Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Libya fracture stagnates

In the east and west, the rebels trying not to lose their positions: with despair. From downtown, try to snatch Gaddafi: repression. And outside, the world does not know yet what to do or know if the adjective of Libyan civil war. Three weeks after the popular uprising, the country has two different governments, two armies unequal territorial battle that has not moved too much, despite the attacks on Sunday, the opposition still controlling Misratah yesterday, the third largest city, completely besieged, and, on the eastern front, trying Gaddafi forces of Ras Lanuf not pass, with only 12,500 inhabitants.

The scheme, according to the opposition, yesterday launched a new offensive against Zauiyah Ez, fourth largest city and, after Misratah, the main rebel stronghold in the west. Cut mobile phone signal in the area and do not know what is happening in the city or no information of the militants holed up in Martyrs Square.

Surely, a killing, as Sunday Misratah. In the east, the fighters of Gaddafi yesterday launched three raids against strategic oil base Ras Lanuf, taken on Friday by the rebels. At dawn, before the return of troops from Ben Jawad Gaddafi, all civilians in the small town were evacuated. One of the missiles hit a pick-up and killed at least one member of a family traveling in it.

The rebel advance towards the west is difficult, and not just because they have no planes, tanks or anything to the experience: among them and Tripoli stands Sirte region, territory pampered by the regime. Gaddafi was born here and this international conference organized its host for VIPs who walked by Libya.

It will not be easy to cross this family feud. The initial euphoria has gone in Benghazi, the second largest town and capital of Libya rebel. Are no longer so clear that Qaddafi may discharge themselves. The Libyan National Council, the government of this country "had been limited until now to ask a UN no-fly zone to neutralize Gaddafi fighters and air strikes against bases of mercenaries.

Yesterday, their spokesmen already spoke of the "West" and "tactical air strikes" beyond the bases of mercenaries. Gaddafi's international isolation yesterday gave a new step. After France's support to the Libyan National Council, yesterday was Italy which contacts said "discreet" with the rebel government.

According to the daily Sharq al Aswat, published in London and very influential in the Arab world, Qaddafi has been willing to surrender power and leave Libya in exchange for the rebel leadership to ensure their safety and that of his family and all his money. The dictator would have as a condition to be helped to leave Libya and go to the country of his choice, he was not prosecuted abroad and was not brought before international tribunals.

It also would have required that the act of resignation was formally concluded at the General People's Congress (Parliament). According to the Arabic daily, there is speculation that Gaddafi is ill and suffering from a blood clot in the head similar to one he suffered several years ago.

Libyan war that lasts more or less, that the country will fracture into two forces depend Gaddafi of popular resistance and the response of the world. The rebels, in any case, start with an advantage: having only a front, separating him from the territories that do not control. Gadhafi, however, has two: from the territories it controls and not against it controls.

Because, unlike in Tripoli, Benghazi breathe. There are no patrols on the streets, no checkpoints on their crosses or tanks in their streets, and journalists can move about the war front without showing any accreditation.

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