Libya: Benghazi unrest, to Civil War, to a new government and Gaddafi's death.

[Silent Hunter]

Confirmed as a rebel aircraft. Looks to be a MiG-23; there were reports they had one. The pilot ejected before impact.

[opebo]

Benghazi is currently being stormed (not my words but those of opposition spokesmen). Curious definition of ceasefire.

Yes.  Perhaps Gaddafi can end this before the imperialists have time to meddle.

[opebo]

Here we go again - Imperialist Europeans come to Africa and start slaughtering the natives. It is appalling.

Yes, far better that Gaddafi hire some foreign mercenaries on his own dime, to slaughter the natives for him.

A few fellow African mercenaries from down the street are a far cry from a 'rebellion' dependent upon large scale intervention by the imperialist powers.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

French planes are in Libyan sky.

[ilikeverin]

French planes are in Libyan sky.

About time!

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

French planes are in Libyan sky.

About time!

Well, maybe, but at least it's here. That are some Rafales, we don't know their mission yet.

Sarkozy has to speak soon.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Then confirmation of what I had read somewhere:

Some planes are already there for reconnaissance.

Others to prevent ground troops to attack Benghazi.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Danish jets arrived one hour ago in a Sicilian base.

Some Italian jets are also mobilized in an other Sicilian base.

The Italian aircraft carrier began to move.

The American base of Aviano in Italy is mobilized.

[Sam Spade]

Benghazi is currently being stormed (not my words but those of opposition spokesmen). Curious definition of ceasefire.

Did you actually think he would do what he says?  It's also one of the older military tactics in the book, btw.

The fact is that, at this point in the conflict, without serious actual ground forces by other countries being placed in Libya, Gaddafi will remain in control of a certain amount of Libya irregardless.  Absent that, we're just talking about whether there's a separate rebel-held part or he retakes it all.  Maybe serious aerial attacks can stop the latter, but I wonder.  A no-fly alone zone will not.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Some Italian jets are also in Libyan sky for reconnaissance.

Sarkozy said some French planes were also there to prevent air attack from Gaddafi forces.

Some could also target tanks.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Did you actually think he would do what he says?

Of course not. I'm the sardonic one, remember.

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Oh I think it predates the concept of a military...

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

'lol', Merkel, who was in Paris, confirming she won't participate in military intervention in Libya, but would take further responsibilities in Afghanistan. She is really interested in making her ship sinking or something?

Also, finally AU wasn't in Paris, and said that they condemned a military action.

OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference) recognizes the Libyan opposition Council.

Arab League indeed didn't condemned it, but apparently Arab countries could have pushed for Sarkozy saying that if Gaddafi stops fire, military intervention would stop. But seems the door for Gaddafi would be very tiny.

Qatar, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, confirmed their participation. Greece could bring some bases.

Oh and 'lol Canada'. Maybe CBC was a bit too optimistic by saying 24h yesterday, Canada are pushing for operations to start the fastest possible but couldn't before 2 days themselves. Seems they'll bring 7 F-16 finally.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Because he apparently actively participated to those who informed in Benghazi, his death is signaled on several sites:

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Here is his site:

http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb

Shot by a sniper.

[opebo]

The fact is that, at this point in the conflict, without serious actual ground forces by other countries being placed in Libya, Gaddafi will remain in control of a certain amount of Libya irregardless.  Absent that, we're just talking about whether there's a separate rebel-held part or he retakes it all.  Maybe serious aerial attacks can stop the latter, but I wonder.  A no-fly alone zone will not.

I certainly hope you are right.  It seems the Empire may have moved a little too slowly on this one, and the rightful leader will win out.  But what I wonder is will they use this as an excuse to impose sanctions on him for another decade until his people are starved out and he can be invaded and then executed by vile Quislings, as happened to Saddam.

[Hash]

Awful people. Hungarian Dwarf and the used car salesman from Calgary

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Poison Dwarf is a better insult, I think.

[opebo]

Rather puffed up little characters, aren't they.  My man's the real deal:

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

From French military joint staff:

20 French planes are currently operating in Libya.
The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will leave Toulon for Libya tomorrow.

Just after, from Defence Minister:

At 4h45 pm GMT, a French plane opened fire on a 'Libyan military vehicle'.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Shot a tank who would have threatened civilians. Destroyed.

[opebo]

Shot a tank who would have threatened civilians. Destroyed.

'Civilians'?  How can one side of a civil war be 'civilian'?  That's like saying the Army of the Confederacy were innocents. 

In any case, enjoy your gloating.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Hmm, beside the fact that the point of this coalition is to precisely support one side against an other side for a lot of reasons, civilians (some who don't fight) still exist, they were hundreds (some said thousands, well very big traffic jamming) to flee Benghazi earlier in the day, and still I guess, but the city is about 1 million people, then I guess it doesn't make 1 million fighters.

Oh, and, I support more one side than an other one, in short for the same kind of reasons that push the coalition to intervene, but that's only some report, not sure gloating is the right word, there was one or several men in the tank, but hey, they would have decided to continue the nasty job, it's not like if nobody had been told, criticisms about this taking time to come have been on for a while now.

[big bad fab]

Awful people. Hungarian Dwarf and the used car salesman from Calgary

Look at who is behind... All hopes are permitted .

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Opposition confirms that the MiG-23 shot this morning over Benghazi effectively belonged to opposition and had been shot by them too, accidentally.

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Awful people. Hungarian Dwarf and the used car salesman from Calgary

Look at who is behind... All hopes are permitted .

Haha!

[Bunwahaha [still dunno why, but well, so be it]]

Apparently French military destroyed 4 tanks in south west of Benghazi.