that army units have defected to the revolution.

They also report that the Justice Minister has resigned in protest at State repression. This suggests, they say, that several generals have refused to fire on the population.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC has just reported that Libya's permanent representative to the Arab League has resigned to 'join the revolution'.

[PhoenixAsh]

Defections have been confirmed. Several units have joined the protest...but a large part remains loyal still

[mosfeld]

The EU voiced its support (http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1619743.php/Let-protests-go-ahead-peacefully-EU-urges-Libya) for this uprising in Libya, but, naturally, they were extremely hesitant when it came to supporting the Egyptian and Tunisian uprisings (or any other uprising in the region). This is, of course, because Libya is the enemy. Qadhafi isn't a puppet like Ben Ali or Mubarak.

[PhoenixAsh]

2000 protesters in Tripoli were attacked by army or security forces. 4 may be dead.

[PhoenixAsh]

Soldiers in Benghazi are fighting with Gadaffi's personal guards. Several wounded

[PhoenixAsh]

After the army attack it seems the protests in Tripoli swelled. More and more people ar out in the streets and there are reports that they have beaten back police on several key points in the city.

However...this news is unconfirmed and tweet-reliable ;) But they are going to the Green Square chanting that the regme will fall tonight. Reports are over several thousands of protesters.

In Zawai protestors have burned down several houses and are goign towards the capitol.

[PhoenixAsh]

In the Green Square ARMED (unconfirmed) protesters are clashing with security staff.

Also reports state that pro demonstrators are urged to go home by the government. THis leads to suspicions that there will be a lot of violence tonight.

Calls are made by rpotesters to attack a building next to a hospital where reportedly the security forces are jamming internet sites and mobile data networks (madar is down = telecom company)...

[PhoenixAsh]

Events develop very, very quickly. Army moved into Tripoli and there is reported gunfire everywhere.

edit: on the otherhand protestors from several neighboring cities and towns are moving into Tripoli as well :-)


A large part of the Tripoli city: Sog AL Jumaa is said to have sent the police packing and is now free.

[PhoenixAsh]

Meanwhile in Benghazi....


Pharmacies are distributing medicines fo free and the youths are organisising civil watch groups. No reports of looting. Hospitals have run out of anesthetics and are performing operaions without. There is an urgent call for medication and equipment.

Benghazi is indeed free: fRsrGri2WTI

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

BBC says Reuters is reporting that fighting is going on in Tripoli.

[PhoenixAsh]

Heavy gunfire is reported from Azizia....thats Gadaffi's personal residence.

edit: ITS NOW SAIDTHAT PROTESTERS HAVE SURROUNDED GADAFFI's RESIDENCE
if he is still there is a different matter.

[PhoenixAsh]

In Tobruk high ranking officers have abandoned post and joined the protests....

[PhoenixAsh]

As I stated before...there have been reports about rape and sexual assault. As a result the 1 million people strong tribe Warfelle (sp?) now joined the protests condemning these acts.

Also the interior minister joined the protests...the rats are leaving the ship...which is a sure sign its sinking rapidly!!!

[bricolage]

Speaking from Benghazi, a local man named Benali, told Sky News that members of the Libya's armed forces have defected and that anti-regime protesters are now in control of the city.
Habib al-Obaidi, who heads the intensive care unit at the main Al-Jalae hospital, appeared to confirm the reports, saying the "Thunderbolt" squad arrived at the hospital with soldiers who had been injured in clashes with Gaddafi's men.
"They are now saying that they have overpowered the Praetorian Guard and that they have joined the people's revolt," said Mr al-Obaidi.http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Libya-Protests-Benghazi-Liberated-By-Soldiers-As-They-Defect-From-Gaddafis-Forces/Article/201102315937134?lpos=World_News_Right_Promo_Region _1&lid=ARTICLE_15937134_Libya_Protests%3A_Benghazi_Li berated_By_Soldiers_As_They_Defect_From_Gaddafis_F orces

[PhoenixAsh]

hahaha...the Zwyai tribe in the south have stated that Gadaffi has 24 hours to pack his bags or they will stop the oil flow :laugh::thumbup1:

[PhoenixAsh]

at this moment reports at BCC arabic say that there is shooting INSIDE the residence of Gadaffi.....

This is unconfirmed...but could indicate mutiny.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

BBC is now reporting 1000s demonstrating in Tripoli.

[freepalestine]

Huh? I thought the Red-Black-Green with a star and crescent was the monarchy flag. I can see it as a "liberation flag" in so much that it was the first flag of an independent Libya following colonization. The flag after the king was thrown out was one typical of Arab nationalist/republican flags:
Then an eagle was added when Qadaffi tried to associate with other Arab nationalists in a union:
The current green one was put in 1977, some eight years after Qadaffi became leader after his break with Arab nationalism and tried to push his "Islamic Socialism" or w/e he sugar coated it as.yeh they were the flag i thought as libya flag-alike egypt this seems to be another of the many flags(and being used at the momnt
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQLlsUe3p5e9SWIpYKMFcWSMQMavkd3W mt4KH4seqa5uPTw2QWVMLkfRwTw





-----------------------------------------------------------







Uprising flares in Libyan city

AlJazeera.net



http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=20lg_1298120130084-2-0.jpg (http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=20lg_1298120130084-2-0.jpg)

Army vehicles reportedly seized by protesters in Benghazi as demonstrations against Muammar Gaddafi's rule escalate.

February 20, 2011


EwmlYXnnvmE

Anti-government protesters in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi have reportedly seized army vehicles and weapons amid worsening turmoil in the African nation.
A local witness said that a section of the troops had joined the protesters on Sunday as chaos swept the streets of the city, worst hit by the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year old rule.

Mohamed, a doctor from Al Jalaa hospital in Benghazi, confirmed to Al Jazeera that members of the military had sided with the protesters.
"We are still receiving serious injuries, I can confirm 13 deaths in our hospital. However, the good news is that people are cheering and celebrating outside after receiving news that the army is siding with the people," he said.

"But there is still a brigade that is against the demonstrators. For the past three days demonstrators have been shot at by this brigade, called Al-Sibyl brigade."
The witness reports came on a day in which local residents told Al Jazeera that at least 200 people had died in days of unrest in Benghazi alone. The New York-based Human Rights Watch on Sunday put the countrywide death toll at 173. The rights group said its figure was "conservative".


'Massacre'

News of the rising death toll came as residents of Benghazi, Libya's second largest city, reported renewed gunfire from security forces in the city.
Sadiq al Ghiryani, a Libyan religious leader, told Al Jazeera a "massacre" was under way in the city and troops firing shots were mostly mercenaries.. Kamal Hudethifi, a judge, described the killings as "ethnic cleansing".
The Reuters news agency said at least 50 people had been killed in Benghazi since Sunday afternoon.

Live Bloghttp://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2011/2/17/2011217154341931148_8.jpg (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya)

Moftah, a Benghazi resident , who requested Al Jazeera use only his first name, said the city had become a "war zone" in recent days.
Residents have barricaded the streets with overturned trash cans and debris, and security forces have largely confined themselves to two compounds, though snipers continue to target protesters, he said.

The forces who remain are "thugs" loyal to Gaddafi, Moftah said, and they are firing high-calibre ammunition at protesters.
The eyewitness report came a day after security forces opened fire at a funeral in the eastern coastal city on Saturday, killing at least 15 people and injuring scores more.
Meanwhile in the capital, Tripoli, supporters of the government took to the streets in large numbers, as security forces prevented others from mounting large demonstrations against Gaddafi.
This came as witnesses told Al Jazeera that anti-government protesters were heading to Gaddafi's compound in the city of Al-Zawia near Tripoli, with the intention of burning the building down.

Protests have also reportedly broken out in other cities, including Bayda, Derna, Tobruk and Misrata - and anti-Gaddafi graffiti adorns the walls of several cities.
The Warfala tribe, one of Libya's biggest tribes, has reportedly joined the anti-Gaddafi protests.
Meanwhile, a group of six alleged mercenaries - reportedly brought in from Tunisia and other African nations to bolster pro-Gaddafi forces - were captured and arrested by demonstrators in the city of Shahat.


Appeal for calm

Against this backdrop of violence, opposition groups said some 50 Libyan Muslim leaders have urged security forces to stop killing civilians.
"This is an urgent appeal from religious scholars, intellectuals, and clan elders from Tripoli, Bani Walid, Zintan, Jadu, Msalata, Misrata, Zawiah, and other towns and villages of the western area," the appeal, signed by the group of leaders, stated.

"We appeal to every Muslim, within the regime or assisting it in any way, to recognise that the killing of innocent human beings is forbidden by our Creator and by His beloved prophet of compassion, peace be upon him ... Do not kill your brothers and sisters. Stop the massacre now!"
Around the world, people have been gathering in solidarity with the protesters at Libyan consulates and at the White House in Washington, DC, the US capital.


European concern

The widening unrest has also prompted calls of concern from European leaders. A spokesman for British foreign secretary William Hague said he was "concerned about the situation in Libya".
"We condemn the use of heavy weaponry against protesters, and are shocked by the number of deaths," the spokesman said. "We have had to say very clearly that, just because the news media doesn't have full access to Libya, the eyes of the world are still upon the Libyan government and how it responds to protests."

Meanwhile, Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has come under fire for saying he did not want to "disturb" Gaddafi during the revolt.
"The situation is still in flux and so I will not allow myself to disturb anyone," he told reporters, prompting a wave of anger from opposition figures, who have accused Berlusconi - whose government has aggressively courted Libyan petrodollars - of turning a blind eye to Gaddafi's human rights record for the sake of lucrative contracts.
Libya's government has responded to the criticism by threatening retaliation against the European Union. It said on Sunday that it would stop co-operating with efforts to try and stop illegal migrants heading to Europe.


Communication cut

Verifying news from Libya has been difficult since the protests began, because of restrictions on journalists entering the country, as well as internet and mobile phone blackouts imposed by the government.
The Libyan government has blocked Al Jazeera's TV signal in the country - and residents have also reported that the network's website is inaccessible from there.
This affects viewers on Arabsat and Nilesat at 26 degrees east and 7 degrees west, where alternative frequencies have now been set up.

A spokesman for the network said whoever was causing the interference must be using large outstations to simultaneously interfere with several platforms on the two orbital positions of Arabsat and Nilesat.

"We have set up alternative frequencies for viewers and are investigating the source of the problem, though cooperation would be needed from governments to precisely determine this," said the network.

"We believe that whoever is doing this is operating with sophisticated and large equipment."
In addition to TV signal jamming, internet service has been cut, said a US company that monitors web traffic.
Massachusetts-based Arbor Networks said data collected from 30 internet service providers worldwide showed that online traffic in and out of Libya was disconnected abruptly at 2:15am local time on Saturday. The data also showed two partial service interruptions earlier in the day.
As of Sunday, it was still possible to reach Libyans by phone, and some in Tripoli had internet access.



:: Article nr. 75183 sent on 20-feb-2011 21:49 ECT


www.uruknet.info?p=75183 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=75183)

Link: english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122014259976293.html

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC has just reported that one Tribal chief has said that oil exports will be stopped if attacks on the population continue.

[PhoenixAsh]

The BBC has just reported that one Tribal chief has said that oil exports will be stopped if attacks on the population continue.

Its teh Zwiya tribe...they also issued an ultimatum stating he should leave in 24 hours or they will join teh protests.

[PhoenixAsh]

Libyan diplomats are now sayng Gadaffi has fled to Venezuela....

we'll just have to wait and see if this is true.

edit: Al Jazeera arabic has also reported this now...so I am told...I don't speak Arabic so I can not confirm myself.

[Palestine]

Strong rumors are that Gaddafi has left for Venezuela, a caller on Aljazeera says that Gaddafi left for Venezuela, and his sons are fighting each other it reached firing at each other.

[PhoenixAsh]

Translation of Shaikh AsSadiq Al Gheryani’s statement to the People of Libya

Posted on February 20, 2011 (http://www.libyafeb17.com/?p=1266) by admin (http://www.libyafeb17.com/?author=1)
Translation:
In the name of God, Most Gracious Most Merciful;
I thank Al Jazeera for giving me this opportunity, I say that what is happening in Libya now cannot be tolerated, cannot be bared, cannot be kept silent about. A heavy war machine is confronting protesters who are bare chested, raising their hands above their heads as a sign of peace, peaceful, and the regime is shooting them with anti-aircraft artillery, we have not seen this except in Israel’s attacks against Gaza. We cannot believe this happens in our country. The majority of those doing this are thugs and mercenaries from Africa and from Libya who have sold their honour for money. We cannot remain silent about this now, the country is being attacked by foreigners right now. Therefore, I extend a call, and would like to ask our brothers from army officers, technicians and those who are providing logistical transport to these weapons and ammunition about the bridge that is connecting Tripoli to Benghazi via airplanes carrying these weapons and mercenaries. I want to ask these people who are offering this logistical service, how do they plan to face their Lord? Where is the Honorary oath of service to the Army? Where is the honour of being part of this land? Where is the brotherhood? Where is your faith? Selling your religion in exchange for these mercenaries.
When you send this ammunition and weapnary to John and Johnson so he can go and kill your brother Mohammed and Abdullah. I tell you fear your Lord! For you will most certainly meet your Lord. Your Lord says: “And every one of them will come to Him on the day of resurrection alone”. You must stop doing this, for Allah on the day of judgement will judge everyone based on their actions, there is no excuse for those who say: I was following orders! Remember when God says “When those who were followed shall renounce those who followed (them), and they see the chastisement and their ties are cut asunder.” And remember when God says: And when they shall contend one with another in the fire, then the weak shall say to those who were proud: Surely we were your followers; will you then avert from us a portion of the fire? Those who were proud shall say: Surely we are all in it: surely Allah has judged between the servants.
They should fear God and the weakest action of faith that they can do is to stop providing this logistic service, because the blood is flowing like rivers, deaths that cannot be counted! It is an national obligation for every citizen who has an ounce of zeal for his country, and for the people of Tripoli and its outskirts and all the libyan cities to come out to make a single unified stance of protest so that this blood can stop flowing. It is a RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION for every Muslim citizen to do what he can to stop this blood spilling. it is a vicious massacre.
I also want to extend my message to the Libyan tribes, whom I have heard are spreading weapons amongst their youth so that they can reiginite in them the tribal extremism so that they can fight and that they can demonstrate that it’s about one tribe fighting another, and to resurface old scars between tribes. I want to warn the tribes and the fathers to NOT slip into this dangerous valley, for they are responsible for their children are killing the innocent and weak. They are responsible and should disown themselves from this massacre. Every tribe leader, every guardian, they should all disown and distance themselves from this massacre! Before it is too late! We are at a cross road, there is no choice. Either everyone dies or oppression and darkness prevails. This is the chance of a lifetime to repent and return to God. O people of tribes, do not recline to this massacre.
I want to also direct my words to those who go on the LibyanTV stations and invite these speakers who say that these people (protesters) are small in number and have been paid to protest etc. I want to ask them a question: if you are really truthful, then why do they not allow the news services to come in to report and broadcast the evil footage? Why do they kick out the journalists? Why do they ban the TV stations? between us and them is the truth. Hearing a report is not like seeing the visual truth!
They should let the truth come out to the world. What I see happening in libya right now is most certainly a tragedy! Libya is now considered an afflicted nation! Where are the arab nations? where are the muslim nations? Where is the Organization of the Islamic Conference? What is happening in Libya requires a UN meeting! Where is the Arab League? Where are the Arab nations? Why don’t they request a sitting in the UN? Should there be a peaceful nation who raise their hands above their hands and then get shot by helicopters? We should not be silent about this.
I also have some blame to lay on the TV stations, and especially on Al Jazeera, even though it has opened up a lot today and yesterday also. But what has been happening in Libya, a week since last Tuesday, and Al Jazeera is reporting things on its Live channel which are only being watched by 5% of people, it reports a small portion about Libya and then moves on to other news. And also the martyrs who have fallen in Libya are FAR MORE than those who fell in Egypt and Tunisia combined! And Al Jazeera dedicated a 24 hour non-stop coverage for these two previous revolutions, and whenever your signals were jammed, you announced new frequencies quickly to resume your coverage! And now there are opportunities for journalists to come in via the Egyptian borders! Why don’t you go in and broadcast live pictures to the world? THe matter is a tragedy! The matter is horrific! All the Libyans need to stand, the Libyans need to come out a RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION to stop this bloodshed. This must not be accepted!
News Anchor: We are trying with what is available to us. We want to ask while you are present in Tripoli. We heard about attack and retreat in some areas of tripoli, but there still remains the fear of the Security’s grip and the huge presence of security on the whole. Do you expect that we will see huge demonstrations in Tripoli and that the fear barrier will be broken?
The fear barrier must be broken! Like you said, the security grip is colossal in Tripoli. In every 100 meters, there are armoured trucks and army officers. And every time a small group comes out to protest, they do not start with anything smaller than anti-aircraft artillery! But this does not do anything but to make people more determined and explosive! And the people cannot be crushed like this! The principles of law state that the people are leaders of all. We are seeing the people coming out now! What are these empty statements? The people need to see the truth and stop this bloodshed. And this bloodshed cannot be stopped unless people come out as one unit. Big and small, old and young, women and men. There are so many who died who have not even reached the age of puberty!

[PhoenixAsh]

Hmmm....reports from airport state a plane left for Venezuela several minutes ago....

[PhoenixAsh]

Libyan diplomats state the sons of Gadaffi are now fighting amongst eachother. It is reported Moattesem shot Saif... as of yet...unconfirmed.

but rumours have been circulating on tweets as well.

[PhoenixAsh]

Al Arabiya now reports Gadaffi has fled....they do not state their source

[Palestine]

It looks like tonight is the night!!! That's a fucking record :D

[freepalestine]

apparently the libyan military are saying hes gone to venezuela......


also isreal must be really scared now that an other arab country is rising up-

[Sentinel]

reports that gaddafi is in italyThat would make sense considering that Gaddafi, the good old 'socialist', and Berlusconi apparently have this 'I scratch your back you scratch mine' thing going on. If Chavez gives him refuge in Venezuela it's, while perhaps not surprising, obviously much more disappointing and disgusting though.

But yeah, if these reports about Gaddafi's flight are correct, all of the Mediterranean coast from Tunis to Suez is now liberated from despotism, at least temporarily.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Al-Jazeera are reporing he's fled to Venezuela too.

[PhoenixAsh]

City of Misrata is free...security forces have handed their weapons over to the protesters

[bricolage]

I really wish that guy who used to say Libya was socialist still posted on here.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

^^^He's probably gone to Italy!

[Palestine]

AJ: Venezuela denies any agreement to receive Gaddafi in Venezuela!

[Palestine]

I really wish that guy who used to say Libya was socialist still posted on here.
Libya is "socialist" just like North Korea is "communist"

[bricolage]

Geo-politically Chavez would be committing suicide taking in Gadaffi. I think he's smarter than that but I do wonder how he'll play down the former links to his "friend and brother".

[PhoenixAsh]

AJ: Venezuela denies any agreement to receive Gaddafi in Venezuela!

and also stated they won't accept him...

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

AJ is now showing Gadaffi's son talking to the nation.

[Blamelessman]

I love Gadaffi. Yes he is slightly socialist but hey show me a more socialist country. Everyone is guaranteed a house. :thumbup1: The protesters will be gorging on McDonalds soon enough. It's their wish I guess.

[PhoenixAsh]

he said: untrained police attacked people...which was unfortunate. some exchange of fire and some people died.

there was a MISTAKE by the army....because they heard the people were on drugs and outside agents.

In short...his intro states: everything is all just a big misunderstanding created by partisan groups who have a political and religious agenda.




What an asshole. :mad:

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Blamelessman:


protesters will be gorging on McDonalds soon enough. It's their wish I guess.

Indeed, people will face tanks and heavy machine guns just to get a cheeseburger...!:lol:

[Palestine]

I think am wasting my precious neurons listening to this guy.

[Palestine]

Is Islam the boogy man?? can't they see that this crap doesn't work on people??

[PhoenixAsh]

I love Gadaffi. Yes he is slightly socialist but hey show me a more socialist country. Everyone is guaranteed a house. :thumbup1: The protesters will be gorging on McDonalds soon enough. It's their wish I guess.

I have only one reaction to this: WTF? Are you insane? OR are you being ironic? Because in that case you completely failed and are in fact moronic.

There is NO such thing as slightly socialist....you either are or you are not.

[PhoenixAsh]

I think am wasting my precious neurons listening to this guy.

I was thinking the exact same thing....

This guy is boring everybody to death. He is the WMD the US was seeking in Iraq!!!! :laugh:

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

He trotted his son out to give an address ... "a few people" have died and they blamed it on foreigners.

Pssh. Anyone calling themselves a direct democrat and a socialist should resign in the face of such opposition. Instead, his government plays Sub Saharan African immigrants to gun down his own people. His unwillingness to resign and his willingness to use force show that he is not interested in empowering his people.

It is sad that he once considered himself a leader of the "third world". Also, sad that I haven't seen this story reported in the Latin American State Leftist press (Venezuela TV, etc, only aporrea had one little article on it) ... they have had close relations w/ Libya in the past. I suppose "anti-imperial solidarity" is more important than human rights?

[Dimentio]

I love Gadaffi. Yes he is slightly socialist but hey show me a more socialist country. Everyone is guaranteed a house. :thumbup1: The protesters will be gorging on McDonalds soon enough. It's their wish I guess.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs47/i/2009/209/4/a/Successful_troll_is_succesful_by_Ph4tL3wT.jpg

[Palestine]

This man is fucked up real bad, but again like father like son, and the apple almost never falls far from the tree. I am allergic to bullshit, and this man is causing me a rash.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

His best point so far: Libya is not Egypt...:lol:

[Palestine]

His best point so far: Libya is not Egypt...:lol:
He's right Libya is Libya :P he's wearing a nice watch I wonder who paid for that, and people want freedom and democracy not oil.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

He's rambling like a man about to face a firing squad.

[Sentinel]

His best point so far: Libya is not Egypt...http://www.revleft.com/vb/../revleft/smilies2/laugh.gifI like: 'These clashed may cause civil war in Libya'. No shit, Sherlock..

But yeah, he is indeed desperate. Proposes that everyone come together in some kind of 'people's assembly' tomorrow for a 'historical meeting' to enact laws that 'everyone can agree upon'..

[Blamelessman]

I have only one reaction to this: WTF? Are you insane? OR are you being ironic? Because in that case you completely failed and are in fact moronic.

There is NO such thing as slightly socialist....you either are or you are not.

WTF are you rambling on about? So the green movement... are NOT socialist? :blink:

[Palestine]

Where's his father at least he is more entertaining.

[Garret]

He threatened Imperialism against the people, heh.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Apparently the Martians will invade if the protesters do not desist.:lol:

[Omsk]

Comrades:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12517327


BBC News]The doctor in Benghazi, known as Braikah, described to the BBC how casualties had been brought to the city's Jala hospital - most of them with gunshot wounds.

"Ninety per cent of these gunshot wounds [were] mainly in the head, the neck, the chest, mainly in the heart," she said.

Also, it looks like at least part of Benghazi may indeed be under the protestors' control.

In a rare public admission of the unrest in Benghazi, Libyan state TV said on Sunday that an "armed people's base" in the city had come under attack and had its walls breached.

That news emerged as anti-Gaddafi activists on Twitter reported that a barracks in Benghazi had "fallen". There was no way to confirm that report.

[the last donut of the night]

I love Gadaffi. Yes he is slightly socialist but hey show me a more socialist country. Everyone is guaranteed a house. :thumbup1: The protesters will be gorging on McDonalds soon enough. It's their wish I guess.

and on the 6th page, there were trolls.

[Palestine]

Seif Gaddafi is awesome, he talks about European colonialism, drugs and extacy, radical Islam, galactic wars, enslaving Libyans, star wars. It seems that Gaddafi is in wonderland.

[PhoenixAsh]

WTF are you rambling on about? So the green movement... are NOT socialist? :blink:

Yes...THAT is exactly what I am saying.

[Sentinel]

Seif Gaddafi is awesome, he talks about European colonialism, drugs and extacy, radical Islam, galactic wars, enslaving Libyans, star wars. It seems that Gaddafi is in wonderland.

The drugs thing was funniest of it all. It's apparently all a grand plot by evil ecstacy taking westerners who wish to seize Libyan oil.. or something. It was hard to follow up on his ramblings.

:lol::lol::lol:

[PhoenixAsh]

well...the translator was a bit dodgy.

Maybe he was saying he himself was currently on XTC :laugh: He certainly looked like he was under influence of some substance...

[Palestine]

Oh and he is considered the smart one in the family. no wonder

I just loved how he made this an intergalactic issue, jumping from one subject to another.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

I've never taken ecstasy, but from what I hear, it does not turn one into a blood-thirsty revolutionary.:lol:

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

AJ is now reporting that Green Sq in the centre of Tripoli now belongs to the protesters.

[PhoenixAsh]

I've never taken ecstasy, but from what I hear, it does not turn one into a blood-thirsty revolutionary:lol:

...when you get the chance and its safe stuff try it...its excellent...but the revolution will turn out in a big love fest or a wild party if we all take it :laugh:

[bricolage]

Comedowns are counter-revolutionary.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Hindsight:


when you get the chance and its safe stuff try it

No thanks, I'll pass.:)

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

CAIRO – The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says his father is in the country and backed by the army.

Appearing on Libyan state television early Monday morning, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said: "We will fight to the last minute, until the last bullet."

Earlier he said protesters have seized control of some military bases, weapons and tanks and he warned of civil war in the country that would burn its oil wealth.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

CAIRO (AP) — The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says protesters have seized control of some military bases and tanks.

Appearing on Libyan state television Sunday night, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi warned of civil war in the country that would burn its oil wealth.

He also acknowledged that the army made mistakes during protests because troops were not prepared to battle demonstrators.

He offered to put forward reforms within days that he described as a "historic national initiative." He said the regime was willing to remove some restrictions and to begin a discussion of the constitution. He offered to change a number of laws, including those covering the media.

[freepalestine]

AJE is now reporting that Green Sq in the centre of Tripoli now belongs to the protesters.
thats great news



Libya Latest: Live Feed from Al Jazeera English



=AlJazeera.net go to link here

www.uruknet.info?p=75188 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=75188) or aljazeera english youtube channel


http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=21llll15937465.jpg (http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=21llll15937465.jpg)
February 20, 2011


:: Article nr. 75188 sent on 20-feb-2011 23:49 ECT


www.uruknet.info?p=75188 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=75188)


----

[danyboy27]

i said 48 hours 12 hours ago

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

AJ is running a live report from Bengazi, from a doctor, who says Gadaffi has lost control of the city, and that the miltary there has joined the revolution.

[danyboy27]

i got the strange feeling that we are gonna see the charred bodies of gadafi relative on tv in a fews hours or so.

[scarletghoul]

Shit this is intense. *gathers coffee and bagel supplies*

Libya is more tribal than other arab countries so its possible that some tribes could side with gaddafi, creating a civil war. but its more likely he will go.. after some more bloodshed that is..

[danyboy27]

Shit this is intense. *gathers coffee and bagel supplies*

Libya is more tribal than other arab countries so its possible that some tribes could side with gaddafi, creating a civil war. but its more likely he will go.. after some more bloodshed that is..


with the atrocities he comitted to various tribes, i highly doubt it.

[danyboy27]

kadafi son pulling a mubarak was just fucking hilarious.

''Libya is not egypt''

''The army is on kadafi side''

''stability''

''conspiracy theories''

''tribal society cannot function under a democratic regime''


he brobably soiled himself while saying this, wondering of some dude would creep in the building to shot him dead.

[freepalestine]

Full text of Saif Gaddafi's speech

Seif al-Islam Gaddafi



http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=20gscicyh.jpg (http://uruknet.info/pic.php?f=20gscicyh.jpg)

Full text of Saif Gadaffi's speech, as Transcribed and tweeted live
by @SultanAlQassemi with screenshots from AlJazeera.

February 20, 2011

I saw that I had to speak to you. Many Libyans asked me to speak. I don't have a paper or a document to read from.I will not speak in classical Arabic, I will speak in Libyan, I don't have any papers, this is a talk from the heart & mind. We all know that the region is passing through an earthquake, a hurricane or change. If this change does not come from the govts it will come from the people, we have seen this in other Arab countries. Today I will tell you only truth only.

We know that there are opposition figures living abroad who have support in Libya. There people try to use Facebook for a revolution to copy Egypt. These people want to bring Libya to what happened in Egypt & Tunisia. We saw this on facebook and on emails. The country did a pre-emptive move by arresting some people before the protests, shots were fired, people died. The anger was directed at the police in Benghazi. People wanted to storm the police stations, people died, funerals occurred. This is a summary of what happened in Bengazi, now there is a major Fitna and a threat to the unity of Libya. Of course there were many deaths, which angered many people in Benghazi, but why were there people killed? The army was under stress, it is not used to crowd control so they shot, but I called them. The army said that some protesters were drunk, others were on hallucinogens or drugs. The army has to defend its weapons. And the people were angry. So there were deaths, but in the end Libyans were killed.


There are thee parts behind this

1- Political Activists whom we agree with,

2- What happened in Bayda are Islamic elements. Bayda is my town, my mother is from there. People called me. They stole weapons and killed soldiers. They want to establish an Islamic Emirate in Bayda. Some people took drugs & were used by these protesters.

3. The third part are these children who took the drugs and were used. These are facts like it or not.

We have arrested tens of Arabs and Africans, poor people, millions were spent on them to use them by millionaire businessmen. There are people who want to establish a countries in parts of Libya to rule, Like the Islamic Emirate. One person said he is the Emir of Islamic Emirate of Darna. The Arabic Media is manipulating these events. This Arabic media is owned by Arabs who are distorting the facts but also our media failed to cover the events.

Then there are the Baltagiya who destroyed public property, they fled jails. There are our brothers who sit and drink coffee and watch TV and laugh at us when they see us burn our country.

It is no lie that the protesters are in control of the streets now. Libya is not Tunis or Egypt. Libya is different, if there was disturbance it will split to several states. It was three states before 60 years. Libya are Tribes not like Egypt. There are no political parties, it is made of tribes. Everyone knows each other. We will have a civil war like in 1936. American Oil Companies played a big part in unifying Libya. Who will manage this oil? How will we divide this oil amongst us? Who will spend on our hospitals? All this oil will be burnt by the Baltagiya (Thugs) they will burn it. There are no people there. 3/4s of our people live in the East in Benghazi, there is no oil there, who will spend on them? Your children will not go to schools or universities. There will be chaos, we will have to leave Libya if we can't share oil. Everyone wants to become a Sheikh and an Emir, we are not Egypt or Tunisia so we are in front of a major challenge.


We all now have arms. At this time drunks are driving tanks in central Benghazi. So we all now have weapons. The powers who want to destroy Libya have weapons. There will be a war & no future. All the firms will leave, we have 500 housing units being built, they won't be completed. Remember my words. 200 billion dollars of projects are now underway, they won't be finished.

You can say we want democracy & rights, we can talk about it, we should have talked about it before. It's this or war. Instead of crying over 200 deaths we will cry over 100,000s of deaths. You will all leave Libya, there will be nothing here. There will be no bread in Libya, it will be more expensive than gold.


Before we let weapons come between us, from tomorrow, in 48 hours, we will call or a new conference for new laws. We will call for new media laws, civil rights, lift the stupid punishments, we will have a constitution. Even the LEader Gaddafi said he wants a constitution. We can even have autonomous rule, with limited central govt powers. Brothers there are 200 billion dollars of projects at stake now. We will agree to all these issues immediately. We will then be able to keep our country, unlike our neighbors. We will do that without the problems of Egypt & Tunisia who are now suffering. There is no tourism there. We will have a new Libya, new flag, new anthem. Or else, be ready to start a civil war and chaos and forget oil and petrol.


What is happening in Bayda and Benghazi is very sad. How do you who live in Benghazi, will you visit Tripoli with a visa? The country will be divided like North and South Korea we will see each other through a fence. You will wait in line for months for a visa. If we don't do the first scenario be ready for the second scenario:

The British FM called me. Be ready for a new colonial period from American and Britain. ou think they will accept an Islamic Emirate here, 30 minutes from Crete? The West will come and occupy you. Europe & the West will not agree to chaos in Libya, to export chaos and drugs so they will occupy us.


In any case, I have spoken to you, we uncovered cells from Egypt and Tunisia and Arabs. The Libyans who live in Europe and USA, their children go to school and they want you to fight. They are comfortable. They then want to come and rule us and Libya. They want us to kill each other then come, like in Iraq. The Tunisians and Egyptians who are here also have weapons, they want to divide Libya and take over the country.

We are in front of two choices, we can reform now, this is an historic moment, without it there will be nothing for decades. You will see worse than Yugoslavia if we don't choose the first option. Gaddafi is not Mubarak or Ben Ali, a classical ruler, he is a leader of a people. 10,000s of Libyans are coming to defend him. Over coastline Libyans are coming to support Gaddafi. The army is also there, it will play a big part whatever the cost. The army will play a big role, it is not the army of Tunisia or Egypt. It will support Gaddafi to the last minute. Now in the Green Square people shoot so that they show the world that the army is shooting. We must be awake.


Now comes the role of the National Guard and the Army, we will not lose one inch of this land. 60 years ago they defended Libya from the colonialists, now they will defend it from drug addicts. Most of he Libyans are intelligent, they are not Baltagiya (thugs) Benghazi is a million and a half not the few thousands who are in the streets. We will flight to the last man and woman and bullet. We will not lose Libya. We will not let Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and BBC trick us.

We will live in Libya and die in Libya. (Ends)



:: Article nr. 75191 sent on 21-feb-2011 01:18 ECT


www.uruknet.info?p=75191 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=75191)

Link: www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/exiledsurfer/~oJiWX (http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/exiledsurfer/~oJiWX)





---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Gaddafi's son talks of conspiracy

AlJazeera.net


Appearing on Libyan state television, Seif al-Islam Gaddafi said his father is in the country and backed by the army.

February 20, 2011



:: Article nr. 75192 sent on 21-feb-2011 01:29 ECT


www.uruknet.info?p=75192 (http://www.uruknet.info?p=75192)

Link: english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011220232725966251.html




.

[PhoenixAsh]

when I was listening it seems he said a lot more...if this is the full text then it took him a very long time to say everything. :)

[danyboy27]

i guess i was wrong about that 48 hour thing.

i think that tomorow will de a decisive assault on gadafi conpound.

[Sentinel]

i guess i was wrong about that 48 hour thing.

i think that tomorow will de a decisive assault on gadafi conpound.Today's develoment might indeed become crucial. One of the major, central government buildings in Tripoli is on fire, according to Sky News.

[Queercommie Girl]

I love to hear from people on RevLeft who used to claim Libya is a "socialist state" now! :rolleyes:

[Omsk]

Egyptians Tv (confirmed): 8 Egyptians were killed in Libya.
The situation is getting even more intense.

:Egyptian borders are being hit by military Planes.

News about the movement of units of the Egyptian army tanks and armored personnel carriers enhanced to strengthen the border guards and hear the sound of bullets and explosions near the Libyan-Egyptian border

Other reports of sightings of military aircraft over the skies of Fayoum, Siwa and Marsa Matruh

[Sentinel]

I love to hear from people on RevLeft who used to claim Libya is a "socialist state" now!

These people (http://www.revleft.com/vb/named-and-shamed-t150394/index.html)? :D Not all in the group are supporters though, like Wanted Man correctly pointed out.

I wonder whether there was any substance to the rumours that Muammar Gaddafi has left the country (and left his wellspoken son in charge)?

[PhoenixAsh]

Potesters have taken the national TV building and have blocked the sets.

source: AlArabiya.

[PhoenixAsh]

Libya's socialism:

http://dai.ly/e9Mpti

[PhoenixAsh]

BBC reporting that Gaddafi may be about to order Air Force to bomb own army bases. source: BBC (confirmed by Al JAzeera: government is afraid ordinance and weapons will fall into protesters hands)

THey also report Gadaffi has fled Tripoli0 : source BBC (edit: still unconfirmed. BBC claims they quotes sources)

The Libyan ambassador to India has resigned. source: Indian TV

60 people are reported to have been killed last night and all police offices are set fire to. source: Reuters

Parliament is set ablaze. source: Reuters



Unconfirmed:


Hospitals in Tripoli have so many wounded that they have un out of blood for transfusions.



ALSO: PiscesMoon68 (http://twitter.com/PiscesMoon68) RT @NSlayton (http://twitter.com/NSlayton): Saif #Gaddafi (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Gaddafi) just blamed #Canada (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23Canada) for chaos. I think that's the first time someone's blamed Canada for war outside of South Park. #libya (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23libya) less than a minute ago (http://twitter.com/PiscesMoon68/statuses/39667392669949952)via web (http://twitter.com/)

Lol!!!!! :-D

[Sentinel]

Potesters have taken the national TV building and have blocked the sets.But, but, this means no more entertaining broadcasts from Saif Al-Islam? :(

Seriously speaking, excellent news if true. That is one of the first key objectives of any modern revolution.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Al Jazeera has just carried a report from the protesters in Bengazi who say they have set up their own government to run the city themselves.

They also report that Al Bayda has fallen to the revolt.

[PhoenixAsh]

Sart has fallen as well

[Omsk]

Oil prices hugely afected by the revolution:

Some international firms - including BP, one of the world's biggest oil companies - are preparing to pull their staff out of Libya, and the UK has announced it is flying home the families of diplomats stationed in the country.

Meanwhile, at least four foreign workers were injured when several hundred protesters stormed a construction site west of Tripoli.

A spokesman for the South Korean-run site said computers and heavy machinery were stolen.

A Bangladeshi worker in the port city of Darnah, east of Benghazi, told the BBC around 2,500 foreign workers had been placed under house arrest by anti-government protesters who were in control of the area.

The violence has helped to push up oil prices to their highest levels since the global financial crisis of 2008.

At one point, Brent crude - one of the main benchmarks on world oil markets - reached $105 (£65) a barrel.
Source:BBC

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

From the most recent article I've seen:


Cars honked their horns in celebration and protesters in the streets chanted "Long live Libya." Protesters took down the Libyan flag from above Benghazi's main courthouse and raised the flag of the country's old monarchy, which was toppled in 1969 by the military coup that brought Moammar Gadhafi to power, according to witnesses and video footage posted on the Internet.

[PhoenixAsh]

Oil prices hugely afected by the revolution:

Source:BBC

Libya is the main supplier to Italy
Third supplier to gemany

and in the EU total is the supplier of 10% of all oil use.

So..yeah...this is causing panic. Stockmarkets here, a friend of mine works there, are very much in a state of chaos :):lol:

[PhoenixAsh]

Oil workers are on strike!!!!

[Omsk]

As expected.Libya will have a hard time getting back on her feet after this though.

[Dimentio]

As expected.Libya will have a hard time getting back on her feet after this though.

It could become a civil war. It is a tribal country after all, and how should the tribes and regions divide the oil between themselves?

[Palestine]

It could become a civil war. It is a tribal country after all, and how should the tribes and regions divide the oil between themselves?

You're not seriously taking what Gaddafi junior said, are you?
They have been living together for thousands of years, and they are all related, through marriages.

[Omsk]

But they have lived under a leader (im talking about the modern times),now they all have a potential chance to take power.And im sure they dont all like each other.:)

[Palestine]

Gaddafi gives the orders, and air fighters are striking protesters, AIR FIGHTERS ARE BOMBING THE PROTESTERS.
All communications are cut off, landlines, cellular, internet everything.
William Hague British foreign minister says Gaddafi is on his way to Venezuela.

[Omsk]

One of Gaddafi's sons said that the fight will go on until the last of the gaddafi loyal soldier is dead.
:( More human lives will be lost if this statement is valid.
AJ says about 60 people died in the recent events.
Benghazi is completly in the hands of revolutionaries.
Gaddafi loyal soldiers shot by their officers after disobeying their orders:to shoot the civilians.
To all good comrades from Libya,if there are any,i dont really know,(new on the forum) Hold out!

[danyboy27]

gadafi is insane.

even Mubarak fuckign understood that at a certain point violence was useless.

i cant believe someone succeded into making mubarak look good.

[danyboy27]

1719: Col Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has ordered the formation of an investigation committee, headed by a Libyan judge with the participation of Libyan and foreign rights groups, to investigate the circumstances of the deaths in the recent protests, Libyan TV has said.




in the meanwhile, planes are bombing the fuck out of protesters.

[danyboy27]

1725: Zubin Gulati in Tripoli, Libya, (http://twitter.com/#%21/ZubinGulati) tweets: "Cars honking Police sirens Small weapons fire in Omar Mukhtar Street in #Tripoli #Libya"

[Palestine]

1719: Col Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam, has ordered the formation of an investigation committee, headed by a Libyan judge with the participation of Libyan and foreign rights groups, to investigate the circumstances of the deaths in the recent protests, Libyan TV has said.


in the meanwhile, planes are bombing the fuck out of protesters.

I want to know what's his formal position in the state??
And damn Gaddafi makes Mubarak and Ben-Ali look like warmly fuzzy teddy bears

[Omsk]

to investigate the circumstances of the deaths in the recent protests
I wonder what will they end up...mass suacide?:(
Gaddafi makes me sick,and at one point i thought he will simply resigne,like Mubarak,hell,Mubarak is a litle kitten compared to this man!I just hope that the bloodshed stops.

[danyboy27]

I want to know what's his formal position in the state??
And damn Gaddafi makes Mubarak and Ben-Ali look like warmly fuzzy teddy bears


he dosnt have a position, he is not officially a politician and have no authority at all. People might listen to him because he is his son but that it.

he dosnt even control any military formations.

[danyboy27]

has far has we know he might not be in control of nothing at all at the moment.

[Dimentio]

he dosnt have a position, he is not officially a politician and have no authority at all. People might listen to him because he is his son but that it.

he dosnt even control any military formations.

He is Gaddafi's official successor.

Libya is still a Monarchy.

[danyboy27]

He is Gaddafi's official successor.

Libya is still a Monarchy.


dosnt matter, he look like a james bond vilain to me.

[danyboy27]

1737: Libyan-born Nusrati (not his real name), who has recently moved from the UK back to the Middle East, has been receiving information about the escalating situation in the country: "There has been live fire outside my uncle's apartment in Tripoli. Everyone was out marching in Green Square. There were trucks handing out meat and fish and other luxury goods to anyone who is a pro-Gadaffi supporter. People were even being promised university places."




Hopeless tactics

[danyboy27]

1740: Nusrati adds: " My uncle is a doctor in a hospital in Tripoli and he says many bodies were carried in to the hospital last night and today. People are taking it in turns to defend their streets. Half go out protesting, and the other half stay behind to protect their properties."

[Omsk]

Breaking from Aljazzera channel : Surrender of the commander of the Air Force and Air Defence Libya.
End of the bombing?

[danyboy27]

End of the bombing?

not necessarly. Gadafi still the ''commander'' of the army.

In theory, he could personally order attack.

Now, if there is nobody to relay his order, that another things.

And, if its true, there isnt nobody to enforce the order on the low level troops.

[danyboy27]

1742: All Italian air bases have been placed on maximum alert, the Italian news agency Ansa reports.

[PhoenixAsh]

AJ reports the fighter jets in Malta are defecting colonels from the airforce who defected after they were ordered to bomb protesters and saw colleges do this.

THey were ordered to Benghazi. And ordered to bomb the city. THey then lowered altitude to 500 ft and saw colleges bomb the city. THey then decided to defect and flew to Malta whee they landed because they were out of fuel. THe Libyans living in Malta regard these men as heroes.

If their story is true his is confirmation of the brutal bloody repression....and the fact fighterjets are used. It also gives credance to Gadaffi using mercenaries since he obviously can not trust, luckily, his armed forces.

[danyboy27]

1746: Arab-American Nasr Anaizi (http://twitter.com/#%21/alchemist585) tweets: "Civilians marching from #Mesrata toward #Tripoli are being fired upon from Apache helicopters. Real massacres are taking place in #Libya."




there is only 1 country in the neighborhood possessing such planes...
yea, you guessed it, fuckign saudi arabia.

[Nolan]

1746: Arab-American Nasr Anaizi (http://twitter.com/#%21/alchemist585) tweets: "Civilians marching from #Mesrata toward #Tripoli are being fired upon from Apache helicopters. Real massacres are taking place in #Libya."


there is only 1 country in the neighborhood possessing such planes...
yea, you guessed it, fuckign saudi arabia.

What does this mean?

[danyboy27]

What does this mean?

Well, either the person dosnt know how to reconize a apache from a mi-24, or that saudi arabia unofficially sent planes to support gadafi repression.

If there are credible evidences of this, it would be enough for the u.s to stop military aid to saudi arabia.

[Dimentio]

Well, either the person dosnt know how to reconize a apache from a mi-24, or that saudi arabia unofficially sent planes to support gadafi repression.

If there are credible evidences of this, it would be enough for the u.s to stop military aid to saudi arabia.

Dream on. Saudi Arabia is the economic centre of the world and the India of the American Empire.

[Omsk]

Saudi Arabia is Americas greatest middle-eastern ally alongside Israel.So i dont think this "love" will end in the near future.

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

Well, either the person dosnt know how to reconize a apache from a mi-24, or that saudi arabia unofficially sent planes to support gadafi repression.

If there are credible evidences of this, it would be enough for the u.s to stop military aid to saudi arabia.

Much more likely to be a misattribution, I dont think most people could tell the difference and "Apaches" have been in the news more in the past 20 years than old Soviet choppers, so the name probably has more relevance.

Anyway, if SA did come to help, that would be a unique kind of escalation

[Nolan]

Oh well another interesting tweet:


Mirage fighters from France, Apache helicopters from the USA, Sniper rifles from the UK. Who else supplied #Gaddafi (http://www.google.com/search?q=%23Gaddafi+site%3Atwitter.com&tbs=mbl:1&tbo=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=HMG&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&output=search&prmd=ivnsu&sa=X&ei=NqpiTdr1E83ytge_yeXuCw&ved=0CAQQsQcwAA) regime with arms?

[Omsk]

Breaking: Mercenaries from France go down to Libya.
I am not sure if this is 100% true.But still.

[Palestine]

Well, either the person dosnt know how to reconize a apache from a mi-24, or that saudi arabia unofficially sent planes to support gadafi repression.

If there are credible evidences of this, it would be enough for the u.s to stop military aid to saudi arabia.

No man Saudi Arabia don't really like the man, so I find it hard to believe. This is why if Gaddafi is removed no Arab country would take him. The man is a butcher, and no country will risk giving him refuge.

[danyboy27]

1817: The BBC has received reports of ongoing fighting west of Tripoli between regular soldiers and forces loyal to the regime.

[Nolan]

"Tanks and helicopter gunships full of foreign mercenaries are fighting gangs of demonstrators. At least one dead man had been hit by an anti-aircraft missile, while other bodies are riddled with heavy machine gun fire."


There were also reports of bystanders, including women and children, leaping to their deaths from high bridges as they tried to escape battle-hardened mercenaries from neighbouring countries like Chad.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8336467/Libya-protests-foreign-mercenaries-using-heavy-weapons-against-at-demonstrators.html

[danyboy27]

i would hate of being a gadafi supporter now.

With all the atrocities commited these days, those folks are gonna be jailed for like or executed after the regime fail.

[Omsk]

More than 250 people were killed in heavy shelling of warplanes :(
The death-toll is getting only higher.
And also this:People of Serbian nationality have been atacked in their camp?:(
The fighting continues,about 40 minutes of fire-fighting lasted in some parts of the town.

[danyboy27]

1853: More info on those two Libyan jets that landed in Malta: Maltese government officials say their two pilots defected having been ordered to bomb protesters. One of them has requested political asylum, Reuters reports.

[danyboy27]

you know what is the hardest thing in all that?

Accepting that its their fight, and despite the number of death, it should be up to the libyan people to sort it out, not some foreign invader.

It is really hard to accept, really, but that the way it should, be.

[danyboy27]

1859: The BBC has learnt that Col Gaddafi was in Libya when he had his phone conversation with UN Sec Gen Ban Ki Moon earlier.




good. they can still get him.

[Dimentio]

you know what is the hardest thing in all that?

Accepting that its their fight, and despite the number of death, it should be up to the libyan people to sort it out, not some foreign invader.

It is really hard to accept, really, but that the way it should, be.

There is a risk that he will be able to pull this. Saddam survived a similar rebellion after the Gulf War by excessive brutality. Ghadaffi though seems to have a smaller base of support.

If a dictator wants to survive a popular rebellion, and has nothing else at his disposal than military might, then he should not (if he wants to survive) signal weakness, but just massacre everything and their moms.

That is one reason why I fear the idea of remotely controlled weapons. Imagine if a ruler had automated tanks and bomber jets at his disposal? Then he wouldn't need to care for anyone or pander to any moderating class interests.

[danyboy27]

There is a risk that he will be able to pull this. Saddam survived a similar rebellion after the Gulf War by excessive brutality. Ghadaffi though seems to have a smaller base of support.

If a dictator wants to survive a popular rebellion, and has nothing else at his disposal than military might, then he should not (if he wants to survive) signal weakness, but just massacre everything and their moms.

That is one reason why I fear the idea of remotely controlled weapons. Imagine if a ruler had automated tanks and bomber jets at his disposal? Then he wouldn't need to care for anyone or pander to any moderating class interests.

i dont think he gonna get out alive from his bunker. has you said, his base support is now extremely weak, report of military firefight in tripoli.

a ruler with automated weapon wouldnt be invulnerable to uprising, after all he need people to control these.

There is no question, you cant make any comparaison between the drones of afghanistan. Killing his own people, even with remote controlled weapon is a whole other story than killing foreigner.

[danyboy27]

There is a risk that he will be able to pull this. Saddam survived a similar rebellion after the Gulf War by excessive brutality. Ghadaffi though seems to have a smaller base of support.

If a dictator wants to survive a popular rebellion, and has nothing else at his disposal than military might, then he should not (if he wants to survive) signal weakness, but just massacre everything and their moms.

That is one reason why I fear the idea of remotely controlled weapons. Imagine if a ruler had automated tanks and bomber jets at his disposal? Then he wouldn't need to care for anyone or pander to any moderating class interests.

that was valid in the 60s,when mean of communication where limited to phone. now he is jeopardizing everything for that, and loosing all his friend, including his general and embassadors in the process.

he have approximately 1 or 2 brigades still loyal to him, this is not much.

for now, all he show is that he isnt in control at all, beccause he need to do that much violence to stay in power.

he dosnt offers any real good alternatives, and ultimately, he will be defeated for that.

[danyboy27]

2001: Ominous news from our colleagues over at BBC Monitoring: "'Libyan military source confirms orders were issued for the aerial bombardment of Benghazi within two hours,'" reported Al-Arabiya TV in an urgent screen caption at 1947 GMT."




This guy is desesperate.

what the point of fighting for power when there will be nothing else to control?

Lets hope the troops in tripoli get to his bunker before the strike begin.

[Palestine]

2001: Ominous news from our colleagues over at BBC Monitoring: "'Libyan military source confirms orders were issued for the aerial bombardment of Benghazi within two hours,'" reported Al-Arabiya TV in an urgent screen caption at 1947 GMT."


This guy is desesperate.

what the point of fighting for power when there will be nothing else to control?

Lets hope the troops in tripoli get to his bunker before the strike begin.
I was just about to post that, but man this shit is escalating too quickly, I am proud of my Libyan brothers, whatever the result is.

[Toppler]

I take my posts back. This guy is a murderous lunatic.

I still wonder through, how do Stalinists and Maoists reconcile condemning Gaddafi while advocating Stalin and Mao. Gaddafi is a butcher because he killed hundreds of protestors, Mao and Stalin were "right to kill tens of millions" because "the millions they killed were all counter-revolutionaries". Not that I want to advocate him now, just saying that if one defends Stalin, Mao or Pol Pot, he should have no problems accepting Gaddadi. But as much as I hate the term "totalitarianism", this quote from Dimentio (he applied it to Nazbols originally) applies brilliantly:


Guess totalitarianism is funny as long as you are on the right side of the barrel:lol:

Also, the historical distance of Stalin's and Mao's crimes helps too - it is easier to say the evidence of brutal rule and killing is just "burgeois propaganda", but nobody can deny what is happening in Libya right now.

By the way, I sincerely hope that his plans to bomb Benghazi will fail. We will seen soon.

[Os Cangaceiros]

There is a risk that he will be able to pull this. Saddam survived a similar rebellion after the Gulf War by excessive brutality. Ghadaffi though seems to have a smaller base of support.

If a dictator wants to survive a popular rebellion, and has nothing else at his disposal than military might, then he should not (if he wants to survive) signal weakness, but just massacre everything and their moms.

That is one reason why I fear the idea of remotely controlled weapons. Imagine if a ruler had automated tanks and bomber jets at his disposal? Then he wouldn't need to care for anyone or pander to any moderating class interests.

One of the lessons I've taken from the events that have transpired as of late is that even the most tyrannical of dictatorships rest on a measure of popular consent (Chomsky said that in one of his writings, I think it was "Containing The Threat Of Democracy", but it's really struck home recently). When that's gone, it's all over.

(I really, really hope that the Libyans can pull this off, though. And I really hope that scumbag doesn't make it out of this alive.)

[Sinister Cultural Marxist]

There were rumours at one point, which turned out to be false, that Gaddhafi was heading to Venezuela.

I wonder if the LatAm Left will stick by him after all this. I hope their anti-Imperialism isn't based on such a naive and uncritical point of view that they would continue to defend him.

[Leonid Brozhnev]

Holy crap. Bombing and strafing his own populace? Does Gadaffi even understand what he's doing? There's no turning back from shit like that, he's more or less dead as it stands, any other country planning of harbouring him would be committing political suicide. I really hope Gadaffi is still in Libya so when protesters break into his compound they can slowly drive a tank over his balls.

[Nolan]

I really hope Gadaffi is still in Libya so when protesters break into his compound they can slowly drive a tank over his balls.

They might ask the IRA for help. I hear they're experts in ball torture.

[danyboy27]

2040: It's well into the hours of darkness now in Libya, and the situation is reported to be extemely tense. From Tripoli, one eyewitness told the BBC that people there are expecting a major event tonight - "a final battle" were the words used.

[danyboy27]

2047: One of the most active anti-Gaddafi tweeters, Libyan Dude (http://twitter.com/#%21/ChangeInLibya/status/39786820812279808), tweets: "Ok, more important than ever to say this I guess: We don't want foreign (and western) intervention, only condemnation and humanit. aid".

[Palestine]

This looks like Rwanda, I thought people were exaggerating by calling it a genocide, but looks like it is :(

[danyboy27]

bro, send the link but dont post the picture on the board, i think i am gonna throw up.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

Can a mod remove that picture please?

[Omsk]

@Danyboy:Good to hear,Libya must try to distance itself from the Americans,their interest and tearms are well known,Libya must continue its eforts after the revlolution,the regime is over,but there will be greater chalanges that will need to be acomplished,Libya must maintain its national integrity and sovereignty.

EDIT:remove this picture,or at least post a link.

[Palestine]

bro, send the link but dont post the picture on the board, i think i am gonna throw up.

Sorry man, removed the picture, but I wanted to show what is really going on there.

[danyboy27]

2 brigades, its approx 6000 men.

the libyan military is about 45 000 active personnal, 119 000 reserve.


its gonna be quick and bloody.

[punisa]

Sorry man, removed the picture, but I wanted to show what is really going on there.

Shock is the only eye-opener for some people. Can you post a link? Or explain what the picture was about (for us who missed it)

[Os Cangaceiros]

2 brigades, its approx 6000 men.

the libyan military is about 45 000 active personnal, 119 000 reserve.


its gonna be quick and bloody.

Two brigades...is that all he has left?

[danyboy27]

<li style="opacity: 1;" class="type-9999">2111: In an eye-catching public statement, influential Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi told the al-Jazeera TV network that any Libyan soldier who has the oppotunity should shoot and kill Col Gaddafi.


2108: Libya's army is reported to have withdrawn from areas by the Egyptian border, Reuters reports. Egypt's army is said to have reported the movement via its Facebook pag




the cavalry is coming

[danyboy27]

Two brigades...is that all he has left?


actual estimate by an expert and also, some airforce and special security personnal.

[PhoenixAsh]

Yes.....but for who?

Gadaffi also relies on mercanaries and outside forces. But parts of the military both airforce, infantry and cavalry, are still loyal and are currently shooting (tanks and airplanes) at several cities. Benghazi, Misrath and other places.

[Ismail]

I still wonder through, how do Stalinists and Maoists reconcile condemning Gaddafi while advocating Stalin and Mao. Gaddafi is a butcher because he killed hundreds of protestors, Mao and Stalin were "right to kill tens of millions" because "the millions they killed were all counter-revolutionaries".I was unaware tens of thousands protested in the Red Square and Stalin was like "SEND IN THE TANKS" and massacred people.

The Great Purges were more like a manager being picked up by the NKVD and accused of being a joint Polish-British spy, and then "admitting" that other managers were not only involved in his spyring, but also had links to Germany and Japan, and that they operated from a base in northern Persia where they helped give blueprints to Neo-Basmachi rebels in tandem with Ukrainian fascist émigrés based in Romania. Workers actually cheered on the NKVD in many cases and denounced their managers as bourgeois agents or exploiters (as noted by various authors.) Completely innocent people with pro-government records could easily get picked up, interrogated, and executed.

Even in Maoist China, the situation wasn't quite the same.

There weren't mass riots or anything of the sort.

Also no one claims that millions were "counter-revolutionaries." The Great Purges weren't a centrally planned operation.

And now on the subject of this topic, Enver Hoxha spoke about el-Qadhafi in 1980:

As is known, in 1969 there was a revolt in Libya, too; the dynasty of King Idris was overthrown and a group of young officers, headed by Qaddafi who poses as anti-imperialist, came to power. We can describe this revolt, this movement, as progressive at first, but later it lost its impact and at the moment it has fallen into stagnation. Qaddafi who came to power and claims to be the head of Islam, exploited the Moslem religion to present Libya as a "progressive", country and even called it "socialist", but in reality the great oil wealth of the country is being exploited for very dubious adventurous and sinister aims. Of course, for purposes of demagogy and because the income from the sale of oil is truly colossal, some changes have been made in the life of the people in the cities, while the poverty-stricken nomads of the desert remain a grave social problem. As we know, Qaddafi was a disciple of Nasser's in politics, ideology and religious belief, as well as in his aims.Considering Hoxha wasn't fond of Nasser, that doesn't reflect well on el-Qadhafi.

[Red_Struggle]

What was the picture of, again?

[Tommy4ever]

I was unaware tens of thousands protested in the Red Square and Stalin was like "SEND IN THE TANKS" and massacred people.

The Great Purges were more like a manager being picked up by the NKVD and accused of being a joint Polish-British spy, and then "admitting" that other managers were not only involved in his spyring, but also had links to Germany and Japan, and that they operated from a base in northern Persia where they helped give blueprints to Neo-Basmachi rebels in tandem with Ukrainian fascist émigrés based in Romania. Workers actually cheered on the NKVD in many cases and denounced their managers as bourgeois agents or exploiters (as noted by various authors.) Completely innocent people with pro-government records could easily get picked up, interrogated, and executed.

Even in Maoist China, the situation wasn't quite the same.

There weren't mass riots or anything of the sort.

Also no one claims that millions were "counter-revolutionaries." The Great Purges weren't a centrally planned operation.

And now on the subject of this topic, Enver Hoxha spoke about El-Qadhafi in 1980:
[/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR]

I don't know about China but I can confirm that your analysis of the Great Purges is pretty accurate. This comes from a strongly anti-Stalin communist.

Stalin set up and supported the institutions and movements that would lead to the Great Purge but outside of the high ranking Party killings he had little actual control of what was going on. It was largely carried out by the NKVD - directed by people on the ground who baselessly accused people.

That is very different to ordering the airforce to bomb protestors.

[danyboy27]

Yes.....but for who?

Gadaffi also relies on mercanaries and outside forces. But parts of the military both airforce, infantry and cavalry, are still loyal and are currently shooting (tanks and airplanes) at several cities. Benghazi, Misrath and other places.


outside forces are a logistical burden more than anything else, and their loyalty depend on the money. they wont fight for their lives, if its hopeless they will flee.

he might try to send scatered elements to retake some cities, for exemple send a fews tanks from a brigate to attack bengazi while some mercenaries back them up.

there might also have some marginal units loyal to him, but without efficient support they are doomed.

[brigadista]

no fly zone
UN Security Council
sounds too familiar - all that oil...

[GPDP]

Gadaffi hasn't read his Machiavelli, it seems.

Relying on mercenaries, and making the people hate him. Two big no no's in Mac's book.

[brigadista]

gadaffi going on tv soon reported by AJ

[Palestine]

Shock is the only eye-opener for some people. Can you post a link? Or explain what the picture was about (for us who missed it)

For all those who want to see the awful crimes being committed in Libya
here's a picture http://img84.imageshack.us/i/18370710150089784992382.jpg/

WARNING: SOME SCENES MAYBE REALLY HARD, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, AND WILL BE REALLY UNPLEASANT

[punisa]

For all those who want to see the awful crimes being committed in Libya
here's a picture http://img84.imageshack.us/i/18370710150089784992382.jpg/

WARNING: SOME SCENES MAYBE REALLY HARD, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, AND WILL BE REALLY UNPLEASANT

They indeed are very very graphic.
But this is something that everyone should see or at least hear about.
Without such imagery certain couch potatoes around Europe and the US might be thinking that the whole revolution is just a wild game played by the youth.

It is so horrible once your mind processes the imagery and establishes the fact that this is not a scene from a movie. These are real people that were alive perhaps just hours ago..
It's sad and could probably make your cry.

[Dimentio]

I was unaware tens of thousands protested in the Red Square and Stalin was like "SEND IN THE TANKS" and massacred people.

The Great Purges were more like a manager being picked up by the NKVD and accused of being a joint Polish-British spy, and then "admitting" that other managers were not only involved in his spyring, but also had links to Germany and Japan, and that they operated from a base in northern Persia where they helped give blueprints to Neo-Basmachi rebels in tandem with Ukrainian fascist émigrés based in Romania. Workers actually cheered on the NKVD in many cases and denounced their managers as bourgeois agents or exploiters (as noted by various authors.) Completely innocent people with pro-government records could easily get picked up, interrogated, and executed.

Even in Maoist China, the situation wasn't quite the same.

There weren't mass riots or anything of the sort.

Also no one claims that millions were "counter-revolutionaries." The Great Purges weren't a centrally planned operation.

And now on the subject of this topic, Enver Hoxha spoke about el-Qadhafi in 1980:
Considering Hoxha wasn't fond of Nasser, that doesn't reflect well on el-Qadhafi.

*cough* Russian Civil War *cough*

[Nolan]

For all those who want to see the awful crimes being committed in Libya
here's a picture http://img84.imageshack.us/i/18370710150089784992382.jpg/

WARNING: SOME SCENES MAYBE REALLY HARD, GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, AND WILL BE REALLY UNPLEASANT

Was this done intentionally? They're both the same.

[Dimentio]

Gadaffi hasn't read his Machiavelli, it seems.

Relying on mercenaries, and making the people hate him. Two big no no's in Mac's book.

He is a kid who wants to be the King of Kings, ruler of Africa.

He is probably narcissistic.

[PhoenixAsh]

I oppose any violent revolution, but it's not my job to tell them so. Gaddafi and any dictator must be removed and be replaced with a Democracy.


well.....they were very peaceful until the police and army began shooting them and mercenaries started raping and sexually assault women....now weren't they. There isn't any word big enough to portray the stupidity of your statement.

[Nolan]

Gadaffi hasn't read his Machiavelli, it seems.

Relying on mercenaries, and making the people hate him. Two big no no's in Mac's book.

He should be talking about how Islam demands that you go home and respect the rule of law or something. Instead he's airstriking protesters. Idiot.

[danyboy27]

2224: Libyan state TV quotes Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who spoke on national TV last night, as saying the country's air force has launched air strikes on arms depots around urban areas.




If its true, it only mean gadafi goons are not numrtous enough to secure it, and it is a strong sign of weakness.

[Dimentio]

The awful images are forbidden.

[Palestine]

Libyan Army Officers are calling on all the people, to get ready, and start moving towards Tripoli for the final battle, to kick out Gaddafi.

[Nolan]

It's probably gonna be a military coup.

[Red_Struggle]

This is fucking sick. That's all I can say. How dare this jackass call himself a socialist.

[Dimentio]

This is fucking sick. That's all I can say. How dare this jackass call himself a socialist.

He is an "Islamic Socialist African Pan Nationalist"

I don't know whether he has committed any atrocities like this before. But he would probably end like Ceaucescu now.

[PhoenixAsh]

Lybian television shows people who are captured, high on hallucinogenic drugs telling them they are foreigners and were sent there to stat uprisings and riots.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC has just carried phone calls from Tripoli that report what look like Eastern European mercenaries randomly shooting people not even involved in the protests.

[Omsk]

What the hell?Is that true?
I woudent be surprised if Gaddafi would call in the bloody Waffen SS Geriatric unit...

[Os Cangaceiros]

Lybian television shows people who are captured, high on hallucinogenic drugs telling them they are foreigners and were sent there to stat uprisings and riots.

0_o

[Palestine]

Lybian television shows people who are captured, high on hallucinogenic drugs telling them they are foreigners and were sent there to stat uprisings and riots.

Haha that's easy they are called the cast

[Dimentio]

Haha that's easy they are called the cast

People on hallucinogenes are known to be trustworthy.

[PhoenixAsh]

AJELive (http://twitter.com/AJELive) Adverts in Guinea and Nigeria for mercenaries, paying $2000/day, reports #AlJazeera (http://twitter.com/search?q=%23AlJazeera) Arabic. Follow AJE's liveblog: http://aje.me/g34XgM

[punisa]

AJ english: NATO getting involved? What would it mean if NATO sponsors the so called no-fly zone? Would that mean that NATO would stop all Libyan aircrafts from flying or?

[Omsk]

Probably,although from the capitalist's i expected a UN intervention,blue helmets,aid,etc.
If NATO is getting in,that would probably mean that it would stop all Libyan planes from taking off.And flying.Not sure about this.

[Rosa Lichtenstein]

The BBC are now running an interview with an 'opposition leader' in the UK who asserts that practically every town and city outside Tripoli has now gone over to the revolt and ended Gaddafi's rule there, and that they have set up local committes to run their communities.

He also said Gaddafi has lost the support of most of the tribes, and that the army in many of the larger cities and towns have joined the revolt.

He also says that Gaddafi and his sons etc. are walled up in their security centre in Tripoli, which is the only thing he now controls.

Even if only half of this is correct, it looks like curtains for Gaddafi.

[Ele'ill]

Portland - Libya solidarity

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2011/02/406344.shtml

[Red Commissar]

I know I'm saying what everyone else thinks, but hopefully Qadaffi will get what he deserves for this repression and for years of exploiting this nation.

I have a question- where would Qadaffi flee too? Some speculation that he may've fled to Venezuela, but I doubt that he has left yet, but still- where?

[freepalestine]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
live Blog - Libya

By Al Jazeera Staff (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/profile/al-jazeera-staff) in

Middle East (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east)
on February 17th, 2011.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/BlogsMainImage/seif_gaddafi.jpg

Saif Gaddafi, the son of Libya's leader, warned of 'civil war' in a speech on Sunday night.


As protests in Libya enter their eighth day, following a "day of rage" on Thursday, we keep you updated on the developing situation from our headquarters in Doha, Qatar.
(All times are local in Libya)

Blog: Feb17 (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya#feb17) - Feb18 (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya#feb18) - Feb19 (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya#feb19) - Feb20 (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya#feb20)
AJE Live Stream (http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/) - Twitter Audio: Voices from Libya (http://twitter.com/feb17voices#) - Benghazi Protest Radio (Arabic) (http://libya.blog-video.tv/)
Benghazi Webcam (http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb) - Libyan Youth Movement (http://feb17.info/) - LibyaFeb17.com (http://www.libyafeb17.com/)
February 22

1:42 In a statement released by the UN, Ban Ki-moon is said to be “outraged” at reports that Libyan authorities shot at demonstrators from war planes and helicopters.

Such attacks would constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law
1:40 Libya's deputy ambassador Dabbashi to UN: "No fly zone should be called over Libya"

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/default/files/imagecache/FeaturedImagePost/images/680_23.jpg

1:20am: Al Jazeera Arabic reports that adverts appear in Guinea and Nigeria offering would-be mercenaries up to US $2000 dollars per day

1:09am: Any news of that address by Gaddafi? No. We recommend you stay tuned to our TV stream for the latest news - by clicking here (http://aje.me/dWWRbw). And if you're in the US, you can Demand Al Jazeera (http://english.aljazeera.net/demandaljazeera/) on your cable provider...
1:01am: Reports flowing in of protests in solidarity with Libyan anti-Gaddafi activists being organised in London, Berlin, Paris, Washington DC, Cairo, New York City... Check the #Libya tag on Twitter for details in your area
12:59am: Financial Times reports oil groups are preparing to shut down operations in Libya
12:53am: Dozens of students and political activists have been arrested in Zimbabwe for watching Al Jazeera's reports on uprisings in north Africa, reports the New York Times.
12:49am: Reports emerge that BP is preparing to evacuate its employees from Libya. The corporation has major contracts with Libya, the EU's third-largest supplier of oil
12:45am: Regular Al Jazeera contributor Marc Lynch has written this interesting piece, weighing the merits and pitfalls of foreign intervention in Libya. Check it out for yourself here (http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/21/the_libyan_horror).

It is time for the United States, NATO, the United Nations and the Arab League to act forcefully to try to prevent the already bloody situation from degenerating into something much worse.
12:41am: State TV is airing "confessions" by Tunisians in Libya saying they were behind the uprising.
12:34am: Images of bodies gutted in the attacks are too harrowing to be shown. Our colleagues on the TV side of the newsroom have had to pixellate the bloodied bodies, where limbs have been hacked off and torsos maimed.
12:32am: Saif Gaddafi denies any airstrikes on Libyan cities
12:30am: Further reports that Libyan border guards have abandoned the eastern border with Egypt
12:22am: Deputy FM denies use of mercenaries against Libyan citizens
12:20am: Still waiting for that speech from Gaddafi.
12:17am: Once the Libyan foreign minister comes off air, we'll bring you a translated transcript of the fascinating exchange as soon as possible. Watch this space. Or follow Al Jazeera correspondent Rawya Rageh on Twitter @RawyaRageh (http://twitter.com/#%21/RawyaRageh) who is tweeting about it constantly...

12:15am: Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, says: "Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed"
12:11am: Al Jazeera Arabic presenter tries to corner Khaled al-Gaeim, deputy foreign minister, to allow the network into the country to report on events there.

If you don't trust our coverage, why are you on air with us now?
Deputy FM:

I called in to tell you about your dismal coverage, and to say that you do not own the airwaves
12:09am: Libyan deputy foreign minister denies any massacres have occurred in Benghazi or anywhere else in the country. He then blames Al Jazeera for "inciting strife".

What do you gain from your coverage? More employees?
12:06am: Calls for solidarity protests around the world spread globally across online social networks.
12:03am: Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Istanbul, says a plane sent earlier today to pick up some of the 25,000 Turkish workers in Libya had to turn back after approaching the country - because there was no-one left in air control facilities
12:01am: Online reports say Darnah city now under attack from "mercenaries".
February 21
11:59pm: Doctors in Tripoli report wounds in patients received today mostly from gunshots.
11:46pm: Unconfirmed reports suggest the Migraha tribe has now abandoned Gaddafi. This follows the Tuareg and Warfela tribes who came out in support of the protests yesterday.
11:43pm: Al Arabiya reports Gaddafi will be delivering a TV address soon. If he does, you can bet we'll be covering it on Al Jazeera English. Watch our rolling coverage by clicking here (http://aje.me/dWWRbw%20).
11:38pm: Gaddafi's top aide tells Al Jazeera: To keep his seat and his power, Gaddafi will "stop at nothing". Al Jazeera correspondent Rawya Rageh tweets: "Amazing interview on AJA now! Man who I always saw as Gaddafi's shadow when I visited - now trashing the Libyan leader."
11:32pm: This video has just emerged online, claiming to be footage of yesterday's attempt by protesters to take control of Green Square in central Tripoli. The quality is blurry, but what sounds like gunshots can clearly be heard. Once again, given the Gaddafi regime's total control of media access to the country, there is no way of confirming its veracity.

11:18pm: Ojli calls for international action "to stop the killings".
11:16pm: Ali Ojli, Libya's ambassador to the US, is on air live now on Al Jazeera English. Watch here. (http://aje.me/dWWRbw)
11:14pm: Venezuela's foreign minister says his Libyan counterpart told him - by phone - that Gaddafi "is still in Tripoli, practicing the powers given to him by the state". He also said British foreign minister William Hague's comments "were made in an irresponsible way".
11:07pm: Gabriel Elizondo, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Sao Paulo, has just posted this blog: Brazil's business in Libya (http://blogs.aljazeera.net/americas/2011/02/21/brazils-business-libya)
11:05pm: The Egyptian army's Facebook page says the Egypt-Libya border is now open, Reuters reports.
11:00pm: Libyan state TV says "security forces have begun an extensive operation against dens of vandals".
10:59pm: Libyan city of Misratah, east of Tripoli, is latest to be attacked by airstrikes. Heavy artillery fire devastates buildings as tanks roll into the city, witnesses tell Al Jazeera.
10:57pm: Antonio Patriota, Brazilian foreign minister, denies Gaddafi has requested asylum in Brazil
10:56pm: Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Istanbul, says Turkey "has 25,000 reasons to tiptoe around the Gaddafi regime - the number of its citizens still in the country.
10:52pm: Two military planes reportedly land at Benghazi airfield - after their pilots refused to attack the city, our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic tell us.
10:49pm: Yet more airstrikes are targeting civilians, right now, in the city of Az-Zawiya- west of Tripoli, witnesses tell Al Jazeera. No news yet of numbers killed or injured.
10:44pm: Al Jazeera receives this emotional appeal for help from a woman in Tripoli.

People are leaving their homes, expecting they will never return.
10:40pm: Yusuf Al Qardawi, a leading Sunni cleric, has just issued a fatwa on Al Jazeera Arabic, encouraging the assassination of Gaddafi.
10:37pm: Online reports say the Libyan-Egyptian border is now open, with crossing points unstaffed.
10:32pm: Al Jazeera confirms Brazilian construction company Odebrecht ordering mandatory evacuation of all its 5,000 foreign staff - including 187 Brazilians - from Libya. the company has the main contract to build Tripoli airport, as well as the city's ring road - deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars. All projects are immediately halted, they annouce.
10:25pm: More on the resignation of the two diplomats from the embassy in Washington DC. Counsels Saleh Ali Al Majbari and Jumaa Faris denounced Gaddafi, saying he "bears responsibility for genocide against the Libyan people in which he has used mercenaries".
They said they had nothing to do with the events and they no longer represent Gaddafi’s regime - but that they represent the Libyan people. The pair also called on Barack Obama to "work urgently with the international community to press for an immediate cessation of the massacres of the Libyan people", and they are asking the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone imposed on Libya to prevent the arrival of mercenaries to Libya.
10:19pm: Italian foreign ministry puts out urgent statement categorically denying online rumours alleging the use of Italian fighter jets in the bombardment of protesters.

The Italian foreign ministry's spokesman harshly criticises the spread of totally false rumours suggesting the involvement of Italy in the events underway in Libya.
10:11pm: Al Jazeera announces it is allowing any networks to broadcast its material due to the deliberate scrambling of its signals by Libya. During jamming, Al Jazeera English can be watched on Hotbird 13E Frequency: 11034 Vertical FEC: 3/4 Symbol rate: 27500; on Badr4/Eurobird 2 (26East) Frequency : 11680.8 Horizontal; SR: 27.5: FEC: 3/4; and on Nilesat/ Atlantic Bird4A (7West) Frequency: 11393 Vertical; SR:27.5; FEC :3/4
Al Jazeera Arabic can be watched on Nilesat 7W Frequency: 11555 Vertical FEC: 3/4 Symbol rate: 27500
10:03pm: Two senior diplomats at the Libyan embassy to Washington DC have reportedly resigned.
9:55pm: Al Jazeera's interview with Ibrahim Dabbashim Libya's Deputy Ambassador to the UN:


9:53pm: Marwan Ghariani, a protester outside the Libyan embassy in London, says he spoke to his family last night.

The person I was speaking to had someone shot through the head next to him while he was on the phone ... What sort of punishment could be suitable for someone like Gaddafi?
9:51pm: New airstrikes have hit Al Joumhouria [The republic] Street in Tripoli, eyewitnesses tell Al Jazeera Arabic.
9:46pm: Confirmed - Ali al-Essawi, ambassador to India, has resigned. He has accused the government of deploying foreign mercenaries against Libyan citizens. We're hoping to get him live on Al Jazeera English. You can watch our TV feed by clicking here (http://aje.me/dWWRbw).
9:41pm: Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Hosam Zaki says the Egyptian army has been ordered to facilitate the evacuation of all Egyptians from Libya. Some 100 buses, full of Egyptians, are on their way to the Libya-Egypt border - where the army has set up relief tents.
The ministry is "deeply concerned" by Saif Gaddafi's speech last night, which they say accused Egyptians of being behind Libya's violence
9:39pm: Italy - which has the closest ties to Libya of any European country - will launch a 'repatriation plan' tomorrow, with planes taking off in the morning.
9:35pm: Earlier reports confirmed - an anti-Gaddafi protester managed to scale the Libyan embassy in London and replaced the state flag with that of the protesters.
9:29pm: Ali Richi, the Libyan minister for immigration is in Boston. He denies he has resigned yet, but is calling for all Libyan ambassadors to continue their work independently of he regime.
9:27pm: Residents of Tajura, a suburb to the south-east of Tripoli, tell Al Jazeera the bodies of those killed are being left in the streets, with relatives unable to retrieve them due to the ongoing shooting.
9:24pm: Ali al-Essawi, Libya's ambassador to India has reportedly resigned. If confirmed, he will be the seventh ambassador to quit their posts in protest at the violent crackdown against civilian demonstrators - and may signal the beginning of a collapse in Libya's diplomatic corps.
9:19pm: Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, contacts Amr Moussa, Arab League secretary-general, and calls for an extraordinary meeting of the league. The meeting will be held tomorrow morning, we understand.
9:11pm: Footage emerges online showing burnt corpses, reportedly of those killed during fires in Benghazi.
9:09pm: The Libyan deputy foreign minister denies Gaddafi has fled the country, says Reuters.
9:00pm: Al Jazeera is providing rolling coverage of the ongoing crisis in Libya. You can watch our TV stream by clicking here (http://aje.me/dWWRbw). In the UK, we're live right now on Freeview. And if you're in the US, don't forget, you can Demand Al Jazeera (http://english.aljazeera.net/demandaljazeera/) on your cable provider.
8:52pm: Qatar's foreign ministry condemns use of airstrikes against civilians - and also criticises "the silence of the international community over the bloody events in Libya".
8:49pm: Online reports suggest Shukri Ghanem, Libya's oil minister and former prime minister, is apparently missing and has fled.
8:45pm: Ibrahim Dabbashim Libya's Deputy Ambassador to the UN, tells Al Jazeera if Gaddafi does not get out, "the people will kick him out".

This is the end of the game. The whole of the regime is crumbling. It will not be long before it is over.
8:30pm: Al Jazeera obtains this recording of a phone call from a woman in Tripoli.



Whoever is in the streets, they are getting killed.
She tells us there are five or six fires raging around the city, gunfire was heard during the call to prayer. Her cousin, a doctor, was turned back on his way to the hospital - because doctors are being shot.

People are grabbing anything they can from their houses.
8:26pm: Libyan ambassador to the EU resigns, Al Jazeera Arabic reports.
8:23pm: This photo has been sent into us, claiming to show troops moving into Tripoli. As with several other online photos and videos posted in, there's no way to confirm its veracity, although we are receiving many reports of military and paramilitary presence in and around the capital.
http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2011/2/21/2011221184447823876_20.jpg
8:16pm: Al Jazeera speaks to Libyan ambassador to Bangladesh, who does confirm his resignation.
8:13pm: Contrary to earlier reports, the Libyan ambassador to the UK has not resigned. Al Jazeera spoke to him - he confirmed he is still in charge as he "has work to do". He has, however, been summoned to the British Foreign Office.
7:56pm: Al Jazeera Arabic is speaking to a political activist in Tripoli, who tells us there are airstrikes "all over Tripoli".

There is death, fear - and women are crying everywhere. The strikes are concentrated against areas that sent large number of protestors to the streets and there are cars full of foreign fighters firing on people.
He says at least 250 people were killed in the past 24 hours alone and is calling for international help. He tells us Tripoli is "under siege by foreign fighters" - that water and electricity have been cut and there is a shortage of food and medical supplies. "It is a genocide," he says.
7:45pm: The defected pilots reportedly tell Maltese officials they were based in Tripoli and ordered to attack protesters on the ground in Benghazi. After seeing their fellow pilots begin the airstrikes, they diverted course toward Malta. If substantiated, this would appear to confirm the use of airstrikes against civilian protesters in cities around the country.
http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2011/2/21/2011221175618517472_20.jpg
7:39pm: Karl Stagno-Novarra, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Malta, reports the pilots of the jet fighters that landed there are "senior colonels", who were ordered to bomb protesters. They refused and have defected to Malta, he said.
7:19pm: The EU Council of Foreign Ministers issues the following statement:

The Council condemns the ongoing repression against demonstrators in Libya and deplores the violence and death of civilians. The Council calls for an immediate end to the use of force against protesters and for all parties to show restraint. Freedom of expression and the right to assemble peacefully are human rights and fundamental freedoms of every human being which must be respected and protected.
7:16pm: The US Department of State warns citizens of the potential for "ongoing unrest" in Libya. They say:

Violent clashes between protesters and security forces continue throughout Libya, including in Tripoli. Spontaneous demonstrations, violence, and looting are possible throughout the next several days.
7:12pm: A Libyan contact in Zuwarah tells us, via Skype:

I ask Libyans abroad to move and put pressure on the regime. I want each Libyan abroad to talk to each other and to take action. All mobiles are cut and all communications are shut down and we fear that at the time of Maghreb [sunset] that the situation will be getting worse - as we don't have weapons. We must be united, have faith, and we pray that tonight will pass safely.


7:09pm: Dutch ISP provider XS4ALL has set up an internet dial-up service for Libya.

Use your modem to dial +31205350535
username: xs4all
password: xs4all
7:05pm: The Libyan ambassador to Indonesia has also resigned, Al Jazeera Arabic reports.
6:52pm: The Libyan ambassador to the United Kingdom has resigned, alongside other embassy staff. They have joined demonstrators, Al Jazeera Arabic reported.
6:46pm: Al Jazeera, alonside specialist technical investigators, have pinpointed the source of its signal blockage to a Libyan intelligence agency building, south of the capital Tripoli. The network's website has also been blocked in the country, with Libyan users getting the message: "File does not exist" when they try to access it.
A spokesman for Al Jazeera said:

The media should be able to operate freely, so all interference with our work and our broadcast signal should cease forthwith.
6:42pm: Senior diplomatic sources tell Al Jazeera - on condition of confidentiality - that phones are being monitored and text messages jammed. Nearly all embassies are evacuating non-essential staff, and all have been ordered by Libya's foreign ministry to close immediately - and to remain closed until Sunday.
6:38pm: Venezuelan officials deny Gaddafi is on his way there.
6:34pm: Reuters reports British foreign secretary William Hague says Gaddafi "may be on his way to Venezuela". On the sidelines of the EU crisis talks, he reportedly said:

You asked me earlier about whether Colonel Gaddafi is in Venezuela - I have no information that says he is, but I have seen some information that suggests he is on his way there at the moment.
6:30pm: Planes of the Libyan Air Force reportedly opening fire on protesters in central Tripoli. No way to confirm this currently - but we are getting many reports of chaos on the streets of the capital..........................



http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya

[Dimentio]

I know I'm saying what everyone else thinks, but hopefully Qadaffi will get what he deserves for this repression and for years of exploiting this nation.

I have a question- where would Qadaffi flee too? Some speculation that he may've fled to Venezuela, but I doubt that he has left yet, but still- where?

Gadaffi is probably not entirely mentally healthy. I would guess he is living in a world of delusions (look for example at his attempt to acquire the title "King of Kings of Africa"). He is probably a narcissist, and a narcissist who actually believes in his own propaganda. That is why he is extra dangerous.

He views everyone as his toys, and seems to have the mentality of a 12-year old.

His recent actions has also made it political suicide for anyone to receive him (except maybe the Kim Dynasty).

My guess is that he will try to destroy as much of the country as possible before being surrounded in his bunker, and he will either take his own life or be captured and killed.

Not always I find myself in agreement with Reagan, but Gadaffi is a mad dog.

[punisa]

My guess is that he will try to destroy as much of the country as possible before being surrounded in his bunker, and he will either take his own life or be captured and killed.


Hm... the image of a small guy with a funny little mustache comes to mind doesn't it? Seems the lunatics are always the same, be it 2011 or 1945.