I quoted the distances so people get the picture of what's happening here. A vessel full of some 300 immigrants capsizes south of an Italian island with an Italian coastguard vessel in the vicinity but because the area lies within Malta's search and rescue zone Italy expects Malta to intervene when by the time a Maltese rescue vessel heads there it would obviously have been too late. We're talking of international salvage rules here, the nearest vessel is bound by maritime rules to change course and head to a vessel in distress. Being responsible of a search and rescue zone doesn't mean you have to have men and equipment ready all over the zone, but signifies monitoring that area and taking action.
Of course Italy has difficulties in taking in these refugees and it is also understandable that Italian people are exasperated by this situation but rather than blame Malta for all its woes, the country should take it against Europe who is too slow and too closed on this issue. In Malta we also don't like the situation but we don't blame any of our neighbours for what is happening, but do expect the international community to give us a helping hand. We just roll up our sleeves here and get on with it.
Frankly these political squabbles between the 2 countries are ridiculous especially when both of us are facing the same situation.
Malta and Italy seem to be once again at odds following the above boat tragedy.
This morning Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni stopping short of blaming the island, implied that Malta once again lacked in this case. The Italian Minister stated that in spite of the capsized vessel being in the Malta-assigned search-and-rescue zone, Malta had requested Italy to intervene as he said that Malta "did not have naval assets for a rescue".
Needless to say, Italian Media have jumped on to this accusation and Malta is being thrashed on major Italian TV talk shows and news updates as I write.
While it is true that the Lampedusa region does fall under the Malta-supervised search-and-rescue area, Malta advised the closest vessels to the scene, which in this case were Italian Coastguard and a Fishing vessel.
Yesterday’s migrants’ boat accident took place some 40 miles south west of Lampedusa, and about 100 nautical miles south of Malta. The real reason for Italy's constant jibes about Malta's rescue zone is that Italy expects Maltese authorities to intervene in the Lampedusa region so that any immigrants picked up would end up in Malta instead.
I do not wish to state who is right or wrong in this issue but I do feel it is insensitive to score political points from a human tragedy.
Following yesterday's capsized tragedy incident, the number of migrants rescued from the sea has risen to 53, but estimates of the number of persons on board have risen to some 300, authorities report. The initial estimates had been of around 200, but survivors indicated there were many more.
An intensive search is continuing between Lampedusa and Malta with coastguard boats and aircraft from both countries participating.
Italian authorities report that tens of lifeless bodies have been retrieved from the sea close to Lampedusa, including women and children. Luckily a heavily pregnant woman was among those rescued.
As fighting continued today, the revolutionary forces regained some ground between Ajdabiya and Brega but their gain was mostly desert road.
Following various skirmishes and rocket exchanges it seems little progress has been achieved as both sides keep pushing the frontline back and forth over the same area.
The main differences on the rebel side being that they are attempting to keep inexperienced fighters away from the front, as these are proving easy targets for Gaddafi forces, often retreating in panic after heavy attacks. When possible, Ex-army personnel and defectors are being utilised on the front in an effort to hold their ground and to be more on equal footing with the more professional government forces.
Following complaints from Benghazi about the ineffectiveness of Nato missions, Britain has changed the role of 4 of its Typhoon aircraft from policing the no-fly zone to ground targets.
In a statement the ministry of defence said that the move is aimed to bolster Nato's ground attack capability.
Short to hear about your husband Aswina... I suppose this crisis has a personal meaning to you since you lived there and have fond memories of the place.
An immigrant boat capsized some 40 miles southwest of Lampedusa today causing many confirmed deaths and an unknown number still lost at sea. A total of 49 immigrants have been rescued and 20 bodies have so far been recovered in the area as the search goes on. The boat was estimated to have been carrying around 200 people.
Maltese forces confirmed that the Malta Rescue Centre had been in contact with the boat, some two hours before the incident happened. At the time it was still proceeding towards Lampedusa. Malta was in contact with both Italian and Nato authorities and when it was suspected that the vessel was in difficulties, Italy confirmed that an Italian fishing vessel was in the vicinity. Later Italian coastguard rescue vessels rescued 46 people while a further 3 people were rescued by the fishing boat.
"We are still hoping. Our boats and helicopters have thrown all sorts of lifejackets and lifeboats to allow people to hold on," a coast guard official said.
Abdel Fatah Younis, the head of the pro-democracy opposition's army, while addressing a press conference in Benghazi from which I am quoting some phrases.
At one point he expressed disappointment about NATO's effectiveness in this conflict, saying: "When a large force of tanks, and even 155 artillery, which is on its way to Benghazi, Ajdabiya or Brega, we always inform straight away NATO. Because we don't have such weapons. NATO's reaction is very slow. By the time the information reaches from one official to another until it reaches the field commander, it takes hours. Will these forces wait for hours to bomb? No, they will go into the city and burn it down."
Describing the situation in Misurata he says: "Misurata gentlemen is under the complete annihilation. It is extreme meaning of annihilation. There is no water, no electricty, no food, not even children's milk, this has been going on for 40 days, and daily bombing of buildings, hospitals and mosques..."
Once again he expressed his disappoinment here: "Unfortunately, and I am sorry to say this, NATO has disappointed us. My staff have been in contact with the NATO envoys to direct them to targets that should protect civilians, but until now, NATO has not given us what we need...
Civilians are dying daily in Misurata because of lack of food or milk, even children are dying. Even by bombing. If NATO waits for another week, it will be a crime that NATO will have to carry. What is NATO doing? It is shelling some defined areas only."
The world-famous actress Angelina Jolie in her role of UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, visited refugees from Libya at a UN-run camp on the Tunisia-Libyan border today. Describing the situation she said:
"The outpouring of generosity from the Tunisian people says so much for the future of this country. It is a sign of the openness sweeping across the region ... The international community has done well to reinforce Tunisia’s remarkable relief effort. But with 2,000 people still crossing each day, we cannot let the funding dry up and need to sustain the momentum."
Transit facilities set up by the UN 7km inside Tunisia to provide temporary shelter, have helped 70,000 refugees reach "home safely" says the UN. But more continue to arrive daily, and 11,000 people are estimated to be still in transit.
Brega falls to Gaddafi forces: Al Jazeera correspondent Hoda Abdel-Hamid, who has been reporting from the frontlines, says that it can be said with a fair degree of certainty that Gaddafi's forces have taken all of Brega, given the intensity of their assault this morning towards Ajdabiya.
Later Anita McNaught reporting from Tripoli, said that Libyan state television is planning to broadcast live from Brega at some point this evening.
The Ukrainian Navy frigate "Konstantin Olshankiy" has arrived in Grand Harbour with 193 workers evacuated from Libya.
The workers, of various nationalities, were picked up from the Tripoli area, amongst whom them are 22 Britons and 20 Americans.
British High Commissioner Louise Stanton, who was at the Valletta Waterfront, said many of the workers had initially decided to stay in Libya but had now changed their mind.
Following last night's conference, Libyan government said today that it is ready to negotiate reforms, but refused any talk of Muammar Gaddafi stepping down saying he was a unifying figure after ruling the nation for four decades.
"What kind of political system is implemented in the country? This is negotiable, we can talk about it," government spokesman Mussa Ibrahim told journalists. "We can have anything, elections, referendums."
But Gaddafi's future was non-negotiable, he stressed, only hours after opposition rebels flatly rejected a reported peace deal that could see the embattled leader's son take charge of the north African nation.
Former ex-colonial leader Italy was sceptic after the announcements saying the Libyan government is no longer credible.
In the Tripoli news conference reported earlier, a Libyan government official spokesman announced that while Gaddafi intends to stay on, the government is ready to hold an election, a referendum, or any other reform to its political system.
It was not up to external powers whether Gaddafi must go, the spokesman said, but this was a decision to be taken solely by the Libyan people.
Unofficial sources speaking about al-Obeidi's discussions with the Maltese PM Gonzi, claim that Tripoli is seeking a ceasefire and wishes Malta and Greece to intermediate on behalf of the country with the European Union.
While no statement has been released as yet, it is being reported that the Maltese PM advised the Libyan Envoy that Malta expects a full cessation of hostilities, full concordance with UN resolutions, and that the Gaddafi regime should step down in accordance with the people's wishes.
Frankly I'n not expecting much from this meeting as the Maltese government will most likely fail to accept a mediating role for fear of appearing to side with the Libyan regime and will use any excuse to withdraw from such a responsibility.
As I announced earlier the Libyan envoy and acting Foreign Minister Abdel Ati al-Obeidi has visited Malta for official talks with the Maltese government.
The Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi received al-Obeidi in his office in Valletta earlier where they held talks on the current situation in Libya. No news as yet on the discussions and the outcome.
Foreign journalists in Tripoli have been rounded up for a press conference which is to start shortly. So far neither the purpose nor the speaker is known.
Britain has said that it will supply the Benghazi opposition with telecommunication equipment.
In a separate statement has also stated that it intends to increase the number of Tornado jets to 12 from the present 8. These are in addition to another 10 Typhoons in use by Britain in the coalition. This increase is most likely to make up for the reduction of US forces.
A large anti-Nato demonstration was held in the main square of Benghazi today where opposition activists accused the coalition of not doing enough to assist them in their fight against Muammar Gaddafi.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheik al-Salem al-Sabah told Reuters that in a matter of days, Kuwait will officially recognize the Benghazi National Council as the official government of Libya.
Earlier statement by Italian Foreign Minister Frattini also indicated similar recognition.While not specifically stating an official recognition of the Council, Frattini said that the Tripoli government is no longer representative of the nation and thus the Italian government will not negotiate with Tripoli or its envoys.
NATO officials confirm that the US will be withdrawing its aerial firepower from the military campaign in Libya later today.
This really should have happened yesterday but NATO command requested the US to retain its role for a further day. The US has so far conducted about half of the 70 daily air bombing missions on various targets.
Alliance sources state that other NATO countries will now move in to fill the gap.
The Liberian-registered tanker Equator is due to arrive in Tobruk today, where it will take on board Benghazi National Council's first shipment of crude oil. Tomorrow a Greek-operated oil tanker is due to dock at the eastern Libyan port of Marsa El Hariga.
These shipments will give the Council some cash to buy needed foodstuffs, medicinals and possibly weapons.
Seif al-Islam and Saadi Gaddafi, two of the leader's sons, are floating a plan to end the conflict in Libya by removing their father from power, the New York Times has reported, citing an unnamed diplomat and a Libyan official.
The plan which reportedly proposes a transition to a constitutional democracy, puts Seif and Saadi at odds with brothers Khamis and Mutassim, who are considered more hardliners. Khamis commands a brigade of troops specially intended to suppress internal unrest, and Mutassim is a national security advisor to his father.
It was not clear whether Gaddafi himself is in favor of the reported proposal but one person close to Seif and Saadi said the father appeared willing to go along. Such a move however may not go down too well with the Benghazi National Council or the people in revolt would would have serious doubts as to whether anyone of the Gaddafi family can in fact be trusted to lead the country to a reformed Libya.
My goal Aswina, is simply to report what is happening in the region and effecting my country directly. Of course I personally wish to see the Libyan people living in freedom and democracy but at the end it is their choice, if they are happy to reach a compromise with Gaddafi or some of his children then it is fine with me as long as it is a real choice and not enforced on them.
zeus911 Forum Posts (1,000)
Libya - Latest Updates Part III
I quoted the distances so people get the picture of what's happening here. A vessel full of some 300 immigrants capsizes south of an Italian island with an Italian coastguard vessel in the vicinity but because the area lies within Malta's search and rescue zone Italy expects Malta to intervene when by the time a Maltese rescue vessel heads there it would obviously have been too late. We're talking of international salvage rules here, the nearest vessel is bound by maritime rules to change course and head to a vessel in distress. Being responsible of a search and rescue zone doesn't mean you have to have men and equipment ready all over the zone, but signifies monitoring that area and taking action.Of course Italy has difficulties in taking in these refugees and it is also understandable that Italian people are exasperated by this situation but rather than blame Malta for all its woes, the country should take it against Europe who is too slow and too closed on this issue. In Malta we also don't like the situation but we don't blame any of our neighbours for what is happening, but do expect the international community to give us a helping hand. We just roll up our sleeves here and get on with it.
Frankly these political squabbles between the 2 countries are ridiculous especially when both of us are facing the same situation.