Seham's Libya links #feb17
The indefatiguable Seham has compiled a long list of links pertaining to Libya.
Gaddafi vows not to flee Libya- sources
Cairo, Asharq Al-Awsat- Libyan sources told Asharq al-Awsat that the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, will not flee the country if the situation escalates, and that he intends to die on Libyan soil.=24232
Full Text of Saif Gadaffi's TV Address
Highlights of Gaddafi son's speech
Al-Islam blamed the unrest in Libya on tribal factions and drunken or drugged Islamists acting on their own agendas.
Gadhafi's Son Says Father In Libya, Will Fight 'Until The Last Bullet'
CAIRO — The son of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi warned in a nationally televised address that continued anti-government protests that have wracked Libya for six days might lead to a civil war that could send the country's oil wells up in flames. Appearing on Libyan state television after midnight Sunday, Seif al-Islam Gadhafi said the army still backed his father, who was leading the fight, although he added that some military bases, tanks and weapons had been seized.
Gaddafi's son admits 'mistakes'
Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi's son, Sayf al-Islam, says the military over-reacted against protesters but accuses the opposition of trying to break up the country.
Libya on brink as protests hit Tripoli
Muammar Gaddafi's son warns of civil war in state television address as regime tries to halt uprising
Eyewitness phonecall near Green Square shortly after Saif’s speech
A Libyan American speaks to his brother in Tripoli after Seif Gaddafi’s speech. Intense combat and heavy artillery being fired in the background.
Libya, world reacts to Saif Gadhafi's address
(CNN) -- The White House is "analyzing" the speech of Saif al-Islam Gadhafi to see "what possibilities it contains for meaningful reform," a senior U.S. administration official said Sunday night after the Libyan leader's son took to the airwaves to propose speedy implementation of significant democratic reforms following days of anti-government demonstrations.
Gaddafi burns his soldiers in their barracks for refusing to shoot protesters – GRAPHIC
This footage shows the burnt bodies of soldiers who apparently refused to shoot at the protesters when they were ordered to. Warning, the footage is graphic.
Report: Libya air force bombs protesters heading for army base
Protesters take over office of two state-run satellite news channels, set central government building ablaze, as violence escalates on 7th day of protests.
Reported use of heavy weapons may be war crime
EYEWITNESS REPORTS from Benghazi in eastern Libya state that pro-Gadafy forces are using anti-aircraft weapons and heavy machine guns against civilian protesters. Doctors treating those injured in the attacks speak of catastrophic soft tissue injuries to the head, chest and abdomen of those shot by Gadafy’s troops. Significantly, Libyan doctors have been quoted as stating that the majority of the injuries are fatal or untreatable.
At least 50 people killed in Benghazi Sunday-doctor
TRIPOLI, Feb 20 (Reuters) - At least 50 people were killed and 100 others seriously wounded in Benghazi on Sunday afternoon, a doctor in the Libyan city told Reuters. "Today has been a real tragedy ... since 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) and up to 9.15 pm, we received 50 dead, mostly from bullet wounds," Habib al-Obaidi, who heads the intensive care unit at the main Al-Jalae hospital said by telephone.
BREAKING: Doctor confirms to Al Jazeera Arabic that bloodbanks in hospitals stolen
A doctor spoke to Al Jazeera earlier today and confirmed that supporters of Gaddafi stormed hospitals in Tripoli last night and stole blood from the blood banks. There is now an urgent call for blood donations as events as set to escalate in Tripoli tonight.
Phones cut in Tripoli amid ‘massacre’ in Green Square
5:50pm: Geneva-based Libyan News Network reports phones cut in Tripoli, amid “massacre” in Green Square. More details being sought.
"Non-stop" gunfire in Libya's capital
Shortly after Seif Gaddafi, the son of Libya's longtime leader, warned in a Sunday-night speech that the country would descend into "civil war" if protests continued, a Libyan American spoke with his brother in Tripoli, who described intense combat in the capital, where anti-government protesters were attacked after taking the main square.
Libyan violence spreads to Tripoli
Violent clashes reportedly broke out late Sunday in Tripoli's central Green Square. In a televised address just a few hours ago, Saif El Islam Gadaffi said his father would stand firm, and the country could plunge into civil war if the protests don't stop. He said foreign media, Islamists, even drug addicts were part of a plot to bring down the government, and break up the country. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Benghazi claim to be in control of the city, despite yet another brutal crackdown. Human Right Watch says at least 233 people have died - with security forces continuing to use force to end the demonstrations. Al Jazeera's Tom Ackerman has the latest.
Libyan protesters brave bullets to close in on Gaddafi
TRIPOLI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi will fight a popular revolt to "the last man standing," one of his sons said on Monday as people in the capital joined protests for the first time after days of violent unrest in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Death toll rises in Libyan unrest
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is confronting the most serious challenge to his rule in 42 years. Government forces have been unleashed onto protesters in the eastern city of Benghazi, where one hospital official put the death toll at 200. Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker takes a look at the scale of the unrest in the country.
Libya clashes spread to Tripoli
Clashes between anti-government protesters and Gaddafi supporters escalate as army unit 'defects' in Benghazi.
Protests, "riots" and shooting in Tripoli
Rahma, an activist in Libya's capital, tells Al Jazeera that her father - a US citizen - was arrested after a joining a peaceful protest in front of Tripoli's main courthouse on Sunday.
Libyan Muslim leaders order followers to rebel
PARIS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - A coalition of Libyan Muslim leaders has issued a declaration telling all Muslims it is their duty to rebel against the Libyan leadership. "They have demonstrated total arrogant impunity and continued, and even intensified, their bloody crimes against humanity. They have thereby demonstrated total infidelity to the guidance of God and His beloved Prophet (peace be upon him)," said the group, called the Network of Free Ulema of Libya.
Libyan envoy to Arab League joins 'revolution'
Cairo - Libya's permanent representative to the Arab League, Abdel Moneim al-Honi, said on Sunday he was quitting his position in order to "join the revolution" that is unfolding in his country. "I have submitted my resignation in protest against the acts of repression and violence against demonstrators [in Libya] and I am joining the ranks of the revolution," Honi said.
Libya justice minister resigns to protest 'excessive use of force' against protesters
Ambassadors to the Arab League, India and China have also stepped down to voice dissent with the government, as violent clashes spill into seventh day.
Libya's ambassador to India resigns in protest against violence-BBC
LONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Libya's ambassador to India has resigned in protest at his government's violent crackdown on demonstrators calling for the ouster of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on Monday.
Benghazi residents say told Gaddafi's guard defeated
TRIPOLI Feb 20 (Reuters) - Members of a Libyan army unit told Benghazi residents on Sunday they had defected and "liberated" the city from forces supporting veteran leader Muammar Gaddafi, two residents said.
Workers resign at Libyan Embassy in Stockholm
Arab League demands end to Libya violence
Moussa backs protestors' demand for 'reform development and change'; UK summons Libyan ambassador to condemn use of deadly force by security forces. Al-Jazeera: 61 killed in latest protests in Tripoli.
EU calls for immediate end of violence in Libya
BRUSSELS, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton called on the Libyan authorities to immediately put a stop to violence against anti-government protesters and begin broad-based dialogue on reforms.
Libya: Governments Should Demand End to Unlawful Killings
(New York) - The African Union and African, Western, and Arab countries that have relations with Libya should urge the Libyan government to stop the unlawful killing of protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. In the last three days, the death toll of protesters reported to Human Rights Watch by hospital staff and other sources has reached at least 173.
Condemnation grows as Libya massacre feared (AFP)
AFP - World powers rounded on Libya Sunday as fears grew that hundreds of people had been killed in a brutal government crackdown on demonstrators demanding an end to Moamer Kadhafi's 41-year, ironclad rule.
Russia says Libya violence must be stopped
MOSCOW, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Russia called for an end to violence in Libya on Monday, citing what it said were opposition reports of several hundred deaths in unrest.
Europe plans for Libya evacuation
EU foreign ministers discuss plans to transport citizens out of Libya, as violent unrest spreads.
Libya violence threatens economic relations
From France to the United Kingdom, European leaders have condemned the violence in Libya. In recent years, European countries have been cultivating a relationship with Libyan leader Moammar Qaddafi - for business reasons. Harry Smith reports.
Libya protesters sack Tripoli TV, set blocks on fire
Protesters in the Libyan capital Tripoli sacked state broadcast offices and set branches of the People's Committees that are the mainstay of the regime ablaze overnight, witnesses told AFP on Monday, as the European Union said it would start to evacuate its citizens.
Libya's second city of Benghazi was a scene of chaos and bloodshed yesterday amid reports that anti-regime protesters had seized control. Security forces had earlier fired indiscriminately on mourners attending the funerals of those killed in recent days, but appeared to lose the advantage after a key military battalion came over to the side of the protesters.
Residents of Tabruk Celebrate the Liberation of the Town from Military Control Sunday Night
Cars honked their horns and people reveled and chanted throughout the streets of Tabruk. Congratulations to the small, brave town!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRum6BgfiJE&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ObmYxLTtI&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5L3FhYe__E&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKCcWZEBt_I&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDozcByEYOE&feature=player_embedded
http://feb17.info/videos/demonstrations-in-souq-jumah-in-tripoli-feb-20/
Souq Al Jummah is with you Benghazi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKCcWZEBt_I&feature=player_embedded
Protesters burning police station Souq Al Jummah, Tripoli
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDozcByEYOE&feature=player_embedded
Translation of chants: Look at the knights of Zintan! Gaddafi you coward!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzE1SkZGyd8&feature=player_embedded
http://feb17.info/videos/protests-in-zintan/
Tripoli Ben Ashoor Street – 20th February
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-vaKUQ7Deg&feature=player_embedded
Benghazi Libya Celebrating Freedom from Gaddafi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRsrGri2WTI
Violent clashes hit Libyan city of Baidah
Video report: The eastern Libyan city of Baidah has been a scene of death and violent clashes. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients and people are worried about more chaos ahead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p56JKuVkqo&feature=player_embedded
Protests outside Tripoli Courthouses
http://www.libyafeb17.com/?p=1299
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Y9qee8w2A&feature=player_embedded
Butchering the brave protesters of Libya
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2011/02/qadhdhafis-mercenaries.html
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/2/21/photos-from-libya-2011-02-21.html
Protesters gather in Egypt to back Libyans
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Feb 20 (Reuters) - At least 100 people gathered on Sunday in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in solidarity with the Libyan people after witnesses said Libya's security forces shot anti-government protesters.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/protesters-gather-in-egypt-to-back-libyans
Dearborn, Michigan Protest In Solidarity with Libya- Feb 20, 2011
Despite frigid temperatures, a sizable group of Libyan and Yemeni protesters gathered Dearborn, Michigan in front of Town Hall to show support. They chanted together showing solidarity for their brothers and sisters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5GfSHm8b3I&feature=player_embedded
http://feb17.info/latest-news/dearborn-michigan-protest-in-solidarity-with-libya-feb-20-2011/
Malta: Demonstrations in support of Libyans
http://www.libyafeb17.com/?p=1435
Libya warns U.S. energy firms over diplomatic row
TRIPOLI, March 4 (Reuters) - Libya's top oil official on Thursday summoned the local heads of top U.S. energy firms to tell them a diplomatic row with Washington could hurt U.S. businesses in Libya, the state oil company said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/04/libya-idUSN0417000820100304
Berlusconi under fire for not "disturbing" Gaddafi
ROME, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Opposition lawmakers criticised Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for failing to condemn violence in Libya and saying he did not want to "disturb" Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during the revolt in his country.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/berlusconi-under-fire-for-not-disturbing-gaddafi
Libya protests analysis: 'For Muammar Gaddafi it's kill or be killed'
Libya's leader faces the worst unrest since he seized power, but no-one expects him to give up peacefully
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/20/libya-protests-muammar-gaddafi
The unrest in Libya started as a series of protests, but was met by a fierce security crackdown.
http://english.aljazeera.net//programmes/insidestory/2011/02/2011221111837532726.html
Benghazi Despite Gov't Violence
After a week of deadly unrest in the North African country of Libya, tens of thousands of people celebrated Sunday as they retook the streets of the eastern city of Benghazi. Residents say some soldiers joined the protesters and defeated a force of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s elite guard. Others say the military has left the city. This comes after days of brutal violence. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 300 people have been killed in Libya this week. Clashes have reportedly reached the capital city of Tripoli. For more on the situation in Benghazi, we spoke by phone to a protester named Haithem last night.
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/21/eyewitness_in_libya_protesters_have_taken
Why do you Libyans want Gaddafi gone? Here are some reasons…
http://www.libyafeb17.com/?p=1327
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/01/world/middleeast/01libya.html?_r=1
Gaddafi cruelly resists, but this Arab democratic revolution is far from over | David Hirst
The burning question is, where next? After Ben Ali and Mubarak, others may not fall so easily – but most regimes are candidates. The world has yet to settle on an agreed term for the great events unfolding across the Middle East. I was in the depths of the French countryside – out of touch, and with a BBC World Service that could only fade in and out of hearing late at night and early morning – during their latest, awe-inspiring Egypt phase. But I was soon persuaded that the designation which, in an article in Le Monde, Gilles Kepel, the noted expert on Islamic fundamentalism, assigned them would prove as accurately encapsulating as any. He dubbed them the "Arab democratic revolution".
The Middle East: People, power, politics | Editorial
It will be only when Gaddafi's security forces cross lines that his maniacal grip will slip – but that moment could be far off. At the time, it was called the Libyan model, a turnaround so complete that everyone in the US from neocon to liberal claimed the credit for it. When Libya agreed in 1999 to hand over two suspects to the Lockerbie trial and then abandon its WMD programme in 2003, it was hailed an example of how a state once described by the CIA as an uninhibited supporter of international terrorism could come in from the cold. Everyone, not least the then prime minister, Tony Blair, flocked to shake Muammar Gaddafi's hand. Announcing a new relationship, Mr Blair said he had been struck by how the Libyan leader wished to join Britain in the common cause of fighting al-Qaida, extremists and terrorism. The other part of that common cause was a deal with Shell for exploration rights. Peace with Libya has been lucrative ever since.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/21/middle-east-obama-policy
Revolutionary Situation in Libya, Juan Cole
After the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi fell to the protest movement on Sunday, clashes broke out in the Libyan capital of Tripoli late that afternoon, the first time that city saw substantial demonstrations. The events shook the rule of Muammar Qaddafi to the core, eliciting from one of his sons Saif al-Islam Qaddafi a haughty jeremiad about the protesters endangering the future of the country.
How will Libya's protests play out?
Two factors could be key: whether the violence spreads to Tripoli, and whether the army continues to fire on civilians. The revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt took us all by surprise, and have still not played out. Libya is the least transparent country in the Middle East at the best of times. Just now, with most communications down, it is truly a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/feb/20/libya-protests-oliver-miles
After a week of pro-democracy demonstrations in Libya that left more than 300 people dead, protesters have continued to demand an end to the 42-year regime of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi. One of Gaddafi’s sons, Seif Islam Gaddafi, addressed the nation over Libyan State TV on Sunday, and threatened there would be civil war if the protests did not end. For more we are joined by the acclaimed Libyan poet and scholar, Khaled Mattawa. “I think the regime is over even if Gaddafi manages to survive,” Mattawa says. “Libyans are saying, ‘Yes we will have a new constitution, perhaps we will have a new flag. But we do not want you or your father or the rest of your plan, so get out of here.”
http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/21/libya_is_forever_changed_by_these
I told you the Libya chapter will be bloody: (it has been bloody--lest we forget in Tunisia and Egypt--where Bin Ali and Mubarak massacred people to stay in power). The masses of Libya (the jamahir as that loony leader calls them) hate the leader, and the leader is hated in the region by fellow dictators. So he has nowhere to go (possibly with the exception of Italy). So he and his sons will have to fight to the end. But the end is coming for them, no doubt.