Unrest reported in Libya

[High_Gravity]

Gaddafi Repulsed: The Rebels Hold Brega, for Now

In Brega, the sound of gunfire and sirens fill the air as ambulances rush through the streets of the oil refinery town as the forces of "Free Libya" try to blunt a counter-attack by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi who is intent on taking back lost territory. Witnesses told TIME that the battle had taken up a 150 kilometer stretch between Brega and the next significant town to the west, Ras Lanuf. At 5:30 p.m. Libya time, the battle front was the local university in Brega, which Gaddafi's planes had already bombed from the air, and where regime forces were surrounded by the rebels. Human Rights Watch director of emergencies Peter Bouckert, who was at the front lines with the "Free Libya" forces earlier in the day, told TIME that the rebels didn't really know how to operate rocket-propelled grenades when the fighting started. They were facing off against what was reported to Gaddafi forces including 75 trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns. But the rebels were reinforced with their own anti-aircraft guns and, even though they were just as inexperienced at handling them, seemed then to get better control of the ground battle. By a quarter to 6 p.m., word spread that the "Free Libyan" forces had retaken the town from the regime, including the university and the western section where much of the fighting has taken place. Celebratory gunfire filled the air. But about 20 minutes later, the regime launched an airstrike against the celebration. Meanwhile, dozens of trucks continued to move reinforcements to Brega. The fight is definitely not over.

Read more: Gaddafi Repulsed: The Rebels Hold Brega, for Now - TIME

 

[High_Gravity]

3 Dutch marines held in Libya after failed rescue

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Armed forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi captured three Dutch marines and their helicopter during a botched evacuation mission near a stronghold of the Libyan leader, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Libyan authorities are still holding the marines five days after they were seized Sunday by armed men after landing near Sirte in a Lynx helicopter from the navy ship HMS Tromp. The ship was anchored off the Libyan coast to help evacuations from the conflict-torn country, spokesman Otte Beeksma told The Associated Press.

Two Europeans, one Dutch and one whose nationality was not released, were also captured. They were handed over unharmed to the Dutch embassy in Tripoli early Thursday and have left Libya, the ministry said.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte said his government authorized the mission.

Dutch officials are in "intensive negotiations" with Gadhafi's government to secure the marines' release, he said.

"We have also been in contact with the crewmen involved," Beeksma said. "They are doing well under the circumstances and we hope they will be released as quickly as possible."

Defense Minister Hans Hillen welcomed the news that the two Europeans were safe and had left Libya. "Everything is being done to also get the crew safely out of the country as soon as possible," he said in a statement.

Asked if the Dutch government considered the marines hostages, Beeksma said, "they are being held by Libyan authorities."

3 Dutch marines held in Libya after failed rescue - Yahoo! News

 

[Mr.Fitnah]

TRIPOLI, Libya – Moammar Gadhafi's forces launched a powerful attack trying to take back the closest opposition-held city to the Libyan capital on Friday, in fierce fighting that killed at least 18, including the city's top rebel commander — an army colonel who defected. In Tripoli, Gadhafi loyalists fired tear gas and live ammunition to smother a new outbreak of protests.

To the east, rebels advanced on an oil port along the Mediterranean coast in their first offensive against Gadhafi's military. Explosions were heard as the two sides battled around the air strip at Ras Lanouf, residents said.
The fighting underlined how both sides are pushing against the deadlock that has gripped Libya's 18-day-old upheaval. The rebellion has broken away the entire eastern half of the country from Gadhafi's control and has swept over several cities in the west close to the capital.

So far, Gadhafi has had little success in taking back territory, with several rebel cities repelling assaults in the past weeks. But the opposition forces have seemed unable to go on the offensive to march on areas still under. Meanwhile, in Tripoli — Gadhafi's most important bastion — his loyalists have waged a campaign of terror to ensure that protesters do not rise up in significant numbers.

Friday's assault on the rebel city of Zawiya, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, appeared to be the strongest yet by Gadhafi's forces after repeated earlier forays against it were beaten back.

In the morning, troops from the elite Khamis Brigade — named after the son of Gadhafi who commands it — bombarded the city's western edges with mortars, heavy machine guns, tanks and anti-aircraft guns, several residents said. By the evening, they had also opened a front on the eastern side. Armed Zawiya citizens backed by allied army units were fighting back.

Gadhafi troops attack rebel city, lockdown capital - Yahoo! News

 

[dilloduck]

It doesn't appear as if nations minds watching them kill each other off. Everyone's got some excuse for not intervening.
One question----all these humantiarain groups--who do they expect to put and end to it ?

 

[High_Gravity]

Libya: Tear Gas Fired as Protesters March

TRIPOLI, Libya — Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi have fired tear gas at protesters marching in the capital Tripoli, calling for the Libyan leader's ouster.

The security forces fired at least five cannisters of tear gas at the crowd of around 1,500 protesters in the Tripoli district of Tajoura. The crowd briefly scattered, but rejoined to continue their march, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

Before the marches, pro-Gaddafi forces set up checkpoints in the neighborhood. Last week, similar protests were met by a brutal crackdown, when militiamen opened fire on demonstrators moments after they began their marches.

Earlier, fighters loyal to Gaddafi set up checkpoints in Tripoli, searching cars, ahead of planned anti-government protests Friday, raising fears of new bloodshed in the Libyan capital where a heavy crackdown the past week has spread fear among residents.

The opposition has called for protesters to march out of mosques after noon prayers in demonstrations demanding Gaddafi's ouster. Similar protests last Friday were met by brutal retaliation: Pro-regime militiamen opened fire immediately on the marches, killing and wounding a still unknown number.

Internet services, which have been spotty throughout Libya's upheaval, appeared to be halted completely in Tripoli on Friday, as well as in Benghazi, the opposition's stronghold in the east. The extent of the cutoff was not clear.

Control of the capital is crucial to the Libyan leader, since it remains his strongest remaining bastion amid the uprising that began on Feb. 15 and has broken the entire eastern half of Libya out of his control. Even some cities in the west near Tripoli have fallen to the uprising, and the opposition has repelled repeated attacks by pro-Gaddafi forces trying to take back the territories.

Read more: Forces Fire Tear Gas as Libya Protesters March - TIME

 

[waltky]

Tom wrote: I hear Gaddafi is heading out to Venezuela.

Mebbe Jimmy Carter can join `em...

Hugo Chávez stands by his man, Muammar Qaddafi. But can he bring peace to Libya?
March 3, 2011 - Venezuela's Hugo Chávez has proposed a 'Peace Commission' to mediate Libya's civil conflict. Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa today said the offer is 'under consideration.'

Unusually quiet at the start of the Libyan crisis, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez is back in form warning of US plots to invade the oil-rich African nation and proposing a “Peace Commission” to mediate the situation. “We cannot be led forward by the drums of war,” Mr. Chávez said earlier this week. “Because the United States, I am certain, is exaggerating and distorting the issue to justify an invasion.”

Let the world not be quick to break relations with Libya or deploy military forces, he seemed to be saying, months after he himself broke relations with neighboring Colombia and sent troops to their shared border. The normally Twitter-happy Chávez was initially silent when the revolt against ally Muammar Qaddafi erupted last month. But on Feb. 25, he broke his silence with a tweet: "Viva Libya and its independence! Qaddafi is facing a civil war!!"

The two leaders have since spoken by telephone, with Colonel Qaddafi reportedly agreeing to consider allowing Chávez to mediate Libya's civil conflict. The United States, it appears, will not be invited to the negotiating table, around which Chávez envisions South American and select European leaders. How serious is this mediation proposal? Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa today said it is "under consideration."

Qaddafi and Chávez: Good buddies

See also:

Qaddafi welcomes Chávez's offer to mediate in Libya
March 4, 2011 - But Libya's leader Muammar Qaddafi appears to be alone in supporting Hugo Chávez's offer of international mediation, which even Qaddafi's eldest son has rejected.

As international concern grows about Libya descending into civil war, Libya's Muammar Qaddafi has accepted a mediation offer from longtime ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. But key international players, as well as Libya's opposition and even Mr. Qaddafi's son, have rejected it. “You don't need an international commission to tell Colonel Gaddafi what he needs to do for the good of his country and the good of his people,” US State Department P.J. Crowley was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. Mr. Crowley’s sentiments were echoed by France’s foreign minister who said any mediation that would allow Qaddafi to “succeed himself” were “obviously not welcome.”

Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, the embattled leader’s eldest son, also dismissed Mr. Chávez’s proposal as unnecessary, reports The Latin American Herald Tribune. “The Venezuelans have affirmed that they are our friends and respect and like us, but ... Libya is in the Middle East and in North Africa and Venezuela is in Latin America," said Qaddafi’s son, who then added a word of gratitude. "Thank you, we are grateful to them. They are our friends. It’s a nice gesture but we can resolve our own problems. There is no need for foreign intervention.” Chávez seems undeterred, however, by the apparent widespread rejection of his proposal, reports CNN.

Chávez and Qaddafi have a longstanding friendship. Chávez has visited Libya six times during his 12 years as president, reports Libya’s Tripoli Post. During Qaddafi’s visit to Venezuela in 2009, the two leaders exchanged gifts, with Qaddafi giving Chávez a Bedouin tent and Chávez gifting his counterpart a replica of Simón Bolívar’s sword. Chávez seems to see the two leaders as mutual victims and accused the international community of condemning both of them in the past for harboring terrorists without proof and the US of only getting involved because it wants Libya's oil.

MORE

 

[waltky]

Granny says, "Yea go ahead - liquidate with extreme prejudice...

Covert Action to Target Gadhafi?
March 04, 2011 - Top U.S. officials from President Barack Obama on down have made it clear Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi should go. The United States is considering a range of options to pressure Mr. Gadhafi. One of them might be a covert program to topple him.

In a time of international crisis, a U.S. president has an array of tools he can choose from to affect events, ranging from diplomacy to full-blown military action. But lying somewhere in between is covert action. Simply defined, covert action is any U.S. government effort to change the economic, military, or political situation overseas in a hidden way. Intelligence professionals consider it to be different than clandestine operations, which cover more traditional espionage and counterintelligence activities. Covert action can encompass many things, including propaganda, covert funding, electoral manipulation, arming and training insurgents, and even encouraging a coup.

Is covert action under way in Libya? Those who know are not telling. The key to a successful covert action, after all, is secrecy. But the situation in Libya is chaotic. Jennifer Sims, visiting professor of security studies at Georgetown University and a specialist in intelligence affairs, says covert action should not be undertaken without a clear picture of what the outcome will - or at least should - be. "I think of it as a gymnastics move," said Sims. "If you can’t visualize it from the moment you start running down the mat until you stick the landing, you better not try to start running down the mat. And I don’t know that things are at all clear on the ground in Libya at the moment. I don’t know what our [intelligence] collection assets are, but it could be a very, very difficult thing to pull off. And we don’t know what the end game would be at this moment, or we’d have to find out."

Covert actions traditionally have been carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency. Charles Allen, who served more than 40 years at the CIA, says proposals for covert action originate not from spies but policymakers. The CIA, he says, is merely an instrument. The Central Intelligence Agency rarely suggests this," said Allen. "This usually comes, and almost invariably comes, from the president and his senior policymakers - secretary of state, secretary of defense, or the National Security Council. Under some presidents, they’ve been very limited. Under others, where the threat was viewed as higher, covert actions are more often used. As Sims points out, covert actions are very tempting tools for a president to use.

"The upside is that you can get outcomes that are ripe for getting with a minimum use, ideally, of force," she said. "And by keeping the U.S. hand hidden, you can hopefully get it without getting blowback on the United States in terms of public outcry over the outcomes that might make others unhappy. The downside, of course, is exactly what the upside is - that you’re hiding the U.S. hand, and if it gets exposed, you can get blowback worse than you were ever going to get on the overt side." Some operations, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, were disasters. Others, such as backing the mujahedin in Afghanistan in the 1980s against Soviet occupation, have been more widely viewed as successful. In 1975, U.S. plots to assassinate foreign leaders came to light. The glare of public spotlight led to strict rules on covert action, including requiring presidential approval of covert actions and notification of eight key members of the Congress responsible for intelligence oversight.

Source

 

[dilloduck]

It's interesting alright. I'd like to be a bug on the wall in various countries as they try to set a policy on this one. Back in the day one could pretty much bet that the Communists would support one side and America the other. It's not so easy to see the alliances anymore.
As of now it seems the world is content to allow them to kill each other off as it as done in other parts of Africa.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Short of us invading the Country or arming the rebels, what exactly can we do? And is it our affair to begin with?

 

[dilloduck]

Short of us invading the Country or arming the rebels, what exactly can we do? And is it our affair to begin with?

in the past we would send in advisors and weapons and Russia or China would arm the other side.
Obviously the UN in all it's wisdom has no clue how to stop a massacre.

 

[Article 15]

British Soldiers Reportedly Captured by Libyan Rebels During Secret Mission - FoxNews.com

Libyan rebels capture British soldiers - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com

 

[BrianH]

I just saw this report also. Supposedly they were trying to get a British diplomat to meet with anti-Quadaffi(spelling?) supporters....looks like they got their wish.

 

[Jos]

HMS York was docked in Benghazi harbour on Wednesday.
So if Britain wanted to send anybody in to the court house where the proto-government is based here, they could have jumped in a taxi, or even walked there, from the harbour.

BBC News - Libya unrest: SAS members 'arrested near Benghazi'

 

[Midnight Marauder]

Stay out of it.... Stay out of it.... Stay OUT of it.

What part of that does our government not hear yet?

 

[California Girl]

Stay out of it.... Stay out of it.... Stay OUT of it.

What part of that does our government not hear yet?

I'm reasonably confident that Britain is not part of 'our' government.

 

[Jos]

The problem we have here is the Press are speculating and using words such as Captured, secret undercover mission and SAS to sex the story up and grap the imagination of the reader.
When in truth it is more down to earth. The press do not know the unit involved other than British nationals on a diplomatic mission to establish links. Who have been held while identities are confirmed.There are a number of other possibilities as to who exactly they might be, the Foreign Office employs security guards from PMC's as escorts and the Royal Military Police also have a role in Close Protection of diplomats for which they are trained by the SAS. As a rule I think only the higher levels of diplomat might be granted an SAS CP team

 

[xsited1]

British Soldiers Reportedly Captured by Libyan Rebels During Secret Mission - FoxNews.com

Libyan rebels capture British soldiers - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - msnbc.com

I can see why they'd be there after the Lockerbie bombing and everything. I'd like to hear a perspective from a British citizen.

 

[Midnight Marauder]

Stay out of it.... Stay out of it.... Stay OUT of it.

What part of that does our government not hear yet?

I'm reasonably confident that Britain is not part of 'our' government.

That's why I had "our" in italics.

Several folks pushing the administration into getting involved, the right answer is NO. Stay OUT of it.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

Stay out of it.... Stay out of it.... Stay OUT of it.

What part of that does our government not hear yet?

I'm reasonably confident that Britain is not part of 'our' government.

That's why I had "our" in italics.

Several folks pushing the administration into getting involved, the right answer is NO. Stay OUT of it.

Staying out of it would also mean keeping our traps shut about what should or should not happen. Obama has no business telling Gahdafi to go when he has no intention of doing anything to make him leave.

 

[Midnight Marauder]

I'm reasonably confident that Britain is not part of 'our' government.

That's why I had "our" in italics.

Several folks pushing the administration into getting involved, the right answer is NO. Stay OUT of it.

Staying out of it would also mean keeping our traps shut about what should or should not happen. Obama has no business telling Gahdafi to go when he has no intention of doing anything to make him leave.

I have no quarrel with what you're saying.