Gaddafi foreign minister arrested by rebels-witness

Reuters ^ | August 31st 2011 | Ismail Zitouny and Salah Sarrar

[Cardhu]

JANZOUR, Libya Aug 31 (Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's foreign minister, Abdelati Obeidi, was arrested on Tuesday at his farm in Janzour, a suburb west of Tripoli, a Reuters correspondent said.

[sinanju]

Tsk, he should have defected to the rebels while he still could.

Surprised so few of these guys had their bolt holes ready in advance.

[donozark]

Seems many felt they could "melt away" into the vast desert and get to Algeria/Mali. Apparently noose is tightening. Fewer targets so NATO has more assets to concentrate.

Apparently the noose is tightening around Sirte as Sat. is "D-Day..."

[sinanju]

Vast desert but few roads, easily blocked. Off-road? Vast distances, few oases (again, easily occupied). You’d need a very well-equipped caravan with expert guides. Even then, the local tribes would be watching over the usual routes.

[donozark]

True. But many have fled across "neutral borders" already. Most of the Gadhafi clan to Algeria. Mercs back to Mali/Chad.

The rebels are not too well organized it would appear. Their efforts seem to be concentrated on coastal cities, and justly so.

[TexasFreeper2009]

I can’t figure out if Gaddafi is still in control of Lybia or not.

[Cardhu]

Gaddafi loyalists are now believed to be limited to three main areas in the country: Bani Walid, Sirte and Sabha.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Cardhu. From the FRchives:

• Libya rebels say Younis killers were 'Islamist element'
• Libyan rebels in disarray after mysterious killing of leading military commander
• Libyan Rebel Military Chief Dead
• Libyan rebels' military chief shot dead
• Libyan rebel military leader killed --[Death by Committee?]
• Libyan rebel military leader 'killed'
• Gadhafi spokesman calls death a sign of rebel weakness