Libya: Gaddafi retakes Ras Lanuf

Reports on Friday have said pro-Gaddafi forces have managed to push back the rebels and retake the port town of Ras Lanuf. Libya’s revolutionary leadership continued to appeal to other countries for a no-fly zone and even air strikes Gaddafi’s forces. The Provisional Transitional National Council felt sanctions and calls for Gaddafi to quit by the international community were in no way effective as the regime regains its footing after the initial shock of the popular uprising.

European Union

A meeting of European leaders in Brussels has lead to clashes of ideas over how to deal with the Libyan crisis. David Cameron of Great Britain and Nicolas Sarkozy of France have come out in favour of some sort of intervention including a no-fly zone but Angela Merkel of Germany is heading up a campaign to block military action. The Guardian wrote, “An emergency EU summit in Brussels summoned the ghosts from the 1990s of division, appeasement, and impotence when Europe failed to halt the fighting in former Yugoslavia.” – The Yugoslav Wars were a series of conflicts that took place in the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between 1991 and 1995 which resulted in over 100,000 killed and 2.5 million displaced. – The newspaper went on to quote Sarkozy, “The British and ourselves are wondering what happens if peaceful civilians … are being targeted by aircraft and helicopters shooting directly at the crowd. David Cameron and I wondered: should we simply stand by … or react … we cannot stand by and watch civilians being massacred.”

The United States

President Brack Obama is still saying that the U.S. is mulling over the options including a no-fly zone but as of yet, has not commited to any military action. The Associated Press quoted him as saying, “Any time I send United States forces into a potentially hostile situation there are risks involved and there are consequences. And it is my job as president to make sure that we have considered all those risks. It’s going to require some judgment calls, and those are difficult ones.” Like the EU, Amercia doesn’t want to involve itself in a situation where the costs of military action far outweigh the benefits. However, as Sarkozy wondered, how does anyone stand by and do nothing if innocents are being slaughtered?

Analysts have pointed out that Gaddafi does apparently have a robust air defence system. In the 1986 bombing of Tripoli by Amercian forces, Libya did manage to shoot down a F-111 fighter-bomber. There are risks; Gaddafi still has resources, and the dangers of military intervention are real.

France recognises the rebels

On Thursday, France became the first country to recognise the Libyan rebel leadership, the National Libyan Council (NLC), as the country’s legitimate government. However, other members of the European Union are warning about making hasty decisions. Italy and Spain emphsized that the EU must act as one voice, meaning for the moment, no one else follow France’s lead unless the EU does so unanimously.

On Friday, Gadhafi’s government in Libya suspended diplomatic ties with France. Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Qaid accused the French government of seeking to divide his country.

Sweden

Sweden’s government officials have pointed to the unclear situation in Libya as raising the question of who represents the country in Sweden. The Swedish Foreign Minister has said that he no longer considered the Libya’s embassy in Stockholm a legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Dutch captives

The three-strong crew of the Dutch helicopter captured on February 27 are to be released by Gaddafi. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the Libyan leader’s most prominent son, said crew would be handed over to the Matese and Greeks, but Gaddafi would keep the helicopter. He was quoted as saying, “We told them, don’t come back again without our permission.”

The helicopter from the Dutch frigate MS Tromp, stationed in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast was captured by Gaddafi forces in Sirte. Its mission was to rescue two foreigners, one a Dutch citizen. The foreigners were handed over to the Dutch embassy and left the country but the helicopter and its crew of three Dutch soldiers remained in the custody of militias loyal to Gaddafi. They were accused of violating international law by infiltrating Libyan airspace without clearance. Apparently Libyan state TV stated that the mission of the Dutch was to evacuate or drop off spies.

What if Gaddafi wins?

The BBC provided an excellent analysis of the situation and the various scenarios playing out right now. Their conclusion is that with Gaddafi saying it’s an all or nothing conflict, negotiation is off the table. Therefore, the only way open to Gaddafi is brute force and if he were to win, he would find himself completely isolated in the world. However, if he were to win, his vengeance against any and all who participanted in the uprising would be harsh and brutal.

Al Jazeera – Mar 11, 2011

EU calls for Gaddafi exit

t a summit in Brussels, European Union leaders say they are calling with one voice for the current Libyan government to step down immediately. The EU stopped short, however, of endorsing a no-fly zone or other military measures. Leaders say they have done a great deal in a short amount of time, in terms of imposing sanctions and putting in place humanitarian aid packages.

Al Jazeera – Mar 11, 2011

Libyan forces push rebels back

Forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have renewed their assault against opposition fighters in Libya. As the military accelerates its onslaught, the rebels appear to be losing their grip over several cities that they had earlier taken control of. In Az Zawiyah, near the capital Tripoli, the government says it controls the city centre, but fierce clashes were reported earlier in the day. In Brega, a key oil and gas hub, fighters have reported multiple airstrikes by government forces. The hospital there is attending to many of the wounded. In Ras Lanuf, another oil town, government forces are pushing hard – showering the city with rockets and tank shells – and forcing the rebels to retreat 15 kilometres to the east.

Euronews – Mar 10/2011

Africans fleeing Libya ‘threatened with death’

African refugees fleeing from Libya say they have been threatened with death, as Libyan rebels believe they are mercenaries working for Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The UN refugee agency has expressed alarm at reports of armed Libyans attacking and, in some cases, even lynching sub-Saharan Africans. Antonio Guterres, the agency’s commissioner, said authorities are “working together” and “need to be prepared” to welcome more people crossing into Tunisia.

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