Monday, March 7, 2011

Fierce fighting in Libya: offensive against dissidents

Libyan troops and mercenaries have begun in several cities in an offensive against the dissident. In Tripoli had the Gaddafi regime on Sunday to celebrate his supposed victory rallies and salutes. In the competitive cities and oil ports in the west and east but there was no clear picture. Clearly appeared to be just that the battles are fierce and run losses.

The opposition National Council denied that government forces retook larger cities. The Head of State Gaddafi still largely dominated West raging since Friday, the battle for the city of Al zawiya. At the weekend, the government tanks advance into the center of the city. Hospital staff reported more than sixty dead and hundreds injured.

In the east it was Gaddafi's troops appeared to halt the advance of their opponents in the direction of his home town of Sirte. Previously, it was they still managed to win for Al Brega and the oil port of Ras Lanuf. International Channel at the weekend showed the image of a Libyan fighter aircraft that you want to have shot down Gadhafi's opponents there.

A further effort in the west of Ras Lanuf they had located Bin Jawad after fierce opposition from the army to cancel, as the opposition National Council said. Ras Lanuf is now the new line of defense. According to information the station Al Jazeera on Sunday there were new air attacks. From the second largest Libyan city Misrata attacks were reported.

Sirte is to the capital Tripoli, the second most important power base for Gaddafi, have dissociated themselves from the rest of the country's main tribes. Government opponents were in Benghazi set up to eight British soldiers. According to agency reports, the members of the British SAS special forces had accompanied a diplomat of the country on a secret mission to meet with opposition.

The National Council, in which Gaddafi's opponents have joined forces, said that the soldiers were in a safe place in their custody. On state television on Saturday was three Dutch soldiers accused of espionage activities in Libya. The soldiers were killed last Sunday in the hands of troops loyal to Gaddafi.

The EU sent a group of experts to Libya. Before the EU summit meeting, they should do, according to a statement of foreign policy chief Ashton a picture of the current relief efforts and examine how the population can be helped. In Berlin, Foreign Minister said Westerwelle for further sanctions against the regime in Tripoli.

The UN Security Council must deal with the situation again, he told the newspaper Welt am Sonntag ". They are "targeted sanctions" necessary. "The cash flows must be stopped," said the minister. Westerwelle had in the past week, calls for suspending the financial relations with Libya for the first 60 days.

Objective of such a move by the international community is to deny the Gaddafi regime, the income from continuing running the oil business in his country. Westerwelle also said, referring to the debate on a no-fly zone "is clear: The actions of the international community must be authorized by the Security Council of the United Nations." Moreover, nothing would be possible without the support of neighboring states Libya.

In Benghazi, the opposition National Council on Saturday urged the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. Gaddafi should be prevented from bombing its own people, it said the committee, which met at a secret location. The use of ground troops was rejected by the Council, who declared himself as the only legitimate representatives of Libya.

The committee consists of representatives from 31 "liberated" areas. Former Justice Minister Abdel Jelil was appointed chairman of the human rights lawyer Abdel Hafiz Ghogah his deputy and the speaker of the Council. Former Libyan Ambassador to India Essawi Ali will be responsible for external relations.

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