Thread: The Libyan Crisis

Originally Posted by Butterfly

apparently, the French have already sent the Foreign Legions there and "special forces" on the ground, without disclosing to the public any of it of course

Sarko is a sad POS, a petit Bonaparte, as the wikileaks appropriately call him

You can rest assured that there would be SAS and CIA forces already there with "boots on the ground". These are the secret arms of the wests military and their opperations are not open to public debate or scrutiny like the regular military.

The west just simply cant afford to loose this one after putting so many $s and effort into it. Not to mention the extensive domestic media propaganda to justify their actions. They will just keep ramping things up until the "rebels" are finally victorious.

Next, I expect it will be putting conventional troops on the ground to protect humanitarian aid missions.

The Brits special forces will definitely be there, side by side with the French, would be a world first

Originally Posted by Butterfly

The Brits special forces will definitely be there, side by side with the French,

Air lifted in from their shared aircraft carrier.

Mission Accomplished: another muslim country in upheaval.





P.S.
Senior US Senator John McCain paid a visit to the Libyan rebel headquarters in their eastern stronghold city of Benghazi on Friday

Originally Posted by HermantheGerman

P.S.
Senior US Senator John McCain paid a visit to the Libyan rebel headquarters in their eastern stronghold city of Benghazi on Friday

Did he call on them to stop killing civilians and announce a ceasefire?

Libyan army 'to pull out' from Misurata

Libyan troops are to leave Misurata as the US approves the use of armed drones in the fight against government forces.

... "We will leave the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's people to deal with the situation, either using force or negotiation."
Libyan army 'to pull out' from Misurata - Africa - Al Jazeera English

The "tribes", ehh . Misrata, Lib's third biggest city, is considered the commercial and industrial capital of Libya, as well as having the highest income in the country.

Looks like the 'good guys' have won that one- and a very important one it is, too.

Lets hope those drones have better luck targeting the enemy in Libya than they do in Pakistan where they often kill women and kids by mistake.

BBC News - Libya crisis: Misrata tribes 'may fight rebels'

23 April 2011 Last updated at 03:31 GMT

Libya crisis: Misrata tribes 'may fight rebels'


Foreign journalists were shown bomb damage at the compound in Tripoli

Tribes loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have said that if the army cannot drive rebels from the besieged port city of Misrata, they will, a senior official says.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said the army had tried to keep civilian casualties low but the tribes would not show the same restraint.

Col Gaddafi's forces have been pounding Misrata for weeks.

Meanwhile, Nato forces carried out more air strikes on the capital, Tripoli.

The Libyan government says three people were killed by the strikes.

The BBC's Jeremy Bowen has seen a concrete bunker near Col Gaddafi's Bab al-Azizia compound which received two hits early on Saturday.

Ultimatum

Aid organisations say Misrata - the main rebel-held area in western Libya - faces a humanitarian crisis after weeks of fighting. Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people there have died.

The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Tripoli says the government has previously used the prospect of tribal civil war in Libya as a threat against rebel leaders and Nato intervention.

He says the regime is feeling increasingly isolated and is hoping for some kind of a diplomatic solution.

The ultimatum came in a meeting between tribal leaders and the military in the area of Misrata still controlled by the government, Mr Kaim said.

He said the tribes were angry that people's lives had been disrupted by weeks of fighting that had cut the main coastal road and stopped trade in the city.

Tribal leaders say the seaport is for all Libyans and not just the rebels, Mr Kaim said.

'Surgical' tactics

In normal times Misrata is a major commercial centre and its port is second only to Tripoli.

"Now there is an ultimatum before the Libyan army. If they can't resolve the problem in Misrata then the people from the region... will move in," he told reporters.

He said the tribes would first try to persuade the rebels to lay down their arms, but if that failed they would move in. The army would stay where it was, he added.

"The tactic of the army is to have a surgical solution but with the (Nato) air strikes it doesn't work," Mr Kaim said.


Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Kaim says tribes have given the Libyan army an ultimatum

A fourth evacuation ship chartered by the International Organisation for Migration is on its way to rescue stranded migrant workers and wounded civilians from the besieged city.

Earlier, the most senior US soldier, Adm Mike Mullen, said the war in Libya was "moving towards stalemate", even though US and Nato air strikes have destroyed 30-40% of Libya's ground forces.

The US has authorised the use of armed, unmanned Predator drones over Libya to give "precision capabilities".

A popular revolt against Col Gaddafi - inspired by similar uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia - began in February and a UN mandate later sanctioned air strikes against Libyan state forces to protect civilians.

Nato took control of the operation on 31 March.


At the scene


Jeremy Bowen
BBC Middle East editor, in Tripoli

A big concrete bunker has been hit twice. The two weapons cut through the sandy earth on top of the bunker which is about a couple of feet thick, and then penetrated the concrete and reinforced steel about two feet in.

However there is no evidence of a secondary explosion which suggests the bunker did not contain ammunition.

There are lots of pro-Gaddafi protesters in the area. There are lines of cars driving up and down the road beeping their horns and waving green flags.

Anti-aircraft guns are mounted on a few pick-up trucks in the area and on a roundabout nearby is an encampment of volunteer human shields.

Jets continue to fly over the city.

Qaddafi abandons Misrata

Qaddafi abandons Misrata

Saturday, 23 April 2011

Doctors tend to a wounded Qaddafi soldier, captured earlier by opposition fighters, in Misrata hospital April 23, 2011. (File Photo)


By SARA GHASEMILEE AND ABEER TAYEL
Al Arabiya with Agencies

Libyan rebels said Saturday afternoon that they now fully controlled the key city of Misrata.

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told journalists that the Libyan army would withdraw from Misrata and leave local tribes to resolve the conflict in the country's third largest city either by talks or through force.

“The situation in Misrata will be dealt with by the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's residents and not by the Libyan army,” he said, according to Reuters. “We will leave the tribes around Misrata and Misrata’s people to deal with the situation, either using force or negotiation.”

His statement was widely perceived as face-saving diplomatese.

A spokesman for rebels later said that Misrata was now free of Colonel Qaddafi’s forces.

Meanwhile, NATO jets hit a target near Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi’s compound in central Tripoli early on Saturday, which the government described as a car park but which Reuters reporters said looked like a bunker.

According to Reuters, Government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim said the “very powerful explosion” near Colonel Qaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound early Saturday killed three people.

The United States has started using armed drones against Colonel Qaddafi’s troops, who battled rebels at close quarters on the streets of Misrata, despite Western threats to step up a month-old air war. Meanwhile, American VIPs such as Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, are starting to visit Benghazi, considered a rebel stronghold.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates of the United States said the decision to use unmanned drones armed with missiles was made “because of the humanitarian situation” in Libya, calling them a “modest contribution” to international coalition efforts there, according to Agence-France Presse.

The US military uses armed drones in Pakistan against Taliban fighters and members of Al Qaeda.

General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the unmanned aircraft will be useful because of “their ability to get down lower, therefore to be able to get better visibility on (targets), particularly targets now that have started to dig themselves into defensive positions.”

General Cartwright said the drones “are uniquely suited” for the mission in Libya for use on a 24-hour basis in urban areas, and to limit collateral damage, AFP reported.

Secretary Gates said: “They give you a capability that even the A10 (anti-tank aircraft) and AC130 (ground attack aircraft) couldn’t provide” in the conflict in the North African nation.

Mr. Gates said that the deployment represents “a very limited additional role on our part,” in Libya but argued that it did not mean “mission creep” for the United States.

Senator McCain visited Benghazi on Friday. He said he found the rebels “inspiring.”

Mr. McCain, who lost to Democrat Barack Obama in the US presidential election of 2008, was the first major American official to visit Benghazi. An Air Force pilot, he served during the Vietnam War, and was held prisoner by the North Vietnamese for several years after his fighter jet was shot down. The US government later decorated him for his bravery in combat.

On Friday, he called the Libyan rebels “heroes.”

Protesters, meanwhile, welcomed the deployment of US unmanned aircraft and said they hoped the move would protect civilians.

Doctors at the hospital in Misrata, the protesters’ last major bastion in the West of the country, said nine insurgents were killed in fighting on Thursday, Reuters reported.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Colonel Qaddafi’s forces were carrying out “vicious attacks” on Misrata and might have used cluster bombs against civilians.

Hundreds of people are believed to have died in Misrata, which is about 215 kilometers (130 miles) east of Tripoli, during its siege. At the hospital, ambulances raced in carrying wounded fighters. Doctors said that four of the nine rebels killed died in a fierce battle around the Tripoli Street thoroughfare.

Misrata is the third largest city in Libya with an estimated population of 550,000 out of Libya's total 5.5 million.

Food and medical supplies were running out, and there were long queues for petrol. Electricity was cut so residents depended on generators. Thousands of stranded foreign migrant workers awaited rescue in the port area.

France said it would send up to 10 military advisers to Libya and Britain plans to dispatch up to a dozen officers to help protesters improve organization and communications. Italy is considering sending a small military training team.

Tripoli denounced such moves and some commentators warned of “mission creep,” after assurances by Western leaders that they would not put “boots on the ground” in Libya.

Russia, however, has opposed the sending of advisers exceeded the United Nations Security Council mandate to protect civilians.

(Sara Ghasemilee of Al Arabiya can be reached at: sara.ghasemilee[at]mbc.net. Abeer Tayel, also of Al Arabiya, can be reached via email at: abeer.tayel[at]mbc.net)


The Libyan army will withdraw from Misrata and leave local tribes to resolve the conflict in the country's third largest city either by talks or through force, the deputy foreign minister said Friday.

“The situation in Misrata will be dealt with by the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's residents and not by the Libyan army,” Khaled Kaim told journalists.

“We will leave the tribes around Misrata and Misrata's people to deal with the situation, either using force or negotiation.”

Originally Posted by OhOh

Are you really applauding the steps towards an Iraq or Afghanistan scenario?

Nope- the ousting of Qadaffi is the game now. Long term occupation is absolutely not part of the plan, and foreign troops on the ground- well, as few as possible is what we want, but obviously that depends to a large extent on Qadaffi. When it's all said and done, count the financial cost- I wager it won't be much compared to these two. The cost of Qadaffi remaining in power though is inestimable.

Originally Posted by FarangRed

Details also emerged yesterday of gang rape being used by Gaddafi’s soldiers, many of them African mercenaries supplied with Viagra by the Libyan leader’s officials.

Most victims have been too afraid of the stigma facing them and their families to talk. But a woman called Leila, 28, said she was going public because ‘unbelievable crimes’ were being committed.

Read more: 'No question' of allied ground invasion of Libya, says David Cameron | Mail Online

Gaddafi’s men ‘use rape as weapon of war’
David Cairns
APRIL 17, 2011


More than 100 women are victims, says doctor as siege of Misrata continues

Horrifying accounts of the systematic use of gang rape as a weapon of war by fighters loyal to dictator Colonel Gaddafi have emerged from Libya. Women have been violated in front of their own children - and some have asked their relatives to kill them rather than face Gaddafi's men.

Khalifa al-Sharkassi, a German-trained doctor based in al-Baida in north-eastern Libya, told the Sunday Times he is collecting the testimony of abused women. He believes as many as 100 have been subjected to gang rape.

The claims come three weeks after Iman al-Obeidi burst into a government-controlled press conference for foreign journalists in Tripoli, distressed and bruised, to accuse Gaddafi's men of subjecting her to gang rape. She has since become a focal point for opponents of Gaddafi's regime worldwide (above).

Sharkassi decided to speak out despite rigid taboos on discussing rape or "dishonour" as it is known in Libyan society. He told the story of one 28-year-old mother of two, identified only as Leila, who was violated with one of her young children in her arms.

Leila told Sharkassi she was raped on the night of March 14 by Gaddafi's soldiers who came to her home when her husband was away fighting for the rebels.

She said: "The soldiers told me they would kill my children. They sneered 'you or your children'. I held one son close but one of the men forced me down onto the bed, then it happened..."

The attack took place as her children, aged 4 and 5, watched. Such is the shame associated with rape in Libya that Leila's husband will not see her and she is contemplating suicide.

Reporter Hala Jaber says this is just one of many cases he has been told about. In another, a woman was raped over several hours, losing consciousness and waking again to find a bad bite on her breast.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi's regime continues its merciless bombardment of Misrata, a rebel-held town some 150km to the north-west of Tripoli. Such defiance just under his nose is thought to have enraged Gaddafi, making Misrata a key target.

The city is undergoing a savage bombardment every day, prompting comparisons to Stalingrad. In the past 48 hours alone, more than 200 attacks by rockets and artillery have been launched, killing 40 and injuring 105.

Gaddafi's troops are fighting street battles as they try to cut off the rebels' access from Misrata to the sea, the city's only lifeline. If the city falls to Gaddafi it could be decisive in the country's civil war, marking the collapse of opposition to the dictator in the west of the country.

On Friday, it emerged that Gaddafi is using cluster bombs on his own people, prompting a call from General Lord Dannatt, the former UK army chief, for the UN to arm the rebels.

thefirstpost.co.uk

Regime says Misrata attack halted, but battle continues - LIBYA - FRANCE 24

Latest update: 24/04/2011

Regime says Misrata attack halted, but battle continues

Despite claims by the Libyan regime that it has halted its operations in Misrata, the sound of automatic weapons fire and exploding rockets was heard across the city on Sunday.
By News Wires (text)

AFP - Salvos of Grad rockets exploded and automatic weapons were fired Sunday on Misrata in an apparent contradiction of the Libyan regime's claims that troops halted operations in the besieged city.

Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said early Sunday the army had suspended operations against rebels in Misrata, but not left the city, to enable local tribes to find a peaceful solution.

"The armed forces have not withdrawn from Misrata. They have simply suspended their operations," Kaim told a news conference in the capital.

"The tribes are determined to solve the problem within 48 hours... We believe that this battle will be settled peacefully and not militarily."

But bursts of continual automatic weapons fire could be heard as Grad rockets exploded on the city, the scene of deadly urban guerrilla fighting for weeks between rebels and forces loyal to longtime Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Kaim had previously announced that the army would withdraw from Misrata and leave local tribes to resolve the conflict in the city, either by talks or through force. On Saturday, Libya's third city suffered the worst toll in 65 days of fighting, with 28 dead and 100 wounded compared with a daily average of 11 killed, according to Doctor Khalid Abu Falra at Misrata's main private clinic.

NATO planes staged raids on civil and military sites in the Libyan capital Tripoli and other cities, JANA news agency said, without confirming the number of people killed and wounded. Earlier air raids conducted by the Western alliance struck near a compound in Tripoli where Kadhafi resides.

"A military source said civil and military sites were targeted by the colonialist aggressor," said JANA, specifying that the strikes had also covered Al-Khums, Gharian, El Assa and Sirte, the birthplace of strongman Moamer Kadhafi. Three new explosions rocked the Libyan capital in the late evening as NATO warplanes overflew Tripoli, AFP journalists said, after several earlier blasts in the city centre and outlying quarters.

Heavy anti-aircraft and automatic arms fire were also heard in many areas of the city.

Two of the earlier explosions came from downtown Tripoli, while the rest came from areas further out, but the targeted sites could not immediately be determined.

A French journalist was shot in the neck in the eastern rebel-held city, medical sources said, noting the victim underwent an operation and was now out of danger. Friends refused to identify the journalist, but said he was a blogger who worked for "alternative media."

The United States earlier carried out its first Predator drone strike in Libya, which NATO said had destroyed one of the regime's multiple rocket launchers (MRL) allegedly used to target civilians in the rebel-held city of Misrata besieged by regime troops.

Kadhafi's regime has accused the United States of "new crimes against humanity" for deploying the low-flying, unmanned aircraft.

Falra, the doctor, said the casualty toll was double that of a "normal" day of fighting in

Libya's third city between rebels and Kadhafi's forces, and was more than the hospital could take. "We're overwhelmed, overwhelmed. We lack everything: personnel, equipment and medicines," he said.

Ambulances pulled up outside the hospital every five to 10 minutes, also bringing in wounded loyalists.

"We can't go on at this rate. We are losing people who in normal times we would be able to treat," said exhausted surgeon Mahmud Mohammed, as explosions and gunfire echoed from the streets.

The impact of pro-Kadhafi forces entering the fray remained unclear as militia "volunteers" were already believed to be among regime forces in Misrata.

Any greater influx of such militiamen would complicate NATO efforts to distinguish between rebels and Kadhafi loyalists to minimize civilian casualties.

Hamed al-Hasi, a colonel coordinating rebel fighters at the western gate of the crossroads town of Ajdabiya in the east, said the decision would signal the insurgents were beginning to win the battle for Misrata.

"This is the first nail in the coffin of Kadhafi. This means the Libyan army is no longer capable," he said.

Omar Rajab, a 29-year-old rebel, said tribal fighters in plain clothes had joined the loyalist forces in Misrata, saying they "come from tribes in the south."

NATO said it had kept a "high operational tempo" of over 3,000 sorties, nearly half of them strikes, since the transatlantic military alliance assumed full control of the mission late last month.

"We have struck a broad range of targets across the country -- tanks and rocket launchers, armoured vehicles and ammunition stores, command and control sites," it added in a statement.

An aid ship delivered 160 tonnes of food and medicine to the port city before a planned evacuation of around 1,000 stranded refugees.

Hundreds of Libyan families lined up along the harbour front in hope of getting on board the vessel chartered by the International Organisation for Migration, which has already transported 3,100 refugees from 21 countries out of the besieged city.

But Dakir Hussam, a Syrian electrician, expressed his delight at managing to get a place on the Red Star One.

"Kadhafi's men shoot at anything that moves in the city, but they are also suffering a lot," he said, referring to the burial he saw of up to a dozen loyalist fighters this week.

The UN refugee agency says about 15,000 people have fled fighting in western Libya into Tunisia in the past two weeks and a much larger exodus was feared.

Three people who escaped the violence in Libya were killed and 72 hurt when their truck overturned in northern Niger, that country's state radio reported.

Anti-aircraft fire rang out and ambulance sirens wailed in the capital on Friday as NATO air strikes hit a patch of bare ground looking like a bunker opposite Kadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya residence in the centre of the capital.

The US military's top officer, Admiral Michael Mullen, meanwhile said allied air strikes had already destroyed 30 to 40 percent of Kadhafi's forces, sending the conflict toward a stalemate as the Red Cross warned the situation in Misrata could "rapidly deteriorate further."

Massive Libyan protests in February -- inspired by the revolts that toppled long-time autocrats in Egypt and Tunisia -- escalated into war when Kadhafi's troops fired on demonstrators and protesters seized several eastern towns.

The battle lines have been more or less static in recent weeks, however, as NATO air strikes have helped block Kadhafi's eastward advance but failed to give the poorly organised and outgunned rebels a decisive victory.

Tribal leaders to negotiate Misrata exit for rebels - Africa, World - The Independent

"Libyan tribal leaders are trying to get rebels in the city of Misrata to lay down their arms within 48 hours, a government official said early on Sunday, after a day of fierce clashes between opposition fighters and Moammar Gaddafi's forces.

If negotiations fail, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said tribal chiefs may send armed supporters into the city of 300,000 to fight the rebels. In the meantime, the Libyan military is halting operations in Misrata, Kaim sai"

Another window of opportunity to stop the bloody war, will the "insurgent army", NATO and the "national forces" have the balls to take it?

"At least 24 people were killed and 75 were wounded, many of them critically, said a doctor at a Misrata hospital who asked to be identified only by his first name because he was afraid of government retribution. He said that hospital officials who feared a strong attack on Saturday had moved out some patients a day earlier to make way for more casualties."

No breakdown of injured or killed "unarmed civilians, "insurgent army forces" or Libyan government forces. The overall number is meaningless.

Was the doctor talking about an attack by the "insurgent army forces" or the Libyan Government forces?

Sloppy reporting or UK government propaganda, which is it ?

When will NATO and the "national forces" offer a ceasefire. They have had plenty of opportunities but have always found a reason not to accept.

Illegal war and illegal support for one side in a civil war.

Another step by the Libyan government to stop the killing. Dissed by posters, ignored by the insurgent army, ignored by the crusader coalition.

It makes you think that the real murders are the foreign backed insurgent army once again.

I wonder what the "special forces" of France and the UK are doing over there,

probably reckon for an invasion, basically doing fuck all beyond that

we might start to see pictures of some of them captured by the rebels or the government forces

Pro-defense senators push fight against Gaddafi | Reuters

Pro-defense senators push fight against Gaddafi


WASHINGTON | Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:32am EDT

(Reuters) - Pro-defense senators on Sunday said the United States should raise military pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to leave, and one said NATO should end the crisis quickly with an attack aimed at Gaddafi and his inner circle in Tripoli.

Voicing concern about the violence in Iranian ally Syria, lawmakers urged the White House to show more support for protesters trying to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman went further with a call for arms embargo on Syria and sanctions on Assad and his family.

Senator Lindsey Graham on CNN's "State of the Union," said the Libyan rebels did not have enough momentum or training to end the stalemate with Gaddafi and urged an air campaign directed at Gaddafi and his inner circle.

"My recommendation to NATO and the administration is to cut the head of the snake off, go to Tripoli, start bombing Gaddafi's inner circle, their compounds, their military headquarters in Tripoli," Graham said.

Republican Senator John McCain, who was in the Libyan rebel stronghold Benghazi last week to show support for the rebels, said Gaddafi should be "aware that his life is in danger." But he said previous attempts to target dictators militarily have shown "it's a little harder than you think."

Lieberman said it was "very important that Gaddafi and his family and everyone else near him wakes up every day thinking that it is their last" to avoid a "very costly and destructive stalemate."

But Lieberman stopped short of advocating making a military goal of killing Gaddafi. "NATO has got to start thinking about whether they want to more directly target Gaddafi and his family. That's the surest way of ending the violence against the civilians of Libya," he said.

Russia calls on Libya to comply with U.N. | Reuters

Russia calls on Libya to comply with U.N.

MOSCOW | Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:39am EDT

(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi to implement United Nations resolutions and end attacks on civilians, the ministry said on Sunday.

"Lavrov said that the most important issue now is to stop the bloodshed and suffering of the civilian population," the ministry reported on its website, referring to a Saturday telephone conversation between the two politicians.

Libya must abide by the U.N.'s Security Council resolution "and ensure an immediate ceasefire, above all in Misrata and other population centers," he said.

Hundreds have been killed in the western city of Misrata, which a rebel spokesman said was again under heavy bombardment on Sunday by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, a day after rebels celebrated a government pullback.

The Libyan government has repeatedly made calls for ceasefires, which have been rejected by rebels who say they are not matched by its actions.

Russia also called on Libya to work with international organizations to ease the humanitarian crisis in the North African nation.

"Russia is prepared to work with the African Union and the U.N. to move the situation to political and diplomatic channels," the statement said.

Libya's official JANA news agency also reported Lavrov told Mahmoudi Russia could send observers to monitor a ceasefire, but the Russian statement did not make any mention of the proposal.

Russia has criticized the Western campaign of air strikes against Gaddafi's forces as exceeding the mandate of a U.N. resolution which authorizes the use of force to protect civilians.

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Russia holds veto power over all resolutions, but abstained from the vote to authorize military intervention in Libya.

On Saturday JANA reported Mahmoudi also spoke by telephone with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and "reiterated Libya's commitment to United Nations resolutions." He also said Libya was committed to the African Union's peace initiative.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

But Lieberman stopped short of advocating making a military goal of killing Gaddafi. "NATO has got to start thinking about whether they want to more directly target Gaddafi and his family. That's the surest way of ending the violence against the civilians of Libya," he said.

If NATO want to expand the authorised actions they are allowed to undertake it needs a new UNSC resolution. Unfortunately the political leaders of people like LIEberman understand that there is little chance of the UNSC obliging them with the necessary resolution and will not try for one.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Republican Senator John McCain, who was in the Libyan rebel stronghold Benghazi last week to show support for the rebels, said Gaddafi should be "aware that his life is in danger." But he said previous attempts to target dictators militarily have shown "it's a little harder than you think."

One would assume that has crossed Gadaffi's mind already, talk about hot air. It wouldn't have been that hard several months ago, but I suppose it never crossed our politians minds? not cricket and all that!

by Saturday night forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi had abandoned all but two buildings, where they were surrounded and being pressed to surrender, rebel spokesmen and independent observers said.
There was little celebration in Misrata as government forces on the city's outskirts continued to fire barrages of artillery into the heart of the city, killing 24 people on Saturday, according to doctors in Misrata.

Read more: Libya | Gaddafi troops withdraw from Misrata

I would think a simple ultimatum should be issued if Q's troops continue to randomly artillery barrage Misrata- it will be returned by Nato airpower systematically taking out government and infrastructure installations in the capitol, Tripoli. This artillery barrage is not a 'military' action- it targets the civilian population, largely at random. Fairly stock in trade for the mad Colonel, I suppose.

Originally Posted by sabang

I would think a simple ultimatum should be issued if Q's troops continue to randomly artillery barrage Misrata- it will be returned by Nato airpower systematically taking out government and infrastructure installations in the capitol, Tripoli. .

Mmmm...? tit for tat mission creep methinks you are advocating there Sabang.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Russia calls on Libya to comply with U.N. | Reuters

Russia calls on Libya to comply with U.N.

MOSCOW | Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:39am EDT

(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Libyan Prime Minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi to implement United Nations resolutions and end attacks on civilians, the ministry said on Sunday.

"Lavrov said that the most important issue now is to stop the bloodshed and suffering of the civilian population," the ministry reported on its website, referring to a Saturday telephone conversation between the two politicians.

Libya must abide by the U.N.'s Security Council resolution "and ensure an immediate ceasefire, above all in Misrata and other population centers," he said.

Hundreds have been killed in the western city of Misrata, which a rebel spokesman said was again under heavy bombardment on Sunday by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, a day after rebels celebrated a government pullback.

The Libyan government has repeatedly made calls for ceasefires, which have been rejected by rebels who say they are not matched by its actions.

Russia also called on Libya to work with international organizations to ease the humanitarian crisis in the North African nation.

"Russia is prepared to work with the African Union and the U.N. to move the situation to political and diplomatic channels," the statement said.

Libya's official JANA news agency also reported Lavrov told Mahmoudi Russia could send observers to monitor a ceasefire, but the Russian statement did not make any mention of the proposal.

Russia has criticized the Western campaign of air strikes against Gaddafi's forces as exceeding the mandate of a U.N. resolution which authorizes the use of force to protect civilians.

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Russia holds veto power over all resolutions, but abstained from the vote to authorize military intervention in Libya.

On Saturday JANA reported Mahmoudi also spoke by telephone with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and "reiterated Libya's commitment to United Nations resolutions." He also said Libya was committed to the African Union's peace initiative.

That a good sign for the west if the Ruskies have now jumped on the UN bandwagon.
Indicates they have now picked a side and want to keep in sweet with the winners for future economic reasons.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

I wonder what the "special forces" of France are doing over there

Obviously not much...

Originally Posted by "Butterfly"

I wonder what the "special forces" of France are doing over there,

Modeling "Haute Couture" combat outfits, and hoping for no "mission creep"