French Jets Start Patrols As Libyan Rebels Urge Action

[kdsingh80]

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1627297.php

Supporters of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi hold his posters as they take part in a pro-government rally during a rally at a hotel where journalists are housed in Tripoli, Libya, 19 March 2011. The UN Security Council on 17 March voted to ban flights in Libya's airspace and authorized military action to implement the ban, triggering intervention by individual countries and organizations like NATO. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said the United States has no right to interfere in Libya's internal affairs as world leaders gather in Paris to decide upon implementation of a no-fly zone over the conflict-ridden state. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA

Cairo/Tripoli - French jets reportedly began operations in the no-fly zone over conflict-torn Libya Saturday, even as world leaders were still meeting to decide the exact nature of the mission.

The reports came shortly after the Libyan opposition - which would receive a boost in its campaign against Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi from a no-fly zone - called upon the international community to take action to save civilians in Libya.

World leaders gathered in Paris on Saturday at an emergency summit to discuss military action in Libya, although the African Union, expected to attend, did not show up.

'The international community is very late in taking action,' Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, the leader of the national council in Benghazi told the broadcaster Al Jazeera.

'We know the Arab League supported a no-fly zone a week ago, and the UN resolution was issued on Thursday. So, there is no justification that it has not been implemented yet,' he said.

Shortly afterward, the French Rafale jets began flying, reported French broadcaster BFMT-TV. Citing diplomatic sources, the broadcaster said the French jets were upholding a no-fly zone approved by the UN Security Council.

The planes were operating over the rebel-held city of Benghazi, apparently in an effort to control the advance of Gaddafi's forces on the city.

Abdel-Jalil said that residential areas in the rebel-stronghold Benghazi were under attack from government artillery and tanks.

Hospitals were flooded with victims, he said, adding that rebels did not have the weapons or numbers necessary to confront forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi.

Gaddafi forces were shelling the suburbs of the eastern city Benghazi on Saturday, despite the government's announcement of an immediate ceasefire the day before.

Residents of Benghazi had been escaping to the eastern areas after pro-Gaddafi forces entered the western suburbs of the city.

Meanwhile, the government said that its armed forces were under attack west of Benghazi, the official news agency reported. The statement accused 'al-Qaeda affiliates' of attacking armed forces units stationed to the west of Benghazi.

Libya announced an immediate ceasefire Friday on all military operations against rebels after the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over the country banning flights in Libya's airspace and authorized 'all necessary means' to implement the ban.

In a letter to world leaders read Saturday at a press conference by a government spokesman in Tripoli, Gaddafi said the security council's resolution was void because they have no right 'to interfere in the internal affairs of the country.'

'You have no right. You will regret if you get involved in this, our country. We can never shoot a single bullet at our people, it is al-Qaeda,' Gaddafi said in the statement.

He described the resolution as being 'injustice and clear aggression.'

'I have all the Libyan people supporting me and they are prepared to die for me,' said Gaddafi.

[dalsingh101]

Are we seeing some parallels to the 'annexation' of our people's historic kingdom?

Back then, the Brits were looking to refill their coffers after their disastrous humiliating campaign in Afghanistan. Having lost lost face they needed something to lift their flagging reputation, so the troubled but extremely wealthy Sikh kingdom was a good choice for attack.

Here we have a similar loss of face in Iraq, with the fleeing of Basra and a problematic Afghanistan. Problems pop up in an oil rich nation. Brits get the diplomatic channels open to feel around for support, and find a bunch of other Euros are up for it. Not only this but some Arab mofos are also 'backing the cause'. Voila!

But hang on, they say, we don't want to do another Iraq/Afghan and get our fingers burnt, so we'll hedge our bets by sharing the risk with the other like minded opportunist assholes and stick to using astars (long range projectile weapons, mainly from planes) for now.

They say a leopard doesn't change it's spots and a dog's tail never straightens out.

(And if a certain person - you know who you are - is going to come out with his usual Brit arselicking, apologist, sycophant abject peasantry for all this, benti, please do us a big favour and spare not only us, but also what shred of dignity you may possibly have left.)

[Mithar]

Are we seeing some parallels to the 'annexation' of our people's historic kingdom?

Back then, the Brits were looking to refill their coffers after their disastrous humiliating campaign in Afghanistan. Having lost lost face they needed something to lift their flagging reputation, so the troubled but extremely wealthy Sikh kingdom was a good choice for attack.

Here we have a similar loss of face in Iraq, with the fleeing of Basra and a problematic Afghanistan. Problems pop up in an oil rich nation. Brits get the diplomatic channels open to feel around for support, and find a bunch of other Euros are up for it. Not only this but some Arab mofos are also 'backing the cause'. Voila!

But hang on, they say, we don't want to do another Iraq/Afghan and get our fingers burnt, so we'll hedge our bets by sharing the risk with the other like minded opportunist assholes and stick to using astars (long range projectile weapons, mainly from planes) for now.

They say a leopard doesn't change it's spots and a dog's tail never straightens out.

(And if a certain person - you know who you are - is going to come out with his usual Brit arselicking, apologist, sycophant abject peasantry for all this, benti, please do us a big favour and spare not only us, but also what shred of dignity you may possibly have left.)

One more thing to note is, why is the US not attacking the governments of Yemen or Bahrain which are also using brutality against it's citizens? it is because unlike Gaddafi, the rulers of those two states are lapdogs of the US master. I don't like Gaddafi as well, but the whole world knows that he is just another unlikable leader from the west's point of view as Saddam Husain was.

Hope the Arabs elect some good leaders from amongst them this time who will actually modernize and progress their nations instead of the same old stuff that they had to overthrow.

Edited March 20, 2011 by Mithar

[tonyhp32]

I'll disregard the bukwas from Dalsingh.

However, the hypocrisy of Cameron and Sarkozy is astounding. There was no call for a ceasefire when the rebels were storming cities and threatening to march on Tripoli and when in looked like Gaddafi would be hanging from the nearest lamppost. When it looks like Gaddafi has got the upper hand they immediately get the UN to declare a no fly zone.

[dalsingh101]

Hope the Arabs elect some good leaders from amongst them this time who will actually modernize and progress their nations instead of the same old stuff that they had to overthrow.

And what are the chances of the new guys not being western lapdogs?

[HSD1]

Are we seeing some parallels to the 'annexation' of our people's historic kingdom?

Back then, the Brits were looking to refill their coffers after their disastrous humiliating campaign in Afghanistan. Having lost lost face they needed something to lift their flagging reputation, so the troubled but extremely wealthy Sikh kingdom was a good choice for attack.

Here we have a similar loss of face in Iraq, with the fleeing of Basra and a problematic Afghanistan. Problems pop up in an oil rich nation. Brits get the diplomatic channels open to feel around for support, and find a bunch of other Euros are up for it. Not only this but some Arab mofos are also 'backing the cause'. Voila!

But hang on, they say, we don't want to do another Iraq/Afghan and get our fingers burnt, so we'll hedge our bets by sharing the risk with the other like minded opportunist assholes and stick to using astars (long range projectile weapons, mainly from planes) for now.

They say a leopard doesn't change it's spots and a dog's tail never straightens out.

(And if a certain person - you know who you are - is going to come out with his usual Brit arselicking, apologist, sycophant abject peasantry for all this, benti, please do us a big favour and spare not only us, but also what shred of dignity you may possibly have left.)

Not entirely. What happened to us was nothing short of shameless opportunism by the english who felt no shame in looting a burning house. Here there does seem to be a genuinely large number of Libyans who want freedom. Add to that Maharaja Ranjit Singh never seriously supplied or armed opponents to British rule in india in the same way Gaddafi had funded or armed anyone who had a scheme to attack or undermine the west. The truth is that Gaddafi made friends by flying the antiwest banner and now his chickens have come home to roost. His only hope is someone like Russia supplying him with better weapons/mercenaries or using their diplomatic clout, as they too have vested interests in Libya. Gaddafi knows this, but best laid plans and all that ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/01/libya-russia-gadafy-united-states ).

Edited March 20, 2011 by HSD 2

[HSD1]

Also, it's far too early to tell what will happen, this war just started. Sit back and enjoy the ride people, unless Gaddafi lets loose a weapon or two at London. In the meantime keep yourselves amused with the Indy's cartoons:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/the-daily-cartoon-760940.html

Edited March 20, 2011 by HSD 2