Posted on 03/17/2011 2:03:34 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
His air force is already bombing the outskirts of the city, but not for much longer. The Security Council’s expected to vote at 6 p.m. ET and the French are telling people that airstrikes against Libyan air defenses — and maybe more — could begin immediately thereafter. At the same time, Qaddafi just delivered another insane stemwinder against the rebels on Libyan radio warning people in Benghazi that the army will be rolling into town tonight and that, if they don’t surrender, they’ll receive “no mercy.” Which means, unless someone blinks in the next few hours, that city will be a bona fide international war zone by the time America goes to bed tonight.
This is turning out to be some week.
Ibrahim Dabbashi, the deputy Libyan UN ambassador, warned that, “in the coming hours we will see a real genocide if the international community does not act quickly.”
Dabbashi, who defected early on from the Gaddafi regime, said “about five” Arab states were ready to help police the no-fly zone if it was adopted…
Al Jazeera’s Bays in Tobruk said that people in the city said they were confident of winning against Gaddafi, but still needed international help.
“I can tell you that when you speak to the people here, they say they’re winning, they say they’re beating back Gaddafi. Then you ask them the question should the international community do more, and they say ‘Yes, we’re all going to die if they don’t help’. So very contradictory answers to those questions,” Bays reported on Thursday.
The regime’s threatening to retaliate by attacking air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean, which is unlikely in the near term with NATO overhead but more likely if Qaddafi brokers a deal to stay in power and inevitably returns to his old terrorist-y ways. (He’s worried enough about imminent airstrikes to have opted for radio over video today.) Meanwhile, I’m intrigued by those five Arab states who are allegedly ready to help “police” the NFZ. What does that mean, exactly? McClatchy reported earlier that only two were on board so momentum is building across the region to help make this happen, but in practical terms it means — what? Certainly use of local air bases; possibly also … Arab air forces joining NATO patrols?
As for which five states are involved, Tunisia and Egypt are obvious candidates since they’re adjacent, have revolutionary fever themselves, and want to maintain good relations with the west in the near term to keep the foreign aid flowing while they reorganize. The obvious risk is that if Qaddafi somehow remains in charge, then they have to live with him and wonder if he’s plotting revenge. That’s not a big concern for Egypt, which could crush him if need be, but little Tunisia may think twice. Assuming they’re both in, though, then who are the other three states? Given the current circumstances in the region, would the Saudis dare lend logistical support to dislodging an Arab dictator — even one they despise? Stay tuned.
Exit question: How’d the NATO powers get China and Russia to go along with a no-fly zone on the Security Council? Exit answer: In a way, they didn’t.
Update: According to one report, four of the five Arab countries involved are the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, and … Saudi Arabia. No word on the fifth. I guess Tunisia and Egypt don’t want to make the mad dog mad.
What genocide in Libya.
Indiscriminate use of the word has cheapened it.
Libya is a civil war. Civilians tend to die in them. Since civilians do a lot of the fighting.
Ever wonder how quickly the Libyan rebels got arms and the ability to use them. Could Kadafi be correct about AQ in the midst of the fighters?
“People are being slaughtered in Libya. IS this going on in Bahrain, as well?”
One Time get this! The Government of Bahrain is OUR FRIEND! whatever they do to keep order and destroy Iranian terrorists is fine with me.
We took his wife and daughter. He did pay back. n/s
I have a friend in Bahrain. A teacher. And I know we need to help them if the Saudi’s fail.
“I have a friend in Bahrain. A teacher. And I know we need to help them if the Saudi’s fail.”
I agree 100%
Exactly, save our powder for when we really need it instead of the Libyan sideshow.
That is a prescription for endless war. What about Myanmar, Tibet, North Korea, Zimbabwe, etc. etc.
Evidently not. Obustme is gonna be whoopin' it up in Rio!
(Blame it on Rio).
Agreed. See #4
I am focused on Libya. ON the man who sent a passenger jet to the ground. A man Reagan used our military to retaliate against, once upon a time.
And right now, I am concerned about this terrorist who wails about AQ, something I find hilarious, when he himself is a terrorist.
But 'let them all eat cake'.
We differ in opinion. And when inept presidents send our military on missions unprepared and 'somalias' happen, I HATE IT. But none of us know, as in Iran, the true nature of the uprisers. But all of us know slaughter. And none of us are immune to the uprising of terrorism and knowledge of those who lead it. Omar is a leader. Which is exactly why he had the notice sent out that civilians will be targets if the sanctity of his nation is invaded by outside forces. Flip side-nothing new there. Just ask the families of the Lockerbie horror.
It’s their Civil War, let them fight it. Would we want the UN involved in our affairs?
“Japan is our friend, too.
I am focused on Libya. ON the man who sent a passenger jet to the ground. A man Reagan used our military to retaliate against, once upon a time.”
Japan! I loved it there and feel bad for those people, real bad!
The “Duck” is easy,One sub launched cruise missile,But committing US forces, Never!
“’....this horrific slaughter that creep is engineering in Libya.”
By “that creep” I believe you refer to the SCUM named Quadaffy (or what the hell)...
Two questions:
1. Do you think America should send it’s troops/dwindling treasure into a THIRD war into a muslim hellhole and....
2. Would you send YOUR son or daughter in to DIE for Libyans? A nation with demonstrated HOSTILITY to America and Americans?
If we enter into a war on the streets over socialism vs our democratic republic, then I hope my side will willingly take help from our foreign democratic friends if offered. If the power and force of the opposition has the weaponry that is available via our military ( in which I hope most would resign) or civil militias like uhbama hinted at, I would be more than grateful to any help from foreign friends.
UN? Airstrikes? What are they flying, Spads?
Some astute graphics oriented FReeper post appropriate WW1 Graphic.
“help from our foreign democratic friends if offered.”
There are some of those around?
Then the UN (whoever that means) better jump on this guy with both feet.
No half measures.
The body scanner crap convinced me. SInce when do we allow packs of terrorists to determine our way of life?
The number is probably dwindling as measured by uhbama’s days in office, for sure.
it sounds great but freedom means different things to different cultures. In the mideast their freedom revolution will certainly lead to another mullah controlled, Iran style “freedom.” I feel that all these revolutions are part of a concerted movement to advance the cause of Islam, which is, of course, total domination of the world. I don't know who is pulling the strings, but IMO, there are strings being pulled.
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