Libya: Descent into hell

local time Canada: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 10:30am EST

local time Tripoli: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 5:30pm EET

The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that Gaddafi forces have "blasted a mosque with antiaircraft missiles and automatic weapons". Protesters, who were holed up inside suffered heavy casualties. This attack occurred just 30 miles from Tripoli and was carried out by a legion of mercenaries of Gaddafi’s personal security forces.

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While the streets in Tripoli were reported to be largely deserted on Wednesday, protesters in the capital have apparently been calling for new rallies for Thursday and Friday. While the popular uprising spreads across the eastern half of the country, forces loyal to Gaddafi are trying to reinforce their grip on the capital.

The VOA has written that armed militiamen and pro-Gadhafi loyalists – a mix of Libyans and African mercenaries – are roaming through Tripoli and fortifying the city’s outer defences. Security agents are said to be searching for people considered disloyal to the regime.

Misurata, Libya’s third largest city about 200 kilometres from Tripoli is claimed by anti-government forces to be under their control. There are reports of heavy fighting in Sabratha, only 80 kilometres from Tripoli.

Reports of military defections further support the popular cause. On Wednesday, a Libyan newspaper reported that two air force pilots, refusing to follow orders to bomb Benghazi, parachuted out of their warplane and let it crash in the desert. Earlier, two Libyan pilots, also refusing to bomb civilians, landed their warplanes in Malta and asked for asylum.

International Condemnation

The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, was quoted by the BBC as saying that Gaddafi would face consequences for his actions. "The behaviour of this dictator cannot be allowed to stand." Cameron is in Oman as part of a tour of the Middle East. The UK has said it would endorse a UN Security Council resolution against Libya.

The Washington Post reported on US President Barack Obama criticism of the situation saying the "suffering and bloodshed is outrageous, and it is unacceptable." However, Obama did not call for a change in Libya’s autocratic government or announce specific sanctions. The United States has remain muted on many of the developments in the Middle East and took a wait and see attitude during the dramatic shifts in power in Egypt. America is caught up between the stability of the status quo and the need for democratic reform in many of these autocratic countries. Unfortunately, upsetting the status quo brings many questions about the future and the danger of other dictatorial regimes possible hostile to the interests of the West.

While other countries are making headlines by taking up positions against Gaddafi and what he’s doing to try and stay in power, it is evident that the entire situation is spiralling out of control. What is happening right now is the act of a desperate man and desperate people do desperate things.

ITN News – Feb 23/2011

Obama backs protester pleas

Barack Obama echoes the words of protesters in Libya, calling for basic human rights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_6nyflSnCg

Flight to get Canadians out: Cancelled

The CBC is reporting that the plane set to fly people out of Libya has been cancelled due to concerns over insurance. Adrienne Arsenault of the CBC has said that the insurance companies feel like this is too big of a risk, that they can’t be held responsible if something happens, and that the risk is growing. So for now, there will be no flight.

Government officials have said that landing rights for the evacuation plane had been approved. The aircraft to have been used has the capacity to take up to 220 people. Foreign Affairs have reportedly said that 344 Canadians are registered with the embassy in Tripoli and at least 213 have said they want to leave the country.

There are no explanations as to why the situation in Libya is different than the situation in Egypt. In that case, Canada, as well as other countries like the United States arranged flights to ensure their nationals had the means and the option to get out of the country. With reports pouring in about the instability in Tripoli as well as the rest of the country, has the unrest grown to the point where evacuation of anybody has become not just risky but impossible?

Escape: Ferry for Americans and others

Arrangements are being made to get U.S. citizens out of Libya by boat. However, CNN reports that bad weather is currently hampering these plans and a hired ferry will not arrive until Friday.

The London Evening Standard is reporting on British nationals who have managed to get out of the country. They are telling their personal stories of what’s going on in the country describing Libya as descending into hell. The paper lists the following evacuation efforts:

Britain In addition to flights to Gatwick and Malta, a Hercules is on "standby" on Malta "if needed". HMS Cumberland refused permission to dock in Benghazi.

Egypt Sending eight planes. Has 1.5 million citizens in the country. Thousands fleeing by land.

China Sent first charter plane yesterday. Plans to evacuate 2,900 of 30,000 by bus to Tunisia. Three Greek ships on way to Benghazi to help rescue 13,000 to 15,000 Chinese and 300 Greeks.

Turkey Two ships rescue 3,000 of 25,000 in Libya from Benghazi.

France Some 335 citizens and 56 foreigners evacuated by plane. Another plane sent.

India "Mammoth operation" to move all 13,000 in Tripoli to Tunisia.

Russia Ship sent to Sidra and Ras Lanuf refinery for 1,000 Russians, Turks, Serbs and Montenegrins.

USA 600 evacuated by ferry. [the latest reports say this is on hold until Friday due to bad weather]

Al Jazeera – Feb 23/2011

Libyan-Protests-and-Turmoils-22/02/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1QbmJuwC_c

Associated Press – Feb 24/2011

Libya Revolt Spreads, Gadhafi Hold Whittled Away

The scope of Moammar Gadhafi’s control in Libya was whittled away Wednesday as major cities and towns closer to the capital fell to the rebellion against his rule. (Feb. 23)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH_X_VpmOfM

Associated Press – Feb 24/2011

Report: Gadhafi Ordered Pan-Am Lockerbie Bombing

Libya’s ex-justice minister was quoted as telling a Swedish newspaper that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people in 1988. (Feb. 23)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuV3kiIFL2Q

Crude Prices go up

The instability in Libya is affecting oil prices, according to the Wall Street Journal. Apparently 400,000 barrels a day in Libya has been confirmed shut off and as unrest spreads a further halt production is possible. While analysts say there is spare global oil capacity, this drop in Libyan production will push up prices. New York is currently over $100 a barrel and London is reportedly showing $114 a barrel. The price had hit a record high of $147 back in 2008 following concerns over Iranian missile tests. Obviously instability in the region can have a dramatic effect on the world’s economy.

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