Libyan Revolution Week 17 - Democratic Underground

joshcryer

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jun-11-11 07:29 AM
Original message

Libyan Revolution Week 17

Photograph: Zohra Bensernra / Reuters

Day 107, June 4

http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_75021.htm">NATO attack helicopters increase pressure on Qadhafi regime
Attack helicopters under NATO command were used for the first time on 4 Jun 2011 in military operations over Libya as part of Operation Unified Protector.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWoAxaF7oVE">Battle for Libya: Rebels move closer to Tripoli - video
In the mountains south of Tripoli, opposition troops are making a bold push to the capital of Libya.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/04/william-hague-benghazi-libyan-rebels">William Hague in Benghazi to support Libyan rebels
The foreign secretary, William Hague, has flown into the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi for the first ministerial-level talks with opposition figures.
http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/06/video-cockpit-footage-of-british-apache-attacks/">Video: Cockpit footage of British Apache attacks
The Apaches hit targets near the Libyan town of Brega during the latest wave of Nato strikes against forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the MoD said.
http://twitter.com/#!/RRowleyTucson/status/77119861221896192">Congratulations to Perditta
Congratulations to Perditta, Mohammed #Nabbous wife on giving birth to a baby girl. #Libya #feb17
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/02/libyan_limbo?page=0,0">Libyan Limbo
Six reasons why it's been so tough to get Qaddafi to quit.
http://feb17.info/news/sombre-libyans-contemplate-gaddafi’s-future/#more-20443">Sombre Libyans contemplate Gaddafi’s future
A chorus of white-clad girls, halos fixed to their heads and battery-powered candles clutched in their hands, sways in unison, then breaks into an off-key accompaniment of the 1980s anthem “We are the World.”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56221.html#ixzz1OGWbG5Og">Libya's tale of two cities
I have visited Libya twice in the last six months: Tripoli in December, and Benghazi last week. I might as well have visited two different planets.

Day 108, June 5

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/uk-energy-libya-deals-idUKTRE75154P20110604">Libya rebels are not revising oil deals - source
Libyan rebel officials are in contact with top oil companies that operate in the north African country but no new contracts are being drawn up, a source in the rebel leadership said.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/uk-libya-france-idUKTRE7521K720110604">France working on those close to Libya's Gaddafi
France said on Friday it was working with those close to Muammar Gaddafi to try to convince him to leave power as well as stepping up military pressure via the NATO-led mission in Libya.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/04/uk-china-libya-idUKTRE75220U20110604">China says it held meeting with Libyan rebel leader
A Chinese diplomat met the leader of the Libyan rebel National Transitional Council fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi, Beijing said on Friday, its first confirmed contact with the group.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/gaddafis-libyan-army-collapsing-say-defectors/story-e6frg6so-1226069500257">Gaddafi's Libyan army collapsing, say defectors
Gaddafi's regime is close to collapse and his army is suffering hundreds of desertions every day, according to generals who have fled Libya and plan to fight alongside the rebels.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/05/3235782.htm">Libyan rebels 'protecting' rape accuser
Libyan rebels say they are looking after the woman allegedly raped by soldiers loyal to Moamar Gaddafi and who fled to Qatar but was deported back to the north African country.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hk7P4sk2G9jl36-EAxYRVb1fyUSQ?docId=68a57c340f364b81b4b409677a8f1664">US writer among journalists missing in Libya
VanDyke has been missing for nearly three months. His mother, Sharon, said the 31-year-old decided he had to be there when the friend asked VanDyke to tell others of the country's struggle if he was killed during the conflict.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/05/libya.benghazi.baby">Daughter of Libyan civilian journalist born months after his death
Mayar Nabbous has entered the world, more than two months after her father -- an engineer-turned-advocate journalist -- left it, after being killed by a sniper in the rebel-held city of Benghazi.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hYmMJdziFDKLWqrYgKFhbBh9EPKQ?docId=283d16cbdf964afdbe59c4af5176a469">NATO jets target military barracks in Tripoli
British jets hit a military barracks in the Libyan capital early Sunday, further intensifying NATO pressure on Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi nearly four months into an uprising to end his erratic 42-year rule.
http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/defense-homeland-security/164741-sign-of-the-apocalypse-kucinichs-strong-gop-support-on-libya">'Sign of the apocalypse': Kucinich's Libya bill gets GOP support
An anti-war resolution authored by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), who spent years trying to impeach the last Republican president for prosecuting an illegal war, won more support from Republicans than Democrats on the House floor.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/06/05/libya-opposition-arbitrarily-detaining-suspected-gaddafi-loyalists">HRW: Opposition Arbitrarily Detaining Suspected Gaddafi Loyalists
Libyan opposition authorities are arbitrarily detaining dozens of civilians suspected of activities in support of Muammar Gaddafi, Human Rights Watch said today.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13659852">William Hague 'inspired' by Libyan rebels
Foreign Secretary William Hague says he has been inspired by his visit to the rebel-held city of Benghazi in Libya.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXiTE-UGVYa8wGaYiQL38zOdQ2sg?docId=231ba1ea450a404e9993c6d15f34f504">Libyan woman who claimed rape leaves to US
A relative says a Libyan woman who claimed she was raped by Gadhafi troops says she has left Libya on her way to the United States.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/05/nato-libya-apache-gunships-success">Nato strike force in Libya enjoys quick success with apache gunships
The controversial move to deploy fighter helicopters brings greater versatility to Nato's patrolling of Libya from air
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-05/opec-overshadowed-by-qaddafi-in-most-hostile-meeting-since-1990-gulf-war.html">OPEC Overshadowed by Qaddafi in Most-Hostile Meeting Since 1990 Gulf War
OPEC ministers meeting in Vienna this week will find themselves supporting opposing camps of a military conflict for the first time in 21 years, with hostilities in Libya complicating an agreement on oil quotas.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/05/gaddafi-rebels-art-graffiti-benghazi">The Libyan artists driving Gaddafi to the wall
In Benghazi, a day's drive east along the Mediterranean coast, there are also lots of public pictures of the man who has ruled this desert country for more than four decades. But here, his image is used as a weapon against him.

Day 109, June 6

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/06/libya-woman-allegedly-raped-by-kadafi-troops-leaves-benghazi-for-the-us.html?cid=6a00d8341c630a53ef015432cd43e7970c">LIBYA: Woman allegedly raped by Kadafi troops leaves Benghazi for the U.S.
The Libyan woman who caused international controversy when she claimed she was raped by Kadafi troops has left Libya for the United States, her sister told the Associated Press on Sunday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/06/uk-libya-casualty-idUKTRE75504I20110606">Gaddafi aides present car crash baby as NATO victim
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's aides brought foreign media to a hospital on Sunday to see a baby they described as a wounded victim of a NATO air strike.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/05/uk-libya-idUKTRE74E1I420110605">Britain says rebels must plan for post-Gaddafi Libya
Libya's rebel leaders must plan in detail how they would run the country if Muammar Gaddafi stood down and should learn from Iraq after the 2003 invasion, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Sunday.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/06/05/us-libya-britain-idUKTRE7541KF20110605|]
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/06/libyan-regime-fails-fool-media">Gaddafi regime fails to fool media over injured child[br />Journalists taken to see 'bomb victim' in Libyan hospital find out child was hurt in road accident
http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/2011/06/03/on-war-two-weeks-in-libya-with-rodrigo-abd/4484/">On War: Two weeks in Libya with Rodrigo Abd
Associated Press photographer, Rodrigo Abd, has been capturing the scene in Libya for the past two weeks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/libya-government-fails-to-prove-claims-of-nato-casualties/2011/06/06/AGIluYKH_story.html">Libya government fails to prove claims of NATO casualties
The baby girl lying on a hospital bed was presented as a victim of a NATO airstrike, proof that the alliance was killing rather than protecting Libyan civilians.
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=223795">Italian Jew who left Libya in ’67 helps rebels heal PTSD
David Gerbi, psychoanalyst and first Jew to join Libyan rebels, volunteers at Bengazi hospital to help heal post-traumatic stress disorder.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/world/africa/07libya.html?_r=4&ref=global-home">Libya Stokes Its Machine Generating Propaganda
The nightly propaganda tour to NATO bombing sites around the Libyan capital — the main component of every foreign reporter’s routine in a city controlled by Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi — led to a rustic backyard in the predawn hours of Monday where a family with several small, frightened children, said to have been dining outside late into the night, had supposedly endured a narrow escape from a NATO missile.

Day 110, June 7

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iCQwM7iVlWPX_f5KBcQgjaHkruvA?docId=CNG.48e5969155ce19b16358f893e95f2b3d.4f1">China diplomats visit Libya rebels
Chinese diplomats have arrived in the rebel-held Libyan city of Benghazi to meet with members of the opposition and assess the conflict in the oil-rich nation, the government said on Tuesday.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/gaddafis-libyan-army-collapsing-say-defectors/story-e6frg6so-1226069500257">Gaddafi's Libyan army collapsing, say defectors
COLONEL Muammar Gaddafi's regime is close to collapse and his army is suffering hundreds of desertions every day, according to generals who have fled Libya and plan to fight alongside the rebels.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jIdkNV4-Sj28gTcWpiiUpB5VuxEQ?docId=2ad70415cd7c4e5e900c1c8f1d286762">Rare daytime NATO airstrikes hit Libyan capital
Low-flying NATO military craft hit Tripoli in eleven successive attacks on Tuesday in rare daytime strikes on the Libyan capital.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hrFBFXmDdrFY6HVYxgjHKPuAto8A?docId=CNG.0188ac6bd8569c2fcac4194065f4834d.2c1">Kadhafi can no longer lead Libya: Mauritania president
Moamer Kadhafi can no longer lead Libya and needs to step down, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has said in an interview with AFP.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/06/20116674436348565.html">Libyan kids maimed by war remnants
UNICEF workshops in Libya help to educate about the dangers of "explosive remnants of war" that remain deadly.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/08/world/africa/08tripoli.html">Gaddafi's Labor Minister defects to rebels
On Tuesday, Libya’s labor minister, Al-Amin Manfur, added his name to the growing exodus, declaring at a meeting in Geneva of the International Labor Organization that he was now supporting the rebel government, the National Transitional Council, Agence France-Presse reported.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/07/libya.war">Gadhafi: 'We will not surrender, we will not give up'
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi vowed Tuesday that "we will not surrender," even as NATO airstrikes bombarded his compound in Tripoli.

Day 111, June 8

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110608/ap_on_bi_ge/ml_libya">NATO unleashes blistering airstrikes in Libya
Moammar Gadhafi stood defiant Tuesday in the face of the heaviest and most punishing NATO airstrikes yet — at least 40 thunderous daylight attacks that sent plumes of smoke billowing above the Libyan leader's central Tripoli compound.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-08/clinton-to-discuss-with-nato-libya-outlook-after-qaddafi-as-yemen-unravels.html">Clinton to Discuss Libya Outlook After Qaddafi With NATO as Yemen Unravels
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton heads to Abu Dhabi to discuss with NATO allies the outlook for Libya without Muammar Qaddafi even as the focus may shift further east to Yemen, which is on the brink of civil war.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenumbers/2011/06/nearly-six-in-10-support-involvement-in-libya.html">Nearly Six in 10 Support Involvement in Libya
Nearly six in 10 Americans support U.S. military involvement in NATO efforts against the Libyan government – but few of them want to see it increase from its current level.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/07/libya-rebels-nato-strategy">Libya rebels frustrated by Nato's safety-first strategy
Rebel leaders in Misrata say they are being urged not to launch further pushes against regime troops to the east of the city, and claim they have been told not to cross certain "red lines", even though they feel prepared for battle.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article1107312.ece/SA-talking-to-government-rebels-about-Hammerls-remains">SA talking to government, rebels about (photojournalist) Hammerl's remains
The South African government is in negotiation with both, the Libyan government and the rebels, in an attempt to get slain photographer Anton Hammerl's remains returned to the country.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE7570KU20110608">Sweden extends Libya forces mandate
Sweden said on Wednesday it would extend its participation in the military alliance against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, with its planes to carry out reconnaisance operations for the NATO-led forces.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13789429">NATO: No Troops on Ground in Post-Conflict Libya
NATO's top official says the alliance won't put troops on the ground in Libya to keep order once the conflict ends.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iLrRwI8K6mbEx0sMJjFExyUjUCqQ?docId=CNG.0188ac6bd8569c2fcac4194065f4834d.51">Alleged Libyan rape victim 'recovering from trauma'
A Libyan woman who accused soldiers loyal to strongman Moamer Kadhafi of raping her is recovering from trauma at a refugee centre in western Romania, a UN official said on Wednesday.
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFLDE7571E720110608">Spain recognises Libyan rebel council - minister
Spain has recognised Libya's rebel National Transitional Council as the country's legitimate representative, Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez said during a visit to rebel-held east Libya.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/08/syria-middle-east-unrest#block-22">Libyan FM in China
Libya's foreign minister, Abdelati Obeidi, is in China, where his counterpart, Yang Jiechi, told him the most pressing task facing Gaddafi's government was to secure a ceasefire, according to the Reuters news agency.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13700908">Libya crisis: Rebels seek to break out of Misrata
At least 14 Libyan rebels have been killed during an attempt to break out of their western enclave of Misrata.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2076206,00.html">Anxious in Benghazi: Watching Out for Gaddafi's Saboteurs
"I have to close my restaurant when it gets dark," complains Ahmad al-Dursi, 43, the owner of a small hamburger joint in Benghazi, the capital of what is called Free Libya. But it is not completely free yet. "It is not safe here with the revolutionary committees still active," says al-Dursi, referring to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's loyalists who have terrorized the population for most of Gaddafi's 42 years in power.

Day 112, June 9

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/06/08/libya.rebels.oil">Libyan rebel group sells first oil to U.S.
The rebel government in control of the eastern part of Libya has made its first sale of oil from territory it controls, the State Department confirmed Wednesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110608/wl_africa_afp/libyaconflictafrica">Africa stance on Libya turns with call for Kadhafi to quit
The leader of the AU's heads of state mediation team on Libya, Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, said this week Kadhafi's departure had become necessary as "he can longer lead Libya".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/libya-oil-obama-disruption-petroleum-gas_n_873319.html">Obama Hints U.S. Might Tap Petroleum Reserves To Combat Libya Oil Disruption
President Obama on Wednesday appeared to raise the possibility that the administration would release oil from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve to provide relief to Americans grappling with high gas prices.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jFvXWxuihzzQqF2Xci2uQZuTu_Qw?docId=CNG.6d7b64b15cc5338d6789f1f0d36d57e2.251">Ceasefire a 'top priority', China tells Libya
China's foreign minister told his Libyan counterpart that securing a ceasefire in the oil-rich north African state should be the "top priority" of both sides in the conflict, state media said.
http://newsok.com/possible-gadhafi-retreat-may-have-been-nato-target/article/3575522">Possible Gadhafi retreat may have been NATO target
A tattered tent, shreds of carpet and other scorched debris were all that was left of a favored retreat of Moammar Gadhafi just outside of the Libyan capital, the aftermath of what appeared to be a NATO bombing run.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1261092&mesg_id=1263519">Living in Libya, and why it's not "run by the people" #libya #feb17
Libya's "popular committees" were a joke. None of my family went to them; NO ONE went to them, because nothing was ever decided there.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/09/libya.war">U.S. pledges $26 million in aid for Libyan victims
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced an additional $26 million in aid for war victims Thursday at an international coalition meeting aimed at charting the course of a post Moammar-Gadhafi Libya.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2076467,00.html">The Post-Gaddafi Boom: In Libya, Foreign Bankers See a Coming Bonanza
But outside Libya, the talk has moved on from war to the business opportunities offered by a post-Gaddafi Libya.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gl4cgdDPmj-Bd_2eN9qUjuOe4Ejg?docId=bd0617774bbe4cc181ac90a394e805c7">Panetta sees Gadhafi regime weakening in Libya
Opposition forces in Libya have made gains in the east and west and Moammar Gadhafi's regime is weakening, Leon Panetta said Thursday, telling senators that the rebel leaders could maintain continuity in the country if the current rulers are ousted.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/09/us-libya-un-deaths-idUSTRE7584UY20110609">Up to 15,000 killed in Libya war: U.N. rights expert
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people have been killed on both sides in four months of fighting in Libya, according to Cherif Bassiouni, who led a U.N. Human Rights Council mission to Tripoli and rebel-held areas in late April.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110609-708714.html">Libya Rebel's Council Starts Planning Post-Gadhafi Process
Libya's largest rebel group said Thursday it has begun developing a political plan to facilitate the country's transition from Moammar Gadhafi's 41-year rule, while assuring "national cohesiveness" in areas yet to be liberated by rebels.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/clinton-says-gadhafi-associates-reaching-out-to-negotiate-his-possible-departure/2011/06/09/AGK2PPNH_story.html">Clinton says Gadhafi associates reaching out to negotiate his possible departure
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is aware of “numerous and continuing” overtures by people close to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to negotiate his departure from power.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2011/0609/Nations-pledge-1-billion-for-Qaddafi-foes-plan-for-a-Libya-without-him">Nations pledge $1 billion for Qaddafi foes, plan for a Libya without him
Donor countries pledged more aid for Libya's opposition council, during a meeting Thursday. But earlier pledges have not been met, and opposition leaders are pushing hard for access to Libya's frozen assets.
http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSICE-89e82">ICE announces employment authorization eligibility for certain Libyan students
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced special relief for certain F-1 Libyan students who have suffered severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in Libya since February 2011.
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/08/5-reasons-stalemate-in-libya-is-devastating/?hpt=hp_t1">5 reasons stalemate in Libya is devastating
In the Washington Post, columnist Anne Applebaum asks - though does not directly answer - the important question, “What to do About Libya’s Stalemate?”
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/06/08/women-crossfire">The wars in Libya and the Congo highlight the vexing problem of rape as a military weapon
Iman Obeidi became famous in March when she burst into the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli and accused Libyan forces of raping her. She was quickly taken by authorities, but eventually found her way to Qatar to seek refugee status in the West. Last week, Qatari authorities inexplicably sent her back to Libya.

Day 113, June 10

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43345525/ns/politics">Senate bill uses Libya assets for humanitarian aid
Leading senators of both parties say they will soon push legislation letting President Barack Obama confiscate up to $10 billion in seized Libyan government assets and use it for humanitarian aid in that war-torn country.
http://news.scotsman.com/world/Libyan-officials-war-crime-claims.6782599.jp">Libyan official's war crime claims
LIBYA has accused rebels of cannibalism and Nato of war crimes after denying a United Nations' report which said Col Muammar al-Gaddafi's forces were kidnapping, torturing and murdering opponents of his regime.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/jun/10/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest-live#block-17">Gaddafi infantry, armor, artillery attacks near Misrata inflict heavy casualties
Chris Stephen reports from Libya that pro-Gaddafi forces launched infantry and artillery attacks today on the western end of the Misrata pocket near the village of Dafniya, inflicting heavy rebel casualties.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/libya-rebel-aide-expects-new-government-by-end-of-june/2011/06/10/AGLWiPOH_video.html">Libya Rebel Aide Expects New Government by End of June
Lara Setrakian reports on the prospects for a new government in Libya as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation continues its attacks against the resources of Muammar Qaddafi's regime.
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-fgw-gates-brussels-20110611,0,3415845.story">Shaky Libya campaign shows NATO's weakness, Gates says
In a Brussels address, the outgoing defense chief says the alliance faces "collective military irrelevance" after years of inadequate spending by most members.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/06/10/libya.war">Fighting rages in western Libyan city
At least 17 people were killed Friday as fighting raged in the western Libyan city of Misrata where forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi attempted to enter from the west and south.
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/10/137100696/foreign-policy-misery-continues-in-misrata">Misery Continues In Misrata
This is a city in shock. For two months, it was pulverized by troops loyal to the Libyan regime. Mortars destroyed civilian homes. Snipers took aim from towers. More than a thousand people died, according to the New York Times. Many more disappeared — or were taken — from their homes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/10/opinion/10DeMesquita.html?_r=1&ref=world">How Tyrants Endure
WHY do certain dictators survive while others fall? Throughout history, downtrodden citizens have tried to throw off the yoke of their oppressors, but revolutions, like those sweeping through the Arab world, are rare.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-sebastian-junger-20110610,0,7127457.story">Sebastian Junger reflects on friendship, war and peace
After the death of photojournalist and friend Tim Hetherington in Libya, Junger resolves to cease front-line reporting. But war, he says, remains one of humanity's master narratives.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/national-security/at-us-embassy-in-exile-anguished-diplomats-watch-libyan-conflict/2011/05/26/AGzOYkNH_story.html">At U.S. Embassy-in-exile, anguished diplomats watch Libyan conflict
In a windowless attic in Washington, under a maze of exposed pipes, a group of U.S. diplomats is working on Libya. They study maps. They scan Arabic-language TV. They reach out to their contacts in embattled villages.

Thanks to everyone who contributed this week, pinboy3niner, tabatha, Iterate, Cerridwen, al bupp, CJvR, pampango and anyone I missed, you guys are my heroes!

http://twitter.com/#!/Libyamap">Click here for updated map

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">A topic on the women of the revolution, dispels myths about the treatment of women in Benghazi.

Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0">The Battle of Benghazi. BBC Panorama on Libya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA">Part 1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s">Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M">Video of the convoy sent to take Benghazi, taken from a dead soliders cell phone (shows how massive the operation was). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_embedded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc">Tea of Freedom Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41kQvx4uKw">Libya: Part 2 - The Uprising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vNWCGDkdWY">Benghazi - Backbone of the Libyan revolution

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://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of UN resolution 1973. How will a no fly zone work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k">AJE reports.

Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component.

Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade.

Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations.

Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters.

France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft.

Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade.

Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations.

Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support."

NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO.

Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane.

Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base.

Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft.

Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand.

Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters.

Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign.

Turkey: The Turkish Navy http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo.

United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission.

United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers.

United States: The United States has http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.

"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

(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

http://english.libya.tv/2011/04/25/eastern-libyans-believe-in-national-unity-distrust-au-and-turkish-mediation-survey-reveals/">The first free public opinion poll ever conducted in Libya reveals clues to Eastern Libyan sentiments
* 98 percent of the respondents do not support the division of Libya as a part of the political solution for the current conflict with the Gaddafi regime. Around 95 percent also don’t see any role for Gaddafi or his sons in a transitional period, and think it is impossible to implement any political reform in Libya if Gaddafi or one of his sons stays in power

* Around 96 percent of those polled, believe that the 17th of February revolution can consolidate the national unity of Libya and support the model of a democratic Libya based on a constitution which respects human rights

* Al-Qaeda has not played any role in the 17th of February revolution, say 94 percent of the Eastern Libyans, and 91 percent thinks it’s impossible for Al-Qaeda to play any political role in the new Libya

* The National Transitional Council is seen by 92 percent of those surveyed as “expressing the views and wishes of Libyans for change”

This is equivalent to 17% the entire population of Libya, doing the numbers very conservatively.

http://jenkinsear.com/2011/03/19/a-legal-war-the-united-nations-participation-act-and-libya/">A Legal War: The United Nations Participation Act and Libya
The above link is to an overview of why Obama's implementation of the NFZ and R2P is perfectly legal under the law. I will not post it entirely here, however, all objections come down to the misinformed position that Obama, by using forces in Libya, was invoking Article 43 of the United Nations. This is wrong. Obama invoked Article 42, which does not require congressional approval to implement. Proof of this is that Article 43 has http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml#rel5">never been used.

It goes like this: The US law (Title 22, Chap. 7, Subchap. XIV § 287d) grants the President the right to invoke UN Article 42 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00000287---d000-.html">without authorization, the War Powers Act (Title 50, Chap. 33 § 1541) grants the President permission to act without authorization under http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/50/1541–1548.html">"specific statutory authorization" which, by definition, is what 287d does. § 1543 of the War Powers Act requires the President to report to Congress, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/obama_explains_libya_mission_to_congress/2011/03/03/ABU9377_blog.html">which he did. One can argue all day and night about the legality of the War Powers Act, doesn't change the fact that under the law as it is written, the President acted within the law.

Editorials worth reading.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2011/03/2011328194855872276.html">Libyan Karzai? Chalabi? Forget it, http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/04/04/110404taco_talk_anderson#ixzz1HvS7iW22">Who Are the Rebels?, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/vision-democratic-libya-interim-national-council">A vision of a democratic Libya, http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/is-qaddafi-an-anti-racist/">Is Qaddafi an anti-racist?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/20/left-slipping-towards-qaddafi">The left: slipping towards Gaddafi?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/27/once-again-“stop-bombing”">Once again on "stop the bombing", http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/an-open-letter-to-the-left-on-libya.html">An Open Letter to the Left on Libya, http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/top-ten-ways-that-libya-2011-is-not-iraq-2003.html">Top Ten Ways that Libya 2011 is Not Iraq 2003, http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/09/110509fa_fact_anderson">Sons of the Revolution

Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi

"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this began

I'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_ded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire is a documentary about Mo's last days, please watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg">Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help.

Mo leaves behind a wife who is with child, she had http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:

We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.