ANALYSIS-NATO counts on Tripoli uprising to break deadlock

[jakeXT]

* Air strikes target Gaddafi's ability to suppress revolt

* Dissent bubbling in capital but not yet at boiling point

* NATO loses hope eastern rebels can advance on capital

By Christian Lowe

ALGIERS, June 21 (Reuters) - NATO is trying to lay the groundwork for an armed uprising inside the Libyan capital to oust Muammar Gaddafi because it has lost hope that rebels elsewhere in the country can advance on Tripoli any time soon.

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"The official NATO policy is to protect civilians from Gaddafi's troops. The unstated goal is to create conditions in Tripoli whereby the local population can achieve 'military breakout' and topple Gaddafi," he said.

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An air strike this week on the town of Surman, 70 km (45 miles) west of Tripoli, may have been planned in the same context. Libyan officials said the attack killed 19 people, including relatives of Khouildi Hamidi, whose daughter is married to one of Gaddafi's sons.

Hamidi himself survived, but was the likely target. He has been closely involved in efforts to stamp out the revolt against Gaddafi's rule. "He was very much there" during the crackdown, said Ashour Shamis, a British-based Libyan opposition activist.

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http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE75K22F20110622?sp=true



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