Wow... Two Libyan Colonels Defect After Refusing to Bomb Protesters (And More) - FDL

[WillyT]

Two Libyan Colonels Defect After Refusing to Bomb Protesters
By: David Dayen
Monday February 21, 2011 10:15 am

<snip>

An incredible story from Libya: two senior military colonels were given the order while in their jets above Benghazi, the country’s second-largest city, to fire on protesters. There have been reports of fighter jets attacking protesters in Tripoli today. These two colonels not only refused the order to attack, they bugged out and flew to the Mediterranean island of Malta, where they defected.

These colonels may or may not be the exception, just two members of the military refusing orders among many. The reports show live firing on protesters moving toward the Moammar Gadhafi compound in Tripoli, for example. But Gadhafi may be relying on paid mercenaries as security forces rather than military forces loyal to him. Mercenaries are reportedly roaming the streets, running over pedestrians and firing machine guns in Tripoli. In addition, an earlier report said that some members of a military garrison were found executed in the streets because they refused to fire on protesters. As one analyst on Al Jazeera English said, “you can fit those supporting the regime in one room” at this point.

Earlier, some reports said that Gadhafi had flown to Venezuela, but the Venezuelan government denied this. It looks more like he plans to fight pitched battles in the streets with the support of air cover and the navy, which is apparently bombing from ships off the coast. But the two defections from the air could presage a broader revolt of his security apparatus. Salem Gnan, a spokesman for the National Front for the Salvation of Libya, calls this the “final showdown”:

He is even turning the ships on his people now. His plan is to use absolutely everything he can to stop what is happening <...>

“This is going on because if it stops that means it is finished. This will be the last act.” He said people were travelling to Tripoli from across the west of Libya for a “final showdown.”

I have had calls from people in towns and cities all across Libya. Those in the east can not get out but those in towns and cities in western Libya, everybody is saying: “We are going to Tripoli.” The plan is to come from everywhere and go to Tripoli to sack the city, for the finish.

<snip>

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/02/21/two-libyan-colonels-defect-after-refusing-to-bomb-protesters/

[xchrom]

1. get a clue, ghadafi -- or you might lose your head. nt

[Raksha]

5. He's going to lose his head anyway. It's become a battle to the death on both sides.

[qazplm]

2. it seemed that over the years he'd wised up a bit

clearly, he had not.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. We are at end game here

you chose colonel, caucescu or Ben Ali

[Poboy]

4. Once more into the breach!

[ljm2002]

6. What courage the people of Libya are showing...

...in the face of the most brutal repression yet.

I pray they are successful and are able to find a better path for their country in the aftermath.

[fascisthunter]

7. pay attention wealthy assholes in power

you will lose