Libya: Rebels Being Slaughtered, no fly zone

cobalt124

Shami Chakrabarti, director of UK human rights organisation Liberty said the current action was justified. But she added: "There seems to be a lack of clarity about the difference between any ground forces at all, and an occupying force.

cobalt124

1008: Libyan rebel spokesman Mustafa Gheriani in Tobruk tells the BBC that Benghazi is "fairly safe", having taken a heavy pounding from pro-Gaddafi forces on Saturday. "There's a few remnants of Gaddafi's embedded cells operating but for the most part they've been eliminated." He says that, so far, the intervention of western powers has been very effective. "We want to change a tyrant - this guy is a criminal and has to be judged as one," he adds

cobalt124

1101: A spokesman for the American military - Col Franklin Childress - has confirmed to the BBC reports that B-2 stealth bombers have dropped around 40 conventional bombs on Libyan targets. Col Childress said he could not specify which targets had been attacked. He said that Tomahawk missiles might continue to be used in the campaign

*nismaratwork*

Quote by Ivan Seeking

But we weren't! The first to make a strike were the French; and not an arbitrary choice I would bet.

True... I'd also guess it's no coincidence. For all that this is a joint 'French-British' venture, the French are all over it, and the UK is providing... 4 jets.

*nismaratwork*

Quote by cobalt124

My turn to be confused:

0929: UK Chancellor George Osborne, who attended a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee before the first mission on Saturday - says the UN mandate authorising action in Libya is "very clear" - adding there are no plans for putting troops on the ground "at the moment".

There's being two or three comments on deploying of ground troops, I'm wondering "Whose?", as I have only heard national leaders say they would specifically not deploy ground troops. French? Arab League? U.S. and U.K. and the rebels themselves have said no to ground troops, which would be difficult anyway due to ongoing commitments elsewhere.

Understand that troops might include special operations to gather intel and target on the ground, but it's not the same as dropping an invasion force. Still, people hate even a technical lie, so this is butt-covering, and I suppose, honesty.

cobalt124

Quote by nismaratwork

Understand that troops might include special operations to gather intel and target on the ground, but it's not the same as dropping an invasion force. Still, people hate even a technical lie, so this is butt-covering, and I suppose, honesty.

My reading of their words implies "invasion force". The wording seems to keep many options open, or is creating grey areas. Maybe it's just the nature of the beast.

*nismaratwork*

Quote by cobalt124

My reading of their words implies "invasion force". The wording seems to keep many options open, or is creating grey areas. Maybe it's just the nature of the beast.

I'd agree, except that an invasion force is the one thing explicitly forbidden by UN-1973... if that's ingored then all of this diplo-cover was for nothing.

cobalt124

BBC:

1219: Arab countries will be moving "military assets" to the region in the next few days, Dr Fox adds. He says this is vital to demonstrating that this is an international effort, not the west imposing its will.

cobalt124

It seems that William Hague, U.K. Foreign Secretary doesn't have much to say about all of this, he's possibly being kept out of it to some extent because of the recent farce with the helicopter he sent into Libya.

Astronuc

Quote by Jimmy Snyder

David Cameron, British PM, assures us that Libya will not be another Iraq. Libyan leader Khadafy (aka Qaddafi) has expressed concern that Libya will be another Viet Nam. This is a real posibility since, according to American officials, Iraq is not another Viet Nam. Calls to Viet Nam asking for comment have not been returned. Afghanistan has warned that they will not accept being another Libya. However, Libya has assured Kabul that Korea will take precedence for being another Libya. Meanwhile, Canada (another USA) has indicated that they will welcome to their shores, people objecting to any country becoming another Viet Nam. The UN passed another resolution against Israel to the satisfaction of all.

Brilliant!

*nismaratwork*

I think that it's safe to say Tripoli will be leveled before the USA commits Vietnam-type troops counts.

cobalt124

BBC:

1450: More from US military chief Adm Mullen, who says planes from Qatar are now moving into position near Libya

Gokul43201

Quote by Jimmy Snyder

David Cameron, British PM, assures us that Libya will not be another Iraq. Libyan leader Khadafy (aka Qaddafi) has expressed concern that Libya will be another Viet Nam. This is a real posibility since, according to American officials, Iraq is not another Viet Nam. Calls to Viet Nam asking for comment have not been returned. Afghanistan has warned that they will not accept being another Libya. However, Libya has assured Kabul that Korea will take precedence for being another Libya. Meanwhile, Canada (another USA) has indicated that they will welcome to their shores, people objecting to any country becoming another Viet Nam. The UN passed another resolution against Israel to the satisfaction of all.

Gee, Jimmy. I thought you were being serious with that post. And then I got to the last sentence.

*nismaratwork*

Al Aziziyah was hit by 2 cruise missiles, according to Nic Robertson on the scene (CNN), but not independently verified. As that is Tripoli-ish... I'm feeling good about post #130.

cobalt124

0011: An apparent missile strike has caused extensive damage to Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli. Journalists who were taken to the Bab al-Aziziya complex said a four-storey administrative building had been flattened. There has been no word of any casualties. The Pentagon has denied that Col Gaddafi is a target.

This is the place to hit.

*nismaratwork*

Quote by cobalt124

0011: An apparent missile strike has caused extensive damage to Col Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli. Journalists who were taken to the Bab al-Aziziya complex said a four-storey administrative building had been flattened. There has been no word of any casualties. The Pentagon has denied that Col Gaddafi is a target.

This is the place to hit.

Indeed... that should give the Libyan C&C something to think about, and maybe impetus to kill Ghaddafi et al rather than let the next missile land on THEM.

*nismaratwork*

Did those Tomahawks fired into Al Aziziyah have a low-yield warhead?... there seems to be more left of the compound and missile body than I would have expected...

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cobalt124 Recognitions: Gold Member	Libya: Rebels Being Slaughtered, no fly zone Shami Chakrabarti, director of UK human rights organisation Liberty said the current action was justified. But she added: "There seems to be a lack of clarity about the difference between any ground forces at all, and an occupying force.

nismaratwork	I think that it's safe to say Tripoli will be leveled before the USA commits Vietnam-type troops counts.