Security council backs no fly resolution

Libyan rebels close on key Gaddafi stronghold

Monday, 28 March 2011
REUTERS

Libya's rebel forces closed in today on Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, the gateway to the western half of the country after it was targeted for the first time by international air strikes.

Witnesses in Sirte said that bombing was heard last night and then again 6.30am, but there was no fighting in the streets or signs of rebel forces. The night before dozens of fighters loyal to Gaddafi could be seen roaming the streets.

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The mission for the Belgian F-16s has evolved from 'patrolling over sea' to 'combat' flights. Their homebase is still in Araxos/Greece.

March 27th was their first attack on a ground target.

No details known yet from Belgian officials but the Pentagon stated say they bombed/attacked an ammodepot at Mizdah together with Danish, Canadian and US forces today March 29th.

6 Dutch F-16s have arrived in Sardinia and are now patrolling over sea in a squadron of 4 assisted by an air-refuel plane KDC-10.

I think the "Forces Committed" section is about the closest I have seen.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Military_intervention_in_Libya

Indeed not. No mention of the Spanish Submarine and how it is relentlessly fighting Ghadafi following orders (I am sure it is, no disrespect meant to the sailors, my comment is strictly political).

Saw a cartoon yesterday, *submerged* submarine with Spanish flag, loudspeaker - a text blob representing it - crackling: "Captain speaking: I have good and bad news, crew. First the good: NATO has taken command of the action against Lybia!" Cheers of "Hurra!" "How great" , etc. ... Then: "Now the bad news: NATO, that´s *us!*"  

Currently, the rebels had to flee Sirte and sourroundings (I have a photo journo friend who claims - being there - that even Ras Lanuf is lost again, but I suspect he might be confusing cities - has happened to him before - as Ras Lanuf seemed to be well secured by coalition air assets, also from his info), pounded by better trained (and better equipped, but if I understand everything right then there is rather a problem of leadership and training than simple a lack of arms, technology or ammo) Ghaddafi forces who include the Chad Mercs (lets remind those for a second - as Genevea Convention does not protect them they get shot when captured as we just saw live today for 300 of them on Spanish News, after interviewing all of them: According to them, they were paid around 1.000 Euros a day, got hashish and viagra for free, and were told that they were fighting Israel Mossad infiltrants, average age 19. Orders: Kill all the men and violate all the women you meet -  hence the viagra. *They* stated that, quite obviously not pressed or tortured in any way, just minutes before their execution and quite relaxed from my POV. As I know that in many nations like Germany, UK, US etc such documents are not shown on TV, I just thought I´d mention it).

AFAIK Russian intel reported that NATO is planning a ground attack to compensate for rebels shortcomings, but I seriously doubt that, it would be totally conter productive. My bet is that  - following US suggestions - the rebels will be armed and some "advisors" sent to get some order into this group of youth that dont follow orders (unacceptable in a "real" military force, but standard here, this is an uprising and not armed forces clashing...!).

My final result bet remains valid: A two-states Lybia if Ghadafi is not assasinated or leaves, and latter is unrealistic to expect as he holds the south and cannot be ousted (for geography)...

OTOH, it seems the "coalition" has reached its goal: Petrol flows again (and lost it again if indeed Ras Lanuf and sourroundings have fallen back to Ghadafi).

Rattler

pictures: http://gigapica.geenstijl.nl/2011/03/odyssey_dawn.html

Will Libya stalemate force US out of its back-seat role?
Pressure rises on the Obama administration to take action in Libya. Officials weigh the humanitarian costs of holding back against the economic and political costs of action.

By Howard LaFranchi, Staff writer / April 6, 2011

Washington
As the Libya conflict appears to settle into a potentially protracted stalemate, the memory of President Obama’s demand that Muammar Qaddafi step down from power – essentially a call for regime change – is feeding a debate over what the president will or should do now to influence the outcome.

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APRIL 4, 2011 4:00 A.M.
Bombing by International Consensus
Libya reveals the complications of multilateralism.

In his speech last Monday, President Obama did manage to identify a few U.S. interests that could be threatened by the turmoil in Libya. But he placed far more emphasis on the moral case for action — our “responsibility to act.” And when he summarized his actions — consulting with other nations, pressing for U.N. Security Council resolutions that condemn Libya, imposing sanctions, and authorizing the use of force to protect civilians — notably missing was any effort to secure congressional approval.

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NATO now has a special webpage for the Libyan operation...

http://natolibguides.info/libya

Gadhafi, in letter, asks Obama to end air strikes

MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press – Wed Apr 6, 7:07 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi appealed directly to President Barack Obama on Wednesday to end what Gadhafi called "an unjust war." He also wished Obama good luck in his bid for re-election next year.
"You are a man who has enough courage to annul a wrong and mistaken action," Gadhafi wrote in a rambling, three-page letter to Obama obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I am sure that you are able to shoulder the responsibility for that."
The White House confirmed the letter, but top officials shrugged it off.
"I don't think there is any mystery about what is expected from Mr. Gadhafi at this time," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, repeating U.S. and NATO demands that Gadhafi's forces pull back and cease attacks. She also renewed a demand that Gadhafi step down from power and leave the country.

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Libyan rebels and residents flee Ajdabiya

Last Modified: 08 Apr 2011 05:10

Families fled from Ajdabiya to Benghazi amid rumours that Gaddafi loyalist forces had made advances [AFP]
Groups of Libyan rebels and civilians have fled from the eastern town of Ajdabiya after a rebel armoured unit was hit by apparent NATO air strikes, allowing government troops to advance.

Families packed into cars and lorries on Thursday and joined rebel military vehicles in a convoy heading northeast towards the de facto opposition capital of Benghazi, around 160km away.

Libyan state television claimed that forces loyal to longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi had entered Ajdabiya, but residents said they could see no sign of them.

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