Reuters and Aljazeera reporting that Sirte in now in the hands of the revolutionaries!

agenda.

The coalition has been bombing, so it is looking good!

This must be some sick joke, right?

Libya Hurra!

If so, then the tides have definitely turned. Hard part will be defending it, both Sabah (south of Sirte) and Jalo (south of Ajdibayah) remain in hands of Ghadaffi forces creating a very long neck to supply.

L-

The power of Gahdaffi's forces has been in their superior equipment, which our air power has now stripped from them. This could lead to a very rapid collapse. Attacks out of the desert flank using mechanized equipment would most likely fare poorly in face of air attack. One wonders what coastal shipping is available to the rebels.

I've been itching to unbox my old tomes concerning Rommel and Montgomery.

I think that Gahdaffi's mechanized capability is probably neutered at this point. Only 20 vehicles were recorded leaving Sirte earlier in the day. However, he has a fair amount of tricks up his sleeve with sleeper cells, tribes which are still semi-loyal to him and more tricks along the lines of Skorzeny/Operation Greif types of action. Given the length of the supply lines and the disorganized nature of the FF which makes such chicanery easier, this is still very dangerous.

What I am looking for at this time is a column of vehicles from Tripoli to Tunisia indicating the abandonment by the Ghadaffi loyalists. Once that comes out, then it is truly a matter of time.

W-

Takes confidence someone will still be around to pay off afterwards, and that would have to be fraying by now. There is also the likelihood of the rebels being in a position to make higher bids, at this point.

I agree a column heading west from Tripoli would signal the end, though my inclination would be to strafe it anyway....

"Takes confidence someone will still be around to pay off afterwards, and that would have to be fraying by now. There is also the likelihood of the rebels being in a position to make higher bids, at this point."

Ghadaffi has a lot of gold and given that much of his army is rumored to be mercenary, then this is possible. However, I am now seeing reports that his tribesmen are now existing the theatre south into Chad which is a good thing.

"I agree a column heading west from Tripoli would signal the end, though my inclination would be to strafe it anyway....:

Prefer A-10's myself. They are a bit more thorough.

The mark of the tribal chief is that good things flow through his hands to his people, and if they do not, he is not a good ruler, or even legitimate one. It is impossible to separate loyalty from money in this sort of situation. And if you have been paid in advance, why should you bother to go through with the thing if conditions have gone adverse in the interim? Only the promise of future reward can hope to work, and then only if it seems success is more likely than not in the end.

Wish it was more of a panoramic view, close ups always seem shady.

The girl in question appears to be looking toward the heavens.

There are photos from the top of buildings in "Freedom Square" but they don't appear to be looking at the building tops.

Looks to me like they're just looking at the crowd.

BTW, this picture was taken Feb 26 during a protest in Benghazi.

Showed journo being pushed away by one of the goons at the car.

It was more graphic film than I saw on youtube!

Al Jazeera reported this as the claim of one rebel spokesperson, not as something that was independently or verified. We will see...

Sirte didn't want to be involved in this shit and they were right to not chose sides.

I have always trusted Reuters, but am willing to hold off final word.

...they're being played by a bunch of imperialists? What's wrong with them? Where are the burning US flags? How can we make clear to them where their real interests lie?