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

In Misrata, Libya's third largest city 125 miles east of Tripoli, Gaddafi troops who control part of an air base on the city's outskirts tried to advance but were repelled by opposition forces who hold the rest of the sprawling base.

Gaddafi opponents have moved to consolidate their hold in the east, centred on Benghazi where the uprising began. Politicians there have set up their first leadership council to manage day-to-day affairs, taking a step toward forming what could be an alternative to Gaddafi's regime.

The opposition is backed by numerous units of the military in the east that joined the uprising, and they hold several bases and Benghazi's airport. But so far, the units do not appear to have melded into a unified fighting force. Gaddafi long kept the military weak, fearing a challenge to his rule, so many units are plagued by shortages of supplies and ammunition.

In Zawiya, some 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Tripoli, residents said they were anticipating a possible attack by pro-regime troops to try to retake the city. “Our people are waiting for them to come and, God willing, we will defeat them,” said on resident who only wanted to be quoted by his first name, Alaa.

In Misrata, Libya's third largest city 125 miles (200 kilometers) east of Tripoli, skirmishes took place overnight between rebel forces controlling the city and troops loyal to Gadhafi, according to residents. Each side controls part of a sprawling air base on the outskirts of the city, and neither was able to make any gains in the latest sporadic fighting, they said.

One resident said pro-Gadhafi security forces man checkpoints around the city of 2 million and prowl the city for any sign of unrest. She told The Associated Press that the price of rice, a main staple, has gone up 500 percent amid the crisis, reaching the equivalent of US$40 for a five-kilogram (10-pound) bag.

Bakeries are limited to selling five loaves of bread per family, and most butcher shops are closed, she said.

Some schools reopened, but only for a half-day and attendance was low. “My kids are too afraid to leave home and they even sleep next to me at night,” said Sidiq al-Damjah, 41 and father of three. “I feel like I'm living a nightmare.”

The capital saw violence Friday when residents said pro-Gadhafi militias opened fire on protesters trying to march. But since then, Tripoli has been quiet, with many families staying off the streets.

Gadhafi has launched by far the bloodiest crackdown in a wave of anti-government uprisings sweeping the Arab world, the most serious challenge to his four decades in power.

I say he is a good leader. he hs ben saving billionsin swissbanks for his nation and spends it on their behalf

Whom r u speaking????

Scenes in a post-revolution Libya in Benghazi, Tobruk and other eastern districts:

What is happening in Eastern Libia after the citizens took up arms and rebelled against Gaddafi and his loyal forces? How are they managaing? How have they organized themselves? What are they preparing themselves for a counter-attack?

Italian Madiaset TV's investigative new's program "Terra!" in a special episode on Libya titled "Il Rischio" (The Risk) transmitted yesterday shows 45 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage where Italian journalists taking advantage of Italy's special relationship with that country crossed over from the Egyptian border and gives us a good peek behind the action.



I you understand Italian the Video is worth watching, if not have a peek at a few scenes. The video starts off with the least you'd expect but shows the human side of this tragedy - A Libyan couple just married on valentines day and just returned from their honeymoon to find a war-torn homeland. (If you want to skip the intro, the main clip starts after 2:00 min)

Have a look, and if you need anything translated just ask...

February 28, 2011, 9:13 am
Latest Updates on Libya’s Revolt and Mideast Protests

2:51 P.M. |Video Shows Qaddafi's Son Promising Arms to Supporters

As he has done for days, Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, the Libyan leader's son and presumed heir, strongly denied that the regime had used force against protesters in an interview with Christiane Amanpour on Sunday.

That face of moderation and peace is not the one shown in a video clip posted on YouTube on Sunday that appears to show the younger Mr. Qaddafi waving a machine gun and promising to provide supporters in Tripoli with all the weapons they need to crush the "bums, brats and druggies" who have risen up against his father's rule.

Sky News reports that "the US military is moving naval and air forces into position around Libya, the Pentagon says, as Western countries weigh possible intervention against Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

'We have planners working various contingency plans, and I think it's safe to say as part of that we're repositioning forces to provide for that flexibility once decisions are made,' Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters.

The redeployment of 'naval and air forces' would give US President Barack Obama a range of options in the crisis, said Lapan, without specifying what ships and aircraft had been given orders or what potential action was under consideration."

In reality US forces are nowhere nearer Libya at this point then they were at the start of this crisis. The nearest warship is the "USS Enterprise", which is currently in the Red Sea, as well as the amphibious ship the "USS Kearsarge", which has a fleet of helicopters and about 2,000 Marines on board. I'm no marine expert but I would calculate that for these vessels to reach Libyan waters we're talking a 4 to 5 days minimum, and that depends on where excatly they are at this moment.

But it's a welcome decision... U.S. military presence is required here if not for anything else, as a deterrent and as moral support to EU Forces.

Lets hope its not just a PR job to show the American people and the rest of the world they are doing something.The more countries involved the better.It puts pressure on,and supports all involved.