Libya - Latest Updates Part II ( Archived) (937)

that answers my ? thanks Zeus keep up the good work my boys are still impresing their teachers with the knowledge your providing and the Love Malta as much as me been 15 times obver 35 years TC

Seems like I missed this one coming in but I've been advised that another warship has entered harbour unannounced. I cannot confirm this as yet but I'm told the Royal Netherlands Navy Frigate "HNLMS Tromp" has arrived making the the number of warships currently in the Grand Harbour to 4 from 3 different nations.

The "Tromp" was the Frigate which launched the failed operation where a Dutch Navy Lynx helicopter together with its 3 crew members were captured by Gaddafi's forces in Tripoli. As it happens the captured crew were freed during last night after the intervention of Maltese and Greek diplomats but the Frigate will have to do without its Lynx helicopter which Libyan authorities have decided to retain.

15 times? that's just great! Can't help smiling everytime you mention that about the kids, their teachers must think their dad's in the British intelligence, lol!

Yep, the Cumberland is still around though I have inside info that it should be leaving harbour tomorrow morning...

Al Jazeera reported earlier a new audio update on the Voices of Feb 17 page. A rebel fighter describes the battle for Ras Lanuf that went on throughout today. He says he is speaking from a car bound for the town of Al Gaila, on his way to Ajdabiyah with a friend who was wounded when a mosque was hit by pro-Gaddafi forces.
He says Gaddafi's forces are not using "regular weapons", and that they are using missiles, bombs and fighter jets.

"Our weapons are very light," he said. "They are useless."

"You want the truth? God knows, every time they hit us, every time our numbers shrink, every time our weapons and ammunition go low, our spirits get lower. But our faith is high! We still have faith in God ... We don't even see them {Gaddafi's forces coming} ... only thing you see is the guy next to you falling, and you pull him out."

Meanwhile leaders of the 27 nations of the European Union met in Brussels to discuss the Libyan crises. Clearly the weakness of the EU in a common foreign policy highly undermines actions when it comes to a common EU wide decision or common front. However after many hours of deliberation all 27 nations agreed on one point "that the Libyan Government must go".

...in the meantime somewhere on a desert road, a rebel fighter wonders whether he will ever see his children again, hugs his AK47 and waits...

Heart rendering Zeus, sighhhh

I am always amazed by peeps for one reason or another think or see themselves better than another race, as though GOD did not create and love us all. Even worse is the faith we put in mankind and time after time they disappoint or forsake us. May God protect the Libyan's as they fight for their freedom, and touch the heart of the men/women that have the knowledge, skills, resources, and ability to help them.

Sarkozy: France and Britain ready to hit Libya



[ Date : Mar 12th, 2011 ]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said France and Britain are ready to launch “targeted air strikes” on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces if they use chemical weapons or warplanes against civilians.

As he arrived in Brussles for an emergency EU summit on Libya Friday, Sarkozy said he would urge European leaders to follow France’s lead in recognising the Libyan rebel leadership, the National Libyan Council.

He urged defensive limited strikes on Gaddafi’s key military command positions as pro-Gaddafi forces were reported to be retaking control of the cities of Zawiya and Ras Lanuf, previously held by the rebels.

Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron are in Brussels to win EU backing for a UN resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

Russia joined the UN arms embargo on Libya Thursday, but says it is opposed to western military intervention.

No one will help unless Gadaffi does something really, really, really criminal. So far he's not quite there yet. He won't be until his forces level Benghazi. Then it will be too late for a predicted 20,000 dead.

France and Britain, the Libyan opposition counting on Europe

[ Date : Mar 12th, 2011 ]

aced with setbacks on the battlefront but hopeful of solid support from France and Britain, the Libyan opposition on Friday appeared to be turning strongly towards Europe for help to sustain its embattled campaign against the regime of Libyan strongman Muammar Qadhafi.

At a massive rally in Benghazi held after Friday prayers, opposition supporters waved the pre-Qadhafi flag with the French tri-colour. The opposition demonstrated its goodwill towards Paris after France on Thursday became the first country to formally recognise the Provisional Transitional National Council (PTNC) as Libya’s legitimate government.

“The United States is not part of our region, which we share with the Europeans, Turkey, and the Arab countries,” said Ghanem Bashir, a pro-uprising activist.

Anti-regime protesters on Friday appeared encouraged by French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s advocacy in Brussels of “targeted” air strikes as a possible option if Mr. Qadhafi used chemical weapons or attacked civilian protesters.

“The strikes would be solely of a defensive nature if Mr. Qadhafi makes use of chemical weapons or airstrikes against non-violent protestors,” Mr. Sarkozy said during the course of a European Union (EU) emergency summit convened to discuss Libya. Mr. Sarkozy claimed that the British Prime Minister David Cameron supported his plan.

Earlier, on his arrival in Brussels, Mr. Cameron said it was important that “countries of Europe show political will, show ambition and show unity in being clear that Qadhafi must go.” On the battlefield, pro-Qadhafi forces were persisting with the heavy offensive launched on Thursday. Air strikes on Friday had been launched near the town of Uqaylah east of the oil hub of Ras Lanuf. Brega, another major coastal oil city with an export terminal, had come under a fresh air attack. Warning that worse was to come, Saif-al-Islam, the Libyan leader’s son, had told Reuters news agency on Thursday that the time for a full-scale attack on the protesters had arrived.

“There is no more chance for negotiations with rebels fighting the Libyan government,” he said.

Despite the intensity of attacks, anti-regime forces were holding on to the Ras Lanuf oil refinery. However, the regime offensive, combining use of artillery, mortars and air strikes on the eastern oil cities, appeared to have caused significant casualties. Doctors at the hospital in Ajdabiyah, near Ras Lanuf said four bodies had been brought into the hospital along with more than 40 injured people.

The more seriously wounded had been brought to Benghazi’s main Al Jala hospital. “Six cases with orthopaedic injuries were brought on Thursday,” says Akram Omar, general surgeon at the hospital. He explained that medial facilities close to the frontline were fairly primitive “The hospital at Ajdabiyah cannot handle multiple injury cases, while Brega has only a small 20-bed hospital.” He added that Ras Lanuf has a clinic alone, where only minor ailments can be handled.

After holding on for more than a week, the protesters in Zawiyah, 50 km to the west of Tripoli, appeared to have been dislodged from the city, known for its oil refinery.

In Tripoli, Mr. Qadhafi was tightening his grip, by targeting on Friday, the opposition stronghold of Tajoura.

Paldi, what a joke all the committees r. EU NATO and UN....Our wisest, show up and present their worst...