The U.S., Britain, France and Canada are all moving forward with plans to re-open embassies in the Libyan capital of Tripoli as the Transitional National Council moves from its provisional home in Benghazi.
As the armies of the TNC and NATO mop up resistance in the holdout cities still loyal to the hiding Moammar Gadhafi, Western allies are assessing the damage and security at their existing embassies.
"Having fully assessed the situation on the ground, Canada is prepared to re-establish its diplomatic presence and its ongoing embassy in a temporary location in Tripoli," he said. The permanent embassy building needs refurbishing following the fighting in Tripoli, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said today.
Canada's ambassador to Libya, Sandra McCardell, and a small staff performed the assessment of conditions in at their mission in Tripoli. Canada also announced it would release $2 billion in frozen Gadhafi assets to the TNC.
In a bizarre twist led by the right-wing media, the some in the mainstream U.S. press has tried to make a case that four military personnel who are part of an American diplomatic team in Tripoli represent "boots on the ground" in an effort to embarrass President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Instead, the Obama-bashers are demonstrating their partisanship and ignorance, since an embassy is considered the sovereign ground of the nation that owns it, and almost every embassy has a small security force on hand to protect the facility.
It almost goes without saying that the four military personnel will not be fighting the Gadhafi forces, given their responsibility to protect the U.S. diplomats. The Obama administration promised no U.SD./ troops would be on the ground as part of the NATO operations.
"When the President made his commitment no boots on the ground, that obviously had to do with entering into the fray between the Gaddafi forces and the Libyan freedom fighters and that's not what these guys are engaged in," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, adding an American embassy should be up and running in a matter of weeks.
The French and British were the first Western nations to return to Tripoli, with their diplomatic officials on the ground at the end of August.
In another sign that parts of Libya is slowly moving towards normalcy, Turkish Airlines has resumed service to Benghazi, and Jordan's airline, Royal Jordanian, will re-start its flight to Benghazi Thursday.
The hunt for Gadhafi, meanwhile, continues amid fighting in a few hot spots around the country. Gadhafi's son Saadi, who fled to Niger over the weekend, is being held under house arrest at a government site.
"Our understanding is, like the others, he's being detained in a state guest house and that it is appropriate that Niger and the TNC work through this together," Nuland said. "It's essentially a house arrest in this government facility, is our understanding."
Gadhafi loyalists are putting up a good fight in Bani Walid, 90 miles southeast of Tripoli. TNC fighters have not been able to take the Gadhafi stronhold, despite a two-front attack on that city of 50,000 people.
NATO warplanes softened up targets in at least two other Gadhafi strongholds overnight ahead of anticipated attacks by revolutionary forces. NATO pounded a radar, surface-to-air missile systems and vehicles near Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte. The alliance also said it pounded tanks and two armored trucks in Sabha.
(Editor's note: Moving forward the armies formerly known as "rebel forces" will be described in this blog as the provisional, revolutionary or TNC army.)
Showing posts with label Britain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Britain. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Video: British Apache Helicopters Blast Gadhafi Targets
Video taken from the gun camera aboard British Apache attack helicopters showing the airborne gunships making precision strikes on armor and sites under the control of Moammar Gadhafi's forces. Watch closely and you can see Gadhafi forces fleeing before the Apaches unload on the targets. The video was provided to the Telegraph of London by the British Ministry of Defense.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Canada to Recognize Rebels as Siege is Broken in Misurata
Updated 11 p.m. edt
NATO warplanes returned to the skies over Tripoli this evening while the rebel force's main army in the east moved on Moammar Gadhafi's thinly stretched forces in the oil patch town of Brega -- a region that has gone back and forth between both sides in three months of fighting.
Libyan TV reported that NATO bombed at least two areas around Tripoli, as the rebels also moved on two other fronts. Rebel brigades in Misurata moved a couple of miles closer to Zlitan (see below), while a third opposition force captured the town of Kikla 90 miles southwest of Tripoli, Reuters reported.
In an unsual twist of fate, one of the best-preserved antiquities left behind by the Roman Empire may be at risk of attack, CNN first reported. There is concern that Roman ruins at the site of the ancient city of Leptis Magna in Libya are being used to store Gadhafi's weapons, as the rebels have claimed, Salon writes.
NATO has refused to rule out bombing the site, if necessary, Time blogs.
In Ottawa, the Canadian parliament late today extended its commitment to the combat in Libya for another three months, as expected, The Montreal Gazette reports.
Meanwhile, a few friends at Code Pink are still hoping Gadhafi and his record of human rights violations against his own people can be stopped with a drum circle and a few boxes of Ben & Jerry's Peace Pops (So do I, but unfortunately prayers have not worked).
end update
---[
Canada will become the latest western nation to recognize the rebel Transitional National Council as the legitimate government of Libya in a stepped up diplomatic offensive that includes the U.S. pressuring the African Union to sever its relationship with the well-hidden Moammar Gadhafi.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Ottawa will join France, Spain, Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in formally recognizing the rebel government. The U.S., Germany and Turkey, among others, are waiting for Gadhafi to fall before they make a move toward recognizing the council.
With Russia and China already doing an about-face on Gadhafi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the African Union, Gadhafi's only viable if not nominal ally, to renounce the friendless dictator and expel any diplomats from their countries who remain loyal to him. Gadhafi has pumped millions of dollars into the AU, often at the expense of the needs of his own people.
Those checks are no longer in the mail, Clinton explained.
"I urge all African states to call for a genuine ceasefire and to call for Qadhafi to step aside. I also urge you to suspend the operations of Gadhafi’s embassies in your countries, to expel pro-Gadhafi diplomats, and to increase contact and support for the Transitional National Council," Clinton told the 53-member African Union during a stop in Ethiopia.
"Your words and your actions could make the difference in bringing this situation to finally close and allowing the people of Libya, on an inclusive basis, in a unified Libya, to get to work writing a constitution and rebuilding their country. The world needs the African Union to lead," she added.
Some Western governments are getting antsy about the costs and length of the British- and French-led NATO air campaign, but are committing to spending at least the summer to put heavy fire down on Gadhafi forces and installations.
The hope is the defiant Gadhafi will go or be overthrown much sooner than the recently extended September deadline for the mission.
"We are conducting this operation with all the means we have, and the best we can. If the operation were to last long, of course, the resource issue will become critical," NATO Gen. Stephane Abrial said at a NATO conference in Belgrade.
"But at this stage, the forces engaged do have the means to necessary conduct the operation. If additional resources are needed this will be a political decision. I am confident that this operation will be successful in implementing the UN Security Council resolution," Abrial added.
But NATO also has sent some mixed signals to the rebels themselves, asking them to hold their ground in Misurata instead of pushing westward toward Tripoli. More than 100 rebels and civilians have been killed during Gadhafi's latest siege of Misurata.
NATO aircraft have been missing in action for most of the weeklong siege, though they have been dropping leaflets overnight on the outskirts of Zlitan, warning that anyone who can read the leaflet is probably about to die.
Frustrated and worried they are sitting ducks in Misurata without NATO air cover, a rebel brigade broke through Gadhafi's siege forces to the west of Misurata and were moving slowly toward Zlitan, but despite being outgunned are making progress.
Gadhafi's elite 32nd Brigade is based and the rebels hope people there will rise up from inside the city before the battle is joined.
The rebels were stymied by a rocket attack yesterday on fuel tanks at a depot in Misurata, but were scrambling to get gasoline from alternative sites.
Rebels quickly bolted from their new frontline positions when they picked up the leaflets and realized NATO thought they were Gadhafi troops, fearing they would come under fire from allaince warplanes and attack helicopters.
Libyans, meanwhile, have risen up west and south of Tripoli, making it difficult to Gadhafi to get supplies through the few routes he has left.
At any other time it would be seen as a successful campaign, given how quickly Gadhafi forces were depleted and unable to counter the NATO warplanes. But with the other wars in Iraq and Afghanistan still draining the American treasury, President Obama is under pressure from a minority of U.S. lawmakers to explain where he envisions that the mission is going. An even smaller minority wants the U.S. to pull out of Libya immediately.
House Speaker John Boehner, who supports the Libyan mission, nonetheless sent Obama a letter today, arguing that after Sunday he will be in violation of the War Powers Act of 1973.
"Either you have concluded the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the mission in Libya or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is contrary to the Constitution," Boehner wrote. "The House and the American people whom we represent deserve to know the determination you have made."
Obama insists contingency money is in the budget for the Libya campaign, but privately sources close to Obama say he wants to see Gadhafi toppled as soon as possible. Obama is, however, convinced he is on the morally correct side of history on this campaign -- and is even more resolute that Gadhafi will go, or he will go down.
Britain, meanwhile, may have to move some assets away from the Afghan war if the Libya mission is not concluded by September. "If we do it longer than six months, we will have to reprioritize forces," said Adm. Mark Stanhope, Britain's top naval officer.
NATO warplanes returned to the skies over Tripoli this evening while the rebel force's main army in the east moved on Moammar Gadhafi's thinly stretched forces in the oil patch town of Brega -- a region that has gone back and forth between both sides in three months of fighting.
Libyan TV reported that NATO bombed at least two areas around Tripoli, as the rebels also moved on two other fronts. Rebel brigades in Misurata moved a couple of miles closer to Zlitan (see below), while a third opposition force captured the town of Kikla 90 miles southwest of Tripoli, Reuters reported.
In an unsual twist of fate, one of the best-preserved antiquities left behind by the Roman Empire may be at risk of attack, CNN first reported. There is concern that Roman ruins at the site of the ancient city of Leptis Magna in Libya are being used to store Gadhafi's weapons, as the rebels have claimed, Salon writes.
NATO has refused to rule out bombing the site, if necessary, Time blogs.
In Ottawa, the Canadian parliament late today extended its commitment to the combat in Libya for another three months, as expected, The Montreal Gazette reports.
Meanwhile, a few friends at Code Pink are still hoping Gadhafi and his record of human rights violations against his own people can be stopped with a drum circle and a few boxes of Ben & Jerry's Peace Pops (So do I, but unfortunately prayers have not worked).
end update
---[
Canada will become the latest western nation to recognize the rebel Transitional National Council as the legitimate government of Libya in a stepped up diplomatic offensive that includes the U.S. pressuring the African Union to sever its relationship with the well-hidden Moammar Gadhafi.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Ottawa will join France, Spain, Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in formally recognizing the rebel government. The U.S., Germany and Turkey, among others, are waiting for Gadhafi to fall before they make a move toward recognizing the council.
With Russia and China already doing an about-face on Gadhafi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on the African Union, Gadhafi's only viable if not nominal ally, to renounce the friendless dictator and expel any diplomats from their countries who remain loyal to him. Gadhafi has pumped millions of dollars into the AU, often at the expense of the needs of his own people.
Those checks are no longer in the mail, Clinton explained.
"I urge all African states to call for a genuine ceasefire and to call for Qadhafi to step aside. I also urge you to suspend the operations of Gadhafi’s embassies in your countries, to expel pro-Gadhafi diplomats, and to increase contact and support for the Transitional National Council," Clinton told the 53-member African Union during a stop in Ethiopia.
"Your words and your actions could make the difference in bringing this situation to finally close and allowing the people of Libya, on an inclusive basis, in a unified Libya, to get to work writing a constitution and rebuilding their country. The world needs the African Union to lead," she added.
Some Western governments are getting antsy about the costs and length of the British- and French-led NATO air campaign, but are committing to spending at least the summer to put heavy fire down on Gadhafi forces and installations.
The hope is the defiant Gadhafi will go or be overthrown much sooner than the recently extended September deadline for the mission.
"We are conducting this operation with all the means we have, and the best we can. If the operation were to last long, of course, the resource issue will become critical," NATO Gen. Stephane Abrial said at a NATO conference in Belgrade.
"But at this stage, the forces engaged do have the means to necessary conduct the operation. If additional resources are needed this will be a political decision. I am confident that this operation will be successful in implementing the UN Security Council resolution," Abrial added.
But NATO also has sent some mixed signals to the rebels themselves, asking them to hold their ground in Misurata instead of pushing westward toward Tripoli. More than 100 rebels and civilians have been killed during Gadhafi's latest siege of Misurata.
NATO aircraft have been missing in action for most of the weeklong siege, though they have been dropping leaflets overnight on the outskirts of Zlitan, warning that anyone who can read the leaflet is probably about to die.
Frustrated and worried they are sitting ducks in Misurata without NATO air cover, a rebel brigade broke through Gadhafi's siege forces to the west of Misurata and were moving slowly toward Zlitan, but despite being outgunned are making progress.
Gadhafi's elite 32nd Brigade is based and the rebels hope people there will rise up from inside the city before the battle is joined.
The rebels were stymied by a rocket attack yesterday on fuel tanks at a depot in Misurata, but were scrambling to get gasoline from alternative sites.
Rebels quickly bolted from their new frontline positions when they picked up the leaflets and realized NATO thought they were Gadhafi troops, fearing they would come under fire from allaince warplanes and attack helicopters.
Libyans, meanwhile, have risen up west and south of Tripoli, making it difficult to Gadhafi to get supplies through the few routes he has left.
At any other time it would be seen as a successful campaign, given how quickly Gadhafi forces were depleted and unable to counter the NATO warplanes. But with the other wars in Iraq and Afghanistan still draining the American treasury, President Obama is under pressure from a minority of U.S. lawmakers to explain where he envisions that the mission is going. An even smaller minority wants the U.S. to pull out of Libya immediately.
House Speaker John Boehner, who supports the Libyan mission, nonetheless sent Obama a letter today, arguing that after Sunday he will be in violation of the War Powers Act of 1973.
"Either you have concluded the War Powers Resolution does not apply to the mission in Libya or you have determined the War Powers Resolution is contrary to the Constitution," Boehner wrote. "The House and the American people whom we represent deserve to know the determination you have made."
Obama insists contingency money is in the budget for the Libya campaign, but privately sources close to Obama say he wants to see Gadhafi toppled as soon as possible. Obama is, however, convinced he is on the morally correct side of history on this campaign -- and is even more resolute that Gadhafi will go, or he will go down.
Britain, meanwhile, may have to move some assets away from the Afghan war if the Libya mission is not concluded by September. "If we do it longer than six months, we will have to reprioritize forces," said Adm. Mark Stanhope, Britain's top naval officer.
Friday, June 3, 2011
NATO Unleashes Attack Helicopters for First Time
Updated 10 a.m. edt (Saturday)
There are conflicting reports, but it appears the French deployed both Gazelle and the newer Tiger attack helicopters overnight in Libya against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.
The French helicopters attacked 15 military vehicles and five command buildings, but NATO and the French Defense Ministry are not saying where specifically the gunships struck in Libya.
British Apaches hit targets in Brega, not far from where the rebel army is positioned. The strikes could be a precursor to another offensive by the increasingly better-armed and trained opposition fighters.
"This gives us a chance to target new targets in a way we weren't able to do," British Defense Minister Liam Fox said, according to The Guardian of London.
"What it does show is our willing to use the range of assets we have to keep the pressure up. We will continue with the methods we have to degrade his [Gadhafi's] command and control, to degrade his supplies," he added.
Meanwhile, there are reports British Foreign Secretary William Hague and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell are in Benghazi meeting with the rebel Transitional National Council.
end update
---[
Updated 11:15 p.m. edt
French Gazelle and British Apache helicopters were both used in the strikes today in Libya on Moammar Gadhafi's forces and equipment.
The French apparently held in reserve their newer, more powerful Tiger attack helicopters.
The Brits hit radar and other targets around Brega, the BBC reported.
It was not immediately known where the Gazelles struck.
End update
---[
The air campaign in Libya just escalated.
NATO unleashed its attack helicopters today for the first time, striking at Moammar Gadhafi's forces, military vehicles and equipment, the alliance announced.
"This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters," said Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector. "We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions."
NATO did not immediately say whether the helicopter gunships were British Apaches or French Tigers, or both.
The alliance also did not identify where the strikes occurred, but for days NATO has been telling rebel leaders that they planned to deploy the helicopters in the Misurata area.
There are conflicting reports, but it appears the French deployed both Gazelle and the newer Tiger attack helicopters overnight in Libya against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.
The French helicopters attacked 15 military vehicles and five command buildings, but NATO and the French Defense Ministry are not saying where specifically the gunships struck in Libya.
British Apaches hit targets in Brega, not far from where the rebel army is positioned. The strikes could be a precursor to another offensive by the increasingly better-armed and trained opposition fighters.
"This gives us a chance to target new targets in a way we weren't able to do," British Defense Minister Liam Fox said, according to The Guardian of London.
"What it does show is our willing to use the range of assets we have to keep the pressure up. We will continue with the methods we have to degrade his [Gadhafi's] command and control, to degrade his supplies," he added.
Meanwhile, there are reports British Foreign Secretary William Hague and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell are in Benghazi meeting with the rebel Transitional National Council.
end update
---[
Updated 11:15 p.m. edt
French Gazelle and British Apache helicopters were both used in the strikes today in Libya on Moammar Gadhafi's forces and equipment.
The French apparently held in reserve their newer, more powerful Tiger attack helicopters.
The Brits hit radar and other targets around Brega, the BBC reported.
It was not immediately known where the Gazelles struck.
End update
---[
The air campaign in Libya just escalated.
NATO unleashed its attack helicopters today for the first time, striking at Moammar Gadhafi's forces, military vehicles and equipment, the alliance announced.
"This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters," said Canadian Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, commander of NATO's Operation Unified Protector. "We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions."
NATO did not immediately say whether the helicopter gunships were British Apaches or French Tigers, or both.
The alliance also did not identify where the strikes occurred, but for days NATO has been telling rebel leaders that they planned to deploy the helicopters in the Misurata area.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Britain To Use Bunker-Busters Against Gadhafi
There apparently is more than a degree of psychological warfare at play in NATO's stepped up air campaign over Libya.
Britain is not stopping at deploying Apache helicopter gunships -- now London is letting it be known that it is preparing to include 2,000-pound bunker-busters in its arsenal against Moammar Gadhafi.
The Paveway bombs have already been moved to Gioia del Colle in Italy, where RAF Tornado and Typhoon jets are based, The Guardian of London reported. The Paveways are expected to be used to crash through the bunkers beneath Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizia compound in Tripoli, among other underground targets.
"We are not trying to physically target individuals in Gadhafi's inner circle on whom he relies but we are certainly sending them increasingly loud messages," British Defence Minsterer Liam Fox said, according to the BBC.
"Gadhafi may not be capable of listening but those around him would be wise to do so," Fox said.
Britain is not stopping at deploying Apache helicopter gunships -- now London is letting it be known that it is preparing to include 2,000-pound bunker-busters in its arsenal against Moammar Gadhafi.
The Paveway bombs have already been moved to Gioia del Colle in Italy, where RAF Tornado and Typhoon jets are based, The Guardian of London reported. The Paveways are expected to be used to crash through the bunkers beneath Gadhafi's Bab al-Azizia compound in Tripoli, among other underground targets.
"We are not trying to physically target individuals in Gadhafi's inner circle on whom he relies but we are certainly sending them increasingly loud messages," British Defence Minsterer Liam Fox said, according to the BBC.
"Gadhafi may not be capable of listening but those around him would be wise to do so," Fox said.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
G-8 Looks to Help Libyan Rebels & NATO
Updated 4:45 p.m. edt
France and Britain will deploy 16 helicopter gunships in Libya, including British Apaches, claiming Moammar Gadhafi is on the run and the precision ground attack aircraft will hasten the demise of his forces, according to the Financial Times.
The attack helicopters could be ready to go in a matter of days, the newspaper reported today. The leaders of the Britain, France and the United States discussed the decision to deploy the helicopters on the sidelines today at the Group of Eight summit in France.
The Associated Press later confirmed that the British government had green-lighted the use of Apaches in Libya.
As previously reported, France is sending 12 Tiger and Gazelle helicopters aboard the amphibious assault ship Tonnerre. The Apaches are on the British amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean, the Financial Times said.
end update
---[
As world leaders meet at a French resort in Normandy, the Canadians are apparently coming under a little pressure to do a bit more in Libya.
Canada, of course, is not the only NATO member feeling the heat from the French, British and U.S., who are doing the lion's share of the work in Libya. However, it is a touchy subject since the commander of the NATO mission in Libya, Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, hails from the Canadian air force.
Hoping to deflect the jabs, Canadian military officials released raw figures this week showing their fighter jets have dropped 240 bombs over Libya during 324 sorties, The Toronto Star reported.
Ottawa has sent six CF-18 fighters, patrol and refuelling aircraft and the ship HMCS Charlottetown.
The G-8 summit in France comes as the Gadhafi regime floated its latest ceasefire deal, which so far is being received with a yawn by the Western powers.
Meanwhile, during one of the most under-reported diplomatic missions this week, Abdurraham Mohamed Shalgham, the Gadhafi regime's former UN ambassador until he publicly split with the dictator at the UN Security Council in February, re-surfaced in Moscow.
Shalgham, who delivered upon his resignation a dramatic headline-making address in which he likened the Libyan leader to Adolf Hitler, was greeted by one of the NATO mission's biggest critics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The meeting, seen in diplomatic circles as much more than Moscow hedging its bet, came a week after he held talks with an envoy for Gadhafi.
"Russia is an important state and plays an important role in Libya. Russia has its own ideas, and I want to listen to them," said Shalgham was quoted as saying by The Moscow Times.
Shalgham, who also had served as Gadhafi's foreign minister at one time, indicated there was no ill-will with Russia for its criticism, saying the Transitional National Council understood Lavrov's position.
In another sign that the TNC is winning over Western governments' hearts and minds, the rebel government accepted an invitation this week from the U.S. to open a liaison office in Washington.
The European Union and Germany also opened liaison offices in the de facto rebel capital, Benghazi.
It was also announced the rebels have begun selling oil headed to the U.S. In a deal first agreed upon in late April, U.S. refiner Tesoro purchased the first oil cargo sold by rebels who need cash to finance their fight with Gadhafi.
San Antonio-based Tesoro told Reuters the Libyan rebel crude will processed in its Hawaii refinery.
France and Britain will deploy 16 helicopter gunships in Libya, including British Apaches, claiming Moammar Gadhafi is on the run and the precision ground attack aircraft will hasten the demise of his forces, according to the Financial Times.
The attack helicopters could be ready to go in a matter of days, the newspaper reported today. The leaders of the Britain, France and the United States discussed the decision to deploy the helicopters on the sidelines today at the Group of Eight summit in France.
The Associated Press later confirmed that the British government had green-lighted the use of Apaches in Libya.
As previously reported, France is sending 12 Tiger and Gazelle helicopters aboard the amphibious assault ship Tonnerre. The Apaches are on the British amphibious assault ship HMS Ocean, the Financial Times said.
end update
---[
As world leaders meet at a French resort in Normandy, the Canadians are apparently coming under a little pressure to do a bit more in Libya.
Canada, of course, is not the only NATO member feeling the heat from the French, British and U.S., who are doing the lion's share of the work in Libya. However, it is a touchy subject since the commander of the NATO mission in Libya, Lt. Gen. Charles Bouchard, hails from the Canadian air force.
Hoping to deflect the jabs, Canadian military officials released raw figures this week showing their fighter jets have dropped 240 bombs over Libya during 324 sorties, The Toronto Star reported.
Ottawa has sent six CF-18 fighters, patrol and refuelling aircraft and the ship HMCS Charlottetown.
The G-8 summit in France comes as the Gadhafi regime floated its latest ceasefire deal, which so far is being received with a yawn by the Western powers.
Meanwhile, during one of the most under-reported diplomatic missions this week, Abdurraham Mohamed Shalgham, the Gadhafi regime's former UN ambassador until he publicly split with the dictator at the UN Security Council in February, re-surfaced in Moscow.
Shalgham, who delivered upon his resignation a dramatic headline-making address in which he likened the Libyan leader to Adolf Hitler, was greeted by one of the NATO mission's biggest critics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The meeting, seen in diplomatic circles as much more than Moscow hedging its bet, came a week after he held talks with an envoy for Gadhafi.
"Russia is an important state and plays an important role in Libya. Russia has its own ideas, and I want to listen to them," said Shalgham was quoted as saying by The Moscow Times.
Shalgham, who also had served as Gadhafi's foreign minister at one time, indicated there was no ill-will with Russia for its criticism, saying the Transitional National Council understood Lavrov's position.
In another sign that the TNC is winning over Western governments' hearts and minds, the rebel government accepted an invitation this week from the U.S. to open a liaison office in Washington.
The European Union and Germany also opened liaison offices in the de facto rebel capital, Benghazi.
It was also announced the rebels have begun selling oil headed to the U.S. In a deal first agreed upon in late April, U.S. refiner Tesoro purchased the first oil cargo sold by rebels who need cash to finance their fight with Gadhafi.
San Antonio-based Tesoro told Reuters the Libyan rebel crude will processed in its Hawaii refinery.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
ITN: Helicopters in Libya? Brits Demo Apaches
There has been consideration of deploying helicopter gunships in Libya, raising the firepower, the stakes and the risks for NATO. France has already sent 12 attack helicopters aboard an assault ship that headed for Libyan coast.
The British army show off its lethal Apache attack helicopters in this new report from ITN posted on YouTube.
The British army show off its lethal Apache attack helicopters in this new report from ITN posted on YouTube.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron Call Out Gadhafi
The leaders of the United States, France and the United Kingdom penned an opinion piece for today's International Herald Tribune that warns Moammar Gadhafi that the warplanes flying above Libya are not going away -- but he is.
The last paragraph of the op-ed written by President Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister David Cameron says it all quite succinctly:
"Britain, France, and the United States will not rest until the United Nations Security Council resolutions have been implemented and the Libyan people can choose their own future."
Click here for the full article.
The last paragraph of the op-ed written by President Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister David Cameron says it all quite succinctly:
"Britain, France, and the United States will not rest until the United Nations Security Council resolutions have been implemented and the Libyan people can choose their own future."
Click here for the full article.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Move to Fund Libyan Rebels As France & UK Plot Strategy
Libyan rebels called on the United States today to recommit to the air campaign, only to discover later that American warplanes are indeed flying above Libya, hunting for anti-aircraft weapons to protect NATO aircraft.
Six F-16 fighter jets and five EA-18 Growler electronic warfare planes have flown 97 sorties in Libya since April 4, the Pentagon said.
The disclosure came after the Libya Contact Group convened today in Qatar, urging nations to finance the Libyan rebels. Meanwhile, the leaders of France and Britain huddled in Paris to plot a strategy for defeating an isolated but resilient Moamnmar Gadhafi.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with British Prime Minister David Cameron, along with defense ministers Gerard Longuet of France and Liam Fox of the UK, to try to forge a unified front in getting NATO to step up its attacks on Gadhafi forces and targets.
"Britain and France are at the heart of this coalition, and with President Sarkozy I am going to be sitting down to make sure that we leave no stone unturned in doing everything we can militarily, diplomatically, politically to enforce the UN resolution, to put real pressure on Qaddafi, and to stop the appalling murder of civilians," Cameron told reporters before the meeting.
Earlier, Britain announced it would send 1,000 pieces of surplus body armor to the rebels. The Brtiish had already sent the rebels 100 satellite phones.
In Doha, the contact group called at the onbe-day meeting for Gadhafi to step down and proposed a temporary "trust fund" for the rebels, possibly including funds from Gadhafi's frozen assets.
"Gadhafi and his regime has lost all legitimacy and he must leave power allowing the Libyan people to determine their own future," the group said in a statement.
A thumbnail guide to the players in Doha today from Agence France Press.
Six F-16 fighter jets and five EA-18 Growler electronic warfare planes have flown 97 sorties in Libya since April 4, the Pentagon said.
The disclosure came after the Libya Contact Group convened today in Qatar, urging nations to finance the Libyan rebels. Meanwhile, the leaders of France and Britain huddled in Paris to plot a strategy for defeating an isolated but resilient Moamnmar Gadhafi.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with British Prime Minister David Cameron, along with defense ministers Gerard Longuet of France and Liam Fox of the UK, to try to forge a unified front in getting NATO to step up its attacks on Gadhafi forces and targets.
"Britain and France are at the heart of this coalition, and with President Sarkozy I am going to be sitting down to make sure that we leave no stone unturned in doing everything we can militarily, diplomatically, politically to enforce the UN resolution, to put real pressure on Qaddafi, and to stop the appalling murder of civilians," Cameron told reporters before the meeting.
Earlier, Britain announced it would send 1,000 pieces of surplus body armor to the rebels. The Brtiish had already sent the rebels 100 satellite phones.
In Doha, the contact group called at the onbe-day meeting for Gadhafi to step down and proposed a temporary "trust fund" for the rebels, possibly including funds from Gadhafi's frozen assets.
"Gadhafi and his regime has lost all legitimacy and he must leave power allowing the Libyan people to determine their own future," the group said in a statement.
A thumbnail guide to the players in Doha today from Agence France Press.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Arab League Gets Queasy Quickly on No-Fly Zone
The Arab League is having a difficult time accepting that a no-fly zone against despot Moammar Gadhafi is a combat situation with consequences, even when precautions are taken.
The leader of the 22-nation organization threatened today to withdraw the Arab League's endorsement for the no-fly zone, angered by civilian casualties and the scope of the allied strikes on command and control and combat targets.
“What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone,” Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said in a statement issued through the state-run information agency. “And what we want is the protection of civilians and not the shelling of more civilians.”
It was a contrast from the cheers from grateful Libyans who feared they were about to be overrun by Gadhafi's forces.
"Thank you France, thank you America," Abdul Gader told The Associated Press as he looked over Gadhafi's armored vehicles destroyed by French aircraft. "Obama good, Sarkozy good."
Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia and Cuban figurehead Fidel Castro all condemned the intervention, The Washington Post reports.
The Guardian warns in an editorial there will be more complaints from the Arab chieftains,at least until the tide turns and Gadhafi capitulates.
The leader of the 22-nation organization threatened today to withdraw the Arab League's endorsement for the no-fly zone, angered by civilian casualties and the scope of the allied strikes on command and control and combat targets.
“What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone,” Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said in a statement issued through the state-run information agency. “And what we want is the protection of civilians and not the shelling of more civilians.”
It was a contrast from the cheers from grateful Libyans who feared they were about to be overrun by Gadhafi's forces.
"Thank you France, thank you America," Abdul Gader told The Associated Press as he looked over Gadhafi's armored vehicles destroyed by French aircraft. "Obama good, Sarkozy good."
Presidents Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Evo Morales of Bolivia and Cuban figurehead Fidel Castro all condemned the intervention, The Washington Post reports.
The Guardian warns in an editorial there will be more complaints from the Arab chieftains,at least until the tide turns and Gadhafi capitulates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)