Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi continues to elude capture, but the rebel government hoping to pick up his scent now that there is $1.4 million price on his head.
The bounty on Gadhafi sure does appear to be a carrot to Gadhafi insiders.
The likelihood of Average Joe Libyan seeing the fleeing despot on the streets is slim, so the Transitional National Council's may be thinking that a bag full of money may just what some inner circle Gadhafi confidante needs to add to his legal defense fund.
The rebels, with the help of NATO and Arab allies Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Jordan, may be on the trail of Gadhafi, according to a report in the French press.
Trackers reportedly discovered a safe house in Tripoli where Gadhafi holed up for at least one night, the magazine Paris Match reported on its website today.
The search for Gadhafi is centered in Tripoli, but the fighting is moving toward Sirte, the defrocked dictator's hometown and tribal capital. The city is said to be brimming with Gadhafi hardliners, so the battle is expected to be fierce.
The Obama administration, meanwhile, is preoccupied with the hunt for Gadhafi's mustard gas weapons and precursor chemical materials. NATO's eye in thee sky is keeping watch over any evidence that Gadhafi forces are attempting to use te chemicals weapons.
The nationwide search for Gadhafi is very different than the hunts for Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden, in which the U.S. was pretty much on its own to track down those scoundrels. In contrast, the vast majority of Libyans appear to want to capture Gadhafi.
Gadhafi and Hussein, however, did apparently share a penchant for quirky lifestyle choices.
When American forces went through Hussein's personal items they found that he fashioned himself to be a closet dime-store novelist. Rebels who captured Gadhafi's compound this week discovered a photo album of former Secretary of State Condoleeze Rice, for whom the dictator has hinted that he had much admiration for. Maybe too much.
Showing posts with label Arab League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arab League. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2011
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.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
So Just Who Will Run The No-Fly Zone? TBD
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe says foreign ministers from the Western coalition protecting the no-fly zone over Libya as well as Arab and Africans representatives plan to meet in London Tuesday, but the U.S. appparentlyuu is not ready to discuss plans for that session.
"Obviously, we remain in close contact. We’re aware of the meeting that was proposed. And obviously, (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and others remain in close contact with our allies and partners in the coalition, but nothing to announce specific to that meeting," said Mark Toner, acting deputy State Department spokesman.
President Obama has said he wants to turn over command and control of the Libya mission in a matter of days, but the question for now is to whom does the U.S. hand over control of Libya? ABC ponders the question.
The U.S. would prefer that NATO run the show, but the French government wants a hybrid, a steering committee that includes a seat for NATO and perhaps Arab members, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"It won't be NATO that will have the political steering of the operation," Juppe said.
There are problems that must be attended to quickly in the coming days and for whichever entity takes over command for the next phase.
"Without substantial defections from the loyalist army, the rebels cannot hope to become a cohesive military force unless they receive weapons and training from outside, which would seem to be in breach of the UN arms embargo," The Economist opines in its Clausewitz blog, cooling defence, security and diplomatic issues.
The Christian Science Monitor noted, "The resolution had broad international support when it passed 10-0 with 5 abstentions. But now, as questions arise over what a no-fly zone actually entails and what “all necessary measures” means."
"Obviously, we remain in close contact. We’re aware of the meeting that was proposed. And obviously, (Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) and others remain in close contact with our allies and partners in the coalition, but nothing to announce specific to that meeting," said Mark Toner, acting deputy State Department spokesman.
President Obama has said he wants to turn over command and control of the Libya mission in a matter of days, but the question for now is to whom does the U.S. hand over control of Libya? ABC ponders the question.
The U.S. would prefer that NATO run the show, but the French government wants a hybrid, a steering committee that includes a seat for NATO and perhaps Arab members, The Wall Street Journal reported.
"It won't be NATO that will have the political steering of the operation," Juppe said.
There are problems that must be attended to quickly in the coming days and for whichever entity takes over command for the next phase.
"Without substantial defections from the loyalist army, the rebels cannot hope to become a cohesive military force unless they receive weapons and training from outside, which would seem to be in breach of the UN arms embargo," The Economist opines in its Clausewitz blog, cooling defence, security and diplomatic issues.
The Christian Science Monitor noted, "The resolution had broad international support when it passed 10-0 with 5 abstentions. But now, as questions arise over what a no-fly zone actually entails and what “all necessary measures” means."
Monday, March 21, 2011
US & UN Insist Arab League Still With NFZ
President Obama said firmly today the Arab League gave an important endorsement of a United Nation's resolution approving a no-fly zone and he expects Arab nations "absolutely" will be part of the mission.
"The Arab League specifically called for a no-fly zone before we went to the United Nations," Obama said at a press conference while traveling in Chile, where he dismissed concerns today over the Arab League getting cold feet and wanting to back out of its commitment to the no-fly zone over Libya.
Asked whether Arabs will be part of the mission, Obama said "Absolutely, and we are in consultations as we speak."
The President added, "As I said, there are different phases to the campaign. The initial campaign, we took a larger role because we've got some unique capabilities; our ability to take out, for example, Gadhafi's air-defense systems are much more significant than some of our other partners."
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa did an about-face not long after the no-fly zone was imposed on Gadhafi over reports of civilian casualties. Moussa threatened to withdraw the 22-member group's backing for the action.
So UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had to do some hand-holding with Moussa today, meeting with the Arab League's boss to urge him to remain committed to protecting Libyans from Gadhafi's wrath.
"Now, it is imperative that the international community continue to speak with one voice to fully implement the Security Council resolutions. Thousands of lives are at stake. We could well see a further humanitarian emergency," Ban said after emerging from discussions with Moussa.
"We are moving quickly to take effective action. On Saturday in Paris, I and Secretary-General Moussa met with world leaders to coordinate our plans. Secretary-General Moussa, I welcomed your contributions and that of the other Arab leaders who attended that session," Ban said looking at the Arab leader. "Egypt and the Arab League are standing with the international community and the United Nations at this critical time for the region."
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.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Moment of Shame for Arab League & West
An armored column of tanks and artillery and a few thousand troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi formed today at a staging ground in Eastern Libya, poised to launch what may be a final push to wipe out a dwindling rebel army, CNN reports.
Western and Arab nations for days ignored appeals from Libyan rebels to take swift action to clear the skies of Gadhafi's air force. Now it may be a waste of time to impose an effective no-fly zone over Libya since the air campaign has already succeeded, experts complain.
"It be too late," warned former President George H.W. Bush's ex-chief of staff Andy Card. He is part of a growing chorus of critics who say the world has a blown a chance to get on the right side of history by helping to take out Gadhafi.
The Arab League, NATO, the G-8 and the United Nations all failed to take immediate steps to ground Libyan jets and it has allowed Gadhafi's forces to systematically recapture cities and territory that had been taken over by the rebels, as Saif Gadhafi vowed this week.
In Washington, a noncommittal President Obama played it safe and stuck to a policy of not interfering with the Libyan revolution. The French and British governments tried but failed to build a coalition in favor of taking fast action. "When there is a state of emergency ... We cannot wait for a mandate," French commentator and writer Bernard-Henri Levy told MSNBC.
But Obama carefully weighed his options, deciding that he could survive facing potential criticism that his inaction helped Gadhafi remain in power. However, the worst case scenario of Americans getting killed or captured while imposing a no-fly zone was unacceptable going into next year's election, Obama and his advisers concluded.
The ex-top Bush aide Card told MSNBC Tuesday that he would have preferred to see Obama opt for a "more clandestine" way to remove Gadhafi.
Most observers do not see Obama as the biggest do-nothing culprit on the Libyan front. Many foreign policy experts believe the 22 nations of the Arab League needed to take the lead with decisive military action on the side of the rebels, but the organization missed its opportunity to rise above being a lobbying group for Middle Eastern dictators.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) slammed the Arab League during remarks at a Washington think tank this week.
"I'd argue we should have had a no-fly zone earlier but we should have invited in the Arab League. They've got some planes to put in the game. They should have been involved in the game," Rogers said. "If they believe a no-fly zone is a good idea, they should have participated with us early on in the process. It may be too late now."
Arab leaders obviously do not sit out all the revolutions in their neighborhood. A clear example is the unfortunate insertion of about 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to prop up Bahrain's Sunni royals against a lively Shiite middle class revolt over their demands for equal rights.
Middle Eastern scholars are already warning the Saudi/UAE expedition into Bahrain demonstrates that those countries are not only forgoing an effort to find a political solution with the mostly peaceful protesters, but they may be giving the meddlesome Iranians an opening to possibly hijack the democratic movement and turn it into a proxy war with the Sunni oil sheiks.
Western and Arab nations for days ignored appeals from Libyan rebels to take swift action to clear the skies of Gadhafi's air force. Now it may be a waste of time to impose an effective no-fly zone over Libya since the air campaign has already succeeded, experts complain.
"It be too late," warned former President George H.W. Bush's ex-chief of staff Andy Card. He is part of a growing chorus of critics who say the world has a blown a chance to get on the right side of history by helping to take out Gadhafi.
The Arab League, NATO, the G-8 and the United Nations all failed to take immediate steps to ground Libyan jets and it has allowed Gadhafi's forces to systematically recapture cities and territory that had been taken over by the rebels, as Saif Gadhafi vowed this week.
In Washington, a noncommittal President Obama played it safe and stuck to a policy of not interfering with the Libyan revolution. The French and British governments tried but failed to build a coalition in favor of taking fast action. "When there is a state of emergency ... We cannot wait for a mandate," French commentator and writer Bernard-Henri Levy told MSNBC.
But Obama carefully weighed his options, deciding that he could survive facing potential criticism that his inaction helped Gadhafi remain in power. However, the worst case scenario of Americans getting killed or captured while imposing a no-fly zone was unacceptable going into next year's election, Obama and his advisers concluded.
The ex-top Bush aide Card told MSNBC Tuesday that he would have preferred to see Obama opt for a "more clandestine" way to remove Gadhafi.
Most observers do not see Obama as the biggest do-nothing culprit on the Libyan front. Many foreign policy experts believe the 22 nations of the Arab League needed to take the lead with decisive military action on the side of the rebels, but the organization missed its opportunity to rise above being a lobbying group for Middle Eastern dictators.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) slammed the Arab League during remarks at a Washington think tank this week.
"I'd argue we should have had a no-fly zone earlier but we should have invited in the Arab League. They've got some planes to put in the game. They should have been involved in the game," Rogers said. "If they believe a no-fly zone is a good idea, they should have participated with us early on in the process. It may be too late now."
Arab leaders obviously do not sit out all the revolutions in their neighborhood. A clear example is the unfortunate insertion of about 1,000 troops from Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to prop up Bahrain's Sunni royals against a lively Shiite middle class revolt over their demands for equal rights.
Middle Eastern scholars are already warning the Saudi/UAE expedition into Bahrain demonstrates that those countries are not only forgoing an effort to find a political solution with the mostly peaceful protesters, but they may be giving the meddlesome Iranians an opening to possibly hijack the democratic movement and turn it into a proxy war with the Sunni oil sheiks.
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