And reading an AmeriKan newspaper will not help me find my way.
"Government soldiers and rebel gunmen battled in the streets of Ajdabiya, a key front-line city yesterday after the Libyan military used shelling and guerrilla-style tactics to open its most serious push into opposition territory since international airstrikes began in Libya. NATO airstrikes, meanwhile, hammered at Moammar Khadafy’s ammunition stockpiles and armored forces, destroying 17 tanks.
I was told we were winning.
At least eight people were killed in the fighting over Ajdabiya, a hospital official said....
For the rebels, losing the city would effectively bottle them into a coastal strip of eastern Libya and allow government forces to more tightly squeeze the few opposition pockets in the rest of the country, including the besieged western port of Misurata, where heavy clashes continued yesterday for a second day.
NATO airstrikes hit armored vehicles firing on civilians near both Misurata and Ajdabiya, said Canadian Lieutenant General Charles Bouchard, who commands the Libya operation.
--more--"
Any word of peace?
"African Union says Khadafy OK’s cease-fire; Rebels to review proposal" April 11, 2011|By Hadeel Al-Shalchi and Sebastian Abbot, Associated Press
South African President Jacob Zuma traveled to Tripoli with the heads of Mali and Mauritania to meet with Khadafy, whose more than 40-year rule has been threatened by the uprising that began nearly two months ago.
He called on NATO to end airstrikes to “give the cease-fire a chance.’’
I LIKE THAT IDEA!
***********
Khadafy enjoys substantial support from countries of the African Union, an organization that he chaired two years ago and helped transform using Libya’s oil wealth. So it is not clear whether rebels would accept the union as a fair broker.
See: Libyan rebels say no to cease-fire proposal
I think you have their answer.
Though the African Union has condemned attacks on civilians, last week its leader, Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, decried foreign intervention in Libya’s nearly two-month-old uprising, which he declared to be an internal problem.
I'm with the AU guy.
Though the rebels have improved discipline and organization, they remain a far less powerful force than Khadafy’s troops. Members of the international community have grown doubtful that the opposition can overthrow Khadafy even with air support, and some are weighing options such as arming the fighters even while attempting diplomatic solutions....
Unreal.
We talk peace with an arm around your shoulder as the other arm slams a knife in the back.
Over the past few days, Khadafy’s forces have been knocking the rebels back eastward....
Rebels had been growing critical of NATO, which accidentally hit opposition fighters in deadly airstrikes twice this month.
Whose side are we on again?
They have complained that the alliance was too slow and imprecise, but Colonel Hamid Hassy, the rebel battlefield commander, said it is getting better.
“To tell you the truth.... ’’
Would have to be a first for the newspaper.
Related: Libyan rebel says strikes too little, late
Libyan rebels blame NATO for airstrike
NATO noted that it is enforcing the no-fly zone on both sides, having intercepted a rebel MiG-23 fighter jet that it forced back to the airport Saturday....
Whose side are we on again?
Khaled Kaim, Libya’s deputy foreign minister, claimed that government forces shot down two US-built Chinook helicopters being used by rebel forces. Kaim said the helicopters were shot down near the eastern oil facilities of Brega — a key objective of rebels — and accused NATO commanders of a double standard to allow rebel forces to operate aircraft in “clear violation’’ of the UN-backed no-fly zone over the country....
Probably all true.
The report could not be confirmed with the rebels, but journalists in the area did describe seeing at least one helicopter apparently fighting for the rebels in the area Saturday, though it lacked the distinctive double-rotor design of the Chinook and appeared to be a Russian-built model.
So says my lying war daily anyway.
--more--"
Also see: Khadafy urges Obama to halt bombing
Boat from Libya sinks; 250 missing
Yes, the refugees from this action have hardly been mentioned.
Libyan government press tour draws fire
N.H. journalist, 3 others among Libya captives
News correspondent from N.H. located in Libya, website says
Agency hopeful on release of reporter in Libya
Harvard leader confronted on professor’s ties to Libya
Updates:
Allies divided on scope, force of Libya attacks
Woman recounts rape by Khadafy forces
Related:
Woman bursts into hotel to tell of rapes
Libyan woman faces lawsuit over rape claim
