Links to sites with updates:
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya">AJE Libya Live Blog
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/libya">The Guardian
http://uk.reuters.com/places/libya">Reuters
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/">Telegraph
http://feb17.info/">feb17.info
http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks">Libya Alhurra (live video webcast from Benghazi)
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/">Libya Alhurra archives and updates
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/benghaziradio">Benghazi Free Radio, in Arabic (may have translators present at times)
http://www.tributefm.com/">Tribute FM (English broadcast from Benghazi)
http://www.libyafeb17.com/">libyafeb17.com
Twitter links:
http://twitter.com/#!/aymanm">Ayman Mohyeldin, with AJE
http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn">Ben Wedeman, with CNN
http://twitter.com/#!/tripolitanian">tripolitanian, a Libyan from Tripoli
http://twitter.com/#!/BaghdadBrian">Brian Conley, reporter in Libya
http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth">FreeLibyanYouth, Libyan advocate
http://twitter.com/#!/LibyaFeb17_com">LibyaFeb17.com twitter account
http://twitter.com/#!/ChangeInLibya">ChangeInLibya, Libyan advocate
https://twitter.com/#!/TheyCallMeSof">Sofyan Amry (arrived in Benghazi recently)
http://twitter.com/#!/KiloFoot">KiloFoot (general Arab Spring news aggregation)
Useful links:
http://audioboo.fm/feb17voices">feb17voices
http://www.google.com/search?q=time+in+libya">Current time in Libya
http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=libya">Prayer times in Libya
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1528894">Week 22 part 2 here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwx_B38678">Marching On in Libya, for the revolutionaries!Khaled, 38, read a news report at the broadcasting studio of Radio Nafusa al-Hurra (Free Nafusa Radio) in Jado. Amazigh people enjoy a renaissance of their culture after four decades of a ban imposed by the regime of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.
Ammar Awad / Reuters
Day 149 July 16http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/16/us-libya-turkey-idUSTRE76F1G520110716">Libyan bankers offer support to rebel council
Libya's former central bank governor Farhat Bengdara said on Saturday a newly formed association of Libyan bankers was preparing recommendations to support the country's rebel leaders in raising finance.http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/07/16/idINIndia-58290920110716">Heavy casualties reported in Libya fighting
Ten Libyan rebels were reported killed and 172 wounded in an attack on the eastern oil port of Brega on Saturday, while insurgents drove back forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi in the west.http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3216550">How Gadhafi retains support
At the wake of the Arab Spring in North Africa, many of these dictators were caught in fear as they imagined themselves in a similar situation and have since intensified their crackdown on the opposition.
If they are truly the Libyan rebels' most promising vanguard, the fighters poised on the front line in the Nafusa mountains hardly inspired confidence.
Day 150 July 17http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/world/article/918760--late-night-explosions-rock-libyan-capital">Late night explosions rock Libyan capital
A series of NATO airstrikes rocked the Libyan capital before dawn Sunday, sending up huge plumes of smoke over the city after hitting what Libyan state television said were civilian and military targets.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-07/17/c_13990370.htm">Libyan opposition rejects involvement of foreign ground forces
The Libyan opposition on Saturday ruled out involvement of any foreign ground forces.http://www.rttnews.com/Content/GeneralNews.aspx?Node=B1&Id=1666904">NATO Chief Cautions On Libya Ceasefire
NATO Secretary General General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned that any ceasefire between Libya's Qadhafi regime and the rebels would have to be "credible, verifiable and with clear conditions," failing which, "we would risk a rebound of the violence."http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14176051">Col Gaddafi vows he will never leave Libya
His speech was broadcast to supporters in the city of Zawiya, which was taken back from rebels after fierce fighting in the early stages of the revolt.http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story_s.asp?storyid=1093429148">Libyan rebel held area will not pump oil
Libya's Arabian Gulf Oil Company's (Agoco) information manager, Abdeljalil Mayouf, said that due to reparations in the oil fields units in the rebel held area, Libya was not ready to produce oil, reported Arab News.http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL6E7IH03S20110717">Niger fears takeover by militants in neighbour Libya
Niger fears that Islamic militants could seize power in Libya as a result of the civil war in its northern neighbour, President Mahamadou Issoufou said late on Saturday.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-17/libya-has-168-billion-abroad-for-financing-ex-bank-chief-says.html">Libya Needs to Manage $168 Billion in Assets, Banker Says
Libya has about $168 billion in frozen assets and the Transitional National Council needs to access and start managing the funds as it works to oust Muammar Qaddafi and rebuild the country, former central bank chief Farhat Bengdara said.http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/477999">NATO hits military depot in eastern Tripoli
NATO jets destroyed a military storage facility and other targets in Tripoli's eastern outskirts early Sunday, days after key international players recognized Libya's rebel leadership as the country's legitimate representative.http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110717/OPINION01/707179991">Libyan rebels strengthened by recognition
The international intervention in Libya to protect civilians has gradually transformed into a campaign to oust Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43783897/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/">Misrata youth goes from Playstation to front line
When the war in Libya started, many young men now on the rebel front line at Misrata were so interested in computer games and mobile phones that older residents never thought they would turn into fighters. "Before the uprising, all those young men cared about was hair gel, clothes, music, mobile phones and hanging out in cafes," said Mahmoud Askutri, a businessman who has formed and funds the 1st battalion of the Al Marsa regiment, one of the rebel units fighting here to end Muammar Gaddafi's 41-year rule.
Day 151 July 18http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=229668">Libyan Jewish group recognizes rebels
In letter to head of Libyan National Transitional Council, the Israeli president of WOLJ, offers his organization’s support, assistance.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8643674/Libya-Gaddafi-running-out-of-commanders.html">Libya: Gaddafi 'running out of commanders'
The officer escaped from a government town in the plains below the country's Western Mountains. Lying only 60 miles from Tripoli, the rebels have launched repeated offensives in the effort to reach the capital.http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/07/18/158145.html">Ex-foreign minister says Libya behind 1989 airline attack
Libya is responsible for a deadly 1989 attack on a French airliner, Libyan former foreign minister Abdel Rahman Shalgam told al-Hayat newspaper in an interview published on Monday.http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/07/18/libya.war/">Rebels: Our forces have advanced closer to Libyan city of Brega
Libyan rebel forces have advanced about 18 miles (30 kilometers) closer to the eastern city of Brega after dismantling thousands of landmines, a rebel spokesman told CNN on Monday.http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE76H08T20110718?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews">Russia criticises West's backing of Libyan rebels
Russia on Monday criticised the United States and other countries that have recognised the Libyan rebels' National Transitional Council as a legitimate government, saying they were taking sides in the civil war.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jul/18/gaddafi-brutal-regime-exposed-lost-archive">Gaddafi's Libyan rule exposed in lost picture archive
Grim footage of Sadiq Hamed Shwehdi's infamous execution also emerges from Benghazihttp://www.businessinsider.com/benghazi-soccer-resistance-2011-7#ixzz1SUSngCl5">An Amazing Story Of Resistance From Inside Libya's Soccer League
Eleven years ago an incident on the soccer pitch in Benghazi foreshadowed the Libyan revolution.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-rebels-wounded-20110719,0,5777545.story">In Libya, rebel wounded tell the story behind fight for key city
Rajab Zawiyeh, a Libyan businessman, drove to this coast rebel stronghold two days after he heard about an outbreak of fighting in the nearby oil city of Port Brega.http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/07/18/libya-gaddafi-must-be-held-accountable-crimes-against-humanity">Libya: Gaddafi Must Be Held Accountable for Crimes Against Humanity
Amid preparations for the Libya contact group meeting in Istanbul on Friday, which sought a solution to the conflict in Libya, some states reportedly were-behind the scenes-exploring the possibility of offering Muammar Gaddafi the option of internal exile in exchange for relinquishing all power.
http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE76H19N20110718?sp=true">Wounded children show ferocity of Misrata's war
When 12-year-old Mohammed Bielshak left the house with his brother Ali on March 20, it was to give water from their well to thirsty rebels nearby who were fighting forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
http://shabablibya.org/news/libyan-activists-push-for-more-open-less-homogeneous-rebel-administration">Libyan activists push for more open, less homogeneous rebel administration
One of the few really steady jobs in liberated eastern Libya these days is that of caricaturist, and guys such as Adil Mansur are cleaning up. The 30-year-old history student has drawn posters of dictator Moammar Gadhafi as a dog, a snake and a hanging victim. Today he is producing a large image of rebel interim-government leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil as a mellow and saintly figure.
Day 152 July 19http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/172077-pr-firm-took-12m-from-gadhafis-libya">PR firm took $1.2M from Gadhafi’s Libya
An international public relations firm worked to boost the regime of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi while employed by an oil executive with business interests in the country, new documents show.http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-19/libyan-rebels-won-t-sign-oil-deals-until-elected-government-1-.html">Libyan Rebels Won’t Sign Oil Deals Until Elected Government
Libya’s Transitional National Council, fighting to overthrow the government of Muammar Qaddafi, won’t sign new contracts with oil companies because the movement wasn’t elected, a spokesman for the group said.http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110719/local/severely-injured-libyan-girl-arrives-from-misurata.376322">Colourful welcome for Libyan girl injured in Misurata
A five-year-old Libyan girl who lost a leg in the fighting in Libya, has arrived in Malta on her way to the United States, where she will have a prosthetic leg fitted.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iST3P-HvBBIxRCVh1brNzlaof6mg?docId=eee303e63c8641deb1ed7e06efcd4e90">Libyan troops kill 8 rebels near eastern oil town
Government forces in trucks disguised with rebel flags shelled opposition positions Tuesday near the strategic eastern oil town of Brega, killing eight rebel fighters and wounding dozens more, officials said.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8648173/Libyan-officials-sought-guarantees-Gaddafi-would-not-be-pursued-for-war-crimes.html">Libyan officials sought guarantees Gaddafi would not be pursued for war crimes
Libyan representatives sought guarantees Col Muammar Gaddafi would not be pursued for war crimes if he stepped down during talks with US officials.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-fighting-20110720,0,2078871.story">Libyan forces, insurgents locked in battle for Port Brega
'It's a gang fight in there,' a rebel fighter says of the latest assaults near the strategic coastal city, which is being held by forces loyal to Moammar Kadafi.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-military-cemetery-20110716,0,674939.story">Libyan faithfully tends graves of foreign World War II dead
Every morning, Salah Fatour is at his post with his worn rake and wheelbarrow, tending the garden of the dead.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/07/15/a_wilsonian_move_by_the_white_house_in_libya">A Wilsonian move by the White House in Libya
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today that the United States is will recognize Libya's Transitional National Council as the country's "legitimate governing authority". This comes as something of a surprise, as the normal U.S. policy is to recognize whichever government is in de facto power of a country.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e7091b92-b173-11e0-9444-00144feab49a.html#axzz1SxjBOjcA">BHL: Keep the faith: Gaddafi will fall very soon
I have just returned from Jebel Nafusa, a mountainous plateau in north-western Libya that constitutes, after Misrata in the east and Brega even further east, the third front of the war in Libya. What I saw leads me to challenge more strongly than ever the oddly defeatist declarations that have emanated from Washington, London and Paris in recent weeks.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raghida-dergham/arab-revolutions-and-the-_b_900371.html">Arab Revolutions and the Exit Strategy for the Regimes
They have no choice but to admit that the logic of "the regime first" has been dealt a fatal blow and that there is no way to return to the status quo ante that prevailed before the onset of the Arab Spring. If those men were to recognize this clear logic, they would find many ways to save themselves from a dark fate, dark legacy and an abysmal place in history. But they must first accept to place the country and the state over and above the regime.
Day 153 July 20http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=108614#.TiXVdGlv0eQ.tweet">Arab states committed to help Libyan people: UAE
United Arab Emirates has expressed the Arab states' committment to the welfare and help of Libyans facing an ongoing political crisis in their country.http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1503419&mesg_id=1525451">What on Earth is happening in Brega?
Brega was later found to have been taken, but tabatha compiled a wonderful post on the various inconsistencies in the reports.http://feb17.info/news/for-libyan-rebels-gadhafis-mines-a-potent-obstacle-2/">For Libyan Rebels, Gadhafi’s Mines A Potent Obstacle
Land mines increasingly are being used by Moammar Gadhafi’s forces on battlegrounds across Libya.http://www.freemisurata.com/EngArt/archives/448">Today Malak Alshami amputated foot, 5 years old arrives to the US coming from Misratah.
Malak Alshami’s did not know that her live will change after this Friday , while she was playing in her room with her two brothers who did not spoke the alphabet yet , the Grad rockets that have fallen in the room took the two boys lives but Malak survivedhttp://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110720/local/malak-s-family-determined-to-return-to-libya-as-soon-as-possible.376505">Malak's family determined to return to Libya as soon as possible
The family of five-year-old Malak, the Libyan girl who lost a limb when a missile landed in her home, have spoken of their determination to return to Libya as soon as possible.http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/27/muammar-gaddafi-arrest-warrant-hague">Gaddafi regime dismisses ICC arrest warrants
The Libyan government has dismissed international arrest warrants against Muammar Gaddafi, his son and intelligence chief.http://www.thenational.ae/thenational/news/uae-news/dubai-telecoms-engineers-supply-libyan-rebels-with-mobile-phone-network">Dubai telecoms engineers supply Libyan rebels with mobile phone network
The stealth telecommunications team arrived in Misurata after a stomach-churning 30-hour fishing boat ride from Malta.http://feb17.info/media/video-rebels-find-creative-ways-to-arm-against-gaddafis-forces/">Video: Rebels find creative ways to arm against Gaddafi’s forces
Rebels in the Libyan city of Misrata face an ongoing struggle against Col Gaddafi’s forces, with the city itself is still surrounded by enemy soldiers on one side and the sea on the other.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14186310">The road to recovery inside Libya's mountain hospital
It is not hard to get to Nalut these days. The town is in the rebel-held Nafusa Mountains in western Libya, about 40km (25 miles) from the border with Tunisia.
Day 154 July 21http://www.npr.org/2011/07/20/138548543/rebels-in-western-libya-train-for-move-on-tripoli">Rebels In Western Libya Train For Move On Tripoli
Rebel commanders in the western mountains of Libya say they are supplying anti-government forces in Tripoli with weapons in advance of a march on the capital.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904233404576458154035344420.html">Rebels Move Toward Gadhafi Stronghold
Rebel fighters have penetrated Libya's southwest desert and pulled within 80 miles of Col. Moammar Gadhafi's southern stronghold, opening a new front and suggesting the strongman's grip is slipping even in areas believed firmly in his control.http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/21/world/africa/21libya.html">Problems With Logistics, Coordination and Rivalries Hamper Libya’s Rebels
Ahmad Harari, a Libyan rebel fighting to overthrow Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, recounted how he was almost killed last week.http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/20/2322983/for-libyas-western-rebels-high.html">For Libya's western rebels, high hopes but real struggles
In a house on the outskirts of this deserted village on Libya's western front line, about a dozen rebel fighters sheltered from the blistering sun, occasionally scanning the horizon with binoculars.http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/africa/qaddafis-troops-have-fled-brega-say-rebels">Qaddafi's troops have fled Brega, say rebels
Rebel military sources said some Qaddafi forces were arcing rockets over Brega onto rebel positions from the town of Bishr, while most troops had retreated to Ras Lanuf, another oil town further west.http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-calls-tribes-back-rebel-mountains-060137886.html">Gadhafi calls tribes to take back rebel mountains
It's not the first time Gadhafi has tried to rally the tribes. Since the Libyan uprising began in mid-February, he has threatened to unleash angry tribesmen on opposition-held towns, although nothing ever materialized.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/07/201172161918114981.html">Libyan rebels step up military campaign
Opposition fighters say they have forced Gaddafi forces back from Brega, while southern fighters prepare for battle.http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iA8R71Dh-jnRkVtTY13wiQ5FIBaQ?docId=CNG.62af0064235da4cbd63370d32a0b2bcf.331">Libya rebels seek arms amid pre-Ramadan offensive
Libya's rebels asked France for extra arms to help them overrun Tripoli within "days", as they ramped up a pre-Ramadan offensive that has Moamer Kadhafi's troops on the run in the east.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-funerals-20110721,0,4818815,full.story">For Libyan rebels, a funeral is no somber event
As 11 fighters are laid to rest in Benghazi, the mourners celebrate their deaths as bringing the country one step closer to life without Kadafi.http://www.petroleum-economist.com/Article/2869690/Exclusive-Qadhafi-regime-bids-to-sell-shipping-fleet.html?edit=true">Exclusive: Qadhafi regime bids to sell shipping fleet
Derek Brower, LONDON: Libya’s state-owned shipping firm is asking two Asian companies to take control of its fleet as the regime steps up efforts to secure cash to sustain its war effort.
Day 155 July 22Day 156 July 23http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFN1E76L1X720110722">US checks reports of ship carrying arms for Libya
The United States is investigating reports that a ship carrying weapons for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces was allowed to dock in Algeriahttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i74NcItPjRb9NjnXoQ7bmePn2B8A?docId=9373971434a54562a24adc6f0995c0ad">Tunisia reinforcing border with Libya
Huge clouds of smoke from NATO-led raids over western Libya could be seen in neighboring Tunisia and the official TAP news agency says the Tunisian army is reinforcing the border area to ensure there is no spillover into its territory.http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/2011/07/22/gIQAnd1LUI_story.html">U.S. struggles to free money for Libyan rebels
Despite newly won diplomatic recognition from the United States, Libyan rebels could face a long wait for promised financial relief, say U.S. officialshttp://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-libya-benghazi-cops-20110723,0,2753677.story?page=1">Police in Libya rebel capital pivot from oppressor to protector
"Before, people were terrified of the police; they hated us," Ganasi, 35, said as pedestrians waved to him on his rounds. "Now they see us as someone who can protect them, not someone to protect the people in power."http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Reflections-from-Benghazi-by-Tawfik-Mansurey-110712-154.html">Reflections from Benghazi: Colour, Life and Hope
Nowadays, I drive around town in Benghazi and I see colours and faces of real people on the many billboards around the city. Not so long ago, there weren't many colours just a green rag flapping everywhere you went from the city streets, hotels and even tied to car antennas. The only face you saw was that of the menacing Gadhafi glaring down into your car as you drove by.
http://en.qantara.de/The-Revolutionary-Power-of-Youth/16590c16844i0p/index.html">The Revolutionary Power of Youth
"Look here, I've got a university degree, but this society doesn't give me a chance: no wonder I'm a rebel." The unrest in the Arab world may have taken most people by surprise, but demographers knew it was coming. According to Jéronimo Louis Samuel Barbin, this unrest is the sound of the voice of young people who have long been at home in the modern world
http://english.libya.tv/2011/07/23/libyan-berbers-cherish-shared-history-with-jews/">Libyan Berbers cherish shared history with Jews
For centuries, Jews lived among the Berbers of Yafran, observing the Sabbath at the synagogue of Ghriba, but they suddenly left 63 years ago, and their land in Libya remains untouched.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15250140,00.html">Libyan army, rebels face common enemy in the mountains
Since the war erupted in Libya last February, many civilians of almost all ages have woken up with a gun in their hands, without knowing what to do with it. There's no way of knowing how many fighters have been killed or wounded by mishandling weapons or, simply, during one of the gun-toting celebrations after a battle victory. Small wonder that the number of victims on both sides remains unclear.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">A topic on the women of the revolution, dispels myths about the treatment of women in Benghazi.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of UN resolution 1973. How will a no fly zone work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k">AJE reports.
Belgium:
http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component.
Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki
http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade.
Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed
http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations.
Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force
http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters.
France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft.
Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy
http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade.
Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force
http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations.
Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support."
NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS)
http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO.
Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force
http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane.
Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has
http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base.
Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft.
Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces
http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand.
Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are
http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters.
Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will
http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign.
Turkey: The Turkish Navy
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo.
United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force
http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission.
United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers.
United States: The United States has
http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.
As of this week the National Trasitional Council has been
formally recognized by
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_Libyan_Republic#Recognition">31 countries.
France (March 10),
Qatar (March 28),
Maldives (April 3),
Italy (April 4),
Kuwait (April 13),
The Gambia (April 22),
Jordan (April 24),
Sengal (April 28),
The United Kingdom (June 4),
Spain (June 8),
Australia (June 9),
UAE (June 12),
Germany (June 13),
Canada (June 14),
Panama (June 14),
Austria (June 18),
Latvia (June 20),
Denmark (June 22),
Bulgaria (June 28),
Croatia (June 28),
Czech Republic (June 29),
Turkey (July 3),
Poland (July 9),
Netherlands (July 13),
Belgium (July 13),
Luxembourg (July 13),
United States (July 15),
Japan (July 15),
Albania (July 18),
Slovenia (July 20),
Montenegro (July 21).
"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone.
"Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." -
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi
(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)
http://english.libya.tv/2011/04/25/eastern-libyans-believe-in-national-unity-distrust-au-and-turkish-mediation-survey-reveals/">The first free public opinion poll ever conducted in Libya reveals clues to Eastern Libyan sentiments
*
98 percent of the respondents do not support the division of Libya as a part of the political solution for the current conflict with the Gaddafi regime.
Around 95 percent also don’t see any role for Gaddafi or his sons in a transitional period, and think it is impossible to implement any political reform in Libya if Gaddafi or one of his sons stays in power
*
Around 96 percent of those polled, believe that the 17th of February revolution can consolidate the national unity of Libya and support the model of a democratic Libya based on a constitution which respects human rights*
Al-Qaeda has not played any role in the 17th of February revolution, say 94 percent of the Eastern Libyans, and 91 percent thinks it’s impossible for Al-Qaeda to play any political role in the new Libya*
The National Transitional Council is seen by 92 percent of those surveyed as “expressing the views and wishes of Libyans for change” This is equivalent to 17% the entire population of Libya, doing the numbers very conservatively.
http://jenkinsear.com/2011/03/19/a-legal-war-the-united-nations-participation-act-and-libya/">A Legal War: The United Nations Participation Act and Libya
The above link is to an overview of why Obama's implementation of the NFZ and R2P is perfectly legal under the law. I will not post it entirely here, however, all objections come down to the misinformed position that Obama, by using forces in Libya, was invoking Article 43 of the United Nations. This is wrong. Obama invoked Article 42, which
does not require congressional approval to implement. Proof of this is that Article 43 has
http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml#rel5">never been used.
It goes like this: The US law (Title 22, Chap. 7, Subchap. XIV § 287d) grants the President the right to invoke UN Article 42
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00000287---d000-.html">without authorization, the War Powers Act (Title 50, Chap. 33 § 1541) grants the President permission to act without authorization under
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/50/1541–1548.html">"specific statutory authorization" which, by definition, is what 287d does. § 1543 of the War Powers Act requires the President to report to Congress,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/obama_explains_libya_mission_to_congress/2011/03/03/ABU9377_blog.html">which he did. One can argue all day and night about the legality of the War Powers Act, doesn't change the fact that under the law as it is written, the President acted within the law.
Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi
"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this beganI'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_ded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire is a documentary about Mo's last days, please watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg">Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help.
Mo leaves behind a wife and a newborn child she had
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:
We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.