Posted on 08/19/2011 1:24:01 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year grip on power in Libya looked more precarious than ever on Friday night, as rebel forces advanced on the capital from three directions after breaking out of the once-besieged town of Misrata.
With rebels taking control of the coastal town of Zlitan in the east, those in the west claimed to have made progress clearing out the last pro-Gaddafi troops from Zawiyah, 30 miles west of Tripoli. They now have the main coastal road under pressure on both sides of the capital and also under threat from the Nafusa mountains.
Gaddafi's army outside Tripoli is trapped in a series of besieged and shrinking enclaves, with rebels controlling more than two thirds of the country. And as the stranglehold on the capital tightens, plans are being made to evacuate the last remaining foreign workers by sea.
It was a day of heavy street fighting in Zlitan, where rebels from Misrata came up against tanks and troops from the 32nd brigade commanded by Gaddafi's son Khamis. Thirty-five rebel troops were killed and scores more injured.
By Friday night, however, opposition leaders said they had taken control of the city 100 miles east of Tripoli. They said their column had reached the outskirts of Al Khums another 30 miles along the coast.
Al Khums commands the last significant road junction before the capital. Rebel spokesmen in Misrata said their forces were now in a valley not far from the town. "Zlitan is now under thwar [revolutionary] control," said Ali Gliwan, spokesman for Misrata's military council. "Misrata thwar linked with the Zlitan thwar. They are now establishing control of the town."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Sounds like Gaddafi’s boys are finding out rather quickly what it’s like to have to deal with a mob of fanatical, Islamofascist knuckledraggers. (That’s “rebels” to the U.S. government run “mainstream media”.)
Such good news.
If Libya falls to the rebels, radical Islam will only have the barrier of the Med Sea between them and Europe. And Europe’s oil supply will be in their hands.
Even so, come Lord Jesus.
??? THere are so many of you that are lik Pat buchanan
This can be like Europe 1989 in the Middle East. Another Iron Curtain that needs to fall.
When conservatives are this bad, I really loose hope in this country.
Its almost over—lets wait and see who or what replaces tyrant, my bet is another tyrant—but a pro-western one. The weather vane is going to point to Paris I believe.
Many of us will be holding our breaths to see what happens after Gaddafi. I don’t want my Special Forces son to have to put out another ME fire. Meanwhile, here is another post regarding the beginning of the end. Over 1500 comments give an interesting snapshot of the full spectrum of American opinions/predictions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/18/gaddafi-making-plans_n_930987.html?ncid=webmail7
It’s been almost over for what, six months?
Let’s have some reports from someone other than this or that military council.
Gadaffi is reportedly hiding out (on occasion) under the Tripoli Zoo, near the Rixos Hotel. If NATO bombs the Zoo in an effort to get Gadaffi, and craters the serpentarium, how will they determine which body is Gadaffi?
days, not weeks
In theory I would agree with you, however, I don’t trust the rebels and they could be worse.. I don’t know enough about them to cheer them on.
How'd working the telephones for the Weekly Standard's subscription drive go this year?
Then you should advise them to seek an honorable discharge.
I agree, but you better hope the people that replaces him is not a bigger turd than he was..
Sent you personal email....
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