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.
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.
That would be correct but did he walk around and help everyone up. An idea or principle is only effective when it is used by more then one, Edison invented the light bulb, Imagine if no one was interested in production or any of the aspects that would go with production. Same with Columbus did he build the ship,buy all the food, row the boat over etc. One person can have an idea that can change the world but like they say it takes a village to raise a child
Why not make a thread to explain your stand on the present situation, The majority of people here have a respect for Zeus the work and effort he has put into this thread only to keep us informed, Want attention go make a thread and display all your facts and conspiracy theories there, Unless you are only wanting attention?
Eye candy is just that, Without communication, compatibility etc. most likely the relationship would fall apart rather quickly if it was only based solely on attraction, Race shouldn't be an issue, However there are some people in the world that live in the dark ages yet
toxicaura Forum Posts (749)
makes a note no tongue massage 
RE: What are you doin??
sharades ? Law and Order ?