Libya - Latest Updates Part III (526)
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Benghazi National Council rejects the African Union Proposal. Council spokesman Mustafa Jabril states:
"This proposal today was determined more than a month ago, the initiative comes in line with the resolutions of the UN Security Council - including the ceasefire, protection of civilians, and granting the freedom of the Libyan people to determine their future.
Col Gaddafi during this time [this past month] did not respect these resolutions and continued to bombard civilians from the air and artillery shelling. He laid siege with militia forces and positioned security personnel in plain clothes and snipers on rooftops - which cannot allow the Libyan people to determine their future.
For more than one month, he has disregarded the UN resolutions. You are aware how many deaths and injuries have occured this month. You are also aware how many material assets have been destroyed, how many oil fields wrecked. Therefore, this porposal presented today is outdated.
We are also aware the demands of our people from day one is that Gaddafi must step down. Therefore, any initiiative which does not include this key popular demand will not be regarded.
Muammar Gaddafi and his sons should depart immediately"
"We cannot negotiate the blood of our martyrs. We will die with them or be rewarded with victory." he added to strong applause by those present after which he officially thanked international forces who he explained, not only saved civilian's lives but without him they would "have been history"
"This proposal today was determined more than a month ago, the initiative comes in line with the resolutions of the UN Security Council - including the ceasefire, protection of civilians, and granting the freedom of the Libyan people to determine their future.
Col Gaddafi during this time [this past month] did not respect these resolutions and continued to bombard civilians from the air and artillery shelling. He laid siege with militia forces and positioned security personnel in plain clothes and snipers on rooftops - which cannot allow the Libyan people to determine their future.
For more than one month, he has disregarded the UN resolutions. You are aware how many deaths and injuries have occured this month. You are also aware how many material assets have been destroyed, how many oil fields wrecked. Therefore, this porposal presented today is outdated.
We are also aware the demands of our people from day one is that Gaddafi must step down. Therefore, any initiiative which does not include this key popular demand will not be regarded.
Muammar Gaddafi and his sons should depart immediately"
"We cannot negotiate the blood of our martyrs. We will die with them or be rewarded with victory." he added to strong applause by those present after which he officially thanked international forces who he explained, not only saved civilian's lives but without him they would "have been history"
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Three EU member states have this morning offered to take migrants from Malta to ease the migration burden. Since the begining of the Libyan crisis, more than 1,000 migrants have arrived in Malta so far. This may not seem like a lot in comparison to the over 20,000 landing in Italy but considering the size of the island, it is still a very considerable number for the island.
According to sources in Brussels, the countries behind the offer are Belgium, Germany and Hungary. So far Germany has offered to take up to 100 refugees while no numbers have been given yet by the other two countries.
According to sources in Brussels, the countries behind the offer are Belgium, Germany and Hungary. So far Germany has offered to take up to 100 refugees while no numbers have been given yet by the other two countries.
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In the meantime Europe has not been too favorable of Italy's plan to offer illegal migrants freedom-of-movement to leave the country towards Europe. Italian Minister Roberto Maroni was not too happy following the EU’s Home Affairs Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg which he abandoned half-way.
In a statement he is said to have bitterly complained, "This meeting confirmed that solidarity within the EU is only about saving the banks" and even questioned Italy's future within the EU.
EU Commisioner Cecilia Malstrom responded that she is sorry that Maroni feels let down by europe but the EU certainly does not wish that Italy abandons the union. Later another Italian minister Calderoli continued on Maroni's EU criticism and even threatened that Italy should set up a naval blockade to avoid further refugee landings. Italy has as from today started sending newly arrived Tunisian citizens back home in various flights as per agreement reached with Tunisia. A move which has caused chaos in refugee camps in Lampedusa with the latter in revolt and even setting fire to one hostel.
Later Italian President Giorgio Napolitano issued a statement of concern regarding such rash statements and said that Italy's position is in Europe and called for caution within Italy's government.
In a statement he is said to have bitterly complained, "This meeting confirmed that solidarity within the EU is only about saving the banks" and even questioned Italy's future within the EU.
EU Commisioner Cecilia Malstrom responded that she is sorry that Maroni feels let down by europe but the EU certainly does not wish that Italy abandons the union. Later another Italian minister Calderoli continued on Maroni's EU criticism and even threatened that Italy should set up a naval blockade to avoid further refugee landings. Italy has as from today started sending newly arrived Tunisian citizens back home in various flights as per agreement reached with Tunisia. A move which has caused chaos in refugee camps in Lampedusa with the latter in revolt and even setting fire to one hostel.
Later Italian President Giorgio Napolitano issued a statement of concern regarding such rash statements and said that Italy's position is in Europe and called for caution within Italy's government.
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Unbelievable, while Gaddafi laughs his head off, and wins another battle.
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Rebel fighters in the besieged city of Misurata have not taken too kindly the news of Gaddafi's acceptance of the AU-proposed ceasefire.
Under continual attack for weeks and in a city whose citizens are suffering severe hardships and door-to-door battles, such an offer seems rather surreal and meaningless.
Under continual attack for weeks and in a city whose citizens are suffering severe hardships and door-to-door battles, such an offer seems rather surreal and meaningless.
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Hopes raised by news of 3 European offers to take a few hundred refugees from Malta was short-lived as a further group of 116 immigrants was rescued by two Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessels early this morning.
They were picked up from a drifting boat around half-way between Malta and Lampedusa. Italian authorities who appear to know how to calculate distances when they work in their favor, opted not to send any assets since the migrants were located closer to Malta.
The 50-foot wooden boat, laden with Chadian and Somali migrants, had stopped without fuel and an engine fault. A dead woman was also found on board. Among the rescued were a further18 women, a three-year-old boy and 3 babies.
They were picked up from a drifting boat around half-way between Malta and Lampedusa. Italian authorities who appear to know how to calculate distances when they work in their favor, opted not to send any assets since the migrants were located closer to Malta.
The 50-foot wooden boat, laden with Chadian and Somali migrants, had stopped without fuel and an engine fault. A dead woman was also found on board. Among the rescued were a further18 women, a three-year-old boy and 3 babies.
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zeus911: Hopes raised by news of 3 European offers to take a few hundred refugees from Malta was short-lived as a further group of 116 immigrants was rescued by two Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessels early this morning.
They were picked up from a drifting boat around half-way between Malta and Lampedusa. Italian authorities who appear to know how to calculate distances when they work in their favor, opted not to send any assets since the migrants were located closer to Malta.The 50-foot wooden boat, laden with Chadian and Somali migrants, had stopped without fuel and an engine fault. A dead woman was also found on board. Among the rescued were a further18 women, a three-year-old boy and 3 babies.
They were picked up from a drifting boat around half-way between Malta and Lampedusa. Italian authorities who appear to know how to calculate distances when they work in their favor, opted not to send any assets since the migrants were located closer to Malta.The 50-foot wooden boat, laden with Chadian and Somali migrants, had stopped without fuel and an engine fault. A dead woman was also found on board. Among the rescued were a further18 women, a three-year-old boy and 3 babies.
I hear you...
Another 116, they must be living on top of each other cause I know Hal Far and Marsa must be full to capacity.
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The 'fued' between Italy and Malta apparently worsens with Italian Internal Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni literally avoiding his Maltese counterpart Dr. Mifsud Bonnici at yesterdays Luxembourg meeting.
This follows negative comments by two Italian Parliamentary members to Italian media Sunday. In separate statements both Stefano Saglia, undersecretary at the Industry Ministry as well as Lega Nord MEP Mario Borghezio both talked of suspending a project of an underwater electricity inter-connector cable between Malta and nearby Sicily. While the island is self-sufficient in energy poduction this cable would serve to connect the island to the European electricity grid.
The 'Lega Nord' (Northern League) which also includes Maroni is a far right-wing faction forming part of the Berlusconi Government coalition, is known for its outspoken members. The League's ultimate goal is to separate the richer and more industrial North of the country from the poorer south whom they feel as a burden, let alone any illegal African immigrants whom the party makes no secret of its adversity against their entry and integration into the country.
However it is not clear why these MPs are feeling Italy should take such actions against Malta "for not doing its part" when the latter country has both refused entry to a Maltese coastguard vessel in midst of a salvage operation and has chosen to gratituosly throw various unfounded accusations towards the island.
In the meantime Maltese authorities only seem to be countering such provocations at a local level while choosing to remain rather silent at European and international levels giving the impression that the fued is only at a media and people's level and not shared by the respective leaders.
In fact statements released so far only locally reveal new and possibly serious facts on the capsized refugee vessel incident but I will wait to see the outcome before I release more details.
This follows negative comments by two Italian Parliamentary members to Italian media Sunday. In separate statements both Stefano Saglia, undersecretary at the Industry Ministry as well as Lega Nord MEP Mario Borghezio both talked of suspending a project of an underwater electricity inter-connector cable between Malta and nearby Sicily. While the island is self-sufficient in energy poduction this cable would serve to connect the island to the European electricity grid.
The 'Lega Nord' (Northern League) which also includes Maroni is a far right-wing faction forming part of the Berlusconi Government coalition, is known for its outspoken members. The League's ultimate goal is to separate the richer and more industrial North of the country from the poorer south whom they feel as a burden, let alone any illegal African immigrants whom the party makes no secret of its adversity against their entry and integration into the country.
However it is not clear why these MPs are feeling Italy should take such actions against Malta "for not doing its part" when the latter country has both refused entry to a Maltese coastguard vessel in midst of a salvage operation and has chosen to gratituosly throw various unfounded accusations towards the island.
In the meantime Maltese authorities only seem to be countering such provocations at a local level while choosing to remain rather silent at European and international levels giving the impression that the fued is only at a media and people's level and not shared by the respective leaders.
In fact statements released so far only locally reveal new and possibly serious facts on the capsized refugee vessel incident but I will wait to see the outcome before I release more details.
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Rights group Amnesty International says it has strong evidence of various human rights abuses by Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Reports speak of captured rebel fighters found shot in the head with their hands tied behind their backs, deliberate killing of unarmed protesters and attacks on civilians fleeing fighting. In its reports Amnesty cited evidence gathered by its delegates in eastern Libya over the past six weeks.
The rights group said Gaddafi's troops appeared to have executed captured rebel fighters close to the town of Ajdabiyah.
Amnesty International's director for the Middle East and North Africa, Malcolm Smart said, "The circumstances of these killings strongly suggest that they were carried out by the forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi."
Reports speak of captured rebel fighters found shot in the head with their hands tied behind their backs, deliberate killing of unarmed protesters and attacks on civilians fleeing fighting. In its reports Amnesty cited evidence gathered by its delegates in eastern Libya over the past six weeks.
The rights group said Gaddafi's troops appeared to have executed captured rebel fighters close to the town of Ajdabiyah.
Amnesty International's director for the Middle East and North Africa, Malcolm Smart said, "The circumstances of these killings strongly suggest that they were carried out by the forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi."
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Earlier this afternoon explosions could be seen less than 1.5km from the western gates of Ajdabiya as forces loyal to Gaddafi pushing their way from the direction of Brega, shelled the defending rebel lines in the city.
Reports from Misurata also speak of heavy shelling. Doctors there reporting to Al Jazeera said that shelling in the western city "was very bad yesterday: ten dead, including two children, with 40 injured."
Further reports later in the afternoon from Zintan say that opposition fighters have taken the town's western gate from Gaddafi's forces.
Reports from Misurata also speak of heavy shelling. Doctors there reporting to Al Jazeera said that shelling in the western city "was very bad yesterday: ten dead, including two children, with 40 injured."
Further reports later in the afternoon from Zintan say that opposition fighters have taken the town's western gate from Gaddafi's forces.
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Nothing but bad and sad news zeus,
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Unfortunately so Buffy, situation remains pretty much at a stalemate...
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Ali Al Isawi, a member of Benghazi's National Transitional Council, speaking to reporters at the EU meeting in Luxembourg said that current estimates of conflict victims are of about 10,000 killed, some 20,000 persons missing and about 30,000 injured, 7,000 of which are seriously injured in danger of losing their lives.
"We want more efforts regarding protection of civilians against this aggression," he said.
"We want more efforts regarding protection of civilians against this aggression," he said.
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Anti-Gaddafi fighters have asked France, Italy and Qatar for weapons, says Transitional Council spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga.
"We have submitted a list of military and technical equipment we need...
Obviously we've been asking the countries that have already recognised the national transitional council as the sole representative for Libya."
"We have submitted a list of military and technical equipment we need...
Obviously we've been asking the countries that have already recognised the national transitional council as the sole representative for Libya."
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For what it is worth,
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More of whatever it's worth....
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The committee, headed by Mauritanian President Mohamed OuldAbdel Aziz arrived in Tripoli on Sunday. The delegation of presidents also included Mali's Amadou Toumani Toure, Democratic Republic of Congo's Denis Sassou Nguessou and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni.
According to Al Jazeera'a Anita McNaught the terms of the African Union's road map were as follows:
1. Ceasefire & protection of civilians.
2. Humanitarian aid for Libyans & foreign workers - especially Africans.
3. Dialogue between the two sides.
4. An inclusive transitional period.
5. Political reforms which "meet the aspirations of the Libyan people".
However it is unclear whether this also requires Gaddafi to pull his troops out of cities as rebels have demanded.
Following the discussions Jacob Zuma, the South African president, said "We have completed our mission with the brother leader, and the brother leader's delegation has accepted the road map as presented by us."
In her report Anita McNaught said that the Libyan leader's acceptance of the roadmap was no surprise following earlier declarations on two occasions by the regime for a ceasefire which were however not respected.
"The devil is not in the detail, the devil is in the implementation," she said.