I can't vouch for angels because I've never seen any. What I can say is that in any person that ever crosses your path in a time of need surely is an angel.
The same can be said of all evil persons in this world. But beyond that, yes true demons also exist and I'm not saying that because I 'believe'... just auger that from your side it remains just a belief. As for those who choose not to believe, well all I can say is that is exactly what demons wish you to do - nothing better than someone who assumes a danger does not exist to be unprepared and vulnerable.
Yes Nephrite, it is realistic at least I for one would have no problems leaving my home country and face the challenge of settling in a new country with all that entails; a new language, a different culture, different way of life, a new beginning... We're not talking of a new love here but more of a whole new life!
The thing is I dont expect most people here to have realistically considered this. Perphaps most people here are just hoping to find a partner from their own country or preferably their own city. And of course the prospect of such a big change may be intimidating for some. It may sound attractive and romantic at first but one can't help thinking "what if it doesn't work out? what if 2/3 years down the line he/she would throw me out?". To be honest the prospect of finding yourself in a foreign country without a bed, without a job and perhaps nothing much to return to back in your home country can be very frightening.
So to make this more realistic and more possible the partner who is to move to the other's country should ideally be helped to settle in and find a job. I could take all the other challenges but the prospect of depending on your partner's good will to survive is not nice at all and will eventually make the other person feel you as a 'burden'. Whether that happens or whether the supported partner starts to feel so, then that would be the start of the downfall of that relationship. After that things will surely start going wrong...
For this to work one needs to be economically independent or at least helped to become so. But yes people here should seriously start considering such matters as otherwise we are all wasting our time here.
I assume by the "we" you're referring to US troops... If so I would say that it is not likely to happen very soon especially after the US downsized their role in the conflict to one of a logistical support.
I fully agree that a ground assault is now more likely the only way to finish off this impasse but if so it would have to be a joint mission between Nato and a representative force from the Arab League, otherwise the move won't get any widespread support. Even so it would still be highly criticized from the usual areas who still wish to believe that this crisis can be settled diplomatically...
In any case I feel the worst that can happen is for the UN to send in a 'peace keeping' force to separate the two sides - we don't need another divided country in the mediterranean, the mess we left in Cyprus till this very day is more than enough for the region.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
As the delegation of African leaders met their Libyan counterpart Muammar Gaddafi today, it is reported that Gaddafi accepted their "road map" for a ceasefire with rebels, whom they will meet with Monday.
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.
An Nato official speaking to AFP under anonymity says that Nato has destroyed 15 Gaddafi tanks in the vicinity of Misurata with another 2 near Brega over the last 48 hours.
In another statement Nato commander Charles Bouchard says that Nato has destroyed various heavy artillery around Ajdabiya and Misurata and carried out strikes against ammunition depots east of Tripoli.
Gaddafi made an appearance on Libyan state TV today were he was shown visiting a school in what appears to have been a confirmation that he is still around and in control.
The children appeared greeting him and were shown shouting anti-western slogans.
In another report, AFP states that a military helicopter with a revolutionary flag painted on its side was flown at low altitude near the Ajdibiya frontline.
A Nato official reportedly stated that they are investigating this possible contravention of the no-fly zone which would be the second one today by the rebel forces.
NATO warplanes intercepted a rebel flown Mig-23 jet and forced it to land as it was violating the no-fly zone.The jet is reported to have taken off from an airfield close to Benghazi.
Following differences between Italy and France on the illegal immigrant issue, Italian interior Minister Roberto Maroni met his French counterpart Claude Gueant in Milan yesterday.
Following the meeting France agreed to assist Italy in monitoring the Tunisian coastline so as to minimise immigrant departures from the north african country.
This agreement which does not of course address the reason for these peoples attempts to abandon their homeland at great risk to their very lives, does not signify that the two countries are any nearer on immigrants crossing their borders, with this remaining clearly in dispute.
Opposition fighters say they have pushed deeper towards the oil port of Brega taking two prisoners after a clash with soldiers near the town's university.
The eastern Libyan port has changed hands more than five times since the uprising against Gaddafi's rule began in February.
Back on the refugee issue, it seems Italy is causing quite a stir amongst its neighbors in its efforts to combat illegal immigrant entry onto its territory. This time however with its the main issues being with mainland Europe.
The latest issue stems from a plan put into action by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who following talks with the Tunisian Government has reached an unorthodox agreement. The agreement sees Italy promising assistance in the provision of boats and vehicles to Tunisia on condition that the latter country guards its border against further departures. However as part of the agreement Italy also agreed to offer all illegal immigrants arriving from that country temporary 6-month long residence permits on grounds of "humanitarian protection".
What this effectively means is that up to 20,000 Tunisian immigrant landed in Lampedusa over the last months will now have a freedom-of-movement all over Europe due to the Schengen Agreement (which effectively breaks down borders within EU Countries). With this move Italy hopes that most of these immigrants would have moved out of its territory within the said period and since most of the Tunisians' target would be France due to language and cultural backgrounds (Tunisia being an ex-French colony).
This has brought strong reactions from France which is threatening closure of its Italian border and with Italian internal affairs Minister Maroni accusing France of not respecting the Schengen treatment. Maroni's French counterpart Claude Gueant stated that it is not enough to have a residency permit, but that unless such migrants have identity papers and above all the means to support themselves France would send them back to Italy.
The move has also brought negative reactions from Germany which is also a prime target for many immigrants final destination. The country is accusing Italy of going against the spirit of the Schengen agreement. Germany now intends to raise the issue at the UE ministerial meeting in Brussels Monday.
Little or no news has been coming out of Libya over the last 48 hours. Seems like ever since the head of Libyan rebel forces Abdelfatah Yunis threw heavy criticism towards the inefficiency of the coalition and subsequently Nato forces over Libya, the west has not taken too kindly to this criticism which was in itself a desperate cry for help.
As if that wasn't bad enough, Nato has since managed to bombard the rebel forces who are largely made up of untrained civilians taking up arms against a professional army, causing a number of victims amongst them. But Nato's projectiles did not risk causing shockwaves amongst the rebel lines as did todays statement by Nato Deputy Commander Rear Adm Russell Harding who said he is "not apologising" for the incident.
The fact that we've not heard much news surely does not mean there was any less fighting in the region. From the little that has been reported, it seems that somewhat of a stalemate still freezes the situation around the eastern cities of Brega and Ajdabiya where both sides are struggling desperately over a hardly shifting frontline, while fighting in Misurata has left some 5 people dead and several wounded with the rebels reporting minor wins.
In another report a Zintan resident told Reuters that NATO airstrikes have hit weapons depots belonging to Gaddafi's forces near the town.
The UN High Commission for Refugees said today that in view of the massive loss of life in the Mediterranean this week in a refugee boat capsizing, it was calling on the European Union to urgently put into place more reliable and effective mechanisms for rescue-at-sea.
More than 220 Somali, Eritrean and Ivorian refugees drowned early on Wednesday morning when their boat capsized some 39 nautical miles south of the Italian island of Lampedusa.
"This is the worst such incident in the Mediterranean in recent years" said Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Erika Feller where she expressed incomprehension at how refugees crossing land borders were receiving shelter and aid, while those fleeing Libya’s coastline did not appear to share the same priority.
"A longstanding tradition of saving lives at sea may be at risk if it becomes an issue of contention between states as to who rescues whom. That is why we urgently need a more operational and better functioning search and rescue mechanism," said Feller.
A Maltese non-governmental charity organization "SOS Malta" has declared that it is suspending its aid missions to Libya until the Maltese Government guarantees that their mission is used solely for humanitarian purposes.
The charitable NGO had been operating humanitarian aid missions to the port of Misurata in Libya. The mission involved sending medicinals and food items descreetly to the besieged city of Misurata in great danger to all involved since the coastline was often monitored by Libyan gunships or armed militias.
The issue came up after a fishing trawler used in one such mission was used by former Libyan energy minister Omar Fathi bin Shatwan to escape to Malta with his family. It is not clear why the NGO is raising this issue but their protest seems to indicate that Maltese authorities were either aware of or may perhaps have coordinated Mr. Shatwan's escape on their vessel.
In a statement SOS Malta declared that it had always adhered to the core principles of humanitarian aid, namely, neutrality, impartiality, saving lives and alleviating suffering.
Al Jazeera's Laurence Lee, in Benghazi, says reports are emerging that it might not have been NATO that hit a rebel armoured unit outside Brega the other day. He says it might instead have been a light plane used by Gaddafi forces, suggesting that they are getting arms from outside.
In the meantime Russell Harding, NATO's deputy commander of Libya operations, speaking on the incident which saw at least 5 rebel fighters killed, that before yesterday the alliance had no information that the opposition using tanks. He says the situation on the ground was very fluid and that he is "not apologising" for the strikes.
Yesterday Abdel Fattah Younes, the defected head of the rebel military, confirmed for the first time that the opposition forces have received foreign weapons: anti-tank guns.
No, not from the US, France or Britain as most would assume but from arabic Qatar. The tiny but wealthy Gulf country has been at the forefront in supporting Benghazi and has even offered jets to participate in enforcing the no-fly zone, and is now assisting them in their attempts at selling crude oil.
zeus911 Forum Posts (1,000)
RE: Angels and Demons are Real.
I can't vouch for angels because I've never seen any. What I can say is that in any person that ever crosses your path in a time of need surely is an angel.The same can be said of all evil persons in this world. But beyond that, yes true demons also exist and I'm not saying that because I 'believe'... just auger that from your side it remains just a belief. As for those who choose not to believe, well all I can say is that is exactly what demons wish you to do - nothing better than someone who assumes a danger does not exist to be unprepared and vulnerable.