Libya February 17th

This post is being constantly updated
All times are in Libyan local time GMT +2

04:14 The New York Times: WASHINGTON — The prospect of a deadly siege of the rebel stronghold in Benghazi, Libya, has produced a striking shift in tone from the Obama administration, which is now pushing for the United Nations to authorize aerial bombing of Libyan tanks and heavy artillery to try to halt the advance of forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi. Read the article here

03:41 The Copenhagen Post Lene Espersen, the foreign minister, told parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that the Air Force is preparing four F-16 fighter jets to take part in an internationally-backed no-fly zone over Libya, should Nato high command decide to act.

The government is trying to build support in parliament and internationally for a United Nations-backed no-fly zone over Libya to block Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi from making further advances against rebel forces and attacking Libyan civilians.

Read the article here

03:02 CBSNews have a copy of the draft UN resolution document which has been the focus of today’s discussions regarding the no-fly zone over Libya. Read the document here

02:49 Al Jazeera English live blog is reporting from AFP that the UN Security Council have reached an agreement on the text of a draft resolution on Libya, which will be put to a vote on Thursday, diplomats said.

02:35 Libya’s Deputy Permanent UN Representative states that 400 vehicles are headed to destroy Ajdabiya right now. The convoy has been instructed to spare nothing and no one.

This post is being constantly updated
All times are in Libyan local time GMT +2

01:37 Footage of destruction and wreckage caused by Gaddafi forces in Ajdabiya today. The first building is a school, the second shows a number of destroyed houses

23:45 Al Jazeera Arabic Political Analyst Azmi Bshara has spoken beautifully once again this evening, and luckily I was able to jot down an document almost everything he said. I will provide it to you in summarised note form, though do keep in mind that I have not included the questions that he was asked by the news anchors for fear of missing what he might say. I hope you find this translation useful:

• Gaddafi and Saif’s last speeches clearly demonstrate their intent in psychological warfare. The speeches were well planned and clearly structured by experts. Money can easily buy you people these days
• If its military strength that decides who the world sides with, then Saif was trying to say: The strength is with us, we will end this in 48 hours
• Let’s assume that Saif is right. Is it something worth boasting about and being proud of that you have to physically crush and bombard your own people with tanks and heavy artillery in order to rule over them?
• The decision that world governments make is not guided by interests only. Whoever wants contracts with Libya will be able to get them. Libya isn’t going anywhere as a country, and it will still need to sell its oil.
• An important factor that plays in Europe and America is “Public Opinion”. Libya and France have negatively clashed during the Libya-Chad war when Libya wanted to play the role of a superpower in Africa, a continent where France has dominated and still does
• Another factor is competing interests. There are new BIG players in North Africa, namely Turkey who has struck contracts worth 100 billion dollars with Libya over the next three years in varying sectors. This touches on the interests of other countries namely Europe.
• In the developed countries, we notice a cross sometimes between politics and economy
• There are other variables that play into which direction countries side with regarding Libya. In the case of Russia, we keep in mind the arms deals it has with Libya.
• High oil prices may not be a good factor for many European countries but in the case of Russia it is a positive thing due to its role in oil production
• The last time a “Freedom Fighters” group was armed was in Afghanistan when the Taliban were fighting Russia. These same weapons were later used against the same people who supplied them when America declared war on Afghanistan in 2001
• Germany is being cautious and asking questions that relate to the political ideologies of the Libyan revolution before even discussing the idea of providing them with arms because they are not sure which way the revolution may swing after it defeats Gaddafi. Another reason is because Libya so much closer to Europe than Afghanistan
• Any freedom movement is not guaranteed as to where it’ll go after succeeding. It’s a gamble whether you arm them or not
• At the same time, not arming the revolutionaries in the Public opinion means indirectly supporting and condoning what Gaddafi’s regime is doing
• One thing the world needs to realise as 100% fact is that Libya can never go back to the way it used to be pre-17th February
• If Europe and the world are to help arm the revolution, then this will be for many reasons:
• 1. Pressure from the neighbouring Arab nations, especially after the consensus reached during the Arab League meeting
• 2. Public opinion which has clearly voiced its hatred for Gaddafi’s regime and the crimes it’s committing
• 3. The masses are out!
• In the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, the Obama administration was stating that Egypt was “politically stable”. They did not change their opinion until the millions came out and occupied the squares and streets of the country. Though Libya is not witnessing such demonstrations, it’s going about it differently and thousands are dying for the cause.
• I expect for the UN resolution to pass tomorrow. I dismiss the fear of Russia and China using the right of Veto because these countries have restricted their use of it to regional issues only in the past. Last time Russia used power of Veto was in 1991 for example.
• I doubt America will Veto the resolution out of fear of the public opinion backlash, and especially during this critical time with elections next year.

22:31 Al Jazeera Arabic is reporting from revolutionaries that 3 helicopters manned by defected pilots bombarded Gaddafi’s forces which were based on the outskirts of east Ajdabiya today.

22:27 Al Jazeera Arabic Eyewitness from Tripoli called in and reported the hearing of very heavy gunfire from within the military college. The eyewitness also reported that screams could be heard with the words “no no!” being extremely audible.

22:23 Reuters The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday it had withdrawn its aid workers from Benghazi and called on both warring sides in Libya to spare civilians and medical staff. The independent humanitarian agency was among the only aid agencies deployed in the rebel stronghold in the east, where Libyan forces advanced on Wednesday as diplomatic steps to stop the bloodshed ran aground. Read article here

19:33 @carolv27 has uploaded 2 photos showing the captured ship in Tobruk yesterday. It was carrying fuel from Greece, bound for Zawiya, intercepted by revolutionaries. Pictures taken 1 hour ago. Please click on the images for a full sized view. Thanks carolv27

19:19 The New York Times is reporting that four of its journalists are currently missing in Libya. Editors at the paper said they were last in contact with the journalists on Tuesday morning New York time. The paper said it had received second-hand reports that members of its reporting team on the ground in the port city of Ajdabiya had been swept up by Libyan government forces. Read the article here

18:36 Al Jazeera Arabic reporter has just given this live update regarding the situation in the east:

1. Gaddafi forces cornered (with tanks and APC) in Ajdabiya. We spoke to some eyewitness who said that 36th battalion had pushed forward and was able to move closer to the eastern entrance.
2. Reports from eyewitnesses are saying that some of the soldiers had defected and fled into the city of Ajdabiya where they changed their clothes to mingle with people and not be detected
3. On western gates of Ajdabiya there are no clashes but only an exchange of tank rounds etc to prevent Gaddafi troops from entering
4. Southern entrance has witnessed no movement of Gaddafi forces into the city
5. Benghazi has not witnessed any pro-Gaddafi troops moving into it, all the neighbouring areas are with the revolutionaries and all the tribes here are raising the independence flag calling for the toppling of Gaddafi. Gaddafi and Saif’s speeches yesterday and today are an attempt from the regime to weaken the resilience of people. It’s psychological and media warfare only. This is also confirmed by Saif trying to scare people saying that everything will end in 48 hours.

17:30 AFP reports that 26 people have been killed in clashes in Ajdabiya.

17:20 Al Jazeera Arabic Eyewitness from Misratah has reported that:

1. The death count in Misratah today has risen to 11 with 20 injuries reported
2. Gaddafi forces attempted to break into Misratah from 3 entrances but that they were pushed back by revolutionaries
3. The pro-Gaddafi troops are mainly positioned near the Air force college and they are currently being cornered in that region with the aim of preventing them from killing the civilians mercilessly
4. Gaddafi’s troops are using penetrating and burning ammunition that is making the bodies of victims indistinguishable
5. Gaddafi tanks have targeted mosques and residential apartments causing damage to a number of them

16:44 Almanara Media is reporting that a large number of foreign media crews and journalists are leaving the country. This is due to many reasons including the killing of Al Jazeera cameraman Ali Al Jabir and the attacks that the BBC team were subjected to in Tripoli. It is clear without a doubt that the volume of news being reported from Libya through foreign media has dropped significantly over the past few days.

15:15 Sources from the revolution report to Al Jazeera Arabic that the water supply has been cut off from the city of Misratah

15:00 The Italian Foreign Minister has called for a European Arab and African meeting to further discuss what could be done in Libya

14:26 Al Jazeera Arabic report that the captured ship carrying the Greek flag off the coast of Tobruk yesterday contained 25,000 tons of fuel.

13:13 Reuters Medecins Sans Frontieres has withdrawn its teams from eastern Libya to Egypt due to the heavy fighting. It will still help Libyans, mainly through sending supplies, MSF said in a statement. Read more here

12:32 Reuters A doctor in Misrata said that the artillery bombardment on the city killed at least 5 people and wounded 11. Most of the casualties come from the east and south, he said.

12:06 Reuters The UN envoy to Libya found heavy destruction and silent streets in Az-Zawiyah. He saw more than 24 buildings in the city centre, held by protesters against for over two weeks, had been destroyed. “There was no noticeable commercial activity and no women or children in the streets,” he said. Opponents of Gaddafi and exiles keeping contact with relatives across the country say his troops have rounded up hundreds of young men in Zawiyah since taking the town. Read more here

10:56 Reuters Very heavy bombardments took place in Misrata in the morning. Heavy weapons and tanks had been seen by residents. They said the attack started at 7 am.

06:41 Our brothers and sisters in Bahrain are going through a terribly rough time as I type this. With protesters being attacked in Lulu roundabout, we can only pray that God eases your tribulation and gives you patience and steadfastness through these difficult times. Your Libyan brothers and sisters are thinking about you. We are one, or struggle is one, we will endure it as one and we will emerge victorious as one insha’Allah (God-willing)

05:52 Libyans on a totally different level. Never in our lives have we seen people singing and dancing on the battlefield. Libyans know how to squeeze some morale-boosting time in amongst the shelling and flying bullets. There’s always a first! Translation of main chants: From Benghazi from Tripoli, we are siblings from one home. From Derna from Misratah, we are siblings from one home.

05:41 A beautiful supplication made by Mishary Alafassy for the people of Libya. We hope to get a translation up soon.

04:09 The “Tea of Freedom” song that surfaced earlier today. We bring it to you with a translation below the video. Enjoy!

Translation:

O tea of freedom!
Ya la la la laa lee
O you that is dear to me!
Ya la la la laa lee
Your strength is 100/100!
Ya la la la laa lee
O tea of freedom!
Ya la la la laa lee

O traitor of our revolution, off to your grave directly! Hey! Off to your grave directly!
Off to your grave directly!

Oh you who dirtied our reputation, you wellington boots face! Hey! You wellington boots face!
You wellington boots face!

You who made no one accept our flag! Hey! No one accept our flag!
No one accept our flag!

You who’s killing our family, Ya la la laa lee
In control of our things, ya la la laa lee
You who’s killing our family, Ya la la laa lee
In control of our things, ya la la laa lee

You who is spreading our wealth, between Chad and Mali, Hey! Between Chad and Mali!
Between Chad and Mali!

To your grave directly! To your grave directly! To your grave directly!

03:35 Photo of Pilot Mokhtar Mohammed Osman who crashed his fighter jet into Baab Al Aziziyah today. May God have mercy on your soul my dear brother. I sit here speechless, at awe of what you did, proud of you as my countryman. We will continue till we free our country, every Libyan promises you this

02:48 Almanara Media is reporting that the revolutionaries captured 200 and killed 20 from Gaddafi’s troops today

02:37 Gaddafi gets a broom to the face. I am sure the youth swinging it speaks for billions on this globe Image sourced from feb17.info

02:11 Almanara Media trusted sources are reporting that Sirt’s airport, Al Gurdabiyaa air base and two Gaddafi battalions are currently under the control of the defected 36th battalion and the revolutionaries.

02:11 Almanara Media are reporting that 25 soldiers and an Officer from the Khamis battalion have defected near the city of Misratah and have joined the revolution

This post is being constantly updated
All times are in Libyan local time GMT +2

01:52 Almanara Media reports that two defecting fighter jets have just landed at Benghazi airport and have joined the revolution

01:37 Footage of captured armoured personal carriers in Ajdabiya today:

Translation:

Guy on tank: The tyrant!
Guy off shot: Guys, guys, the camera, the camera’s here.
Guy: Where has it been damaged?
Another guy: Right here, in the sprocket here. This is what caused it to stop working. And I am an eyewitness speaking to you
Guys off shot: God is greater!
Another guy: Have a look at the storage inside
Guy on top of tank: Is this the army that he’s depending on?
Guy off shot: Zanga zanga God-willing (small street by small street)
Guy: The rats have ran away huh? The rats ran away!
Guy: tell them to look after them.
Guy off shot: Whoever has a flag let him lift it above them
Guy: record this!
Chant: God is greater! God is greater!
Chant: The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain!
Chant: Tell Mu’ammar and his dogs, Libya has men!
Guy: bring it down guys, bring the flag down
Chant:God is Greater!
Chant:The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain!

01:26 a little comedy from @BreakingNewsATM =) . Please click on the image for the full sized view

01:14 Almanara Media reports that two people of “importance” have been badly injured as a result of the fighter jet crash into Baab Al Aziziyah earlier and have been taken to Tripoli’s Burns and Reconstruction hospital. There is currently a heavy presence of security around the building and unconfirmed reports point to the injured being from Gaddafi’s sons.

01:01 BBC UK, France and Lebanon have have tabled a draft United Nations resolution which would impose a no-fly zone on Libya. The draft resolution would also ban commercial flights from bringing arms and mercenaries into Libya. Read the full article here.

00:44 Reports from numerous sources that the Libyan Flag of Independence is fluttering over Sirte tonight! Many are reporting the news as confirmed and we most certainly hope so!

00:33 @ShababLibya tweet: The Pilot who flew his jet into Bab Azizia was the martyr Muhammad Mokhtar Osman from Benghazi. May God have mercy on your soul dear brother, your sacrifice has not gone in vain and we will continue with this till our country is free.

00:25 A Guy on Libyan State TV has been spotted appearing once as a shaikh, then as a soldier, a cleric, then seen in a pro-Gaddafi demonstration. Pitiful indeed and illustrates to what lengths the regime is crawling to in order to display support and increase pro-Gaddafi folk.

23:16 Update: A trusted source has confirmed to us this story: The pilot who flew his plane into Baab Al Aziziyah took off as part of a 2 plane team with the mission of bombing strategic points in Al Guradibya base in Sirte. Their orders were to return immedietly after completing the mission. One pilot followed orders while the other flew to Tripoli where he emptied what he had left of ammunition on Baab Al Aziziyah and then crashed his plane into it

23:13 Al Manara Media reports that 6 cars filled with troops from the Khamis battalion have surrendered themselves to the revolutionaries in Tobruk

22:13 BREAKING from Al Jazeera Arabic The revolutionaries in Ajdabiya have captured 7 tanks in very good condition and have handed them over to the defected 36th battalion.

22:04 Al Jazeera Arabic Libyan revolutionaries captured a Greek ship loaded with fuel headed to the port of AzZawiya off the coast of Tobruk. They have since redirected the ship to the port of Tobruk and have renamed the ship “The revolution of 17th February”.

21:45 The Independent reports that four men have been arrested in Ajdabiya with evidence linking them to the murder of Ali Hassan Al Jaber. Opposition officials claim that evidence has emerged that Muammar Gaddafi’s regime is sending undercover squads to carry out assassinations. Read more here.

21:41 Confirmed by us: The morale among youth of Tripoli is sky high! They are just bracing themselves till the situation is less suicidal.

20:52 Al Jazeera Arabic an eyewitness caller from Ajdabiya confirmed that the city is 100% in the hands of the revolution and that no part is being controlled by Gaddafi’s forces.

20:32 BREAKING BREAKING from Almanara Media The huge fire that has erupted inside Baab Al Aziziyah was due to a martyr mission using a fighter jet to crash into the compound

20:03 BREAKING – Almanara Media confirms the following:

1. Al Gurdabiyya airbase near Sirt has been subject to air strikes by the defected Free Libyan Airforce
2. Shooting and explosions have happened in Baab Al Aziziyah.
3. A big fire has erupted inside Baab Al Aziziyah
4. The defected Free Libyan airforce has bombarded three Gaddafi military convoys headed to the east
5. Demonstrations have broken out in Girgarish, Tripoli

19:45 Guardian Germany has again blocked Anglo-French plans for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. Reports from talks held by G8 ministers in Paris said German objections, backed by Russia, meant the communique from the meeting would make no mention of a no-fly zone. Read the article here

19:31 Further reports from the twitter community. @LibyanDictator tweets Confirmed: Gordabiya military base in Sirte bombed by Libyan people’s air force

19:28 News in the twitter community that there are confirmed reports of explosions and gunfire in Tripoli. Some are saying that the source is from within Baab Al Aziziyah, others saying that they are celebratory due to the retaking of Brega and moving closer to Benghazi

18:132 Women’s anti-Gaddafi demonstration in Misratah on Monday 14th March

18:15 Women’s anti-Gaddafi demonstration in Ajdabiya on Sunday 13th March

18:07 Hospital staff clear a bombed car near Ajdabiya. Photograph from Sean Smith for the Guardian

17:09 Al Jazeera Arabic reports that Ajdabiya was heavily bombarded from the air before forces entered the town. Gaddafi’s forces are now just 160km (99 miles) away from Benghazi.

17:03 Al Jazeera Arabic reports that Ajdabiya is now surrounded from the east and the west.

16:37 Reuters Witnesses and opposition fighters have said that Brega has been completely retaken by Gaddafi’s forces. One witness says: “Gaddafi forces entered into the centre of Ajdabiyah that is when we were shot at.” The rear window of his car was shattered. “They shot through the window, the shot through the window,” said one of two women in the back of the car, where there were also five children. The car had shattered glass scattered inside.

16:16 Al Jazeera Arabic News that the Free Libyan Airforce have destroyed and sunk 2 Gaddafi warships and hit a third off the coast of Ajdabiya and Benghazi

15:49 The Telegraph have an article about the British women who stayed in Libya, refusing the evacuation offers to stay with their families. “The men were afraid for us all, so they stayed up through most of the night. We all got our weapons out. I’ve got a table leg with a nail in it. We’ll use whatever we’ve got.” Read some of their stories here.

15:40 The Arabist have put up an article by Abu Ray, who’s been at the front lines in the east of Libya. Read it here.

15:34 Reuters Final G8 communique makes no mention of no-fly zone

14:27 Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent has given a complete update on the current situation in Ajdabiya and the neighbouring areas:

1. The area we are in is being bombarded with rocket launchers and planes.
2. We were on our way to Brega, but there was heavy bombardment. One shell landed close to us.
3. We moved back to Ajdabiya where the city is being bombed in different areas.
4. The asphalt motorway is being bombed in an attempt to make it difficult for revolutionaries.
5. The revolutionaries are trying to block the planes with anti-aircraft guns and rockets
6. Gaddafi forces are said to be cornered somewhere between Ajdabiya and Brega. They are trying to make a way out.
7. We saw cars for revos retreat to the gates of Ajdabiya due to the heavy bombarding.
8. There are ambulances that are driving towards the battle areas, they cannot move too forward due to the heavy shooting.
9. We really don’t know if there is an attempt for Gaddafi’s forces to move forward. Are they trying to move towards Ajdabiya or are they only trying to break the seige imposed around them
10. There are reports that Khamis and AsSaadi battalions are moving towards Brega
11. Colonel Hamid said that Brega is still in the hands of revolutionaries but that fighting to keep it is ongoing

13:35 Reuters A draft communique seen by Reuters says that the G8 warns Gaddafi of the “dire consequences” of failing to respect the basic rights of his people, but stops short of recommending a no-fly zone. This is a draft, and it could still be altered. Read more here.

13;28 Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent update from east Libya:

1. West Ajdabiya is being bombarded from the air
2. Brega is still in the hands of the revolutionaries who are fending off attacks from Gaddafi’s troops
3. Some of Gaddafi’s troops are still present in the industrial area of Brega, but they are cornered and unable to escape
4. Revolutionaries are unable to strike the cornered troops for fear that they might injure civilians near the industrial area of Brega

13:19 Recept Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey: I say our position is clear, we are with the truth, with justice, with freedom with democracy. We are not with the oil reservoirs. There are lies regarding our position. I want to say now that we do not want the arms dealers to profit from our brothers bombarding each other.

12:37 Reuters British foreign secretary William Hague has said that the G8 agrees on the need for further measures on Libya. There is an urgent UN council meeting. It was not specified what these measures would be.

11:26 Reuters Fighting continues in Brega today with no side clearly in control, several opposition fighters have said.

10:57 Reuters Gaddafi says he is “shocked” by the betrayal of his “former European friends”, in particular Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. He reiterated that they will keep fighting and that they will win. While he continued to say that the opposition are linked to Bin Laden and would cause chaos, he also threatened that if the west attacked Libya, he would ally himself with Al Qaeda and declare a holy war. Read more here

10:15 ReutersFrance has so far not convinced all other G8 parties to agree to push the UN for a no-fly zone. Germany and Russia showed the most reservation. France’s foreign minister Alain Juppe said that the international community was dragging its feet. “If we had used military force last week … maybe the reversal that went against the opposition (forces) would not have happened,” he said. The Russian foreign minister said a no-fly zone could be ineffective or even counterproductive, he suggested urging the UN for other measures to curb the violence.

10:14 Reuters The fighting continues in Ajdabiya as the town was hit by air strikes again this morning, according to Al Jazeera.