Libyan Revolution Day 34 part 2 (dedicated to the Libyan Youth, please see photo blog)

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/22/6319286-libyas-rebel-youth-a-ragtag-highly-enthusiastic-but-highly-undisciplined-force-">Libya's rebel youth: a ragtag, highly enthusiastic but highly undisciplined force (PHOTO BLOG)
Ryan Lucas of AP reports from Zwitina, Libya: Coalition forces bombarded Libya for a third straight night Monday, targeting the air defenses and forces of Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, stopping his advances and handing some momentum back to the rebels, who were on the verge of defeat just last week.

But the rebellion's more organized military units were still not ready, and the opposition disarray underscored U.S. warnings that a long stalemate could emerge.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/africa/22tripoli.html">A Libyan Fight for Democracy, or a Civil War?
TRIPOLI — The question has hovered over the Libyan uprising from the moment the first tank commander defected to join his cousins protesting in the streets of Benghazi: Is the battle for Libya the clash of a brutal dictator against a democratic opposition, or is it fundamentally a tribal civil war?

The answer could determine the course of both the Libyan uprising and the results of the Western intervention. In the West’s preferred chain of events, airstrikes enable the rebels to unite with the currently passive residents of the western region around Tripoli, under the banner of an essentially democratic revolution that topples Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.

He, however, has predicted the opposite: that the revolt is a tribal war of eastern Libya against the west that ends in either his triumph or a prolonged period of chaos.

“It is a very important question that is terribly near impossible to answer,” said Paul Sullivan, a political scientist at Georgetown University who has studied Libya. “It could be a very big surprise when Qaddafi leaves and we find out who we are really dealing with.”

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.

http://english.cri.cn/6966/2011/03/19/2801s627320.htm">Spain Expected to Join NATO No-fly Zone Enforcement over Libya Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is expected to confirm Spain's contribution of two air force bases at a summit in Paris to discuss the enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya Saturday.

"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://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/23/libya-zintan-bombardment-idINLDE72M1AG20110323">Gaddafi forces shell rebel town of Zintan: resident
Reuters) - Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have resumed their bombardment of the rebel-held town of Zintan, about 90 km (55 miles) south-west of the capital, a resident said. "Gaddafi's brigades started bombardment from the northern area half an hour ago. The bombardment is taking place now. The town is completely surrounded. The situation is very bad," the resident, Abdulrahman, told Reuters by telephone from the town.

"They are getting reinforcements. Troops backed with tanks and vehicles are coming. We appeal to the allied forces to come and protect civilians," he said. (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Louise Ireland)

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23#update-18831">1:46pm Gaddafi's troops have resumed their shelling of the rebel-held town of Zintan, about 90km south-west of the capital, a resident named Abdulrahman told Reuters by phone.

Gaddafi's brigades started bombardment from the northern area half an hour ago. The bombardment is taking place now. The town is completely surrounded. The situation is very bad.

They are getting reinforcements. Troops backed with tanks and vehicles are coming. We appeal to the allied forces to come and protect civilians.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23#update-18861">2:15pm More on that shooting at the clinic in rebel-held Misurata. A resident named Saadoun told the agency:

It started half an hour ago. The snipers are ... shooting at the hospital and its two entrances are under heavy attack. No one can get in or out ... We have lost all communication with people inside. The last thing
we knew is that three are killed and three are critically wounded.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23#update-18811">1:05pm A spokesman for the newly formed "interim government", declared by the transitional national council, tells Al Jazeera's James Bays:

The provisional national council is a legislative body, but we need an executive body to take control and provide an administration.

Our position has been very clear, that Libya is one unit - our capital is Tripoli and will forever be Tripoli ... We are striving to liberate the western parts of the country, and Tripoli, and keep the country united. We would like to emphasise this over and over again.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23#update-18816">1:17pm Al Jazeera's Andrew Simmons, aboard the USS Kearsarge, says the aim of the Harrier jets aboard the ship is to help push Gaddafi's troops back from their lines - not enforce a no-fly zone. He tells us:

The rebels aren't making much headway, so we're seeing an escalation here.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-23#update-18826">1:40pm US defence secretary Robert Gates has arrived in Cairo for talks discussing Libya's future.

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">A bright voice from Libya's darkness
What does grief and courage sound like? It sounds a lot like the voice of Perditta Nabbous, the wife of Libyan citizen journalist Mohammed Nabbous, 27, who was shot and killed last Saturday by forces loyal to Muammar al-Qaddafi. Mohammed was the charismatic voice and face of Libya al-Hurra, the online TV station he set up in the early days of the uprising. Mo, as his many fans and supporters around the world called him, was attacked while trying to record footage from Benghazi.

"He got so furious because nobody was taking pictures and videos," Perditta told me, after many Western journalists fled Benghazi ahead of a furious assault by Qaddafi's troops. Mo had been trying to reach the wreckage of a downed Libyan jet -- which later turned out to belong to the rebels -- when his car came under heavy fire. He died in the hospital several hours later. "He said, ‘I need to get proof of the plane so people will believe this,'" Perditta said.

She is 8 months pregnant. "I want Mohamed's child to live," she told me.

Her voice growing stronger, she called for the U.S.-led strikes on Qaddafi's air defenses and troops to continue. Here it is in her own words. I can't put it any more powerfully than this

The coalition of the conflicted goes to war


PAUL KORING
WASHINGTON— From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2011 9:14PM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2011 9:54PM EDT


Creating the no-fly zone is done. Wiping out the remnants of Libya’s ragged air force is done. Pulverizing the armoured spearhead pointed at Benghazi is done. And making a smoking hole out of Moammar Gadhafi’s command-and-control headquarters in Tripoli is also done.

Libya has become a “target-poor” environment, much like Afghanistan in the first hectic days of air strikes in 2001. U.S., British, and French warplanes are already returning to bases with their bombs still strapped to their wings. Canada’s CF-18s brought their bomb load back undropped Thursday and have yet to fire.

A narrow reading of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 would suggest the war’s limited objectives have been all but reached. It’s over. But the unwritten and unspoken target may be Colonel Gadhafi himself.

“Regime change,” the war aim that dare not speak its name because it is so closely associated with George W. Bush’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, may in fact be the exit strategy. Politicians who dare say so come under fire – even from their own generals.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/the-coalition-of-the-conflicted-goes-to-war/article1952331/

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/libyan-rebels-foresee-democratic-regime/story-e6frfku0-1226027047743">Libyan rebels foresee democratic regime
REPRESENTATIVES of the Libyan opposition's Interim National Council said in Paris that a post-Gaddafi regime would be "secular and democratic".

They also predicted that the embattled Libyan leader, who has continued to press against rebel-held towns despite a UN-backed military campaign, would fall quickly, opening the way for a rebuilding of Libyan society.

"The future Libya will be democratic and secular," said Mansour Saif Al-Nasr, an emissary, though not a member, of the interim council, based in the rebel-held stronghold of Benghazi.

"The Libyan people are a moderate people, and the state will not be led by clerics," he told a large gathering writers, ex-ministers and reporters assembled by Bernard Henry-Levy, a French intellectual who helped ease the way for France's recognition of the rebel authority.

Western air strikes early on Wednesday hit an air base south of Libya's rebel-held Misrata where government forces are positioned, but snipers shot two people dead in the centre of the city, a resident said.

"This morning, air strikes twice hit the airbase where Gaddafi's brigades are based," the resident, called Sami, told Reuters.

"Two people were killed by snipers an hour ago in the centre of the town. Their bodies are now at the hospital, which I visited a while ago. Shooting is still going on there (in the city centre) now," he said.

Libya: allies to target army brigade run by Gaddafi son


British, American and other coalition aircraft are planning to target a Libyan army brigade commanded by Khamis Gaddafi, Col Gaddafi's youngest son.


By Nick Squires, aboard the USS Kearsarge 9:35AM GMT 23 Mar 2011


The 32nd Brigade is a “premier force for Colonel Gaddafi” that “we have been watching closely,” US Admiral Samuel Locklear said from his command ship, the USS Mount Whitney, which is positioned off the coast of Libya.

He said that coalition planes would target in the “coming hours and days” the unit, which is led by Khamis and is estimated to have as many as 10,000 troops.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8400251/Libya-allies-to-target-army-brigade-run-by-Gaddafi-son.html

Gaddafi's brigades started bombardment from the northern area half an hour ago. The bombardment is taking place now. The town is completely surrounded. The situation is very bad... They are getting reinforcements. Troops backed with tanks and vehicles are coming. We appeal to the allied forces to come and protect civilians.

Four US Harrier jump jets flew bombing missions from an Navy vessel off the Libyan coast on Tuesday night as coalition forces continued attempts to dislodge Libyan forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

The Harriers, armed with GPU 12 laser guided bombs, took off from the USS Kearsarge at 11pm local time, returning at 2am before aircraft refuelled and took of for a second sortie.

The Kearsarge's group of six Harriers attacked targets outside Benghazi on Sunday morning and near Ajdabiya on Sunday night, hitting tanks, artillery pieces and mobile missile launchers.

Officials did not reveal Tuesday night's targets, but Libyan government forces were reportedly continue to shell rebels in Ajdabiya, suggesting they remain a viable target for coalition aircraft.

Marine Colonel Mark Desens, who commands the Harriers, said that flying the vertical take-off jets from the Kearsarge gave them an advantage over conventional jets flying from airbases further away from Libya.

"With the Harriers we can turn them around very quickly and do two sorties a night," he said.

23 March 2011 Last updated at 11:00 ET

Gaddafi's air force 'defeated'


The commander of British aircraft operating over Libya has said that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's air force "no longer exists as a fighting force".



Air Vice-Marshal Greg Bagwell said the allies could now operate "with near impunity" over the skies of Libya.

He said they were now applying unrelenting pressure on the Libyan armed forces.

...


"We are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack," he said.

"We have the Libyan ground forces under constant observation and we attack them whenever they threaten civilians or attack population centres."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12837330

<Ali> despaired of what he saw as inertia by the rebel leadership in Benghazi and called for more help from the West.

"The National Libyan Council aren't the people to ask for anything to be frank. We want help from the West. If it weren't for them, Gaddafi's forces would be in Benghazi," Ali said.


http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/23/us-libya-east-ajdabiyah-idUSTRE72M3P220110323?pageNumber=2

Mar. 23, 2011 9:31 AM ET

NATO flotilla patrols off Libyan coast

SLOBODAN LEKICSLOBODAN LEKIC, Associated Press


BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO warships started patrolling off Libya's coast Wednesday to enforce the U.N. arms embargo, as the alliance appeared set to assume responsibility for the no-fly zone over the North African nation to protect civilians.

Canada's Brig. General Pierre St. Amand said naval operation Unified Protector "is now under way" with six vessels involved during the first day of patrols. NATO had already received offers for up to 16 ships to patrol the Mediterranean off Libya, he said.

Turkey, NATO's sole Muslim member, is an integral part of the naval blockade, having offered four frigates and one submarine, St. Amand said. Other nations offering vessels are the United States, Romania, Italy, Canada, Spain, Britain and Greece.

http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2011-03-23-Libya-Diplomacy/id-4dad4fa4756c4fa8a5fa04664371817d

Nearly 12 hours of allied air strikes have virtually wiped out Muammar Gaddafi's forces that were attacking the rebel-held town of Misrata and ended five days of bloody assault that cost nearly 100 lives. Mohammed Ali, an IT engineer at the town's main hospital, said that waves of air strikes which began shortly after midnight destroyed tanks and artillery that Gaddafi's army had been using to shell the heart of Misrata.

"The air strikes went on until 11.30 this morning. After that there was no shelling. We are very relieved. We are very grateful. We want to thank he world. The Gaddafi forces are scattered around. All that is left is the snipers and our fighters can take care of them," he said.

Ali said that among the targets of the air strikes was a former hospital used by Gaddafi's army as a station for its tanks during its assault on Misrata. He said that the hospital was almost destroyed along with all the tanks during the coalition bombing attack. Ali said that the past five days of fighting left 94 people dead and more than 1,300 injured. About 60 civilians were among the dead, including whole families killed in their cars or homes.

Libyan rebels foresee democratic regime
Updated: 03:45, Thursday March 24, 2011


Representatives of the Libyan opposition's Interim National Council said in Paris late on Tuesday that a post-Gaddafi regime would be 'secular and democratic'.

They also predicted that the embattled Libyan leader, who has continued to press against rebel-held towns despite a UN-backed military campaign, would fall quickly, opening the way for a rebuilding of Libyan society.

...


Ali Zeidan said the conflict could be over 'in 10 days if the air strikes continue with the same intensity to take out armoured cars and heavy artillery. We have enough men to march on Tripoli. We are sure of victory.'

France was the first nation to recognition the rebel-led authority, which it did on March 10 after a meeting in Paris between council members and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

'In Libya, now they say, 'One, Two, Three, merci Sarkozy',' Al-Nasr said.


http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=592610&vId=

Journalists under attack in Libya: The tally


CPJ has documented more than 60 attacks on the press since political unrest erupted in Libya last month. They include two fatalities, a gunshot injury, 36 detentions, nine assaults, two attacks on news facilities, the jamming of Al-Jazeera and Al-Hurra transmissions, at least three instances of obstruction, and the interruption of Internet service. At least six local journalists are missing amid speculation they are in the custody of security forces. One media support worker is also unaccounted for. Here's a running list of all attacks on journalists and the media in Libya since February 16:

http://www.cpj.org/blog/2011/03/journalists-under-attack-in-libya.php

Snipers have killed 16 people today in Misurata, according to Hafiz Ghoga, the official spokesman for the rebel national council.

Ghoga also told Reuters during a press conference in Benghazi that six people were killed in a bombardment by Gaddafi forces at the eastern entrance to the town of Zintan.


17:17
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8390035/Libya-Live.html

If Norway can't take part in the operational plans that emerge - if the risk of civilian lives being lost is too great, for example - Norway can take out the 'red card' and keep its fighters from participating.

US, British, and French aircraft have flown more than 300 sorties over Libya since Saturday and more than 162 Tomahawk cruise missiles have been fired. Four Tornado planes based at RAF Marham in Norfolk flew direct to Libya on the first two nights. The Trafalgar class submarines , HMS Triumph, has fired Tomahawk cruise missiles but less than its full complement of 16, it is understood.

David Cameron told MPs that the Qataris on Tuesday deployed Mirage aircraft while Kuwait and Jordan would be providing "logistical contributions", adding that "further support will be forthcoming" from Arab countries. He said 11 nations had contributed 150 aircraft to operations over Libya but a "lot more remained to be done".


5.24pm:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/23/libya-crisis-live-updates

US warplanes conducted strafing runs during an operation to rescue a downed fighter pilot, a military source told the Daily Telegraph.

The cannon fire could explain the fact that several civilians were injured by bullets fired during the mission near the opposition stronghold of Benghazi.

Four Harriers were sent from the USS Kearsarge in the early hours of Tuesday morning to provide cover for a pair of Osprey helicopters whose task was to pick up a pilot who ejected from his F-15E Strike Eagle because of a mechanical failure.

American fighter aircraft fired cannons to protect a downed US pilot in Libya on Tuesday, close to where local residents were reportedly injured by gunfire, a US military source revealed.

The source's statement on Wednesday could explain how at least eight Libyans near the scene were wounded by gunfire. The US military denied early reports that two helicopters arriving to collect the pilot in the early hours of Tuesday fired on locals.

The source said Harrier jump jets that had arrived at the scene before the helicopters "strafed" the ground as they flew low over a group of vehicles indicated as a potential threat to the pilot. A second source told the Guardian the vehicles were targeted about three miles from the stranded pilot, about 30 minutes before the helicopters arrived.

The pilot and a crew member had parachuted from their F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft after it suffered a mechanical failure during a raid near Benghazi, parachuting to separate locations. Two Osprey tiltrotor aircraft were dispatched from the USS Kearsarge off the Libyan coast to pick up the pilot, located thanks to a GPS signal, the source said.

The second crew member could not be traced by rescuers because his GPS was not transmitting, he said. He was met by locals who took him and gave him shelter. He is now reportedly at Aviano air base in northern Italy.

"Maj.-Gen. Tom Lawson, the deputy chief of air force staff, said that four CF-18 jet fighters, supported by two air-to-air refueling aircraft, conducted two separate bombing runs Tuesday night and Wednesday morning."

http://hosted2.ap.org/txdam/633c954da7d9434f9de7ed15f38075aa/Article_2011-03-23-CN-Canada-Libya-Bombing/id-3cc01beff80c41b1919c89bdd7a9d27b

Some more apparent psychological warfare now, this time from the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

She has urged Gaddafi to leave Libya, adding that his inner circle should "make the right decision", the Associated Press news agency reports.

Observers have suggested that one of the primary aims of the coalition mounting air strikes in libya is to force 'palace coup'.


7.08pm:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/23/libya-crisis-live-updates1

A peaceful 'green march' to Benghazi is being planned by members of Libya's biggest tribe, which is now anxious to be seen as a loyal pillar of the regime.

...


The tribe's geographical distribution means it is well-placed to help heal bitter divisions by joining a peaceful "green march" to the eastern city to promote reconciliation and avoid the Korea-style partition of the country many fear.

It is also highly likely that this innocent-sounding mass movement – involving large numbers of civilians carrying olive branches through a war zone – is a government-inspired propaganda stunt intended to complicate military operations by the coalition and the rebels.

But Salman al-Dagil insists it is not. "We will talk to them, not use guns, to discuss their demands," said the Bani Walid doctor.

"Some are youths who want things but have been exploited. Do they want to divide the country? No, we will not agree to that. Do they want a constitution? The majority must agree. No one wants to replace Muammar Gaddafi. But the problem is a conspiracy against Libya."

Locals insist that no significant Warfalla figure is involved in the opposition despite early claims that the entire tribe had defected. There has been talk of large cash payments to ensure they did not – or changed sides again.

According to rumours in Tripoli, key tribes have been offered large sums of money to ensure that they toe the line at this time of unprecedented danger to the regime. Tribal leaders can be seen in their finery in the capital's best hotel and being driven around in the sleek government vehicles reserved for VIPs.

U.S., allies attack targets across Libya but haven't stopped Kadafi


Despite strikes by foreign forces and calls by President Obama to withdraw, Moammar Kadafi loyalists are stepping up efforts to put down the rebellion.


By David S. Cloud, Washington Bureau

March 23, 2011, 1:16 p.m.



WASHINGTON — U.S. and allied warplanes struck targets across Libya as military units loyal to leader Moammar Kadafi continued to carry out attacks against opposition-held cities, U.S. military officials said.

U.S. fighters destroyed two missile sites around Tripoli, and allied planes also hit a government ammunition depot outside the city of Misurata and Libyan army ground forces around Ajdabiya. But the air campaign, now in its fifth day, so far has not succeeded in halting Kadafi's forces from carrying out attacks in several cities where rebels remain.

Rear Adm. Gerard Hueber, a top U.S. officer in the operation, said the air campaign was now shifting westward and focusing on hitting Libyan units and facilities outside cities where attacks against rebels strongholds are occurring.

...


"In Ajdabiya, regime forces intensified combat in, into and out of the city. In Misurata, regime forces continue to clear opposition, increase combat operations and target civilian populations in the city," Heuber said.

...


http://www.latimes.com/news/sc-dc-0324-libya-fighting-20110323,0,683960.story

Libya: Allied air strikes secure Misrata for rebels


Siege ends in key town as bombs destroy Gaddafi's tanks and artillery but regime continue to hold Ajdabiya despite air raids



Chris McGreal in Benghazi, Ewen MacAskill in Washington, and Richard Norton-Taylor guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 23 March 2011 20.18 GMT



Nearly 12 hours of allied air strikes have broken the Libyan regime's five-day bloody assault on the key rebel-held town of Misrata.

Residents said yesterday that the aerial bombardment destroyed tanks and artillery and sent many of Muammar Gaddafi's forces fleeing from Misrata, ending a siege and attack by the regime that cost nearly 100 lives from random shelling, snipers and bitter street fighting.

...


The apparent breaking of the siege will be a blow to the Libyan ruler's attempts to reassert control over the entire west of the country.

It may also serve as a further deterrent, along with the destruction of Gaddafi's tanks, artillery and soldiers that were attacking Benghazi, to those still fighting for the dictator.

...


http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/23/libya-allied-air-strikes-misrata

The apparent breaking of the siege will be a blow to the Libyan ruler's attempts to reassert control over the entire west of the country.

...


Ali described the past five days of attack on Misrata as "hell".

"It was crazy in the last five days. The hospital was overwhelmed. Ninety four people were killed. Sixty of them were civilians. Whole families were wiped out driving in their cars," he said. "The injured were more than 1,300. About 115 serious cases were kept in hospital. Everyone without life threatening injures was sent home. I've seen people who've just had a leg amputated sent home."

Ali said that the town has had no water or electricity for nine days. The medical centre is running on a generator.

The air strikes in and around Misrata suggest that what appears to be a tactic of Gaddafi's forces to shelter in residential areas, in response to the destruction of tanks and guns on the open desert road near Benghazi, has not provided protection.

Residents of the town said that the coalition aircraft managed to destroy the regime's armour without any known civilian casualties.

Congress could vote on Libya war next week

Posted By Josh Rogin
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - 4:25 PM


Congress may hold a vote on President Barack Obama's decision to attack Libya when lawmakers return from recess next week, according to Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).
Durbin, along with Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) held a conference call with reporters on Wednesday afternoon as part of the White House's damage control effort following the widespread and bipartisan criticism over of the lack of congressional consultation before the intervention in Libya, and the lack of clarity over the mission's goals.

"None of us can say with any certainty what will happen when we return, but under the War Powers Act, any senator can ask under privilege of the Senate to call this question, as to whether or not we will support these actions taken by the president," Durbin said. "I think it's consistent with our constitutional responsibility to take up that question," through a vote

Asked by The Cable how Congress plans to pay for the Libya intervention, the costs of which are approaching $1 billion, Durbin said, "I haven't heard anything on that score yet."


http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/congress_could_vote_on_libya_war_next_week

Gadhafi troops attack main hospital in Misrata

By the CNN Wire StaffMarch 23, 2011 -- Updated 2121 GMT (0521 HKT)


Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Despite coalition airstrikes, troops loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi continued to terrorize residents of the besieged rebel-held city of Misrata Wednesday.

In the city's main hospital, where 400 people -- about half of them patients -- were located, one witness said Gadhafi's forces had attacked. The push began at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. ET), when "heavy tanks for Gadhafi troops start attacking the hospital -- the bombs falling here 20 meters (66 feet) around us," said one person inside the hospital. He said two deaths had occurred "around the hospital."

At one point, shelling occurred without respite for 40 minutes, he said. "Now, fortunately, no more shelling, but the situation is so serious that all the teams here -- the doctors, the patients -- are paralyzed, scared."

He called for international intervention to protect the civilians inside the institution. "Nobody can work here," he said. All the doctors here are completely paralyzed." Ambulances were not able to leave the hospital, which had lost its electricity and was running on generator power, he said.


http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/23/libya.war/index.html?iref=NS1

Libyan airforce down but civilians still under attack


Ben Knight reported this story on Thursday, March 24, 2011 08:00:00


TONY EASTLEY: In Libya the international military force has extended its control over the country's airspace claiming that coalition fighter jets can now operate with impunity.

As if to emphasise the point coalition fighter planes have struck Libyan government forces on both sides of the country.

A naval blockade has also been put in place.

But the US military says there is no sign Gaddafi's ground forces are pulling back and the American chief of staff for the coalition operation says Gaddafi's troops have stepped up their attacks on civilians in Misurata in the west of the country and Ajdabiya in the west.

Middle East correspondent Ben Knight reports from the coastal city of Tobruk.

BEN KNIGHT: One of the main aims of the UN resolution was to stop Libyan government jets from bombing opposition towns.

Now the British air vice-marshal Greg Bagwell says that mission has succeeded and the no-fly zone over Libya is now in place.

GREG BAGWELL: Their air force no longer exists as a fighting force and his integrated air defence system and command and control networks are severely degraded to the point that we can operate over his airspace with impunity.

As we continue to enforce the no-fly zone we are watching over the innocent people of Libya and ensuring that we protect them from attack.

BEN KNIGHT: Now that the Libyan air force is grounded and with its air defences also out of action coalition fighters can now fly even lower than before.

And that means they're able to hit even smaller targets on the ground - exactly the sort of forces that are attacking rebel cities.

(Sound of protesters singing)

In Benghazi thousands protested in the streets demanding that the coalition do just that - demanding more air strikes to defend Misurata.

PROTESTER: This is the most important point for now. I'm trying to call my friends and my families in Misurata. They are completely surrounded.

I hope - I hope the United Nations to bomb the militias around Misurata.

They are completely damaged. It's miserable there in Misurata.

...


This is Ben Knight in Tobruk, Libya, reporting for AM.


More:
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3172162.htm