Libya: desperate times, desperate people

The latest reports coming out of the country are recounting stories of Gaddafi loyalists going on a killing rampage in the past week as rebels overran Tripoli. As news spread that Gaddafi’s Bab al-Azziya compound was falling and supposedly the capital was lost, mercenary forces opened fire on 130 civilian detainees in a military camp. Witnesses said the bodies were then set on fire and one reporter saw the charred remains of at least 50 people.

The whereabouts of Gaddafi remains unknown although some suspect he may be hiding somewhere near the capital of Tripoli. Others speculated he might go to his hometown of Sirate where he retains a degree of loyalty from the citizens however rebel forces are closing in on that city and soon that too will be out of his grasp. The National Transitional Council (NTC) has offered $1.4 million to whoever captures or kills Gaddafi.

The NTC has started moving from Benghazi to Tripoli to begin setting itself in more permanent quarters. Along with this move comes the problem of restoring Tripoli and the rest of the country. Months of fighting have left a damaged infrastructure, shortages of supplies and an oil industry that needs to be brought up to speed to bring in much need income to the country.

The United Nations has warned that widespread shortages of food, water, fuel and medical supplies could further destabilize the region. The rebels have called upon the U.N. to release billions of dollars frozen by the United States and others at the onset of the war in order to fund its rebuilding efforts. However, not everyone is recognising the legitimacy of the NTC. While the National Transitional Council has been recognized by 57 countries and the United Nations as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, a Friday meeting of the African Union failed to follow suit leaving its 54 member states opposing the release of Libyan funds to the rebel leadership, saying there was no one in charge of the country.

Considering how Gaddafi’s behaviour over the years has been curious and unpredictable if not sometimes crazy, it comes as no surprise that apparently the leader has said that he is still willing to negotiate with the rebels over the future of Libya. Great Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that the Gaddafi regime has collapsed and Gaddafi’s involvement in the future of the country is delusional. Hague reportedly added that Col Gaddafi should tell his supporters to lay down their arms and both he and his supporters should face justice.

Published on Aug 27, 2011 by Euronews

Gaddafi fighter recounts her nightmare war

Gaddafi forces have all but entirely abandoned the district of Abu Salim in Tripoli, but they left behind them a large number of killed and wounded, some of whom were taken prisoner. One 19 year-old woman was a sniper. Now she is to stand trial for executing 16 rebel prisoners. She also shot two rebels dead in the heat of battle when the rebels stormed Gaddafi’s compund. She was captured when she ran out of ammunition and fled, breaking her legs in a two-story leap to escape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ABKbU7j60

Published on Aug 27, 2011 by Euronews

Was Gaddafi in convoy that crossed into Algeria?

As the hunt for Muammar Gaddafi continues, one unconfirmed report suggests he may have escaped from Libya into neighbouring Algeria. The elusive colonel was last seen in June playing chess, although he has broadcast audio messages since. His son Saif al-Islam was reported captured before making a dramatic reappearance in front of exuberant supporters earler in the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2BLbMEgw5I

Uploaded by skynews on Aug 27, 2011

Libya Conflict: Hundreds of dead bodies found in Tripoli hospital

There are growing concerns this morning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Tripoli. Hundreds of dead bodies have been discovered in a hospital — it appears patients were abandoned in their beds when fighting broke out last week. The United Nations Secretary General has made an urgent call to the international community to send humanitarian help.

Published on Aug 26, 2011 by Euronews

euronews on the frontline in Tripoli

The assault on a barracks of the elite Khamis brigade, commanded by a Gaddafi son, has sparked one of the fiercest firefights since the taking of Tripoli. Friday had been quieter after 48 hours of bloodshed in intense fighting between rebel and Gaddafi forces. Until this. Our correspondent Jamel Ezzedini reported: ‘Heavy fighting is taking place here near al Yarmuk, a base for the al Khamis. Rebels are trying to take over the camp, which is still held by the Gaddafi forces. If this battle is won all Tripoli will be controlled by the rebels.”

References

Wikipedia: 2011 Battle of Tripoli

27 August

During the night, rebel forces were able to secure Qaşr Bin Ghashīr, a village near Tripoli International Airport. They also claimed that the loyalist-held area in greater Tripoli had been reduced to just one compound.

By dusk, rebel forces claimed to have pushed all loyalist forces out of Tripoli, though journalists reported nighttime fighting continued.

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