Libyan Revolution Day 29 (UN votes for NFZ, 10 for, 5 abstain, 0 against, revolutionaries dig in)

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-18">AJE Live Blog March 18 (today) http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard http://feb17.info/">feb17.info http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks">Libya Alhurra (live video webcast from Benghazi) http://www.libyafeb17.com/">libyafeb17.com

Twitter links: http://twitter.com/#!/aymanm">Ayman Mohyeldin, with AJE http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn">Ben Wedeman, with CNN http://twitter.com/#!/tripolitanian">tripolitanian, a Libyan from Tripoli http://twitter.com/#!/BaghdadBrian">Brian Conley, reporter in Libya http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth">FreeLibyanYouth, Libyan advocate http://twitter.com/#!/LibyaFeb17_com">LibyaFeb17.com twitter account http://twitter.com/#!/ChangeInLibya">ChangeInLibya, Libyan advocate

Useful links: http://audioboo.fm/feb17voices">feb17voices http://www.google.com/search?q=time+in+libya">Current time in Libya http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=libya">Prayer times in Libya

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x669519">Day 28 part 2 here.

Revolutionaries use pickup trucks to fight

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17#update-14616">10:23pm A Libyan government spokesman says that any UN action against Libya would be "illegal and immoral". Mussa Ibrahim, the spokesman, said:

That would be illegal and immoral. It's an armed rebellion. Any country would've fought against that. They are basing their decision on media reports.

"This should not happen. It would harm the Libyan people. It would only strengthen our internal position because Libyans will have an external enemy and act as one."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17#update-14626">10:41pm Gaddafi did an interview with RTP, a Portuguese television station, this evening. In it, he said:

The Security Council has not got the right to interfere in the internal affairs of any state. It would be a flagrant colonisation, without any justification. A serious and grave . This is craziness, madness, arrogance. If the world gets crazy with us, we will get crazy too..."

Asked what he means by 'get crazy', Gaddafi said:

"We will respond. We will make their lives hell, because they are making our lives hell. They will never have peace."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-17#update-14631">10:51pm The head of the Benghazi-based Libyan National Council says that the opposition's fighters will "stand firm" and not be deterred by Gaddafi's threats, Reuters reports.

Protestors in Benghazi during and after Gaddafi's speech today:

"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone."Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi

(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-10-0">March 10 7:28pm Saif al Islam Gaddafi says "the time has come for full-scale military action" against Libyan rebels. He goes on to say that Libyan forces loyal to his family "will never surrender, even if western powers intervene".

And so it began.

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2011/03/2011310193023263578.html">France recognises Libya opposition: France has now officially recognised the National Council, the alternative government set up by the Libyan opposition in Benghazi, and has severed ties with Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

Reports from France, meanwhile, indicate that Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, is also considering lobbying the EU to back air strikes against specific targets in Libya.

Al Jazeera's Tim Friend reports from Paris.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/feb/27/libya-tripoli-unrest-gaddafi-map">Click here for updated and interactive map

Military Installations



Oil Map



http://bit.ly/fe3P">Google Earth DL here to see positions of army and patrolling route of mercenaries

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=212059469427545728757.00049c4df2474b6543347&ll=31.203405,30.058594&spn=96.173452,183.867188&z=3">MAP of Protests across the Middle East

[joshcryer]

1. Current time in Libya, 12:10am, Friday, March 18.

[pinboy3niner]

2. K&R

:hi:

[joshcryer]

3. Excellent work today pinboy3niner!

Thanks for keeping the thread alive while I wasn't here. I'll start doing some updates soon. Just catching up now.

[pinboy3niner]

4. Thanks, Josh

I put up a few OP's, too. Can I have my catnip...I mean catnap...now? :)

Hope your allergies aren't giving you any trouble today. Good luck!

[joshcryer]

5. UN VOTE LIVE HERE:

http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/index.html

[joshcryer]

6. China and Russia are expected to abstain, it is expected to pass.

[joshcryer]

10. THIS RESOLUTION WILL NOT ALLOW EVEN AN INCH OF OCCUPATION - Lebanon

[joshcryer]

17. UK: Todays resolution backs the values of Democracy for the Libyan people.

[joshcryer]

18. Weird, Germany abstains, but still is giving a vote of confidence in this speech.

[joshcryer]

21. Germany will not provide any support for the NFZ.

[joshcryer]

25. Wow, Brazil also giving a vote of confidence, surprised.

[joshcryer]

26. Eh, nevermind. "Don't believe resolution leads to peace" but causes "more harm than good."

[joshcryer]

30. Colombia pressed for all means necessary to enforce NFZ. Without auth. NFZ would be illusion.

[joshcryer]

7. @tripolitanian tweets:

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

[joshcryer]

8. TAKE THAT #GADDAFI RUN HIDE COMMIT SUICIDE NOW!

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/48512721100083201">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
TAKE THAT #GADDAFI RUN HIDE COMMIT SUICIDE NOW!
2 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

9. Cheers across #Benghazi!!!! #Libya

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/48512812045189121">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Cheers across #Benghazi!!!! #Libya
2 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

12. Fire up the jets!!!!

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/48513072276570112">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
Fire up the jets!!!!
2 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

28. #Gaddafi you better leave before the #NFZ is put in place!

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/48517850775822336">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
#Gaddafi you better leave before the #NFZ is put in place!
2 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

29. From #Libya to the #World: Thank you.

http://twitter.com/#!/Tripolitanian/status/48517969680154624">@Tripolitanian
Libyan
From #Libya to the #World: Thank you.
2 minutes ago

[oberliner]

11. Who abstained? nt

[joshcryer]

13. China and Russia I know for sure, I will have a full breakdown soon.

[oberliner]

14. Found it: China, Russia, India, Brazil, Germany

Interesting group.

[joshcryer]

16. Jinx.

Brazil had to abstain for Latin American relations (too many idiotic Latin American countries loving Gaddafi).

China and Russia had to abstain because they both have dealings with Gaddafi, Russia in particular has a lot of arms deals with him.

Not sure about India.

[oberliner]

23. Posted a thread in GD about Germany vis-a-vis Libya

Germany won't send forces to Libya, foreign minister declares

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x674980

[joshcryer]

24. Saw it, might comment, I'm tired of the anti-revolutionary sentiment, though.

[joshcryer]

15. Looks like you got it in the other thread: China, Russia, Brazil, India, Germany

[oberliner]

19. Amazing footage on AJ of Benghazi

Serious celebrating going on there.

[joshcryer]

20. I wish they'd save their ammo. :P

[Call Me Wesley]

22. K & R.

I know I don't comment on these threads, but I rec and read them. Was listening to Gaddafi's latest speech about Benghazi, and while it sounded very determined about going in with full force (mind you, this is a huge city with around one million people in it, not the small ones they conquered so far,) the calls for giving up weapons could be interpreted as there's some real concern. Besides the old delusional ramblings about drug-infested youth, brain controlled by foreign media, etc. etc. As one analysts said, he sounded like Mubarak at the end of the rope.

Benghazi will be crucial, and he knows and is afraid. Threatening to kill everyone in a household where weapons will be found and addressing them all in the same sentence as 'my children' is quite the bad parenting, IMO.

[joshcryer]

27. Beautiful singing on Al Jazeera!

[joshcryer]

31. LIBYA HURRA. I got to take a break. Read Iyad El-Baghdadi's tweets:

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

[joshcryer]

32. AJE "NFZ has not just saved Benghazi, but the rebellion."

[joshcryer]

33. The UN resolution expressly forbids any troops on the ground in Libya.

[Lars77]

34. Arab countries need to be in on this

The Egyptian air force especially.

[joshcryer]

36. Oh they are. It's going to be the first time, I would argue, since WWII that there was a...

...unified force against a genuine enemy.

[joshcryer]

35. Egypt Said to Arm Libya Rebels

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704360404576206992835270906.html?mod=e2tw">Egypt Said to Arm Libya Rebels
CAIRO—Egypt's military has begun shipping arms over the border to Libyan rebels with Washington's knowledge, U.S. and Libyan rebel officials said.

The shipments—mostly small arms such as assault rifles and ammunition—appear to be the first confirmed case of an outside government arming the rebel fighters. Those fighters have been losing ground for days in the face of a steady westward advance by forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

The Egyptian shipments are the strongest indication to date that some Arab countries are heeding Western calls to take a lead in efforts to intervene on behalf of pro-democracy rebels in their fight against Mr. Gadhafi in Libya. Washington and other Western countries have long voiced frustration with Arab states' unwillingness to help resolve crises in their own region, even as they criticized Western powers for attempting to do so.

The shipments also follow an unusually robust diplomatic response from Arab states. There have been rare public calls for foreign military intervention in an Arab country, including a vote by the 23-member Arab League last week urging the U.N. to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

[joshcryer]

37. Tomorrow is Friday (Jumu'ah), in Islam the day of peace:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumu'ah

[joshcryer]

38. Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission

http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110317/cf-libya-canada/20110317/?hub=WinnipegHome">Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission
Canada will contribute six CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce a no-fly zone in Libya, sources have told CTV News.

"The Canadian government has made the decision late today that Canada will send six CF-18 fighter jets to join the Americans, the British and the French and other countries that will participate in imposing a no-fly zone," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported Thursday.

After weeks of speculation the UN Security Council has moved to "establish a ban on all flights in the airspace" in the North African country and authorized "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, according to the draft version of a resolution.

The resolution also demanded an immediate ceasefire and called on Gadhafi to "take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs."

[joshcryer]

39. I CANNOT BELIEVE THE US HAS TO PAY FOR ANOTHER WAR- oh wait

[druidity33]

40. thanks for staying on this. K&R. nt.

[joshcryer]

41. I'll be here until the end, I'm not giving up just because it gets bloody.

[joshcryer]

42. Germany won't send forces to Libya, foreign minister declares

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/germany-rules-out-libya-military">Germany won't send forces to Libya, foreign minister declares
Germany's foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, has declared the country remains strongly opposed to air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces or any other military intervention in Libya.

Speaking to the Guardian, Westerwelle warned the results of western military intervention were "unpredictable" and could have consequences for freedom movements in the Arab world.

"Your own instinct is to say 'We have to do something.' But military intervention is to take part in a civil war that could go on for a long time.

"Germany has a strong friendship with our European partners. But we won't take part in any military operation and I will not send German troops to Libya."

[Lars77]

43. Incidentally, Germany is Libya's second largest trading partner

after Italy.

[joshcryer]

44. Gaddafi Warns Of 'No Mercy' In Rebel City

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Libya---Rebels-Blast-Wests-Inaction-As-They-Prepare-For-Battle-Of-Benghazi/Article/201103315953868?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_15953868_Video:_Libya_-_Rebels_Blast_Wests_Inaction_As_">Gaddafi Warns Of 'No Mercy' In Rebel City
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has warned Libyan rebels in their stronghold of Benghazi that his forces are coming and there would be no mercy for those who fight them.

But the head of the rebel council, based in the country's second city, said the opposition would stand firm and would not be deterred by the dictator's threats.

The rebel fighters have been called to man their posts, according to rebel radio, and there are reports of loud explosions followed by anti-aircraft gunfire in Benghazi.

It comes as the UN Security Council approved a no-fly zone over Libya and authorised 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians from attacks by the Gaddafi regime.

[Lars77]

45. Ghadafy threatens civilian targets in the Med

"Any foreign military act against Libya will expose all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea to danger and civilian and military facilities will become targets of Libya's counter attack. The Mediterranean basin will face danger not just in the short term, but also in the long term."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/libya-united-nations-air-strikes-live

[Raksha]

46. "In the long term," huh? Even after he's out of power?

Sounds like he's threatening terrorist attacks. Oh well, once a terrorist, always a terrorist. It looks like the world won't be safe until Gaddafi and his brood of vipers are dead.

[joshcryer]

47. US President Barack Obama calls Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron on Libya

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/us-president-barack-obama-calls-nicolas-sarkozy-david-cameron-on-libya/story-fn3dxity-1226023938635">US President Barack Obama calls Nicolas Sarkozy, David Cameron on Libya
US President Barack Obama has called the leaders of France and Britain to coordinate Libya strategy after the UN Security Council backed military action against Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Mr Obama called French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron after the passage of a resolution authorising measures to impose a no-fly zone, protect civilians and impose a ceasefire on Gaddafi's military.

"The leaders agreed that Libya must immediately comply with all terms of the resolution and that violence against the civilian population of Libya must cease," the White House said.

"The leaders agreed to coordinate closely on next steps, and to continue working with Arab and other international partners to ensure the enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions on Libya."

[joshcryer]

48. an interview with a boy who kidnapped by Gaddafi's troops and tortured him

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

[joshcryer]

49. Celebrations Erupt in Cities Across Libya after UN Decision

http://feb17.info/media/celebrations-erupt-in-cities-across-libya-after-un-decision/

Link to one video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm2M_OqKNZ8

Can't link the rest because they're on FaceBook.

[Waiting For Everyman]

50. K&R And thank you Josh and Pinboy

:kick:

So glad to see the NFZ finally approved.

[joshcryer]

51. VIDEO: Fuel tank on fire at Ezwetina power station, Ajdabiya

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

[joshcryer]

52. This will kill all power to Benghazi.

[joshcryer]

53. Gaddafi Gets His Revenge: The Price of Rebellion (what Gaddafi did in Zawiyah, must read)

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2059596,00.html?xid=tweetshare">Gaddafi Gets His Revenge: The Price of Rebellion
"Walk with me," muttered the man under his breath — and then, for the next hour, while we wandered through the streets of the Libyan capital and talked softly in the corner of a café, he described the chilling aftermath of the rebels' defeat in Zawiyah. That city lies just 30 miles (48 km) west of Tripoli, and according to the man, it saw a mass roundup of suspected rebel sympathizers and fighters by Muammar Gaddafi's forces, as well as the takeover of Zawiyah's hospital by government loyalists, with at least one wounded teenager smuggled out of the medical facility for fear that he would be arrested in his bed. "It is worse than you can imagine, far worse," said the man, a longtime resident of the oil-refinery town.

Encircled by military and police checkpoints, Zawiyah — a city of 200,000 people and home to Libya's second biggest refinery — has been almost entirely cut off from journalists for weeks, except for two brief, government-sanctioned press trips immediately after Gaddafi's victory there on March 10. Since late February the town has also had no telephone service, mobile or landline, because the government cut all connections when the military launched its counteroffensive against the rebels. For two weeks, the rebels fought a bitter war against Gaddafi's military virtually on the doorstep of the capital, in a crucial test of the regime's ability to survive the monthlong revolt.

Until now, no details have emerged about what retribution was exacted against Zawiyah in the wake of the rebels' defeat — details that may offer a window into what could happen in the coming days or weeks in eastern Libya should the military close in on the rebel headquarters of Benghazi, as it seems poised to do any day now. Judging by Zawiyah, Libya's rebellion — if it is finally crushed — will exact a heavy price.

Putting himself at huge risk from security forces, the man — let's call him Ahmed — arranged to meet me alone in Tripoli on March 17 in order to outline what has happened inside Zawiyah. Although his account cannot be independently verified, he describes a town living with deep fear and palpable grief, and where long-simmering dissatisfactions about Gaddafi and his regime have hardened into hatred. "Everyone hates Muammar Gaddafi now because we have had 42 years of suffering," says Ahmed, adding that he thought "thousands" had been rounded up by the military, which "has gone street to street looking for people."

[joshcryer]

54. Qatar, Emirates to join Libya air strikes: diplomat

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jvjc1tzgd-Y1rsPc8UYK94jGNRkg?docId=CNG.ec8adac15d">Qatar, Emirates to join Libya air strikes: diplomat
NEW YORK — Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will join international forces set to bomb Moamer Khadhafi's forces in Libya after the UN votes to authorize air strikes, a UN diplomat said Thursday.

"There will be participation by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. That has been confirmed at the Security Council," the diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said just ahead of the council's vote on authorizing force.

Thursday, the head of the Arab League delegation to the UN, Yahya Mahmassani, said the two countries might take part in raids, but that he could not confirm this.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said "there are excellent reasons to think that there will be participation by Arab countries."

[joshcryer]

55. Reuters: Norway says to participate in potential military intervention in Libya

http://twitter.com/#!/Reuters/status/48632121350291456">@Reuters
Reuters Top News
FLASH: Norway says to participate in potential military intervention in Libya - media
15 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

56. NFZ so far: US, France, UK, Denmark, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Canada, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Italy

[joshcryer]

57. Libya's Rebels Celebrate the U.N. Resolution

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2059760,00.html">Libya's Rebels Celebrate the U.N. Resolution
Libya's beleaguered rebels may have gotten a reprieve. The United Nations Security Council not only passed a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya but authorized ground attacks on regime forces besieging the opposition stronghold of Benghazi. Many of the rebel fighters and residents who have fled the front lines to the eastern city of Tobruk in recent days had said that without speedy international assistance, disaster would unfold within the next 24 hours. At the news of the U.N. vote, Tobruk erupted immediately into celebratory gunfire, fireworks, and fog horns sounding from ships in the harbor. It was an emotional reaction that eclipsed rebel joy at their conquests of Brega and Ras Lanuf barely two weeks before — cities they have since lost.

In Gaddafi's capital, the regime's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told foreign journalists in a press conference at 2 a.m. Tripoli time that the Libyan government was "ready immediately" to implement a ceasefire, but needed further discussions with UN officials about the "technicalities."

Looking relaxed and smiling, Kaim said Libya agreed with the resolution's aims to maintain the country's unity and protect civilians — a striking shift in stance after weeks of belligerent statements from the regime about those seeking a no-fly zone.

Officials in Tripoli for days have said that they believe the no-fly zone will have come too late, since government troops have pushed rebels hundreds of miles back towards Benghazi. In an interview a week ago, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the powerful son of the Libyan leader, dismissed the push by the U.S. and Europe for action in Libya, saying, "They have the sense that the game is over in Libya. We will win the war."

[pinboy3niner]

58. The FULL UN Security Council Resolution:

Turborama put the full resolution in GD:

The FULL UN Security Council Resolution To Take "All Necessary Measures" To Protect Libyan Civilians
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397

[joshcryer]

59. Norway to join military intervention in Libya (follow up to Rueters article)

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFOSN00509220110318">Norway to join military intervention in Libya
OSLO, March 18 (Reuters) - Norway will join the international military action against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya, a Norwegian daily quoted the defence minister as saying on its website on Friday.

"We will contribute to the operation," Grete Faremo told the daily Verdens Gang. "But it is too early to say exactly in what way. Sending air capabilities would be natural."

Faremo said that sending fighter aircraft was one possibility, as well as humanitarian operations requiring air transport.

The United Nations late on Thursday authorised military strikes to protect Libyan civilians and curb Gaddafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader threatened to storm the rebel bastion of Benghazi overnight. (Editing by Tim Pearce)

[joshcryer]

60. Military strikes on Libya within hours: France

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3168059.htm?section=justin">Military strikes on Libya within hours: France
The Agence France Presse news agency is reporting that the French government has said military action against Libya will come within "hours".

The strikes will come "rapidly... within a few hours," government spokesman Francois Baroin reportedly told RTL radio after the UN Security Council cleared the way for air strikes by approving "all necessary measures" to impose a no-fly zone on Libya.

"The French, who led the calls , will of course be consistent with military intervention," Mr Baroin added.

Asked to specify what that meant, he said "they will participate" in operations.

[joshcryer]

61. Belgium ready for a military operation in Libya (in French)

http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-18/la-belgique-prete-a-une-operation-militaire-en-libye-828970.php">Belgium ready for a military operation in Libya
Our country is available to take part in a military operation in Libya, following the UN vote authorizing the use of force against Gaddafi. The government has observed, in Parliament yesterday, a broad consensus in the Belgian political class on the need to prevent the Libyan leader to crush the rebellion in Benghazi.

"There was almost a momentum" , we were told the same last night. Belgium, however, to emphasize concrete involvement of other Arab nations to military operations envisaged. The Belgian involvement in any case be discussed on Friday morning kern, in light of the discussion and vote of the night.

If NATO takes the lead after the vote, it will not fail to put into action the NATO Response Force (NRF), which, according to the agreements in force today, would force Belgium to make available to Alliance military means a set of concrete.

The mobilization of the Belgians would not be automatic - to mobilize NATO forces as he deems advisable. But in this case, the Navy would be required to make available the minesweeper M923 Narcis, precisely at the moment NATO patrol in the Mediterranean, with its 36 crewmen.

Google translation.

[pinboy3niner]

62. CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 10 AM FRIDAY, MARCH 18

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

[joshcryer]

63. pinboy3niner! :)

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

64. Hi, Josh--how are you holding up?

I got some sleep! Woo-hoo! :woohoo:

:rofl:

:hi:

[joshcryer]

65. You missed all the fun, haha! :)

I'm doing good, I think I may forego sleep though because I want to see how the upcoming strikes play out. France is going to strike "in a few hours" which tells me good things.

Gaddafi is back to hitting Misurata so he can fix his supply lines. I'd like to see some hits on his tanks for that operation.

[joshcryer]

66. LIBYA: Air Strikes Are "Imminent" According To The French

http://www.businessinsider.com/libya-air-strikes-are-imminent-according-to-the-french-2011-3">LIBYA: Air Strikes Are "Imminent" According To The French
It's been a bit less than 12 hours since the UN Security Council voted to impose a no-fly zone in Libya.

There have been no strikes yet.

But according to Al-Jazeera, the French say they're coming imminently. Others have apparently said that strikes won't happen until Sunday.

It seems possible that the timing of strikes could have something to do with what Qaddafi's forces do with Benghazi.

[joshcryer]

67. Gaddafi threatens retaliation in Mediterranean as UN passes resolution

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/17/gaddafi-retaliation-mediterranean-libya-no-fly-zone">Gaddafi threatens retaliation in Mediterranean as UN passes resolution
Muammar Gaddafi has pledged to retake the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and warned that any foreign attack on Libya would endanger air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean area, as the UN security council voted for military intervention.

In a defiant and menacing radio address, the Libyan leader sought to pre-empt the UN. "No more fear, no more hesitation, the moment of truth has come," he declared. "There will be no mercy. Our troops will be coming to Benghazi tonight."

The defence ministry in Tripoli issued its threat of retaliation in the Mediterranean in the apparent hope of influencing deliberations in New York that approved an assault on Libya's air defences and ground forces.

Any action by foreign forces would inevitably be portrayed by Libya as an aggressive intervention in the country's internal affairs and linked to the US bombing in 1986, a key element of the national narrative of resistance to imperialism. As the security council vote was taking place, Gaddafi called it a "flagrant act of colonisation". He told Portuguese TV: "If the world gets crazy with us, we will get crazy too. We will respond. We will make their lives hell because they are making our lives hell. They will never have peace."

[joshcryer]

68. This is old but it merited reposting.

[joshcryer]

69. AJE now has a Bahrain Live Blog:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/middle-east/bahrain-live-blog-march-18

Didn't see it until now.

[joshcryer]

70. Eurocontrol: Libya shuts airspace to all traffic

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=212734">Eurocontrol: Libya shuts airspace to all traffic
BRUSSELS - Libya closed its air space to all traffic on Friday, according to European air traffic control organization Eurocontrol, a move that may anticipate the UN's imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya.

Eurocontrol said it had received information from Malta that Tripoli air traffic control had put out a notice saying it was not accepting any aircraft into Libyan airspace "until further notice".

"That is the only information we have at this time," said a spokeswoman for Eurocontrol. "It is information passed onto us from Maltese authorities."

Translation: you fly into Libya you get shot at.

I hope those French fighter pilots know their shit. Might need some F22s to do this.

[pinboy3niner]

71. UN security council resolution on Libya: key points

Source: The Guardian

UN security council resolution on Libya: key points


The main details of UN Resolution 1973 authorising action to protect Libyan civilians from Muammar Gaddafi


Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 March 2011 08.14 GMT


• The resolution expresses the UN's "grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties", condemns "the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions" and says the attacks against civilians "may amount to crimes against humanity" and pose a "threat to international peace and security".


• A no-fly zone is "an important element for the protection of civilians as well as the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a decisive step for the cessation of hostilities in Libya".


• It "demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians" and "that the Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law ... and take all measures to protect civilians and meet their basic needs, and to ensure the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance".


• It authorises UN member states "to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory''.


MORE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/18/un-security-council-resolution-key-points

[pinboy3niner]

72. How will a no-fly zone work?

AJE provides some answers in a brief report showing some of the military bases that would likely be involved:

Implementing the no-fly zone (1:56)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k&feature=player_embedded

[pinboy3niner]

73. Obama Admin.: Could ground Gaddafi's air force by Sunday or Monday

Even before the security council's 10-0 vote, the Obama administration prepared plans to enforce the no-fly zone, with congressional officials describing a closed-door briefing in which the administration said it could ground Gaddafi's air force by Sunday or Monday. The effort likely will involve jet fighters, bombers and surveillance aircraft, officials said. The US is pressing Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to take part in the operation.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

(At 8:04am timestamp)

[pinboy3niner]

74. Misurata: City has been under fire by Gaddafi tanks for the last three hours, victim toll rising

AJE reports:

10:33am <4:33am EDT>

Sadoun, a member of the Feb 17 revolution media committee, tell Al Jazeera by phone that Gaddafi tanks and forces surrounding the city of Misurata and are trying to push their way into the center of the city.

He said city has been under fire by Gaddafi tanks for the last three hours and that the number of victims is rising. An estimated 25 tanks are thought to be taking part in the offense.

He thought the Gaddafi forces are trying hard to push their way into the center of the city today to take civilian residents as a human shield against any possible air attacks by foreign forces.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-18

[pinboy3niner]

75. Rebels there had rejected gov't. offers to negotiate their surrender

The Guardian:

9.15am:

The rebel-held town of Misrata, in western Libya, has come under fire from tanks and heavy artillery from Gaddafi's forces, according to the Al Arabiya news channel.

"The bombardment started about two or three hours ago, and has continued until now," Saadoun al-Misrati, an anti-Gaddafi protester told Al Arabiya. He said it was a heavy bombardment using tanks and heavy artillery targeting civilians.

Al Arabiya also reported there were an unspecified number of killed and wounded in the attack. Rebels in Misrata, the last big opposition stronghold in western Libya, had earlier said they were preparing for a new attack on Thursday and had rejected reported offers from the government to negotiate their surrender.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

[pinboy3niner]

81. "They cannot send out any ambulances...It's very worrying"

10.03am:

Al Arabiya news channel is reporting that an unspecified number of people were killed and wounded in the raids on Misurata this morning.

The television station also said several mosques, schools and residential buildings were badly damaged in the attack on the city, about 200 km (130 miles) east of Tripoli.

"This morning I spoke to a doctor in Misrata, there is heavy bombardment there, explosions inside the city," Tariq, a doctor from Misrata who now lives in Britain told Al Arabiya.

He said he spoke by phone to colleagues and relatives there on Friday morning.

"They cannot send out any ambulances. They think it's artillery and tanks, shelling, not air strikes. It's very worrying," he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

[pinboy3niner]

76. Turkey, India oppose foreign military intervention:

11:04am

Turkey called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and said it opposed foreign military intervention in the conflict.

The Turkish prime minister's office said in a statement that a UN Security Council decision authorising military action there was binding on all countries, but said a peaceful solution to the conflict should be found.

Turkey, the only Muslim member of the NATO alliance, has repeatedly spoken out against foreign military intervention in Libya.


10:38am

India says that it wants to see citizens of North Africa and West Asia take their own decisions "free of outside interference".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement follows India's abstention on a UN Security Council resolution approving the use of force to protect Libyan rebels.

The human desire for more freedom and for citizens to decide their own future is universal.

As a democracy, we are happy to see our brothers in West Asia and North Africa taking an increasing role in determining their own future ... but these are decisions for countries and their citizens to take for themselves, free of outside interference or coercion.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-18

[pinboy3niner]

77. Libya NFZ "should be easier than the one in Bosnia"

The Guardian's Hélène Mulholland reports on British reaction to the UN vote:

Colonel Bob Stewart, Conservative MP for Beckenham and former commander of UN forces in Bosnia, said the no fly zone should be easier than the one in Bosnia, which he said "wasn't effective".

"I'm quite certain it's a different situation in Libya. You've only got to protect the coastal literal where the population are and it's a relatively easier than flying above the mountains of Bosnia. So this is going to be a tremendous boost to the so called rebels and it will give Gaddafi a headache because he will have to try and work out whether to push on hard and get through to Benghazi."

Sir Jeremy Greenstock, former UK ambassador to the UN, said the aim of the resolution had to be to end the Gaddafi regime.

"It's not the point to have no Libyan aircraft flying, the point is to stop Libyan tanks, Libyan artillery, and Libyan troops murdering their own people and that's going to be quite difficult still from the sky," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "Success is the end of this regime. Otherwise we are up there flying for a very long time if they are still in Tripoli and he will come back if we go away. The future is pretty misty on that front. So we want this regime to go. and maybe people around him will desert him when they see the odds are stacked against him."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

(At 9:35am timestamp)

[joshcryer]

78. +1

[pinboy3niner]

79. Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic

The Guardian reports:

Europe's air traffic control agency says Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic. Eurocontrol told airlines: "The latest information from Malta indicates that Tripoli (air control centre) does not accept traffic." The agency's map of air traffic over Europe and the Mediterranean showed that Libyan air space was off limits.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

[pinboy3niner]

80. First attack on Libya to involve "joint operation of six French and six British planes"

The Guardian:

Kim Willsher reports from Paris that France is "ready to launch air strikes on Libya within the next few hours" – according to a spokesman for the French government. Kim says British planes are also on standby to start the first attack – "which sources say will involve a joint operation of six French and six British planes". ....


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

[joshcryer]

82. +1 good info.

[pinboy3niner]

83. Libya regime defiant as rebels celebrate UN action--AP

Libya regime defiant as rebels celebrate UN action

By RYAN LUCAS and HADEEL AL-SHALCHI, Associated Press Ryan Lucas And Hadeel Al-shalchi, Associated Press – 10 mins ago


BENGHAZI, Libya – Moammar Gadhafi's regime defiantly closed Libya's airspace to all traffic while the West made plans to enforce a no-fly zone and prevent his forces from attacking rebels after the U.N. authorized "all necessary measures" to protect the Libyan people, including airstrikes.

The U.N. Security Council resolution was approved late Thursday with the backing of the United States, France and Britain, hours after Gadhafi vowed to launch a final assault and crush the nearly 5-week-old rebellion against him.

...


Gadhafi also pledged to respond harshly to U.N.-sponsored attacks in an interview with Portuguese television broadcast just before the vote. "If the world is crazy," he said, "we will be crazy, too."

His ground forces were about 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of the city on Thursday evening, so it was unclear whether they would move on the city as quickly as he suggested.

A large crowd in Benghazi was watching the vote on an outdoor TV projection and burst into cheers, with green and red fireworks exploding overhead. In Tobruk, east of Benghazi, happy Libyans fired weapons in the air to celebrate the vote.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110318/ap_on_re_af/af_libya

[pinboy3niner]

84. Al-Arabiya reporting 4 dead and some 70 injured in Friday morning attacks on Misurata nt

[pinboy3niner]

85. Reuters: British PM David Cameron will make a statement to Parliament on Libya at 11 am Friday nt

[pinboy3niner]

86. Rebel in Misurata: "It's the heaviest bombardment I have seen so far"

The Guardian:

10.35am:

Reuters has more on the "bombardment" of the rebel-held Misrata this morning.

Anti-Gaddafi rebel Saadoun told the news agency tanks and heavy artillery had been used, reinforcing earlier reports from the Al Arabiya news channel.

"There have been heavy bombardments since 7 o'clock (0500 GMT) this morning. They are bombing everything, the houses, the centre of the city," Saadoun told Reuters from the city.

"It's the heaviest bombardment I have seen so far."

The attack began hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution endorsing a no-fly zone and military attacks on Gaddafi's forces to protect civilians.

"We believe they (Gaddafi's forces) want to enter the city at any cost before the international community starts implementing the UN resolution," Saadoun told Reuters.

"On behalf of all the people of Misrata, the women, the children and the elderly, we call on the international community to do something before it's too late. They must act now," he said. "They already failed us before and were late in taking a decision, they should not repeat the same mistake."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/18/libya-middle-east-bahrain-saudi-arabia

[joshcryer]

89. Repost in new thread?

:( Damn.

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pinboy3niner]

90. Welcome to DU, samous39!

:hi:

Join us in the new thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x679332

[joshcryer]

88. Day 29 part 2 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x679332