‘I do not want our revolution to be stolen,’ says a Libyan rebel

Libya has reached to a certain form of distorted ambivalence that strategic reforms, military co-operations, embargo and the lives of rebels do not connect any more. It seems like actions are not saving anyone. And even if they are, we dont know about it.

Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, stated that ‘its time for Colonel Gadaffi to go’ during the establishment of an office in rebel held Benghazi.

The benefits of this office and suddenly opening it now after the conflict reaches the fourth month does not pacify my questions. Also, I do not see a necessity behind it.

Ashton during her current visit to Libya would be discussing several necessary aspects of the Middle Eastern conflict in the country, dealing with emergence of civil society, economy, border management and security reformation.

Currently, the endeavours to deter Colonel Gadaffi supporters have not suceeded, in spite of implementation of the ‘no fly zone’, arms embargo and target sanctions.

Meanwhile, President Obama has started with his European Tour to discuss about the Middle eastern conflict with the first destination being Ireland.

‘Misrata: the turning point’

In the entire conflict which now spuns three months, the fighting at Misrata has been one of the turning points in Libya. To start with, the rebels found out the stealthy and determined sealift for fleet of boats. This sea transport has been used to distrbution of food and medicines, along with the protecting the safety of the rebels.

Recently, the rebels have organised 12 fishing vessels and several tugboats which were previously organised by Colonel Gadaffi into an impromptu fleet that helps in providing lifeline to Misrata.

Though, after the fierce fighting on Sunday, rebel Abdelsalam told the Reuters that its  very difficult to see how the Gadaffi forces are being able to re-enter into the city inspite of the good defence lines and NATO assistance.

‘Rebel controlled regions’

The rebel controlled regions in Libya include Misrata, the parts of the Nafusa mountain region and the eastern coastal region of Cyrenaica.

Meanwhile, 27 countries of the European Union has frozen their diplomatic ties with the dictator. Also, the European Commission has confirmed to provide a grant of 20 million euros to the humanitarian actions in Libya.

Though, a soft spoken Haithem al-Mangoush simply states that ‘I do not want our revolution to be stolen.’

But as the ‘sea of assasinations’ continue, the most herculean task continues to be the procurement of weapons and ammunition by the Libyan rebels.

‘History of Iraq and Afghanistan repeats’

Questioning the role of NATO, Rear Admiral Chris Parry, the former Royal Navy admiral stated that the current situation in Libya is a repeated reflection of what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said that its time time when the entire ‘strategy’ of NATO should be re-worked in Libya .

In spite of all the developments and surrenders that are hauting the country, in some cities, the everyday life seems to get back on track. Though, the current jubilation might seem deceptive eventually.

Debate on air strikes worsens in Libya, International politics slaps

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that the situation in Libya is further intensifying with probable establishment of a ‘long overhaul’

The questions regarding how long would Britain be able to support ‘the high tempo operations’ in Libya is a growing concern. The implementation of stupendous defence cuts has further aggravated the situation.

Britain has been sending body armors, telecom equipments and military officer in Libya as the coalition forces have entered the sixth week of air strikes in Libya.

The main countries forming a part of the coalition forces believe that it would take another 12 months to topple Gadaffi.

Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy has been questioning the future of British airstrike operations in Libya. And ofcourse, the concern is genuine as one day of air strikes costs millions of investment.

In the meanwhile, the Obama administration has granted 25 million US dollars to opposition in Libya. The aid would be used in the non lethal manner to support Libya’s Interim Transitional National Council.

The White House has stated that the aid would include supply of vehicles, body armour, radio, medical equipments and ambulance.

Meanwhile, the refugees in Misrata, have been complaining against NATO stating that it safeguards only the bigger population while the plight of the minority is not paid attention.

‘Target Gadaffi’

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has openly criticised the aim of killing Colonel Gadaffi without him undergoing a legal trial.

The International political divisions on what judgment should be bestowed to Gadaffi are becoming a matter of debate.

It has also led to further controversies on the supply of legal aid in Libya.

Robert Gates, the US Defence Secretary has once again stated that the aim of NATO or the coalition forces is not to target Gadaffi.

Though, Foreign Secretary William Hague has stated that there are no legal constraints under the UN resolution in supplying aids in Libya.

He also stated that this would lead to the building of diplomatic, political and military pressure on Gadaffi.

‘Stop air strikes’

The African Union, in a move to take control over the uprising has urged the coalition forces to suspend the air strikes.

This was followed after the bombing of two buildings in Gadaffi’s compound in Tripoli by the NATO forces.

The African Union is all set to hold an extraordinary meeting in May to work under the AU Peace and Security Council.

Though, Zubedi, a Libyan ambassador has stated that everyone does agree that’s its high time when Colonel Gadaffi should surrender.

In the meanwhile, chiefs of 61 tribes in Libya have issued a letter stated by the French writer Bernard Henri Levy that the ‘divide and rule’ policy will not work in Libya and nothing will divide them.

Credits: Photo from Reuters

Humanity and military, a new fight for Libya

The lines between humanitarian aid and military operations has often been blurred by treacherous attacks of wars, conflicts and violence, culminating into odious proceedings.

The same, might or might not, happen in Libya, if given a chance.

Valerie Amos, the UN Under-secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has stated that there is no immediate need to accept EU offer providing military escorts in Libya.

She stated that aid shipments of water, food and medicines are getting to the needy Libyans without the necessity of the military escorts.

Civilian assets are currently being used to evacuate the people and to provide the aid to the victims. Military help, she said would be needed only if the situation worsens.

She also stressed on being vigilant and respecting the boundaries between aid and military, without blurring them.

The NATO and EU need to take the permission of the UN before sending military escorts to Libya, she further announced.

Though, she did mention that security situation for the aid workers itself is very dangerous due to the continuous bombing in Libya. But she also revealed that the Colonel Gadaffi forces have agreed to allow the required access to the aid workers.

Amos went on a trip to Libya to meticulously observe the current status of the conflict. Unfortunately, the humanitarian deal does not provide security to the aid workers who are entering the city.

‘Libya Military mission’

In a major development yesterday, France and Italy have agreed to send senior military officials in Libya to give needed advice to the opposition forces.

In a report issued by Reuters, 27 countries in the EU have agreed to launch the military mission to support the humanitarian work in Libya.

This mission would involve the task of security the aid workers, guarding the transport channels and also guarding the Tunisian Egypt borders where several refugee camps are set up.

The French and Italian officials had stated that around ten military advisors would be sent to Libya under this decision.

This move was influenced by President Obama’s announcement of providing $25 million to non lethal force decision in Libya.

Meanwhile, Oxfam, the British aid group has also warned EU against sending military officials in Libya.

Jamie Balfour-Paul, Oxfam’s spokesperson in the Middle East also said referring from the past experiences, blurring the lines between humanitarian aid and military operations has only bought more controversies.

‘Two Award winning journalists dead’

Meanwhile, two award winning photo journalists Briton Tim Hetherington and US Chris Hondros were killed in a motor attack in Misrata.

According to few other journalists, these two were trying to pull back from the front line when they came under fire.

The Libyan government has expressed ‘sadness’ over the sudden death of these two photographers.

Credit: Photo from Getty Images

A letter to Gadaffi from US, UK and France, Gadaffi’s daughter answers back

Last week, Colonel Gaddafi had written a letter to President Obama, calling him his ‘son’ and asking him to stop bombing in Libya.

Well, I wonder why the letter was written to Obama and not Sarkozy, who has been playing a far more responsible role in the coalition air strikes.

In response, President Obama, David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy have written this opinion piece, politely asking Colonel Gadaffi to step down.

Few say, that this opinion piece is a propaganda to answer the international world that ‘these three countries’ still have unity. While, others believe, that its high time, when these three countries should speak, in unison.

Its unfortunate, how on one hand, out of the 28 countries that are present in NATO, only UK, Canada, Denmark, Belgium and Norway have been supporting the air strikes.

And suddenly, everyone is criticising NATO. As if, its the easiest task to do. The same happened when NATO targetted a rebel tank recently, by mistake.

No one is sitting down, trying to contemplate that the NATO pilots are exhausted, there is a need of precision fighters and ground attack aircrafts.

And as usual, the blame game continues.

But unfortunately, the political debate does not end within known territories.

What seems like an obvious show of power and rule, Colonel Gadaffi took a complete tour of Tripoli, in his open top car, wearing a black outfit. It seemed as if, he was openly showing the population that he is not afraid. And, he will never be.

Gadaffi’s daughter, Ayesha al-Gadaffi has reacted, quite ferociously, against this plea.

Standing infront a crowd cheering Colonel Gadaffi, in her home compound at Bal Al-Aziziyah, Ayesha demanded the western forces to ‘leave our skies’.

She narrated how in 1911, Italy had killed her grand father.

Now, in 2011, the Western Countries want to kill her father. She spoke for the children who are being targeted, the innocent civilains who are being butchered.

Interestingly, I have never read Ayesha, speaking anything for the death of rebels or the hundreds of innocent civilians who are hospitalised in Misrata and Tripoli.

To add further challenge, the rebels are now afraid of assembling in the protests. Mainly because, there are several pro-Gadaffi supporters, in the disguise of rebels, waiting to arrest the real ones.

What happens in Libya continues to be a matter of debate, uneasy wait and yes, a lot of manslaughter, for the time being.

Credits: AP Photos