"Disorder reigns in Libya; Rebels try to stamp out loyalists; Khadafy at large, son free" by David D. Kirkpatrick and Kareem Fahim, New York Times / August 23, 2011
TRIPOLI, Libya - The euphoria that followed the Libyan rebels’ march into Tripoli gave way to confusion and wariness yesterday, as Moammar Khadafy remained at large, his son Seif al-Islam made a surprise appearance at a hotel with foreign journalists, and pockets of loyalist forces resisted rebel efforts to secure the capital.
Interesting.
"onetime heir apparent Seif al-Islam was arrested"
Same day article. WTF?
While rebel leaders professed to be making progress in controlling Tripoli and planning for a post-Khadafy government, and international leaders hailed the beginnings of a new era in Libya, the immediate aftermath of the lightning invasion was a vacuum of power, with no cohesive rebel government in place and remnants of the Khadafy regime still in evidence.
Related: Libya rebels lose territory as battle for Tripoli deepens
Seif Khadafy, who was depicted as a trophy capture by the rebels on Sunday and through much of yesterday, presented himself to journalists confined to the Khadafy-controlled luxury Rixos Hotel in the center of Tripoli early today. He boasted that his father’s government was still “in control’’ and had lured the rebels into a trap, the BBC and news services reported.
Actually, that is what is being reported today. Rebel positions have been encircled.
Seif Khadafy’s appearance in public raised questions about the credibility of rebel leaders....
As well as my newspaper.
The struggle to impose a new order on the capital presents a crucial test of the rebel leadership’s many pledges to replace Khadafy’s bizarre autocracy with the democratic rule of law, and it could have consequences across the country and throughout the Arab world.
Unlike the swift and largely peaceful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, the Libyan insurrection was the first revolt of the Arab Spring to devolve into a protracted armed struggle, and at times threatened to descend into a civil war of factions and tribes. A rebel failure to deliver on their promises of justice and reconciliation here in the capital could spur Khadafy loyalists around Libya to fight on. And an ugly outcome here might discourage strong foreign support for democracy movements elsewhere.
For now, governments throughout the West and the Middle East welcomed the rebels’ victory and pledged to assist them in the transition. The European Union said yesterday that it had begun planning for a post-Khadafy era....
Egypt formally recognized the rebel Libyan government yesterday, calling the Transitional National Council the “new regime.’’ Mohamed Amr, Egypt’s foreign minister, said the council would take over the Libyan Embassy in Cairo and would assume Libya’s seat on the Arab League, which is based in Cairo. The near collapse of Khadafy’s security forces is at least a partial victory for President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, who pushed the Security Council and then the NATO alliance into vital military support for the rebels.
But few among the Western countries and their allies anticipated the speed of the demise of the government, and they are now scrambling during the August vacation and the holy month of Ramadan to put together a post-conflict plan for Libya....
As if it were over.
--more--"
So whose the next leader?
"For Libyan rebels, democratic rule will be huge challenge" by Ryan Lucas, Associated Press / August 23, 2011
CAIRO - Libya’s rebels began as a disparate group of former government insiders, Western-leaning intellectuals, businessmen, and even a smattering of ex-Islamist militants. But they were united by one goal: to unseat Moammar Khadafy.
"Ex" Islamist militants?
So what the blogs have been saying is true: the U.S. used "Al-CIA-Duh" for its coup.
They won international recognition by forging a leadership council that espoused democracy. With Khadafy’s regime on its last legs, the question now is whether the opposition can take over the plundered country and lead it effectively.
The task of putting Libya back together after six months of civil war and 42 years of Khadafy rule is all the more difficult because the nation has no experience at the ballot box or with democratic institutions.
Oh, JUST LIKE IRAQ!!
Khadafy ran the country according to his whims and idiosyncratic political philosophy. And he brooked no dissent....
Sounds like Saddam, doesn't he?
Without any practical experience to fall back on, the council has done an imperfect job of managing the territory under rebel control since the uprising began Feb. 15, when youth activists started protesting in Benghazi. As the demonstrations spread and the revolt gained steam, more experienced hands rushed to join the movement and fill the leadership void.
Eventually, the rebellion formed the National Transitional Council. Members are representatives from each rebel-held city, and are selected by similar local councils.
Heading the NTC is Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, a pious former justice minister who joined the rebels in the uprising’s first high-level defection. Despite past links with the Khadafy regime, he enjoys the respect of broad swaths of the rebel public for his criticism while minister of the tight control of security forces. But he is not considered a strong leader or a dominating personality.
See: Libya's Next Leader
Abdul-Jalil is one of several former regime members who make up a powerful bloc on the council....
The rebellion has also found space for Islamists, including former members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a radical Islamist organization that staunchly opposed Khadafy. Some high-ranking officials in the rebel security apparatus and military have backgrounds in the group.
Some divisions have already emerged in the rebel camp, and those could expand if Khadafy falls....
The National Transitional Council was on the brink of collapse as recently as late July, with the killing of military chief Abdel-Fattah Younis.
Younis was a highly divisive figure who served as Khadafy’s interior minister until he defected to the rebellion early in the uprising, bringing his forces into the opposition ranks.
His move raised hopes among rebels and Western allies that the uprising could succeed. But some rebels remained deeply suspicious that he retained some loyalties to the dictator.
His body was found dumped outside Benghazi. The rebel leadership has insisted the assassination was the work of the Khadafy regime, but several witnesses say Younis was killed by fellow rebels.
The slaying has fueled concerns about unity within the rebel movement.
--more--"
Related: NATO Has Lost Libya
"Though Libya turns a corner, greatest challenges are ahead" August 23, 2011
It’s not too early to credit the leadership of British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and President Obama for the NATO mission supporting the rebellion, protecting Libya’s civilians, and - after some hesitation about adopting regime change as an explicit goal - driving Khadafy from power....
How is killing Libyan civilians protecting them?
And as you can see through the smattering of my recent Libya posts, that was the goal all along despite the high-sounding rhetoric.
Without NATO’s support from above, the rebels on the ground would have stood no chance of success.
But NATO’s role in Libya is not over. If anything, the most daunting challenges are yet to come....
Related: NATO Prepares “Humanitarian” Occupation Of Libya
It is for Libya’s people to decide Libya’s future. But America and the West have earned the right to insist that Tripoli make a commitment to respect international law, safeguard human rights, and shun international terrorism.
As AmeriKa and the West do none of those things, sigh.
Only then will the mission in Libya be accomplished.
And how many years is that going to take?
--more--"
Related:
Order: Kill non-mainstream reporters in Libya, What U.S. is hiding
The Examiner learned in communications from human rights defenders and independent journalists throughout Monday that they were shaken with news of 1300 Libyans killed and 5000 wounded Saturday, plus, the U.S. allegedly ordered Targeted Killings of Voltaire Network reporters, Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya and Thierry Meyssan, non-mainstream reporters in Libya covering the NATO war, while other independent reporters there are being fired upon and one, Mohammed Nabbous was killed Saturday according to ABC News. In an interview with journalist Don DeBar on KPFA radio, he reported most mainstream "news" about Libya has been untrue, as alternative news sites heavily report but are increasingly persecuted according to their recent reports.
The triple-lie of Tripoli
The triple-lie of Tripoli
No matter what the mainstream media feeds as facts in an attempt to show a war that’s not a waste of resources, men and money, the reality of it is that the battle that is being waged against Gaddafi does not appear to be as far from over as most are led to believe. One would think so, however, due to misinformation represented with no regard for the truth and a public that deserves to hear it.
Also see:
Rebels capture Khadafy's compound
Libyan rebels stormed Moammar Khadafy's compound in Tripoli today after battles with forces loyal to his regime. Khadafy's whereabouts are unknown.
Next Day Updates:
Qaddafi Defiant After Rebel Takeover
That rewritten piece is what was ostensibly in my printed paper.
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 13 hours ago
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 16 hours ago
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 19 hours ago
All AP. WTF?
And about that OCCUPATION! It has ALREADY BEGUN!
"NATO air power poses next to no advantage to rebels’ battle in Tripoli" by Elisabeth Bumiller and Eric Schmitt, New York Times / August 24, 2011
WASHINGTON - The NATO air campaign instrumental in helping rebels advance into Tripoli is hamstrung in many ways now that the fighting has turned into complex house-to-house urban warfare, US and allied military officials said yesterday.
For legal and practical reasons, as well as to avoid the perception of bombing indiscriminately inside Tripoli, the Libyan capital, allied warplanes will continue to prowl for targets, but mostly on the outskirts of the city where government troops might be trying to escape or reinforce Tripoli - and where the risk of civilian casualties is much lower, allied officials said.
A NATO spokesman, Colonel Roland Lavoie, said at a news conference in Naples that “there are still weapons out there and there are still targets that we could hit if we have any signs that they could represent a threat to the civilian population.’’
But he and other NATO officials acknowledged that the urban environment in Tripoli, a city of about 2 million people, was “far more complex’’ for airstrikes than past targets have been.
Until now, most targets attacked in Tripoli have been suspected of being military headquarters or weapons-storage buildings that NATO monitored closely for days or weeks with surveillance aircraft, including Predator drones, to ensure that no civilians were living or working there.
All I wrote in the margin of my newspaper was "This such shit."
Allied targeting experts and fighter pilots do not have that option with the rapidly shifting battle lines in block-by-block combat carried on by fighters dressed in civilian clothing on both sides.
“It could be difficult, because the use of air power, to a large degree, is negated when you get into this kind of urban warfare,’’ Senator John McCain said yesterday CBS’s “The Early Show.’’ “It’s hard to identify targets and hard to be effective. But I don’t think there’s any doubt of the eventual outcome.’’
This is hardly the first time that the United States or NATO have dealt with the challenge of rooting out foes in urban environments. US troops, in particular, learned many lessons combating the insurgency in Baghdad. While the United States and NATO do not have major ground forces in Libya, they have passed on these lessons to the rebel fighters.
No major force yet, but that is coming.
Applying them, the allies think, will allow rebels who had been dependent on strong NATO air support for many of their past gains to drive loyalists of Moammar Khadafy out of Tripoli completely.
A NATO military official said yesterday, for instance, that British and French commandos were on the ground with the rebels in Tripoli offering “fairly extensive’’ help....
The military official said he did not know if Central Intelligence Agency operatives in Libya were also working with the rebels in Tripoli, but he said “they certainly should be.’’
Yeah, CIA-Duh is there!
Outside Tripoli, fighting continued yesterday in government strongholds like Surt and Sabha, and Lavoie said allied warplanes would continue to use precision weapons to enforce the UN mandate to protect civilians....
They MAKE THAT CLAIM about PRECISION WEAPONS in EVERY WAR!
Go READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS!
--more--"
And HOW MANY CIVILIANS have we KILLED while "protecting" them?
Also see:
Rebels capture Khadafy's compound
Libyan rebels stormed Moammar Khadafy's compound in Tripoli today after battles with forces loyal to his regime. Khadafy's whereabouts are unknown.
Next Day Updates:
Qaddafi Defiant After Rebel Takeover
That rewritten piece is what was ostensibly in my printed paper.
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 13 hours ago
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 16 hours ago
Libyan rebels storm seat of Gadhafi's power - Boston.com 19 hours ago
All AP. WTF?
And about that OCCUPATION! It has ALREADY BEGUN!
"NATO air power poses next to no advantage to rebels’ battle in Tripoli" by Elisabeth Bumiller and Eric Schmitt, New York Times / August 24, 2011
WASHINGTON - The NATO air campaign instrumental in helping rebels advance into Tripoli is hamstrung in many ways now that the fighting has turned into complex house-to-house urban warfare, US and allied military officials said yesterday.
For legal and practical reasons, as well as to avoid the perception of bombing indiscriminately inside Tripoli, the Libyan capital, allied warplanes will continue to prowl for targets, but mostly on the outskirts of the city where government troops might be trying to escape or reinforce Tripoli - and where the risk of civilian casualties is much lower, allied officials said.
A NATO spokesman, Colonel Roland Lavoie, said at a news conference in Naples that “there are still weapons out there and there are still targets that we could hit if we have any signs that they could represent a threat to the civilian population.’’
But he and other NATO officials acknowledged that the urban environment in Tripoli, a city of about 2 million people, was “far more complex’’ for airstrikes than past targets have been.
Until now, most targets attacked in Tripoli have been suspected of being military headquarters or weapons-storage buildings that NATO monitored closely for days or weeks with surveillance aircraft, including Predator drones, to ensure that no civilians were living or working there.
All I wrote in the margin of my newspaper was "This such shit."
Allied targeting experts and fighter pilots do not have that option with the rapidly shifting battle lines in block-by-block combat carried on by fighters dressed in civilian clothing on both sides.
“It could be difficult, because the use of air power, to a large degree, is negated when you get into this kind of urban warfare,’’ Senator John McCain said yesterday CBS’s “The Early Show.’’ “It’s hard to identify targets and hard to be effective. But I don’t think there’s any doubt of the eventual outcome.’’
This is hardly the first time that the United States or NATO have dealt with the challenge of rooting out foes in urban environments. US troops, in particular, learned many lessons combating the insurgency in Baghdad. While the United States and NATO do not have major ground forces in Libya, they have passed on these lessons to the rebel fighters.
No major force yet, but that is coming.
Applying them, the allies think, will allow rebels who had been dependent on strong NATO air support for many of their past gains to drive loyalists of Moammar Khadafy out of Tripoli completely.
A NATO military official said yesterday, for instance, that British and French commandos were on the ground with the rebels in Tripoli offering “fairly extensive’’ help....
The military official said he did not know if Central Intelligence Agency operatives in Libya were also working with the rebels in Tripoli, but he said “they certainly should be.’’
Yeah, CIA-Duh is there!
Outside Tripoli, fighting continued yesterday in government strongholds like Surt and Sabha, and Lavoie said allied warplanes would continue to use precision weapons to enforce the UN mandate to protect civilians....
They MAKE THAT CLAIM about PRECISION WEAPONS in EVERY WAR!
Go READ YOUR HISTORY BOOKS!
--more--"
And HOW MANY CIVILIANS have we KILLED while "protecting" them?
