Libyan Revolution Day 30 part 2 (Benghazi under attack!)

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2059760,00.html">Libya's Rebels Celebrate the U.N. Resolution
Libya's beleaguered rebels may have gotten a reprieve. The United Nations Security Council not only passed a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya but authorized ground attacks on regime forces besieging the opposition stronghold of Benghazi. Many of the rebel fighters and residents who have fled the front lines to the eastern city of Tobruk in recent days had said that without speedy international assistance, disaster would unfold within the next 24 hours. At the news of the U.N. vote, Tobruk erupted immediately into celebratory gunfire, fireworks, and fog horns sounding from ships in the harbor. It was an emotional reaction that eclipsed rebel joy at their conquests of Brega and Ras Lanuf barely two weeks before — cities they have since lost.

In Gaddafi's capital, the regime's Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim told foreign journalists in a press conference at 2 a.m. Tripoli time that the Libyan government was "ready immediately" to implement a ceasefire, but needed further discussions with UN officials about the "technicalities."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/18/president-libya-our-goal-focused-our-cause-just-and-our-coalition-strong">The President on Libya: "Our Goal is Focused, Our Cause is Just, and Our Coalition is Strong"
For decades, he has demonstrated a willingness to use brute force through his sponsorship of terrorism against the American people as well as others, and through the killings that he has carried out within his own borders. And just yesterday, speaking of the city of Benghazi -- a city of roughly 700,000 people -- he threatened, and I quote: “We will have no mercy and no pity” -- no mercy on his own citizens.

Now, here is why this matters to us. Left unchecked, we have every reason to believe that Qaddafi would commit atrocities against his people. Many thousands could die. A humanitarian crisis would ensue. The entire region could be destabilized, endangering many of our allies and partners. The calls of the Libyan people for help would go unanswered. The democratic values that we stand for would be overrun. Moreover, the words of the international community would be rendered hollow.

And that’s why the United States has worked with our allies and partners to shape a strong international response at the United Nations. Our focus has been clear: protecting innocent civilians within Libya, and holding the Qaddafi regime accountable.

That’s why I have directed Secretary Gates and our military to coordinate their planning, and tomorrow Secretary Clinton will travel to Paris for a meeting with our European allies and Arab partners about the enforcement of Resolution 1973. We will provide the unique capabilities that we can bring to bear to stop the violence against civilians, including enabling our European allies and Arab partners to effectively enforce a no fly zone. I have no doubt that the men and women of our military are capable of carrying out this mission. Once more, they have the thanks of a grateful nation and the admiration of the world.

I also want to be clear about what we will not be doing. The United States is not going to deploy ground troops into Libya. And we are not going to use force to go beyond a well-defined goal -- specifically, the protection of civilians in Libya. In the coming weeks, we will continue to help the Libyan people with humanitarian and economic assistance so that they can fulfill their aspirations peacefully.

http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110317/cf-libya-canada/20110317/?hub=WinnipegHome">Canada to send six CF-18s for Libya 'no-fly' mission
Canada will contribute six CF-18 fighter jets to help enforce a no-fly zone in Libya, sources have told CTV News.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFOSN00509220110318">Norway to join military intervention in Libya
OSLO, March 18 (Reuters) - Norway will join the international military action against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya, a Norwegian daily quoted the defence minister as saying on its website on Friday.

"We will contribute to the operation," Grete Faremo told the daily Verdens Gang. "But it is too early to say exactly in what way. Sending air capabilities would be natural."

http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-18/la-belgique-prete-a-une-operation-militaire-en-libye-828970.php">Belgium ready for a military operation in Libya
Our country is available to take part in a military operation in Libya, following the UN vote authorizing the use of force against Gaddafi. The government has observed, in Parliament yesterday, a broad consensus in the Belgian political class on the need to prevent the Libyan leader to crush the rebellion in Benghazi.

http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/776/?SID=e80884adc09a37d26904578a9b5978cb">Run-up for Western world’s next military commitment ... with unusual support
France and the United Kingdom, which spearheaded the diplomatic push in the Security Council for the implementation of a no-fly zone, received unusual but certainly very welcome support. According to a further unnamed AFP source, the Council confirmed that Qatar and the UAE will join the international effort.

http://www.cphpost.dk/news/international/89-international/51229-denmark-ready-for-action-against-gaddafi.html">Denmark ready for action against Gaddafi
Espersen will discuss the resolution “as soon as possible” with the other political parties.

“We’re ready to take action immediately, and that includes ensuring prompt treatment of the resolution in parliament, so that Denmark can deploy its four F-16 fighter jets,” she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/19/world/africa/19libya.html?src=twrhp">Following U.N. Vote, France Vows Libya Action ‘Soon’
UNITED NATIONS — Only hours after the United Nations Security Council voted to authorize military action, including airstrikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery and impose a no-flight zone to try to avert a rout of rebels by forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. French officials said on Friday that military action would start “within a few hours” and news reports said British and French warplanes would spearhead the attack.

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFLDE72G2HE20110317">Italy to make bases available for Libya no-fly zone-source
TUNIS, March 17 (Reuters) - Italy is ready to make its military bases available to enforce a U.N. Security Counci resolution imposing a no-fly zone on Libya, an Italian government source told Reuters on Thursday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12770467">Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote
UK forces are preparing to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya after the UN backed "all necessary measures", short of an invasion, to protect civilians.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/nations-draw-up-plans-for-no-fly-zone-over-libya-1.2765122">Nations draw up plans for no-fly zone over Libya
The United States, France and Britain were making plans Friday to prevent Moammar Gadhafi's forces from attacking Libyans after the U.N. Security Council authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/military-strikes-on-libya-within-hours-20110318-1bzii.html?from=smh_sb">Military strikes on Libya 'within hours'
Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will join international forces ready to enforce the no-fly zone, US Congress and UN diplomatic sources say.

"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone."Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-10-0">March 10 7:28pm Saif al Islam Gaddafi says "the time has come for full-scale military action" against Libyan rebels. He goes on to say that Libyan forces loyal to his family "will never surrender, even if western powers intervene".

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15716">9:54am Libya's government says that its armed forces are under attack west of the rebel-held stronghold of Benghazi and have responded in self-defence.

This was issued in a statement carried by the official Jana news agency:

The gangs of Al-Qaeda attacked the units of the Libyan armed forces stationed to the west of Benghazi.

The statement accused the rebels of using "a helicopter and a fighter jet to bomb the Libyan armed forces in blatant violation of the no-fly zone imposed by the UN Security Council."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15721">10:04am Artillery shells being shot into Benghazi from about 20km away, Al Jazeera's Tony Birtely reports.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15731">10:09am

Picture of the Al Jazeera vehicle that was hit in Benghazi:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15741">10:23amAl Jazeera shows pictures of the fighter jet as it was shot down:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15746">0:28amPro-democracy fighters have erected concrete barricades on the roads leading to the courthouse building where the rebel National Libyan Council has its base.

Khalid al-Sayeh, a rebel military spokesman, told Reuters:

They have entered Benghazi from the west. Where are the Western powers? They said they could strike within hours.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15751">10:30amThe international community must act fast over the situation in Libya, a French government source says.

"Everything is ready (to act) but the decision is now a political one. It's clear we have to move quickly," the source said, hours before France was due to host an international meeting to discuss military intervention.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15756">10:45amThe Security Council "has acted responsibly to protect and save the lives of defenceless civilians who are faced with brutal acts of violence carried out by the Libyan authorities," the South African foreign ministry says.

The decision "constitutes an important element for the protection of civilians and the safety of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most vulnerable and those desperately in need of such assistance," it said in a statement.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15796">11:26am Abdul Jalil also tells us that Benghazi hospitals are now being flooded with victims. He says that the pro-democracy fighters do not have enough weapons and numbers to confront Gaddafi:

"We only have light arms - Gaddafi seems to have new and powerful weapons."

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#update-15801">11:49am Abdul Jalil, head of National Libyan Council, also said:

Now there is a bombardment by artillery and rockets on all districts of Benghazi

The international community is late in intervening to save civilians from Gaddafi's forces. Today in Benghazi there will be a catastrophe if the international community does not implement the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council.

We appeal to the international community, to the all the free world, to stop this tyranny from exterminating civilians.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-19#">12:03pm Gaddafi spokesman reads out letter to president Obama:

To Baracka Hussein Obama... I have all the Libyan people supporting me and they are prepared to die for me... I am facing al Qaeda here - what would you do?

The second letter is to Ban Ki-Moon, president Sarkozy of France and the UK's David Cameron:

Libya is not yours.. You have no right to intervene into our internal affairs. This is our country, it is not your country. We can never shoot a single bullet onto our people...

Six 4x4 pick-ups mounted with machine guns were moved to the Benghazi seafront. But the relatively light arms of rebel forces have proved a poor match for Gaddafi's heavy firepower.

Standing next to his Benghazi home, Hassan Marouf, 58, said: "Europe and America have sold us out. We have been hearing bombing all night, and they have been doing nothing. Why?"

"We have no one to help us but God. Us men are not afraid to die, but I have women and children inside and they are crying and in tears. help us," he said.

I am sorry to inform you that Mohammed Nabbous, the founder of Libya AlHurra TV, was killed this morning while reporting on the attacks from the pro-Gaddafi forces. He touched the hearts of many with his bravery and indomnitable spirit. He will be dearly missed and leaves behind his young wife and unborn child.

<...>

Mo's objective in founding Libya AlHurra was to help his countrymen by getting the word out about what is happening in Libya. Please honor this courageous man and help him realize his dream by using his footage in your broadcasts.

"We revolutionaries have taken control of four tanks inside Benghazi. Rebel forces have pushed Gaddafi's forces out of Benghazi and are combing the western gate area for Gaddafi's troops."

Libya rebels on the defensive as Gaddafi forces enter Benghazi

• Instense fighting as Gaddafi forces enter rebel stronghold
• Jet, believed to be the rebels' only plane, is shot down
• International leaders meet in Paris to discuss action

Chris McGreal in Benghazi and Matt Wells
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 March 2011 13.08 GMT


...


Intense but sporadic fighting has taken place in the south-west of Benghazi, in defiance of international demands for an immediate ceasefire and forcing rebels to mount a fierce defence.

...


Rebels told the Guardian that Gaddafi's forces had entered the south-west of Benghazi, where a large, well-armed contingent was holding them back. The rebels later claimed to have repelled the Gaddafi forces, saying they had captured tanks and prisoners.

...


Inside the city, residents set up makeshift barricades with furniture, benches, road signs and even a barbecue at intervals along main streets. Each barricade was manned by half a dozen rebels, but only about half of those were armed.

Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN, said she believed Gaddafi had violated the terms of the UN resolution which required him to stop fighting in Libya.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/19/gaddafi-forces-enter-benghazi

"I am telling you, we are scared and we are alone. We have two people dead this morning, not because of the shelling but because there are snipers on some houses and they are shooting people, they are shooting whoever they see... We are all scared here, the people of Misrata are scared. We feel a humanitarian crisis is coming."

"The parameters of our mission are clear, they are wide-ranging and they do not include on-the-ground action.

"It is our belief that if Mr Gaddafi loses the capacity to enforce his will through vastly superior armed forces, he simply will not be able to sustain his grip on the country."

"First, let's remember how we got here. As you know, Americans and people around the world, watched with growing concern as Libyan civilians were gunned down by a government that has lost all legitimacy. The people of Libya appealed for help.

"The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council called for action. The international community came together to speak with one voice and deliver a clear and consistent message: Colonel Gaddafi's campaign of violence against his own people must stop.

"The strong votes in the UN Security Council underscored this unity. And now the Gaddafi forces face unambiguous terms. A ceasefire must be implemented immediately. That means all attacks against civilians must stop.

"Troops must stop advancing on Benghazi, and pull back from Ajdabiyah, Misurata and Az Zawiyah. Water, electricity and gas supplies must be turned on to all areas. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya.

"Yesterday President Obama said very clearly that if Gaddafi failed to comply with these terms, there would be consequences. Since the president spoke, there has been some talk from Tripoli of a ceasefire, but the reality on the ground tells a very different story.

"Colonel Gaddafi continues to defy the world.

"His attacks on civilians go on. Today we have been monitoring the troubling reports of fighting around and within Benghazi itself. As president Obama also said, we have every reason to fear that left unchecked, Gaddafi will commit unspeakable atrocities.

"It is against that backdrop that nations from across the region and the world met today here in Paris to discuss the ways we can, working together, implement UN Resolution 1973. We all recognise that further delay will only put more civilians at risk.

"So let me be very clear about the position of the United States. We will support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of resolution 1973. As you may know, French planes are already in the skies above Benghazi.

"Now America has unique capabilities and we will bring them to bear, to help our European and Canadian allies and Arab partners stop further violence against civilians, including through the effective implementation of a no-fly zone.

"As President Obama said, the US will not deploy ground troops, but there should be no mistaking our committment to this effort.

"Today I was able to discuss next steps with the full group, and also conduct smaller, focused conversations with many of my colleagues. I met first with President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Cameron. Both France and the United Kingdom, along with other key partners, have stepped forward to play a leading role in enforcing 1973.

"We reviewed the latest reports from the ground, and discussed how we can work together most effectively in the hours and days ahead, and how we would work very cooperatively with our other partners, including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey as well as others that are not in that long list.

"I also had the opportunity to engage today with my Arab counterparts ...

"We have said from the start that Arab leadership and participation in this effort is crucial, and the Arab League showed that with its pivotal statements on Libya, what really that meant: it changed the diplomatic landscape.

"They have sent another strong message by being here today, and we look to them for continued leadership as well as active participation and leadership going forward.

"With Sheikh Abdullah and prime minister Hamad bin Jassem, I reiterated our strong and enduring partnership. The United States has an abiding commitment to Gulf security, and a top priority is working together with our partners on our shared concerns about Iranian behaviour in the region.

"We share the view that Iran's activities in the Gulf, including its efforts to advance its agenda in neighbouring continues undermines peace and stability. Our Gulf partners are critical to the international community's efforts on Libya, and we thank them for their leadership."

Libya: Allied fighters hit Gaddafi's forces as West intervenes in conflict


• French planes in action as dictator given ultimatum
• Loyalists launch attack on last rebel strongholdChris McGreal in Benghazi, Ian Black in Tripoli, Toby Helm in London, and Kim Willsher in Paris guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 March 2011 18.25 GMT


Western planes led strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's military as world leaders ordered the biggest intervention in the Arab world since allied forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The patience of the international community finally ran out as Gaddafi's troops pounded the rebel stronghold of Benghazi hours after the Libyan dictator had promised a full ceasefire and invited foreign officials into his country to monitor it.

After US, European and Arab leaders met for urgent talks in Paris, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said his aircraft were already in action to stop what he described as Gaddafi's "murderous madness". He said: "Our air force will oppose any aggression by Colonel Gaddafi against the population of Benghazi. As of now, our aircraft are preventing planes from attacking the town. As of now, other French aircraft are ready to intervene against tanks, armoured vehicles threatening unarmed civilians."

...


Even before the summit, military sources said French Rafale planes were carrying out reconnaissance missions. Rafales are designed for bombing, reconnaissance and air defence purposes, but can also be equipped with laser-guided bombs for air strikes.

A French official said a French fighter jet had fired on a Libyan military vehicle in the first exchanges with Gaddafi's forces. French defence ministry spokesman Thierry Burkhard said the strike had been reported around 16.45 GMT. France expects to carry out most of its air missions from its base on Corsica while it is believed UK fighters would be deployed from southern Italy or Cyprus. An American official said that the US intended to limit its involvement to protecting allied air missions by taking out Libyan air defences with missile strikes launched from US Navy ships stationed in the Mediterranean. Six Danish F-16 fighter jets landed at a US air base in Sicily, while Canadian CF-18 Hornets were also in the region.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/19/libya-air-strikes-gaddafi-france

U.S. warships launch airstrikes on Libya


U.S. and British warships launch more than 110 Tomahawk missiles at defense facilities on the Libyan coast, a naval commander at the Pentagon says. The strikes are intended to help an international coalition establish a no-fly zone in Libya.


By Brian Bennett, Tribune Washington Bureau

March 19, 2011, 1:54 p.m.


Reporting from Washington— U.S. warships launched airstrikes at targets along Libya's coast on Saturday in an opening attack to degrade Moammar Kadafi's air defense systems and allow international allies to establish a no-fly zone aimed at protecting civilians.

The U.S. and Britain launched more than 110 Tomahawk missiles at more than 20 targets. The strikes targeted specifically surface-to-air missile sites and radar detectors that are part of the Libyan military's air defense infrastructure, said Vice Admiral William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

The U.S. had identified sites along the coast of Libya, including around the capital of Tripoli and the city of Misratah, the Pentagon confirmed.

While President Obama has emphasized that American forces would play a subordinate role in enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya, the Pentagon said the U.S. had to lead the operation in its early days because it has the greatest capability to destroy Kadafi's air defenses, a key prerequisite to taking control of Libya's airspace.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/sc-dc-0320-us-military-libya-20110319,0,7579064.story?track=rss

Endgame in Libya: how the world called time on Gaddafi


Cameron built an international consensus leading to UN security council resolution 1973 by keeping Obama at arms length


Daniel Boffey and Ian Black in Tripoli, Ewen MacAskill in Washington, Mark Townsend and Toby Helm guardian.co.uk, Saturday 19 March 2011 21.12 GMT


...


As British, French and Canadian warplanes sped towards Libyan airspace, Gaddafi's "ceasefire" had proved to be a fiction. His troops had penetrated deep into Benghazi, where street battles and an artillery bombardment continued through the day. News reports estimated that at least 26 bodies and more than 40 wounded people had been taken to the city's Jala hospital.

...


Distancing the US administration from proposed military action was also, a Downing Street source admitted, part of the process of building support for the UN resolution. Cameron spoke to Obama shortly after it was passed but that was the first time in eight days. It was important, the source said, that this did not look like a western initiative – the shadow of Iraq was ever present. "We have been thoughtful about the prime minister's interventions, and the first calls on Wednesday night were to Arab countries," said one source. Indeed, while the White House was untroubled by calls from London during the week, Cameron twice rang the prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani.

...




But, while listening intently to Gates, Obama's mind was open. While he and his secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, were sceptical, even as late as Sunday, on whether military action was desirable, they did not rule it out. When Gaddafi then appeared to be pushing back the rebels, Clinton changed course and formed an alliance with a handful of aides to turn the president's head.

With Samantha Power, a senior aide at the National Security Council and Susan Rice, Obama's ambassador to the UN, the three women countered Gates's arguments that Libya was a risk not worth taking. They were able to show Obama that the Arab world wanted action, and while the president seemed at times more concerned with unfolding events in Yemen – where the American Fifth Fleet is docked – he was persuaded within 24 hours of the case for action.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/19/endgame-libya-world-time-gaddafi