Libyan Revolution Week 27 part 2

[joshcryer]

Links to sites with updates: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya">AJE Libya Live Blog http://blogs.aljazeera.net/twitter-dashboard">AJE Twitter Dashboard http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/libya">The Guardian http://uk.reuters.com/places/libya">Reuters http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/">Telegraph http://feb17.info/">feb17.info http://www.livestream.com/libya17feb?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks">Libya Alhurra (live video webcast from Benghazi) http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/">Libya Alhurra archives and updates http://www.ustream.tv/channel/benghaziradio">Benghazi Free Radio, in Arabic (may have translators present at times) http://www.tributefm.com/">Tribute FM (English broadcast from Benghazi) http://www.libyafeb17.com/">libyafeb17.com

Twitter links: http://twitter.com/#!/aymanm">Ayman Mohyeldin, with AJE http://twitter.com/#!/bencnn">Ben Wedeman, with CNN http://twitter.com/#!/tripolitanian">tripolitanian, a Libyan from Tripoli http://twitter.com/#!/BaghdadBrian">Brian Conley, reporter in Libya http://twitter.com/#!/freelibyanyouth">FreeLibyanYouth, Libyan advocate http://twitter.com/#!/LibyaFeb17_com">LibyaFeb17.com twitter account http://twitter.com/#!/ChangeInLibya">ChangeInLibya, Libyan advocate https://twitter.com/#!/TheyCallMeSof">Sofyan Amry (arrived in Benghazi recently) http://twitter.com/#!/KiloFoot">KiloFoot (general Arab Spring news aggregation)

Useful links: http://audioboo.fm/feb17voices">feb17voices http://www.google.com/search?q=time+in+libya">Current time in Libya http://www.islamicfinder.org/cityPrayerNew.php?country=libya">Prayer times in Libya

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1776980">Week 27 part 1 here.

http://www.pogar.org/countries/theme.aspx?cid=10&t=2">The Oppressive Laws of Gaddafi's Libya
The government grants the right of association to official institutions by virtue of Law 71 of 1972, which regulates associational activity in Libya. Law 20 of 1991 on the Promotion of Freedom sanctions the death penalty for anyone whose continued existence would lead to the disintegration of Libyan society. The ‘Code of Honor�Eof March 1997 institutes a system of collective punishment for wrongdoing, whereby families, towns and municipalities are held responsible for the actions of individuals in their midst and are subject to punishment such as the dissolution of the local People’s Congress or the denial of government services, including utilities, water, infrastructure projects. Associations engaging in political activity are illegal in Libya. Further, political activity is defined by Articles 2 and 3 of Law 71 of 1972 as any activity based on a political ideology contrary to the principles of the Al-Fateh Revolution of September 1, 1969. The Law on Publications, No. 76 of 1972, as modified by Law 120 of 1972 and Law 75 of 1973, govern the operation of the press, reserving all rights to publish.

This is what the Libyan freedom fighters are fighting against. Each and every one, when they went into this, knew that it was all or nothing, they had no choice but to fight. For their very survival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixwx_B38678">Marching On in Libya, for the revolutionaries!

Residents of Gharyan paraded through the streets in celebration after rebel fighters drove pro-Qaddafi forces from the city.

Bob Strong / Reuters


Day 177 August 13

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/08/201181215510690602.html">Opposition fighters control some residential areas outside of oil port city + capture Tawurgha
The rebels took over the residential zone of New Brega, located about 15km from the central oil terminal and port area, on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/13/us-libya-idUSTRE77A2Y920110813">Libyan rebels advance on Zawiyah
Rebels in western Libya advanced north to within 25 km (15 miles) of the coastal city of Zawiyah on Saturday after a six-hour battle with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/13/libya-war-rebels-zawiya_n_926214.html">Rebels Enter Zawiya, Heavy Clashes
Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_E_9y1_Mfs&feature=share">Az Zawiya Road Closed from Tunisia
Libyan rebels have been involved in a gun battle in the key town of AzZawiya, 18 miles from Tripoli

Day 178 August 14

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77C01F20110813?sp=true">Rebels inside Zawiya report intense fighting, expect to liberate the town soon
A rebel spokesman, Mohammed Ezzawi, speaking from inside Zawiyah, said the rebel force was about 800 metres from Martyrs' Square in the city centre.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1146904/1/.html">Libyan rebels tighten grip on Tuarga
Rebels fighting east of Tripoli strengthened their grip on the town of Tuarga on Saturday, winning key battles against Muammar Gaddafi's forces and creating a buffer zone for the city of Misrata.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/13/libya.war">Rebels say they are gaining ground in Libya; government disputes claim
Rebels said Saturday that they were gaining traction in a series of offensives in several parts of Libya controlled by ruler Moammar Gadhafi -- claims that the Libyan government swiftly disputed.
http://news.yahoo.com/heavy-clashes-libyan-rebels-enter-zawiya-171327097.html">Heavy clashes as Libyan rebels enter Zawiya
Libyan rebels fought their way into the strategic city of Zawiya west of Tripoli on Saturday in their most significant advance in months, battling snipers on rooftops and heavy shelling from Moammar Gadhafi's forces holding the city.
http://news.yahoo.com/libya-rebels-fight-key-city-near-capital-121936569.html">Fighting around Zawiya forces convoy of foreign journalists to return to Tunisia
Fighting erupted late Saturday on the road leading to Zawiya, close to the Tunisian border. It forced a convoy of foreign journalists who had just crossed the border and were heading to Tripoli to turn back to Tunisia.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77D06920110814">Rebels say capture another town (Surman) west of Tripoli
"The revolutionaries today entered the centre of Surman. They are now in full control of the town. There is no fighting there now," the spokesman, called Abdulrahman, said.
http://libya-alhurra.tumblr.com/post/8882809317/personal-account-of-algerian-fleeing-tripoli-in">Personal Account of Algerian Fleeing Tripoli in February
On Sunday 20th of Feb 2011 I was teaching in Tripoli. I finished my classes at 8 00 pm. I was approached by three men in military uniforms, and I was asked to go with them. They called me by my name and were friendly and assured me that they needed my help and that I was recommended. I got into the car ( a gray Hyundai Sonata 2011 with no licence plates).
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/13/139600683/libyan-teens-news-site-hears-the-rebel-yell">Libyan Teen's News Site Hears The Rebel Yell
A Libyan teen is fast becoming a media star in rebel-held Benghazi. The 14-year-old has established his own online news outlet. His father drives him to press conferences in Benghazi, and he is increasingly well-known among rebel leaders. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reports.

Day 179 August 15

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77E00A20110815">Gaddafi urges Libyans to take up arms against NATO
Libyan state television early on Monday broadcast what it said was a live speech by Muammar Gaddafi calling on the Libyan people to arm themselves to liberate the country from "traitors and from NATO."
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=233838">Libyan interior minister arrives in Egypt with family
The Libyan Interior Minister arrived in Egypt with members of his family on Monday, official sources at Cairo airport said, amid reports that he was abandoning the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
http://news.yahoo.com/libyas-western-mountain-rebels-taste-success-094841713.html">Libya's western mountain rebels taste success
Rebels in the western mountains of Libya spent weeks meticulously organizing in the town of Zintan for what has now become the opposition's most successful advance in months against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/rebels-advance-surround-tripoli-as-qaddafi-totters.html">Juan Cole: Rebels Advance, Surround Tripoli, as Qaddafi Totters
The long slow slog of the Libyan struggle to throw off the rule of Muammar Qaddafi, accelerated this weekend, possibly decisively, with rebel forces making major advances.
http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafi-forces-try-block-libyan-rebel-advance-140747299.html">Rebels say they have shut down all four main gas/diesel pipelines to Tripoli
"We shut down all four pipelines to Tripoli," said Nurial-Bouaisi, one of the rebels. He also said all coastal roads leading from Tripoli to the Tunisian border at Ras Ajdir were now under rebel control.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/15/no-stalemate-libya-gaddafi">No stalemate in Libya �Ethe writing is on the wall for Gaddafi
A quick exit for the colonel matters less than a well-managed transition, preparing the country for representative government
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/us-officials-gadhafi-fires-1111776.html">US officials: Gadhafi fires first scud missile
A U.S. military official says Libyan government forces fired a scud missile for the first time in this year's conflict with rebels, but it landed east of Brega and hurt no one.

Day 180 August 16

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JG00920110816?sp=true">Rebels encroach, but Libya capital seems unruffled
Rebels may have fought their way into Zawiyah, a strategic city a half hour's drive from the Libyan capital, but for many supporters of Muammar Gaddafi here the battle that may be a turning point may as well be a million miles away.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77F0UM20110816">Sniper's bullet ends life-long friendship in Libya
Life-long friends Abdul Ghani and Majdi often played soccer and billiards together as youngsters, went to the same law school and then joined the rebel movement fighting to topple Muammar Gaddafi.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLAE58476820110816">Africans stuck in Tunisia after fleeing from Libya
Five months after Sudanese worker Mohammed Hassan fled civil war in Libya he is still stranded in a tent city just across the border in Tunisia.
http://shabablibya.org/news/libya-seen-through-gadhafis-keyhole">Libya seen through Gadhafi’s keyhole
“Mia mia.�EIt is an extremely popular phrase, widely used in Libya, that translates roughly to �E00 percent.�ENine times out of 10, that is what Libyans said when I asked how they were coping with nightly bombardments by NATO warplanes, electricity blackouts that lasted days and rebel forces who were pressing forward on three fronts.

Day 181 August 17

http://news.yahoo.com/gadhafis-troops-hospital-doctors-185422331.html">Gadhafi's troops use hospital as base, doctors say
The day Libyan rebels advanced into the strategic city of Zawiya, Moammar Gadhafi's forces clamped down on the local hospital.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/uk-libya-zawiyah-scene-idUKTRE77E3NP20110816">Libya's Zawiyah on edge after rebel capture
Gaddafi's men have recaptured Zawiyah twice before so the rebels say they are being extra cautious and thorough.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/1147451/1/.html">Libya rebels see victory by end of August
Libya's rebels were bolstered by fresh battlefield advances Wednesday, as leaders claimed the six-month-old civil war had entered a decisive phase and could end within weeks.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-16/misrata-once-besieged-relaxes-as-libyan-rebels-advance-against-qaddafi.html">Misrata Returns to Normal After Six-Month Siege as Libyan Rebels Advance
Libya’s rebel-held city of Misrata, under siege by forces loyal to Muammar Qaddafi for the past six months, is experiencing something new: traffic jams.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44166967/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa">Unarmed, unmanned aircraft being used for surveillance missions
The United States stepped up its military assistance to the NATO mission in Libya slightly this week, sending in two additional Predator drones to fly combat air patrols, a senior defense official told NBC News.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iT0Xzr0RAGFGaXmDcTr8UoBP-7Yw?docId=01144f8bc3d549f188002675ce21822f">Rebels battle Libyan forces for Zawiya refinery
Rebels and Moammar Gadhafi's forces are fighting for control of the only functioning oil refinery in Libya in the western city of Zawiya.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/17/libya.war">Advancing rebels in western Libya face snipers, shelling
Rebel fighters in Libya, trying to take over a key western city, faced stiff resistance from Moammar Gadhafi's forces on Wednesday, a rebel commander said.
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCATRE77A2Y920110817?sp=true">A rebel spokesman said rebels had found the buried bodies of civilians
"We discovered a mass grave containing 150 bodies in Tawargha. These are the corpses of civilians kidnapped from Misrata by Gaddafi's loyalists," he said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8707413/Libya-Fierce-battle-underway-for-crucial-Zawiyah-oil-refinery.html">Fierce battle underway for crucial Zawiyah oil refinery
A fierce battle was underway on Wednesdy night for outright control of Libya's only functioning oil refinery as opposition forces took on Gaddafi loyalists entrenched in the complex.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/libyan-rebels-advance-stalls-in-zawiyah-as-refugees-stream-west/2011/08/17/gIQAnuZzLJ_story.html">Thousands of refugees from cities still under Gaddafi’s control stream west
Families fleeing Tripoli in new Korean-made sedans drove through the violence in Zawiyah in order to get to rebel-controlled areas.

Day 182 August 18

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904070604576514710263791554.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">Libyan Rebels Move Closer to Tripoli
Fighting raged for a fourth straight day in this strategic coastal city 30 miles west of Tripoli on Wednesday, as rebel fighters battled to mop up pockets of loyalist soldiers and laid siege to the regime's last working oil refinery.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-17/libyan-rebels-push-south-from-misrata-to-cut-road-radio-says.html">Libyan Rebel Forces Push South From Misrata to Cut Key Highway to Tripoli
A column of armed jeeps drove unopposed through the desert to the village of Bir Durfan and is heading for Beni Walid, 40 miles (64 kilometers) away, to link up to the highway to the capital, Libya Freedom Voice in Misrata reported.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCbzcIugEE">Gaddafi loyalists resisting rebels advance in Az Zawiyah - video
In the battle for Libya, fighting has continued in Az Zawiyah between opposition fighters and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0818/breaking1.html">Libyan rebels fight for refineries
Rebels to the west and east of Libya's capital fought forces loyal to Muammar Gadafy for control of oil facilities vital to winning the six-month-old civil war.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2011/08/18/libyan_rebels_battle_for_last_oil_refinery/">Rebels besiege Libya’s last working oil refinery
Dozens of opposition fighters surrounded Libya’s last functioning oil refinery yesterday and laid siege to about 100 government troops, part of a push that brought them closer to seizing this strategic western city.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77H09I20110818?sp=true">Libya rebels take Garyan, south of Tripoli
Libyan rebel fighters are in control of Garyan, a town about 80 km south of the capital Tripoli, a Reuters reporter in the town said on Thursday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/18/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-7">Rebels capture Abu Qurayn, 85 miles west of Sirte
Rebels here say forces in west captured the refinery at Zawiyah, if so Gaddafi has lost his last refinery. Rebels here have captured Abu Qurayn, 65 miles south of here and 85 miles west of Gaddafi's birthplace, Sirte.
http://news.yahoo.com/zawiya-becomes-epicenter-libyas-civil-war-091027238.html">Zawiya becomes epicenter of Libya's civil war
Shops are shuttered. Makeshift roadblocks of scrap metal, sand piles and car wrecks block the streets every few hundred yards. Bursts of gunfire and the thud of mortars rattle the streets, sometimes distant, sometimes nearby.
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16052095">Alex Crawford: Rebels Get Closer To Gaddafi's Tripoli
Libyan rebels are closing in on the country's capital, unseating Colonel Gaddafi's supporters in the nearby port of Zawiyah.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14575444">Rebels 'take' key Zawiya oil refinery
An oil refinery outside the Libyan town of Zawiya, just 50km (30 miles) west of Tripoli, has been taken by opposition forces, according to reports.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE77H0GU20110818?sp=true">Anxiety mounts in Tripoli as rebels advance
Libya's encircled capital is being painfully squeezed as rebel forces fight their way closer and battles along the coastal highway block the city's chief link to the outside world.
http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JI3X720110818">Libyan rebels say secure another western coastal city
Libyan rebel forces celebrated the capture of Sabratha on the coast road between the Tunisian border and the capital Tripoli on Thursday, after a four-day battle with pro-Gaddafi government troops.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/18/libya-rebels-zawiya-tripoli-assault">Libya: the importance of Zawiya to the rebels
Control of Zawiya and the road to Tunisia means the rebels have isolated Gaddafi and are well set for an assault on Tripoli
http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-capital-fearful-rebels-eye-tripoli-204039658.html">Libyan capital is fearful as rebels eye Tripoli
"We know he (Gadhafi) is finished," said Mohammed Said, a 50-year-old school teacher who fled Tripoli on Tuesday. "We just don't know when."
http://www.euronews.net/2011/08/18/former-libyan-minister-tells-euronews-of-corruption">Former Libyan minister tells euronews of corruption
Libya’s former energy minister has told euronews that Muammar Gaddafi’s son Saif Al-Islam is the brains behind billions of euros-worth of embezzlement from the country;s oil industry.

Day 183 August 19

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/18/7407675-libyan-embassy-re-opens-under-new-flag-in-dc">Libyan Embassy re-opens under new flag in D.C.
The Libyan Embassy in Washington, D.C. re-opened under a new flag on Wednesday, the banner of Libya’s Transitional National Council.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/world/british-forces-sink-libya-ship-near-strategic-port-of-zawiyah/story-e6frg1p3-1226117855540">British forces sink Libya ship near Zawiyah
British warplanes sank a vessel being used by forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi near the strategically vital port of Zawiyah, the defence ministry said.
http://news.yahoo.com/nato-strikes-boat-carrying-gadhafi-troops-100619174.html">NATO initiated rescue of Gaddafi troops after airstrike on their boat
A NATO spokesman says coalition warplanes have targeted a small boat carrying Moammar Gadhafi's troops off the coast of Zawiya as rebels advanced in the strategic city along the Mediterranean.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44192334/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa">NBC: Gadhafi making plans for leaving Libya
Moammar Gadhafi is making preparations for a departure from Libya with his family for possible exile in Tunisia, U.S. officials have told NBC News, citing intelligence reports.
http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/is-qaddafi-really-going-to-flee-to-tunisia.html">Juan Cole: Is Qaddafi Really going to Flee to Tunisia?
I fear that NBC is being used by US intelligence for psy-ops purposes, since the report strikes me as highly unlikely to be true.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/18/libya.war">Brother of Libya's information minister reported killed in NATO strike
A brother of Moussa Ibrahim, the spokesman for the government in Tripoli, was killed Thursday night by NATO aircraft, a government official here said.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/08/201181814341888450.html">Rebels report all of Alargop, in Brega area, is liberated
"All of Alargop is now free, liberated," Musa Mahmoud al Mugrabi, the rebel spokesman, said of the area 6km south of Brega.
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16052748">Alex Crawford (Zawiya): Libyan Rebels Unleash New Foreign Weapons
Libyan rebels attempting to overthrow Colonel Muammar Gaddafi have launched a renewed assault on a town near the capital with newly supplied weapons and ammunition.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/worldwide/qaddafis-soldiers-looting-foreigners-cars-homes-equipment">Qaddafi's soldiers looting foreigners' cars, homes, equipment
Libyan soldiers have been looting properties of foreigners in government-held areas around Tripoli, residents in Libya said yesterday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-08/19/c_131062061.htm">Gaddafi family members to be evacuated from Tunisia on board Venezuelan plane
A Venezuelan plane has landed on the island of Djerba to evacuate members of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's family, Tunisian radio, Mosaique FM, reported on Friday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/middle-east-live/2011/aug/19/syria-libya-middle-east-unrest#block-11">Analysis of NTC "Draft Constitutional Charter"
As might be expected, it contains things that would appeal to a variety of different elements. Parts of it have been copied from Gaddafi's 1969 constitution, and it is interesting to compare the two documents to see what has been included and what has been omitted. For example, the Arab and pan-Arab nationalism has gone. Libya is no longer described as an Arab state, though Arabic will remain as the official language "while preserving the linguistic and cultural rights of all components of the Libyan society". This is a major step towards de-marginalising the Amazigh (Berbers).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8709159/With-Muammar-Gaddafi-on-his-last-legs-we-must-prepare-for-what-comes-next-in-Libya.html">With Muammar Gaddafi on his last legs, we must prepare for what comes next in Libya
Suddenly, the omens do not look so good for Muammar Gaddafi. A dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of rebel fighters battling to end the Libyan dictator’s 42-year rule now sees them challenging for control of the strategically important oil port of Zawiyah, just 30 miles to the east of the capital Tripoli.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/08/18/libya-10-protesters-apparently-executed">Libya: 10 Protesters Apparently Executed
Libyan government forces appear to have executed 10 protesters following an anti-government demonstration in the town of Bani Walid on May 28, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. Earlier on that day government forces fired on apparently peaceful protesters, killing at least two and wounding 10, in the government-controlled town about 170 kilometers southeast of the capital, Tripoli. After the protest a rebel sympathizer apparently killed a government paramilitary commander and two bodyguards.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/18/libya-gaddafi-rebels-tripoli-oil">Libya rebels jubilant as they secure grip on Tripoli's oil line
For Yusuf Hamad, it was a happy moment. Standing under the shadow of a giant oil cylinder, he conjured up a future for Libya without Muammar Gaddafi, where foreign investors would at last be able to renovate the country's largest oil facility. "This is a milestone. This is the biggest refinery in Libya. The Gaddafi regime didn't want us to revamp it. Now we can," he said.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Libyan_civil_war">here for updated map. The size of the circles show population, the color represents control, red for FFs, green for tyrants. Note, this week is an animated gif, to show gains made by the freedom fighters.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x594751">A topic on the women of the revolution, dispels myths about the treatment of women in Benghazi.

Videos to bring the Libyan Revolution into context
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0vChMDuNd0">The Battle of Benghazi. BBC Panorama on Libya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyaPnMnpCAA">Part 1, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMzwQvcx62s">Part 2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwWwOeZqz6M">Video of the convoy sent to take Benghazi, taken from a dead soliders cell phone (shows how massive the operation was). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_embedded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD5tu5bJWKc">Tea of Freedom Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41kQvx4uKw">Libya: Part 2 - The Uprising http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vNWCGDkdWY">Benghazi - Backbone of the Libyan revolution

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-10-0">March 10 7:28pm Saif al Islam Gaddafi says "the time has come for full-scale military action" against Libyan rebels. He goes on to say that Libyan forces loyal to his family "will never surrender, even if western powers intervene".

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x677397">Text of UN resolution 1973. How will a no fly zone work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWEwehTtK2k">AJE reports.

Belgium: http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/monde/2011-03-21/les-f-16-belges-dans-le-feu-de-l-action-829588.php">Six F-16 Falcon fighter jets of the Belgian Air Component. Bulgaria: The Bulgarian Navy Wielingen class frigate Drazki http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828">will participate in the naval blockade. Canada: Canadian Forces Air Command has deployed http://www.cefcom-comfec.forces.gc.ca/pa-ap/ops/mobile/index-eng.asp">a total 440 military personnel as well as the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown are participating in operations. Denmark: The Royal Danish Air Force http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1227910/denmark-to-send-squadron-on-libya-op/">is participating with six F-16AM fighters. France: French Air Force which realizes 25% of NATO's strikes http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/autres-operations/harmattan/libye-debut-des-operations-aeriennes-francaises">is participating in the mission with 51 Mirage and Rafale Aircraft. Greece: The Elli-class frigate Limnos of the Hellenic Navy http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2011/03/20/greek-defence-ministry-no-participation-in-operations-outside-the-nato/">is currently in the waters off Libya as part of the naval blockade. Italy: Four Tornado ECRs of the Italian Air Force http://www.corriere.it/esteri/11_marzo_20/tripoli-bombardamento-chiesta-riunione-onu_2e95d102-52c0-11e0-a725-dbe20f0ba2b5.shtml">participated in SEAD operations. Jordan: Six Royal Jordanian Air Force fighter jets http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90043651?After%20hesitation%2C%20Jordan%20joins%20in%20Libya%20no-fly%20campaign">landed at a coalition airbase in Europe on 4 April to provide "logistical support." NATO: E-3 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) http://www.adressa.no/nyheter/nordtrondelag/article1606878.ece">aircraft operated by NATO. Netherlands: The Royal Netherlands Air Force http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/dutch-f-16s-operational-over-libya">provides six F-16AM fighters and a KDC-10 refuelling plane. Norway: The Royal Norwegian Air Force has http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/libya/artikkel.php?artid=10091294">deployed six F-16AM fighters to Souda Bay Air Base. Qatar: The Qatar Armed Forces are http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123248695">contributing six Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets and two C-17 strategic transport aircraft. Romania: The Romanian Naval Forces http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-8423876-traian-basescu-sustine-declaratie-presa-ora-21-00-dupa-sedinta-csat.htm">will participate in the naval blockade with the frigate Regele Ferdinand. Spain: The Spanish Armed Forces are http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Espana/intervendra/cazas/F-18/fragata/F-100/submarino/avion/vigilancia/maritima/elpepuint/20110319elpepuint_14/Tes">participating with four F-18 fighters. Sweden: The Royal Swedish Air Force will http://www.swedishwire.com/politics/9050-sweden-offers-eight-fighter-jets-for-libya-mission">commit eight JAS 39 Gripen jets for the international air campaign. Turkey: The Turkish Navy http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/24/general-libya-diplomacy_8373237.html">will participate with five ships and one submarine in the NATO-led naval blockade to enforce the arms embargo. United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates Air Force http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1300255413630&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews">sent six F-16 Falcon and six Mirage 2000 fighter jets to join the mission. United Kingdom: The Royal Air Force has http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/TyphoonJoinsTornadoInLibyaGroundAttackOperations.htm">deployed 12 Tornado and 10 Typhoon fighters, surveillance aircraft, and air refuelling tankers. United States: The United States has http://www.webcitation.org/5xJ8qNGGe">deployed a naval force of 11 ships and are using MQ-1 Predator UAVs to strike targets in Libya on 23 April.

As of this week the National Trasitional Council has been formally recognized by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_the_Libyan_Republic#Recognition">34 countries. France (March 10), Qatar (March 28), Maldives (April 3), Italy (April 4), Kuwait (April 13), The Gambia (April 22), Jordan (April 24), Sengal (April 28), The United Kingdom (June 4), Spain (June 8), Australia (June 9), UAE (June 12), Germany (June 13), Canada (June 14), Panama (June 14), Austria (June 18), Latvia (June 20), Denmark (June 22), Bulgaria (June 28), Croatia (June 28), Turkey (July 3), Poland (July 9), Netherlands (July 13), Belgium (July 13), Luxembourg (July 13), United States (July 15), Japan (July 15), Albania (July 18), Slovenia (July 20), Montenegro (July 21), Portugal (July 28), Botswana (August 11), Gabon, Tunisia.

"One month ago (Western countries) were sooo nice, so nice like pussycats," Saif says in a contemptuous sing-song tone."Now they want to be really aggressive like tigers. (But) soon they will come back, and cut oil deals, contracts. We know this game." - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2058389,00.html">Saif Gaddafi

(Yeah, Saif, as if you weren't "cutting oil deals, contracts" with western states. Who are the 'tigers' now? Bombing your own people.)

http://english.libya.tv/2011/04/25/eastern-libyans-believe-in-national-unity-distrust-au-and-turkish-mediation-survey-reveals/">The first free public opinion poll ever conducted in Libya reveals clues to Eastern Libyan sentiments
* 98 percent of the respondents do not support the division of Libya as a part of the political solution for the current conflict with the Gaddafi regime. Around 95 percent also don’t see any role for Gaddafi or his sons in a transitional period, and think it is impossible to implement any political reform in Libya if Gaddafi or one of his sons stays in power

* Around 96 percent of those polled, believe that the 17th of February revolution can consolidate the national unity of Libya and support the model of a democratic Libya based on a constitution which respects human rights

* Al-Qaeda has not played any role in the 17th of February revolution, say 94 percent of the Eastern Libyans, and 91 percent thinks it’s impossible for Al-Qaeda to play any political role in the new Libya

* The National Transitional Council is seen by 92 percent of those surveyed as “expressing the views and wishes of Libyans for change”

This is equivalent to 17% the entire population of Libya, doing the numbers very conservatively.

http://jenkinsear.com/2011/03/19/a-legal-war-the-united-nations-participation-act-and-libya/">A Legal War: The United Nations Participation Act and Libya
The above link is to an overview of why Obama's implementation of the NFZ and R2P is perfectly legal under the law. I will not post it entirely here, however, all objections come down to the misinformed position that Obama, by using forces in Libya, was invoking Article 43 of the United Nations. This is wrong. Obama invoked Article 42, which does not require congressional approval to implement. Proof of this is that Article 43 has http://www.un.org/en/sc/repertoire/actions.shtml#rel5">never been used.

It goes like this: The US law (Title 22, Chap. 7, Subchap. XIV § 287d) grants the President the right to invoke UN Article 42 http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode22/usc_sec_22_00000287---d000-.html">without authorization, the War Powers Act (Title 50, Chap. 33 § 1541) grants the President permission to act without authorization under http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/50/1541�E548.html">"specific statutory authorization" which, by definition, is what 287d does. § 1543 of the War Powers Act requires the President to report to Congress, http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/obama_explains_libya_mission_to_congress/2011/03/03/ABU9377_blog.html">which he did. One can argue all day and night about the legality of the War Powers Act, doesn't change the fact that under the law as it is written, the President acted within the law.

Editorials and stories worth reading.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2011/03/2011328194855872276.html">Libyan Karzai? Chalabi? Forget it, http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2011/04/04/110404taco_talk_anderson#ixzz1HvS7iW22">Who Are the Rebels?, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/29/vision-democratic-libya-interim-national-council">A vision of a democratic Libya, http://louisproyect.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/is-qaddafi-an-anti-racist/">Is Qaddafi an anti-racist?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/20/left-slipping-towards-qaddafi">The left: slipping towards Gaddafi?, http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2011/04/27/once-again-“stop-bombing”">Once again on "stop the bombing", http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/an-open-letter-to-the-left-on-libya.html">An Open Letter to the Left on Libya, http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/top-ten-ways-that-libya-2011-is-not-iraq-2003.html">Top Ten Ways that Libya 2011 is Not Iraq 2003, http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/05/09/110509fa_fact_anderson">Sons of the Revolution http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/voices/?ref=main-menu">Voices from the Field

Mohammed Nabbous, killed by Gaddafi's forces while trying to report on the massacre in Benghazi

"I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid to lose the battle" -Mohammed Nabbous, a month ago when all this began

I'm struggling to come up with something to say about this man. I was not aware of the Libyan uprising until I saw Mo's first report, begging for help, posted here on DU. I was stricken. Here was a man giving everything he had to explain a situation that clearly terrified him, I would not call him a coward in that moment, but you could see the fear in his eyes, and desperation in his voice. For 30 days Nabbous would spend many hours covering the uprising in Benghazi. For many nights I would go to sleep with the webcast of Benghazi live on my computer screen, looking to it occasionally to be sure it was still 'there.' Mo treated the chat room as if we were his friends, and in some way, we were. I never signed up to LiveStream to thank him for all his work and it seems somewhat shallow to do so now, given that I was a lurker for so long. Ever since I took over posting these threads "Libya Alhurra" has been linked as a source of information. It wasn't until last night, when I posted, and twitter posted on Mo's adventures out into Benghazi to try to determine the truth of the situation, that Mo's webchannel became a hit, over 2000 people were watching him stream live. This was curious to him because he'd done many reports like this in the past but he appeared somewhat bemused that the view count exploded as it did. Last night Mo became a star. This is a man who first started out with a webcast replete with fear and desperation finally overcoming that aspect of himself and losing that fear, to become someone who was a fighter for the resistance just as much as those who held the guns. Reporting on the front lines of Benghazi became his final act, and for that he should never, ever be forgotten. I'm so sorry Mo that I never got to know you better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAclhhHv43s&feature=player_ded">Arab Awakening: Libya: Through the Fire is a documentary about Mo's last days, please watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EXALI60hg">Mo's first report, which many of you may remember, begging for help.

Mo leaves behind a wife and a newborn child she had http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/23/a_bright_voice_from_libyas_darkness">this to say about the No Fly Zone and R2P UN resolution:

We started this in a pure way, but he turned it bloody. Thousands of our men, women, and children have died. We just wanted our freedom, that's all we wanted, we didn't want power. Before, we could not do a single thing if it was not the way he wanted it. All we wanted was freedom. All we wanted was to be free. We have paid with our blood, with our families, with our men, and we're not going to give up. We are still going to do that no matter what it takes, but we need help. We want to do this ourselves, but we don't have the weapons, the technology, the things we need. I don't want anyone to say that Libya got liberated by anybody else. If NATO didn't start moving when they did, I assure you, I assure you, half of Benghazi if not more would have been killed. If they stop helping us, we are going to be all killed because he has no mercy anymore.

[joshcryer]

1. Libyan Revolution Day 185 updates below, current time in Libya, 2:01pm Saturday, August 21

THE TRUE FACE OF THE REBELS: http://bit.ly/pRqQtg

Interestingly I forgot to add the post to my 'journal' and when I did it almost immediately got unrecs. I have a feeling something is amiss with that. :hi:

[pinboy3niner]

2. SundaySundaySunday :)

[joshcryer]

10. As pinboy3niner pointed out, it's Sunday, August 21, *not* Saturday!

My bad! :blush:

[pinboy3niner]

3. Libya rebels say they control parts of Tripoli

(Reuters WRAPUP 7)

Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:31am GMT

• Heavy fighting overnight in districts of capital

• Government claims attack in Tripoli crushed

• Rebels say their forces advancing on the capital

• Gaddafi scorns rebel "rats"

(Updates throughout)

By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Libyan rebels said they had seized control of pockets of Tripoli after a night of fighting, while allied forces advanced on the capital on Sunday, predicting a final showdown with Muammar Gaddafi.


The Libyan leader dismissed the rebels, fighting since February to topple him, as "rats" and said he would not yield.


In a coordinated revolt that rebels have been secretly planning for months to end Gaddafi's 41-year rule, shooting started on Saturday night across Tripoli moments after Muslim clerics, using the louspeakers on mosque minarets, called people on to the streets.


The fighting inside Tripoli, combined with rebel advances to the outskirts of the city, appeared to signal the decisive phase in a six month conflict that has become the bloodiest of the "Arab Spring" uprisings and embroiled NATO powers.

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[pinboy3niner]

4. The Guardian's summary of events in Libya so far

Posted by Peter Walker:

• Rebel forces in Libya appear on the verge of encircling Tripoli, advancing from the west, south and east. According to one report , those moving from the west got closer than ever to the capital's edge before retreating amid a counter-attack by pro-Gaddafi forces.


• Today's fighting follows reports of fighting in Tripoli overnight, particularly in the east of the city, where some inhabitants appear to have taken up arms against the regime.


• The rebels have been assisted by significant Nato air strikes. The Guardian's Luke Harding watched rebel forces pull back from near Al-Aziziyah, just south of Tripoli, so Nato planes could pound government positions.


• The government remains publicly defiant, although it is not known if Gaddafi himself remains in the capital. In an audio address broadcast this morning Gaddafi said the "rats" rebelling in Tripoli had been vanquished. His main spokesman, Moussa Ibrahim, appealed for a Nato ceasefire but warned that Tripoli is "well protected" by soldiers.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-19

[pinboy3niner]

5. Rebels control Fashloum, Zawiyat Dahmani, and Mansoura neighborhoods in Tripoli--AJ

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr is traveling with Libyan rebels to the west of Tripoli. She says that Libya's opposition are in control of three Tripoli neighbourhoods: Fashloum, Zawiyat Dahmani, and Mansoura.


Mansoura is close to Bab Al Aziziya, the location of Muammar Gaddafi's compound.


This is a live interview with Zeina from the frontline (2:15).


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1407

[pinboy3niner]

6. Libyan rebels push front line closer to Tripoli

By DARIO LOPEZ and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 29 mins ago


TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels said they were less than 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Moammar Gadhafi's main stronghold of Tripoli on Sunday, a day after opposition fighters launched their first attack on the capital itself.


Fighters said a 600-strong rebel force that set out from Zawiya has reached the outskirts of the village of Jedaim and was coming under heavy fire from regime forces on the eastern side of the town.


Murad Dabdoub, a fighter who returned to Zawiya from the front, told The Associated Press that Gadhafi's forces were pounding rebel positions with rockets, mortars and anti-aircraft fire.


The rebels' arrival at Jedaim was also confirmed by Abdul-Bari Gilan, a doctor in Zawiya. He told the AP that he had treated a rebel who was wounded in the fighting at Jedaim.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-push-front-line-closer-tripoli-095442533.html

[pinboy3niner]

7. Reinforcements being moved from Benghazi to Zawiya by sea--rebel official

In the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, the rebels' main stronghold, a rebel official said fighters were being transported from the city by sea to Zawiyah, which has a port, to reinforce their colleagues advancing on Tripoli.

http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JK0NU20110821?sp=true

[joshcryer]

17. Libyan rebels as say they have sent forces intro Tripoli by sea from Misrata

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-26">Libyan rebels as say they have sent forces intro Tripoli by sea from Misrata
The AFP news agency quotes Libyan rebels as saying they have sent forces intro Tripoli by sea from Misrata, 125 miles to the west, to fight alongside city residents battling pro-Gaddafi forces.

Separately, AP said the uprising, predominantly in the Tripoli areas of Fashlum, Souk al-Jouma, Tajoura and Janzour, was partly the work of "sleeper" groups loyal to the rebels, who attacked at a pre-arranged signal.

[pinboy3niner]

8. Libyan rebels claim progress in Tripoli; government calls it a lie

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Clashes appear to be underway in Zawiya, a major supply route to the capital

• Rebels take control of Jaddaim city, west of Tripoli

• A rebel official says the "coordinated" Tripoli operation is "going easily"

• Saif al-Islam Gadhafi says the rebels are losing and insists "we will not leave" Libya

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 21, 2011 8:15 a.m. EDT


Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- The Libyan government and rebel officials gave wildly disparate accounts of events in Tripoli on Sunday as gunfire and explosions continued to rock the capital, not far from the home of ruler Moammar Gadhafi.


Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, a son of the ruler and a top official in his regime, said on state television that the rebels were losing every battle. His statement came hours after his father told supporters that the "traitors" and their NATO allies were lying and nearing their end.


The Gadhafis' accounts, however, contrasted with reports from CNN reporters, witnesses and rebel officials that government forces continued to lose ground across the North African nation and faced fresh attacks in the capital.

...


The rebel spokesman claimed opposition fighters now control the main intelligence operations building in Tripoli. He also said some Libyan army personnel had defected and joined the rebels in the area of the capital's airport, which he claimed the rebels took over.

...


http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/21/libya.war/index.html

[pinboy3niner]

9. Rebels nearly reach Tripoli's western gate, pull back 2km under fire--Sky News

Fighters from the western city of Zawiyah had pushed forward and taken Jaddaim, less than 20 miles (30km) from Tripoli.

Sky News' special correspondent Alex Crawford, who is reporting from nearby village Mayah, said the rebel force consisted of several dozen foot soldiers and an armed convoy.

...


Crawford said the fighters had gotten within 1,500 metres of the western gate of Tripoli before they came under fire, and were now positioned about 2km away.

...


Reports also said there have been clashes near Col Gaddafi's compound in the centre of Tripoli.


http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16053951

[joshcryer]

11. The Last Days Of Qaddafi Begin

http://lezgetreal.com/2011/08/the-last-days-of-qaddafi-begin/">The Last Days Of Qaddafi Begin
“This is a march on the capital. They are heading for the presidential palace. They will try to indicate to the Tripoli-based population taht they are in charge and, as quick as they can, they need to switch sides. They want to raise the rebel flag above Qaddafi’s presidential palace. They are very much speaking of today being the end day for Colonel Qaddafi.” With that report, Sky News special correspondent Alex Crawford described what she could see on the road form Zawiyah, through Jaddaim and Mayah towards Tripoli.

The rebels didn’t need to try to communicate with the people of Tripoli. Unknown to the Western correspondents, communication had already been made and as the armed convoy and infantry of the rebels moved on the capital, armed rebels spread across the city spread after clerics called out from their minarets for people to take to the streets. It was dozens of Paul Reveres without the horses. Only this time, they were crying that the revolution is coming, not the British. Riflemen headed for rooftops to take sniper positions, while Qaddafi’s forces were only able to set up sniper posts near his compound at Bab al-Aziziyah and on one water tower.

Rebel forces were also moving in from the west and south, though not as close to Tripoli as those proceeding from the east. In the east, they were advancing form the town of Zlitan, 90 miles away and from the south, they were outside Al-Aziziyah, just 27 miles away.

[Iterate]

12. #Tarhouna

I might be repeating some things, but this is the current picture:

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
Juma AlMa'arfy has fled to #Tunisia. He is the head of the battalion that is surrounding #Tarhouna. #Libya #Feb17 16 Aug

HebaShi_Mub HebaShi Mub
#Tarhouna #Libya : clashes after the #Gaddafi brigade's commander n the city (Gomaa Ma-arfy) fled 2 #Tunisia through the sea 16 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
Heavy fighting in #Tarhouna tonight, between locals and G forces. Maybe the battalion leader fleeing will have an effect? #Libya #Feb17 16 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
AlManara - #Tarhouna Media - G battalion found out their leader fled to Tunisia. They're panicking, v unorganised, demoralised #Libya #Feb17 17 Aug

Libya Tarhouna 16-8- 2011
http://youtu.be/QEY2Cx0IQ5w

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Tarhouna Media Team - Clashes between FF & G troops taking place within the city tonight. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Tarhouna Media - Most G men are in centre of city. FF are highly active. Conditions in city aren't good. #Libya #Feb17 @NATO 19 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
#Tarhouna Media - Phones lines very weak. Electricity in hospital cut off. Road to Tripoli is also blocked by G. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
AlManara - Fighting took place in #Tarhouna, in an area called 'alWeef'. Security checkpoints have decreased a lot. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
AlManara - Local FF fighting GF in #Tarhouna, around the alKhadra and Dawan areas. Stop G supplies going to #AlKhums. #Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

PatrioticLibyan Aiman Amer
Let me try this again: There is no sight of #Gaddafi forces/thugs in #Tarhouna.#Feb17 #Libya #ChainReaction 17 hours ago

HebaShi_Mub HebaShi Mub
#LibyaAhrarTV channel : #Tarhouna city (80km east #Tripoli ) is Liberated afted #G forces reportedly abandoned positions 17 hours ago

libya_Horra Libya 7orra
Breaking:- central #Tarhouna has been liberated of #Gaddafi filth, mosques are chanting allahu akbar, Katayeb remain on the outskirts #Libya 14 hours ago

HebaShi_Mub HebaShi Mub
@AJArabic : #Tarhouna #FF joins #Gheryan #FF in marching towards #Tripoli after been Liberated . #MermaidsDawn 13 hours ago

HebaShi_Mub HebaShi Mub
#LibyaAlahrarTV #BREAKING #LIBYA : #Tarhouna fully Liberated 11 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

13. The regime in Tripoli – it's a matter of days, or even hours, before it collapses.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-24">The regime in Tripoli – it's a matter of days, or even hours, before it collapses.
2.37pm: I've been speaking again with the Guardian's Luke Harding, who has moved from the front line south of Tripoli (see 10.50am) to that just west of the capital, getting close enough to see the city's main power station "shimmering in the distance".

He's now a couple of kilometres away from the coastal front line near the town of Mayah and says there has been heavy fighting around the 27 Bridge, named as it is 27km from Tripoli. Driving there from Zawiya, further west, he saw signs of battles and experienced fire from mortars and snipers. The pro-Gaddafi forces are "clearly in disarray, but they haven't given up".

However, he says, government troops have already retreated more than 12 miles today alone, and the ends seems imminent:

Having been at the front line it's clear to me, I think, the regime in Tripoli – it's a matter of days, or even hours, before it collapses. The rebels are advancing, they're more or less at the gates of Tripoli... My sense is that Tripoli will fall in the next day or two, possibly as early as tomorrow.

I'd wager I'll be working in the hot sun when the rebel flag flies at Gaddafi's compound. Hmph.

[pinboy3niner]

14. Maltese ship heading for Tripoli under fire

Sun Aug 21, 2011 1:59pm GMT


WARSAW Aug 21 (Reuters) - A Maltese ship heading for Tripoli to pick up refugees came under fire and could not dock in the port, Polish foreign ministry officials were quoted as saying on Sunday by Polish state news agency PAP.

"The ship is waiting for a better moment to enter the port because during its first attempt it came under fire," Paulina Kapuscinska, a spokeswoman from the ministry, told PAP.


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JL0A820110821

[joshcryer]

15. Large anti-Gadhafi protests erupt in Tripoli

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_LIBYA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-08-21-07-57-09">Large anti-Gadhafi protests erupt in Tripoli
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) -- Anti-regime protests erupted Sunday in several Tripoli neighborhoods where thousands braved the bullets of snipers perched atop high buildings, residents and opposition fighters said. At the same time, hundreds of rebel forces advanced to within 15 miles west of the capital and were rushing forward in pickup trucks and on foot.

Heavy machine gun fire and explosions rang out across many parts of Tripoli on the second day of attacks by rebels belonging to "sleeping cells" inside the city that has been Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold throughout the 6-month-old civil war.

Mukhtar Lahab, a rebel commander closing in on Tripoli and a former captain in Gadhafi's army, said relatives inside the capital reported mass protests in four neighborhoods known to be sympathetic to the opposition: Fashlum, Souk al-Jouma, Tajoura and Janzour. He said mosques there were rallying residents with chants of "Allahu Akbar" or "God is great," broadcast on loudspeakers.

Snipers on high buildings were firing on protesters in at least one of the four neighborhoods, said Lahab. Residents contacted in the city by telephone also reported snipers firing on civilians.

[defendandprotect]

115. Tripoli residents have been severely suppressed since the first days

of the revoluton --

Unbelievable courage by all Libyans!!!

[joshcryer]

16. Feels like battle for control of #tripoli is underway. Almost constant machine gun fire outside

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105283071892402176">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Feels like battle for control of #tripoli is underway. Almost constant machine gun fire outside, punctuated by explosions.
2 minutes ago via web

Normally I let Iterate post the tweets, but this is showing that the whole idea that there's only a small uprising in Tripoli is just nonsense.

[Iterate]

27. Oh don't hold back

There were too many to make much sense for me other than the odd ones that seemed meaningful or telling. Right now the press reports are making more sense of it all. So I'm taking a tour and will go back to #tripoli tonight.

Besides, I might just chuck it all for the simple life in #Kufra.

[pinboy3niner]

18. NATO bombs Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli

@BreakingNewsBreaking News

NATO bombs Gadhafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli - Al Jazeera TV via Reuters

36 minutes agovia breakingnews.com

[defendandprotect]

117. Recall that Gaddaffi had been holding kidnapped citizens as protection/black mail?

[pinboy3niner]

19. Reports of hundreds of #Freedomfighters arriving on edge of #Tripoli 2km from 27 Gate

solhog

#MermaidDawn #Tripoli RT @RRowleyTucson: Reports of hundreds of #Freedomfighters arriving on edge of #Tripoli 2km from 27 Gate #Libya #Feb17

Sun Aug 21 14:19:50 +0000 2011

[pinboy3niner]

20. Rebels kill 30 Gaddafi troops, capture 104 in push to Tripoli--Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera's correspondent in Libya has reported that anti-Gaddafi fighters advancing from Az Zawiyah and Zliten, have reached as far as 27 km away from the Libyan capital Tripoli.

More than 30 Gaddafi troops were killed, opposition fighters said, adding that they had held captive 104 Gaddafi elements, among them an air force major general and an army lieutenant colonel.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1827

[pinboy3niner]

21. Al Jazeera correspondent: Rebels fully in control of four Tripoli neighborhoods

The anti-Gaddafi fighters have fully taken control of Tajoraa, Suq al-Jumaa, Arada and al-Sabaa neighbourhoods in the capital Tripoli, Al Jazeera correspondent said , adding that clashes were still underway in Ben Ashhour, Fashlom, and Zawiyat al-Dahmani neighbourhoods in Tripoli.

Anti-Gaddafi fighters said they had seized the headquarters of a company running mobile phones in Tripoli, along with an attempt to advance at the premises of a government-run radio service.

...


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-21-2011-1838

[pinboy3niner]

22. Libyan rebels clash with regime forces in Tripoli

By DARIO LOPEZ and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 7 mins ago


TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Rebels clashed with regime loyalists and staged large anti-government protests around Tripoli on Sunday, residents said. Heavy machine gun fire and explosions rang out across the capital on the second day of attacks by what the opposition called "sleeping cells" inside the city that has been Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold throughout the 6-month-old civil war.


At the same time, hundreds of rebel forces were rapidly closing in on Tripoli, advancing to within 15 miles west of the capital and rushing forward at full speed in pickup trucks and on foot.


"We are scared and staying in our houses, but the younger boys are going out to protect our homes," said a woman who spoke to The Associated Press by telephone from the pro-rebel Tripoli neighborhood of Bin Ashour. She spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. She said a neighbor's son was shot dead on Saturday night by Gadhafi troops as he tried to protect his street with a group of rebel youth.


Nuri al-Zawi, another resident of Bin Ashour, told the AP by phone that the rebels were using light arms to protect their streets, and in some cases were using only their bodies to fend off the Gadhafi troops riding in pickup trucks.

...


http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-clash-regime-forces-tripoli-150834170.html

[pinboy3niner]

23. Libyan rebels capture major military base defending Tripoli, seize large stores of weapons

AP has a brief update:

Libyan rebels capture major military base defending Tripoli, seize large stores of weapons.

This is potentially significant given that earlier reports said some rebel positions had been running short of ammunition.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-29

[pinboy3niner]

25. Libyan rebels capture major base defending capital (Khamis Brigade base)

By DARIO LOPEZ and KARIN LAUB - Associated Press | AP – 9 mins ago


TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Libyan rebels have captured a major military base that defends Moammar Gadhafi's stronghold of Tripoli.


(An) Associated Press reporter with the rebels saw them take over the base of the Khamis Brigade, 16 miles west of the capital, on Sunday.


Gadhafi's 27-year-old son Khamis commands the 32nd Brigade, also known simply as the Khamis Brigade, one of the best trained and equipped units in the Libyan military.


The rebels were seizing large stores of weapons from the base, driving away with truckloads of new supplies.


http://news.yahoo.com/libyan-rebels-capture-major-defending-capital-153106451.html

[Iterate]

24. #alkhums

emmaomo2011 emmaomo
#Alkhums: NATO bombed Alinvnan Mohammed Hassan hotel, which is under construction used as a store of weapons via @Alkhums #Libya 15 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - CONFIRMED - #Gmata - The bridge between Alous and Ganeema was blown up, to prevent #AlKhums reinforcements. #Libya #Feb17 16 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
Reports of uprisings in #Garabooli and #AlKhums! #Libya #Feb17 16 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
#Gaddafi forces heading from #Alkhums and #Gharabouli to silence #Gamata uprising and clashes also at #Ganeema and #Celine #Libya @NATO 16 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
►►BREAKING►►CONFIRMED►► by call, #Alkhums snipers on a building at the main roundabout and heavy presence of #Gaddafi forces #Libya @NATO 16 Aug

moooonlight22 Libya Free Forever.
#Tarhunah S #Alkhoms #G thugs shooting on civilians killed many of protesters, the bodies of #FF were taken2#Tripoli http://t.co/ezjQmwC 17 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Gaddafi filth heading from #AlKhums & #Gharabouli to try to stop #Gmatta uprising. #Libya #Feb17 16 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
►►BREAKING►►CONFIRMED►►#ALKHUMS Gaddafi forces in heavy presence on AlFateh (main) street with large no of A-A armed vehicles @NATO #Libya 17 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
Ahrar TV - Fighting ongoing in #AlKhums. #Libya #Feb17 18 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
#AlKhums lions are fighting #Gaddafi forces now, captured 4 vehicles so far on 20th street According to their call to us (now) #Libya 18 Aug

Map: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=32.6476501&lon=14.2633009&z=15&l=0&m=b&v=8

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
G forces are now most likely at Wadi Ka'am and #AlKhums. FF securing #Zliten. Mosques chanting Allahu Akbar (God is Great) #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

gigarevolt gigarevolt
Many reports that #Zliten has been liberated and FF are pushing west to assist the uprising in #AlKhums. #Libya #Feb17 #RaceForTripoli 19 Aug

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Zliten: bit.ly/q7NDiA current reported location of FF marked on map as 'Kiam' half way between #Alkhums & #Zliten..#Libya 19 Aug

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
families in #Alkhums #Libya starting to flee the city after the fighting start to take place inside the city. 19 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#NATO has dropped leaflets near center of #AlKhums 'heavy presence bridage' asking civilians to move away. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
Confirmed by a call to #AlKhums large no. of mercenaries in the city, apparently those who retreated from #Zliten. #Libya #NATO 19 Aug

librev2011 ThEsToRmX!
#AlKhums we just got reliable info about a big concentration of #Gaddafi forces at just east to the valley and old fuel station @NATO 20 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
AlManara - Local FF fighting GF in #Tarhouna, around the alKhadra and Dawan areas. Stop G supplies going to #AlKhums. #Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

libyaunite Free Libya
CONFIRMED #AlKhums #Gaddafi forces big concentration here 32°37'43.20"N 14°17'40.21"E fuel station nearby is EMPTY @NATO #Libya RT PLZ 20 Aug

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
Eye Witness: Many #Gaddafi forces in #Alkhums withdraw to #Tripoli #Libya 20 Aug
Confirmed: Sadly yesterday GF captured many weapons came from #Misrata to #Alkhums FF, after that they start heavy arrest inside the town.

Alexblx Alexblx
"Defected #Gaddafi soldier says his group was responsible for putting 26 in a container in #AlKhoms on 7-6-2011; (cont) tl.gd/ch2374 20 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - #AlKhums is rising according to @Alkhums . Pray for them!! #Libya #Feb17 16 hours ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
Confirmed: #Alkhums uprising rightnow 15 hours ago
Call from #Alkhums :my friend brother shooted now in #Alkhums
FF in #Alkhums prevent GF heading toward #Tripoli by attcking them in the highway #Libya

FreeBenghazi Libya.elHurra
#Khums Council reporting a massive uprising in Khums city. Thuwar doing the takbir & calling others to join v Libyaalahrar #Libya 14 hours ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
brother of my friend who injured yesterday in #Alkhums demonstrations, today GF arrest all of his family #Libya 4 hours ago


Finally, Gaddafi astroturf protest Al Khums 26.7.11. FYI, it was not held in the largest available public space, was highly edited, and about 150m from the entrance to the army base. The fact that there was such an uprising in the presence of the G army is more impressive.
Gadhafi speech with English subtitles al khoms 26.7.11 http://youtu.be/lTa4yAqqSI8

ETA:Al Khoms Libya Liberated
Uploaded by WadiTr on 26 Feb 2011
http://youtu.be/hAk5KbCnZP8

[joshcryer]

26. mchancecnn: Govt officials: Eastern suburbs of capital are out government control and in rebel hands

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105306111900516354">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Govt officials: Eastern suburbs of capital are out government control and in rebel hands #CNN #Libya #tripoli
5 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105303641904263168">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Govt officials: We are already hearing reports of many casualties from the fighting so far. More later #CNN #Libya #Tripoli
16 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105303508940619776">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Officials in Tripoli: Warning of a massacre unless fighting stops. #CNN #LibYa #Tripoli
17 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105303196628549633">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Govt sources: 65000 Gadhafi troops ready to defend Tripoli #CNN #Libya #Tripoli
19 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/mchancecnn/status/105302812799414272">@mchancecnn
Matthew Chance
Govt sources: Suburb of Tajura said to be in rebel hands. Rebels burning tires on barricades #CNN #Libya #Tripoli
22 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

28. Rebels are in a fierce gun battle with Gaddafi forces inside Mitiga airbase in Tripoli - Reuters nt

[Iterate]

29. #Sirte

LibyanHawk Faith freedom
Reportes of initial uprising in #Sirte #Libya 18 Aug

Hattu_Ly Libyan Vendetta
road between #sirte and #baniwalid has been cut off #17feb 18 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
JUST IN: Residential areas number 1 & 3 in #Sirte have been surrounded in search for individuals. #Libya #Feb17 #gaddaficrimes 18 Aug

RRowleyTucson Robert Rowley
#Gaddafi filth are conduction an arrest campaign in #Sirte at this time. #Libya #Feb17 18 Aug

mijami2 Mike
Military satellite transmitters #Sirte shielded by civilians. I have that from a pro-G source 19 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Just in: G Men in #Sirte forcing each tribe to present 1000 of its men to fight #FF. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
BREAKING: Many members from Gidadfa tribe flee #Sirte post Jaloud's defection, and head for #Sabha 20 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
JUST IN: Only 10% of residents in Hay Al-Dollar in #Sirte, as many had fled. The area is regarded as high-class & ppl r known 2 be Pro-G. 20 Aug

Carpe177 Anthony Carpenter
Isn't #Sabha where G's #Gold bullion was once said to be hidden? Maybe his #Sirte relatives are running for it? @Thanku4theAnger 20 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Loads of mercenaries in #Sirte thought to be "unleashed" once #Tripoli's down. #Libya #Feb17 #gaddaficrimes 20 Aug

defusertt Yunus Emre
that is really something big if it's true. RT @EndTyranny101: Alarabiya reports clashes in #Sirte...#Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
@acarvin reports that FF from Misrata where in territory that is within the municipal district of #Sirte yesterday.. 20 Aug

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
AlArabiya - Reports of clashes in #Sirte...#Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

SecularLibya MargBar Khamenei
Heinz: Clashes inside #Sirte, probably between hardline Daffis and realist defectors. #Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Saif Gaddafi called upon his allies in #Sirte 2 send 150 but only 70 were gathered and managed to make it to #Tripoli. #FAIL 19 hours ago

freelibyanyouth Shabab Libya
In #sirte, they are killing anyone who leaves the house against #gaddafi. 18 hours ago

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
BREAKING: Members of Gaddafi's tribe in #Sirte riot against him... 16 hours ago

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Lines are down AGAIN in #Sirte. Something's seriously going on there tonight!! #Feb17 16 hours ago

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Some are speculating that Saif's speech broadcasts from #Sirte, hence no connections. #Libya #Feb17 14 hours ago

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
NATO strikes Aouf AbdelDayim Al-Amoury's ranch this morning in #Sirte that's been used as regime Headquarters. #Feb17 #Libya 2 hours ago

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
Libya Future TV: Reports that G-Forces were ordered to retreat to #Sirte from #Brega front line but they have no fuel. #Libya 2 hours ago
(I guess it really was all about oil)

LIBTRIP LIBYA TRIPOLI
#Gaddafi TV says it's broadcasting live from #Sirte, not #Tripoli. Is this the End? Hope so. #Libya 2 hours ago

freedom4libya Khalifa Leebee
#Gadhafi Loyalists and Close associates in #Sirte are said 2b leaving for #Sebha. 46 minutes ago

Alexblx Alexblx
WOW! - Report that ' #LibyanTV station in #Tripoli is surrounded by #FF - & so is now airing from #Sirte' - per @WafaFt #Libya 17 minutes ago

[Iterate]

30. #Sebha / #Sabha

Tripolitanian Libyan
Things are acting up around #Sebha, many times close to the city are rising up against the #Gaddafi militia. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

SecularLibya MargBar Khamenei
Heinz: Daffis in #Zlitan and #Sebha have ran out of petrol. No ammunition from Waddan can reach Daffis & they should run out. #Libya #Feb17 19 Aug

libyanproud libyanandproud
Extremely Significant for #Sebha and Sirte !“@Tripolitanian: Defection of Jaloud is symbolically significant. #Libya #Feb17” 20 Aug

mariaminpeace Mariam O'Gorman
@dovenews @AlmanaraMedia Bad nws for #Sebha. The last thing they need is more pro-Gs 20 Aug

LibyanDictator The Dictator
AJA correspondent in Benghazi: We ave received reports of uprisings in both #Khoms and #Sebha tonight. 17 hours ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
Heavy G security presence in #Sabha according to @sabha17feb on FB. #Libya #Feb17 20 Aug

Sirte_Feb17 Sirtawi
#Sabha: Speculations around some G Officials allowing their men to go. #Libya #Feb17 #Gaddaficrimes 21 hours ago

Libya92 Khadeeja Benghazi
AJA: protests in #Khums and #Sabha #Libya 17 hours
AJA reporter: clashes in Mansheya district in #Sabha #Libya #Feb17 17 hours ago

freedom4libya Khalifa Leebee
#Sebha is the only city yet to be liberated in the South. 12 hours ago

Here's one opinion, not a report:
tantramancan tantramancan
#Gaddafi is a Coward & not in #Tripoli not even #Sirte or we would have heard #Libya The Rat fled to #Sabha ages ago ready 2go2 #Niger #Chad 13 minutes ago

Sebha / Sabha is the site of major military installations and airbases.
Map: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=27.0410856&lon=14.4595528&z=13&l=0&m=b&v=8

Sebha (Pharma 200)
Pharma 200, a plant in the Sebha Oasis 650 km south of Tripoli, has been alleged to be a chemical weapons (CW) production facility. Construction of the Sebha plant, said to be located underground at a military base, reportedly began in the 1980s. By 1990, at the time of the initial allegations involving Sebha, the plant was said to be nearly complete. The Pharma 200 facility was said to be designed using the same plans as for Pharma 150, the CW plant at Rabta, and it was reported that the Sebha plant was almost identical to the one at Rabta. There have been no allegations of CW production at Sebha in recent years.
...

Sebha's main attraction must be its connection to Gadhafi - the high school he attended where his political awakening started. In 1959 the 15-year-old son of Abu Meniar and Aissha al-Qaddafi first heard Egypt's charismatic leader, Gamal Abdul Nasser, on the radio program, "Voice of the Arabs," beamed from Cairo. The school now is in normal use, looking in from outside. Sebha was the sources of the First September Revolution of 1969, and it was the pace where the Jamahiriya was announced in the "Declaration on the Authority of the People" on 2 March 1977.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/libya/sebha.htm

[joshcryer]

31. Gaddafi defector sees end of regime in 10 days

http://af.reuters.com/article/tunisiaNews/idAFLDE77K04X20110821">Gaddafi defector sees end of regime in 10 days
ROME Aug 21 (Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's former right-hand man, Abdel Salam Jalloud, who has defected to the Libyan rebels' side, said on Sunday that Gaddafi would be toppled within ten days at most.

Speaking on Italy's Rai News, Jalloud said the regime would be finished "within a week, at the latest 10 days, maybe even less."

[joshcryer]

Libya conflict: Fighting in Tripoli as rebels take base

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14608807">Libya conflict: Fighting in Tripoli as rebels take base
Fighting has erupted inside the Libyan capital Tripoli, with advancing rebels capturing the base of an elite military unit just 22km (16 miles) to the west.

Long bursts of automatic fire could be heard near a hotel used by journalists amid rebel claims that some of their fighters had reached the city by sea.

At the barracks of the elite Khamis Brigade, commanded by a son of Col Muammar Gaddafi, rebels seized weapons.

Col Gaddafi has gone on state TV to say he will not abandon Tripoli.

[DU GrovelBot]

32. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

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[tabatha]

33. Posts from AJE

My friends!

It's, as far as I can see, almost over.
Rixos management leaving for a safer location.
Khamis brigade unable to defend their barracks just outside Tripoli ( they had to be defended at all cost )
House after house of leading Gadaffi men and woman are taken.
Gadaffi says he will stay until the end.

AND the military fighters have almost not entered Tripoli yet!
From the west they are in the westmost suburbs ( Janzour )
From the east they are fighting in Mitiga airbase.

This is still just the result of a civilian uprising ( with added guns supplied )

WOW!

~~~~~~~~~~~

inphinite My aunt's brother in law HAS JUST WALKED IN TO THE HOUSE! HE HASNT BEEN SEEN FOR EXACTLY 6 MONTHS NOW! #feb17 #Libya #Tripoli

LIBYA TRIPOLI
All my captive relatives have been freed today from Abu Slaim prison today. They re heading home now. #Tripoli #Libya
Allahu Akbar

feb17libya TNC leader Shamam: Gaddafi's last phone call has been traced to the Algerian Border! #Libya #Tripoli

~~~~~~~~~~~

Alexblx (@Alexblx)
Posted Sunday 21st August 2011 from Twitlonger

Don't U just love - @AlexCrawfordSky - she's at the #Khammis Barracks just outside of #Tripoli - and is now displaying an Intelligence manual - in which all the names of the #Gaddafi mercenaries are listed - plus the names of all local protestors.

Most of the Barracks files have been seized by the #FF intact - so will be a treasure trove of evidence - for @IntlCrimCou #ICC

#Libya #GaddafiCrimes #TripoliPrisoners @AmnestyOnline @AmbassadorRice
http://tl.gd/ci03ts · Reply

~~~~~~~~~~~

1758:
Libyan rebel TV, broadcasting from Qatar, said their flag had been raised over Tripoli International Airport this afternoon. It also said the Libyan army's deputy chief-of-staff al-Mahdi al-Arabi was under arrest in the city of Zawiya.


~~~~~~~~~~~

1850: An AFP correspondent travelling with rebels as were entering Tripoli from the west said they were hailed by a jubilant crowd, with music and people running alongside the convoy. The welcome followed clashes with pro-Gaddafi forces.

[tabatha]

34. RIXOS

@dovenews Libyan™ BREAKING! Fierce clashes front of the Rixos. Ap58 seconds ago via web

Rixos all staff run off, Armed Loyalist in the Lobby, Jounalists donning Body Armour and looking for a safe room (not a good story).

libyan NLA commandos will try to liberate the journos from the rixos.

Fighters loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, opened fire from the Hotel Rixos towards the east, although their target was not visible.

Read that last sentence..their shooting altho their target is not visable...Panic, ya think?

[tabatha]

35. ALEX CRAWFORD

@AlexCrawfordSky - also confirms that the ever energetic #FF - have "totally rand stacked" the liberated #Khammais Brigade Barracks - helping themselves to massive supplies of weapons and ammo - so that the Barracks have now been cleaned out. #Tripoli #Libya

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/ci0571

** UPDATE **

Superb report from Sky News' Alex Crawford on the outskirts of Tripoli. She says FFs are jubilant now and are convinced victory is here. She says that everyone on the front line is astonished at how little resistance they are facing - it has been far easier to move into Tripoli than expected. In addition she has witnessed FFs from Nalut, Zintan and elsewhere in the Nafusa mountains arriving on the frontline to join the battle.

One other very significant point made by Alex Crawford was how all the populated areas into Tripoli have have erupted into spontaneous celebration upon the arrival of the FFs - even places where there was said to be alleged pro-Ghadafi sentiment. This of course suggests that the level of Ghadafi support within Tripoli now that the FFs have turned up in their thousands may be slim.

For me the ease with which FFs took the Khamis Brigade HQ tells us all we need to know about the true level of Ghadafi support once people realise they have the option of fleeing. I think all this speculation of hardcore Ghadafi support within Tripoli will prove ill-founded.

[tabatha]

36. FF FLA entering Tripoli

From France 24 Live Blog
AFP says the rebels in convoy on the roadwest of Tripoli just entered the Libyan capital.
Near the barracks captured by the rebels on the road to the west, the Maya prison was taken in stride. Dozens of anti-Gaddafi prisoners, shirtless, were released, according to the AFP correspondent. Some bore signs of beatings or torture.


libyanproud libyanandproud BREAKING : Freedom #Libya Army has entered #TRIPOLI from a third and fourth entrance #Feb17 #Libya #Tripoli32 seconds ago


The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has chartered a ship to Tripoli. It should leave Benghazi in eastern Libya on Sunday night. Its role will be to try to evacuate some 300 foreign nationals from the capital. (AFP)


Wow! Not only have Zawiyah FFs breached Gate 27 and ransacked the Khamis Brigade HQ, they are now 10km down the road inside Tripoli! With Gate 27 breached we are now going to see a flood of FFs, weapons and ammunition enter Tripoli to reinforce and resupply FF already fighting within the capital.
It really is all over for Ghadafi now - tonight may well be the first night of a New Libya!

[joshcryer]

37. Thousands of rebels approach Tripoli-Reuters witness

http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL5E7JL0FB20110821">Thousands of rebels approach Tripoli-Reuters witness
OUTSIDE TRIPOLI Aug 21 (Reuters) - Thousands of rebel fighters 25 km (15 miles) west of Tripoli were seen moving toward the capital on Sunday evening, a Reuters correspondent at the scene said.

This was about an hour ago there may be a longer article by now, I was responding to that other thread calling for doom and gloom. Reminds me of when the UN got involved, how DU had dozens of OPs like that.

[tabatha]

38. The Great Tripoli Uprising

Posted on 08/21/2011 by Juan

As dawn broke Sunday in Libya, revolutionaries were telling Aljazeera Arabic that much of the capital was being taken over by supporters of the February 17 Youth revolt. Some areas, such as the suburb of Tajoura to the east and districts in the eastrn part of the city such as Suq al-Juma, Arada, the Mitiga airport, Ben Ashour, Fashloum, and Dahra, were in whole or in part under the control of the revolutionaries.

Those who were expecting a long, hard slog of fighters from the Western Mountain region and from Misrata toward the capital over-estimated dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s popularity in his own capital, and did not reckon with the severe shortages of ammunition and fuel afflicting his demoralized security forces, whether the regular army or mercenaries. Nor did they take into account the steady NATO attrition of his armor and other heavy weapons.

This development, with the capital creating its own nationalist mythos of revolutionary participation, is the very best thing that could have happened. Instead of being liberated (and somewhat subjected) from the outside by Berber or Cyrenaican revolutionaries, Tripoli enters the Second Republic with its own uprising to its name, as a full equal able to gain seats on the Transitional National Council once the Qaddafis and their henchmen are out of the way. There will be no East/West divide. My hopes for a government of national unity as the last phase of the revolution before parliamentary elections now seem more plausible than ever. Tellingly, Tunisia and Egypt both recognized the TNC as Libya’s legitimate government through the night, as the Tripoli uprising unfolded. Regional powers can see the new Libya being born.

http://www.juancole.com/2011/08/the-great-tripoli-uprising.html



One way or another, it seems clear that the Libyan Revolution has entered its last phase, and that this phase could well end abruptly in the next days. If Qaddafi’s own capital is so eager to be rid of him, his support is much thinner than many observers had assumed. His troops in Zawiya and elsewhere are increasingly refusing to engage in hand to hand combat, running away when the revolutionaries show up, and at most sitting in a truck and bombarding the revolutionaries from a distance (but thereby making themselves targets of NATO war planes and helicopters). The esprit de corps of the revolutionaries is, in contrast, high.

[joshcryer]

40. Exactly. United above all. Juan Cole is a gem.

[joshcryer]

39. The Rebel Strategy in Libya: Finally Coming Together?

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2089687,00.html">The Rebel Strategy in Libya: Finally Coming Together?
The Libyan rebels say, this is it: zero hour. And some members of the rebel forces and National Transitional Council in Benghazi have gone so far as to say they were planning it all along. "The zero hour was pre-planned, so that all the liberating forces can move in unision, and press forward toward Tripoli," Shamsiddin Abdulmolah, a member of the rebel's National Transitional Council in Benghazi told TIME over the phone on Sunday. "We've been planning it so that it coincides with the 20th of August — actually the 20th of Ramadan. The 20th of Ramadan is the day that Mecca was liberated during the prophet's time — when the prophet re-entered Mecca, so it would help spiritually to uplift the liberating forces," he continued. "Also, so it would come before the first of September which is the anniversary of Gaddafi's revolution."

[joshcryer]

41. Breaking: SpongBob defects from Gaddafi and joins the revolution

http://twitpic.com/69l0ad

[joshcryer]

42. Andy Carvin (NPR) tweets:

acarvin Andy Carvin
NTC official: "This is a pre-set plan - 3 months ago- we have been planing for this moment." He declined to elaborate. #libya
5 minutes ago

acarvin Andy Carvin
Another NTC rep: "Two or three days and the picture will be so clear. Tripoli is completely surrounded by the revolutionaries." #libya
5 minutes ago

acarvin Andy Carvin
NTC official: "Its not easy to control a city of nearly 2 mil people. I cant give a timeline. But there R many defectors. Expect surprises"
6 minutes ago
»

acarvin Andy Carvin
NTC official: Rebel fighters are "finishing up in Mitiga military airport" and fighting over Tripoli international airport. #libya
7 minutes ago

acarvin Andy Carvin
From a top NTC official: "Two units have infiltrated the capital yesterday, a special forces unit and Zintan fighting unit." #libya
8 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/acarvin

[tabatha]

43. Andy Carvin knew MO quite well, through livestream

[joshcryer]

45. I know, I actually saw his speech about Mo that you posted.

Made me tear up (hadn't seen it before that). He was one of the journalists who took Mo seriously, would join the chat and ask what was up, etc. I wasn't there when he learned of Mo's death (I learned after I got off work I think), but I can only imagine.

Repost of the vid Andy Carvin did: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCys_9NVJBQ

[Iterate]

44. #Zuwara #Rasjdir #Sabratha #Ajeilat #Gheryan

I'll do a history next week. Getting to the verb:

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
@defusertt @Libyan4life @ChangeInLibya I was told that the Liberation flag was flying high yesterday night in Zuwara, FF had it by then 3 hours ago

SamehBrill Sameh Brill
#Zuwara city is under Rebel's control now. #Confirmed #Libya #Tripoli #Feb17 #MermaidDawn 3 hours ago

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
Breaking: Liberation Flag is flying in the central sqaure in #Zuwarah...#Zuwarah is Liberated #Tripoli #Libya #Feb17 16 hours ago

Missed it last night.

KhiriaElf Khiria
#AlArabiya: #FF control the #RasJdir border! #Tunisia #Libya 3 hours ago

EmadDlala Emo Libya
#Sabratha: Deaths and injuries caused by indiscriminate shelling by G forces in #Ajeilat. #Libya 20 Aug

Nothing new in either city.

#Gheryan
Oya_libya Oya libya
AlArabya: journalist from Brega: more fighters from #Benghazi and #Gharyan are en route to #Tripoli #Mermaiddawn #Libya 1 hour ago

feb17libya Feb17Libya
Sky news: Gun battle in town of Assadah, south of #Gharyan - #Libya #Feb17 3 hours ago

Some confusion over this, as it may mean a delay in securing Gheryan from the west and south. But then there was this contradiction:
Oya_libya: AlArabya: journalist from Brega: more fighters from #Benghazi and #Gharyan are en route to #Tripoli #Mermaiddawn #Libya 1 hour ago

And there was this, a bit angry:
Alexblx Alexblx
#MoussaIbrahim 's LAST BIG LIE! - SKY on spot REPORTER - "NO EVIDENCE OF "MASSACRE IN #GHARYAN" - #Libya #Tripoli 6 hours ago

LibyanHawk Faith freedom
#Gharyan FF's has delivers 1500 kalashnikov rifles to #Tripoli FF's #Libya. Allah Akber . 16 hours ago

No news from #Aziziyah

[tabatha]

48. GH 1 minute ago

zawara
some daffi goons with two rocket-launchers and no kontakt to tripoli try to make a counter offensive.

[joshcryer]

46. Heh, Rixos staff reported evacuating, I worry for the journalists if true:

david_bachmann_ AC Tripolis
Hotel staff #Rixos left, after they learned that hotel itself is a target for opposition. #Tripoli #Libya
7 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

david_bachmann_ AC Tripolis
Confirmed: #Rixos management & staff left the hotel. Not very likely they will come back any time soon. #Tripoli #Libya
15 minutes ago

david_bachmann_ AC Tripolis
#Rixos #Swiss Inn #Tripoli- management has evacuated themselves to a "safe" place. Under self management now. I guess no breakfast 2morrow
1 hour ago

http://twitter.com/#!/david_bachmann_

edit: I realize this was posted in #34

[bluestate10]

96. The journalists have to identify themselves as such. The rebels would have

to be idiots to cause trouble for them.

[tabatha]

47. Libya - Crawford - 210811

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucXmYG4_vQw&feature=youtu.be

*** UPDATE ***

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes Alex Crawford: WE ARE DRIVING TO THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL. WE ARE ONLY 10 KILOMETRES FROM THE CENTRE OF THE CITY

@ChangeInLibya
Mhalwes Alex Crawford: THE ROAD IS ACTUALLY GRIDLOCKED. 3 HIGHWAY LANES FILLED WITH REBEL FORCES ENTERING TRIPOLI #libya #feb17
1 minute ago via web

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
I don't know how many journalistic awards there are but Alex Crawford @AlexCrawfordSky deserves all of them #libya #feb17
3 minutes ago

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Alex Crawford: There is no support for Colonel #Gaddafi at least in the places we're driving through right now. No supporters. #libya
5 minutes ago

ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
Alex Crawford: Gaddafi forces put these HUGE boulders to block the road it seems. We are driving right past them. #libya
7 minutes ago





(Alex Crawford owns this revolution, journalistically)

[tabatha]

49. #MermaidDawn

MAQAM MAQAM
#MermaidDawn operation in #Tripoli continues as Freedom Fighters aim to capture #Tripoli International Airport. #libya #Tripoliupdate
2 minutes ago

Guma_el_gamaty Guma El-Gamaty
Breaking Libya MermaidDawn FF just passed Alghiran bridge on outskirts of tripoli 9km west of city centre. 2nite could b a momentus nite!!
2 minutes ago

GenStrike For A Free World
♺ @Libya_Now: So many wonderful and sad news at the same time! #Tripoli #Libya #MermaidDawn
3 minutes ago

belkacemi libertad
Ils ont libéré des milliers de prisonniers de''''dans AjDayda #Tripoli. #Libye #MermaidDawn
3 minutes ago

GenStrike For A Free World
♺ @Libyan4life: AJA Caller: They have released thousands of prisoners from ''AjDayda'' in #Tripoli. #Libya #MermaidDawn
5 minutes ago

PsychoticLynx Kim Blake
Amazing! RT: @4Adam: The situation in west Libya as of Aug. 21th,2011 <6:00PM GMT> http://twitpic.com/69lrv5/full #MermaidDawn #Libya #Feb17 #Tripoli
5 minutes ago

LOrion LOrion
RT @libyaoutreach: "A cousin of mine just broke his fast with one of the Zawiya 'friends' that came to visit us ;) #libya #mermaiddawn
11 minutes ago

4Adam Adam Libya
We witnessing the last hours of 42 years of Gaddafi rule. There's no sign that he controls any part of #Tripoli. #Libya #MermaidDawn
13 minutes ago

KhiriaElf Khiria
Journalists in #Tripoli right now: @matthewwprice @anniephr @jnyhutton @JomanaCNN @missy_ryan @mchancecnn #Feb17 #Libya #MermaidDawn
13 minutes ago

LibyanDictator The Dictator
AFP: Clashes between f fighters and Gaddafi force near #Rixos hotel. #MermaidDawn
18 minutes ago

BentBenghazi G
Major of the Mhemed Megaryaf brigade in #Tripoli defected back on May 20th, however NTC advised him to stay and wait for #MermaidDawn.
23 minutes ago

[tabatha]

50. Liberated

Dr Reda Mazagri who was abducted by #GADDAFI forces in march is now being Liberated and safe in #TRIPOLI

[Cerridwen]

51. Map: Districts of Tripoli in English.

http://twitpic.com/51kljo/full

Hey Everyone! Just another drive by posting. :)

Hope all are well. :hi:

[tabatha]

52. News World news Libya Nato to wind down Libya air strikes as rebels take fight to Tripo

After five months of increasingly intensive air strikes, the final stage of the war in Libya will be left to rebel forces in close-quarter fighting in Tripoli, Nato and British officials have said.

Experts said it was the beginning of the endgame for Nato military operations, but warned that the battle for Tripoli could be extremely bloody. They were also concerned about the ability of "disparate militias" to agree on a political settlement.

"What Nato can do is very limited if there is street-by-street fighting," said one UK defence official, referring to the battle for Tripoli.

A senior British official added: "In house-to-house fighting will not be able to use air power."

In their latest bombing runs, RAF Tornado jets supplied with information from spy planes and rebel groups, struck what the Ministry of Defence described as a "key communications facility in south-west Tripoli".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/21/nato-wind-down-libya-strikes?CMP=twt_fd

[tabatha]

53. Alex Crawford reporting from Khamis Army Base 21/8/2011 #Libya #Feb17

http://www.twitvid.com/GAPRY

[tabatha]

54. ChangeInLibya Mhalwes

Guys, I'm sorry about the Sky News link.. I can't give you a good stream because there doesn't seem to be one. I can see it on my TV. #libya
2 minutes ago

Tears pouring down my face listening to Alex Crawford in Tripoli #libya #feb17
5 minutes ago

@ChangeInLibya Just watching on Sky now, she's a legend, no resistance yet and hundreds coming out to greet them, fantastic
7 minutes ago

Sky news live from Tripoli - alex crawford reporting go.sky.com/vod/page/playL… #libya
8 minutes ago

@Niz_FGM is now out on the streets getting first hand information, I will be communication what he tells me on here #Tripoli #MermaidDawn
10 minutes ago

ALEX CRAWFORD IS NOW IN THE CENTRE OF TRIPOLI. CIVILIANS POURING OUT OF THEIR HOMES HUGGING REBELS. CELEBRATIONS. NO GADDAFI FORCES. #libya
11 minutes ago

Man in #Tripoli #Libya abt his friends:"They fight like lions. They have no bullet proof vests, some are barefoot. You wouldn't believe it."
14 minutes ago

[Iterate]

55. AJA: #Libya rebels reached the Martyr's Square in #Tripoli!

ZakYahya Arab Spring
AJA: #Libya rebels reached the Green Square in #Tripoli! (Where Gaddafi rallies used to take place).
1 minute ago

feb17voices Feb 17 voices
AJA: call w/activist in Tajoura: mothers are encouraging their sons to go out and fight #Libya
3 minutes ago

LibyaFeb17_com LibyaFeb17.com
AJA reporter says revolutionaries are now in Martyr Square (Green Square) - #libya #feb17 - goo.gl/OnTEG
4 minutes ago

local fireworks, don't know if it's related. Probably cosmic coincidence.

Mwforhr Mwforhr
CNN just aired a phone interview with Matthew Chance @mchancecnn at the Rixos. Says there's "utter mayhem" in Tripoli streets. #Libya
14 minutes ago

Mhalwes
ChangeInLibya Mhalwes
ALEX CRAWFORD IS NOW IN THE CENTRE OF TRIPOLI. CIVILIANS POURING OUT OF THEIR HOMES HUGGING REBELS. CELEBRATIONS. NO GADDAFI FORCES. #libya
21 minutes ago

eta:
diceylee808 Dicey Lee
#Libya Alex Crawford in Tripoli - "WE have not seen a single soldier, theres no civilian resistance, quite the opposite, rebels met w/ hugs"
23 seconds ago

[tabatha]

56. Gaddafi dead ?

mailkel CONFIRMED: Mu'amar #Gaddafi, leader of #Libya for 42 years, has been shot DEAD in vicinity of Rixos Hotel in #Tripoli. #FF !!!!!!??????!!!!!

Seems as though Saif has been captured.

If you are not watching Sky News and Alex Crawford - you are missing something special.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@Thanku4theAnger THANKU4THEANGER
The Brigade to protect Muammar Gaddafi has left their posts and given themselves over to the Freedom Fighters.

[Iterate]

57. any streaming?? watching AJA for visuals

had 6mo t learn Arabic. stunning visuals.

btnafas7oria Marwa
Sief Gaddafi, Bother and Hatem (TV reporter) Abu Bakr Tarabolsi just confirmed their capture by the rebels on #AJA #libya 7 minutes ago

... and hundreds more

still don't believe it.

[tabatha]

58. Here - it is tiny, but still worth it

http://go.sky.com/vod/page/playLiveTv.do

[Iterate]

59. thank you thank you

AJA is still useful and different. With video from the square. but I was near crashing

@ArabRevolution: BREAKING: The squadron that is supposed to protect Gaddafi has surrendered! via AJA #Libya #Tripoli"
51 seconds ago

AnasAlaoui Anas Alaoui
AJA. Mohammed, son of Abdullah #Senussi killed. He was a leader of one of the libyan regime brigades. #Libya
2 minutes ago

AsmaaBintLibya Asmaa Bint Libya
Senousi's son shot dead. AJA #Tripoli #MermaidDawn #Libya
3 minutes ago

These just don't make sense and just have to be rumor. Never imagined they would just drive into the city. So far, wow, but plenty of districts to go.

Those guys are just pumped.

[Iterate]

60. AJA: NTC leader #Mustafa #Abdul #Jalil confirms the capture of #Saif by FFs in #Tripoli

ShababLibya LibyanYouthMovement
AJA: NTC leader #Mustafa #Abdul #Jalil confirms the capture of #Saif by FFs in #Tripoli. #libya #feb17 #gaddaficrimes
1 minute ago

[ellisonz]

64. CNN Confirms

Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, a son of Libya's ruler Moammar Gadhafi and a top official in the regime, has been captured by opposition forces, a rebel official said Sunday night.

Ali Said, general secretary of the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council, said that the arrest had taken place in Tripoli. The head of the same rebel group also confirmed the capture in an Al Jazeera interview. There was no immediate reaction from Libyan government officials to the report.

A day earlier, Saif al-Islam -- who had emerged as a leading spokesman for the regime since the unrest began in February -- had laughed off reports of rebels taking Tripoli and claimed that they were losing every battle.

But this account ran counter to reports from CNN reporters, witnesses and rebel officials on the ground. A NATO spokesman, in fact, said earlier Sunday that Moammar Gadhafi's "regime is crumbling."

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/08/21/libya.war/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[Iterate]

61. Taher Hussain, a Tripoli resident, just spoke to Al Jazeera:

Taher Hussain, a Tripoli resident, just spoke to Al Jazeera:

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-22-2011-0028
http://youtu.be/FWX1LicbfO0

[Iterate]

62. Pic: Thousands of people in Benghazi are celebrating the news from Tripoli

Thousands of people in Benghazi are celebrating the news from Tripoli

[tabatha]

63. A post on AJE

Ian Betts 7 minutes ago

I have watched some incredible things unfold during my 51 years, things that have moved me to tears, like the release of Nelson Mandela, the end of the Berlin wall, the revolution in Romania, Red army tanks attacking the Russion parliament to get communists out of all things, German soldiers being carried shoulder high by joyous Bosian's, but I think the liberation of Tripoli is going to be something that will stay with me for a long time. Lets hope its over quickly now.

[Iterate]

65. In Pictures: The battle for Tripoli

In Pictures: The battle for Tripoli
Following weeks of military stalemate, anti-Gaddafi forces gain control of key cities and advance into Tripoli.
Al Jazeera staff Last Modified: 21 Aug 2011 16:49

Buoyed by gains in strategically key towns, Libyan opposition forces have pushed forward to Tripoli where there was heavy gunfire and several explosions early on Sunday.

Libyans have taken to the streets celebrating what they call the "zero hour".

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/inpictures/2011/08/201182191115411122.html

[Iterate]

66. AJELive has learnt that Gaddafi's eldest son Mohammed has surrendered

Al Jazeera has learnt that Gaddafi's eldest son Mohammed has surrendered - aje.me/jMZYMN #Libya #Tripoli #Gaddafi
7 minutes ago

[CJvR]

67. Yeah it is endgame!

I wondered if Mad Dog would manage to establish a third front at Zawiya, it is now obvious that he didn't have the troops for it. It will end soon, Gaddafi is into his fourth bunker speech of the day.

EDIT: Seems as if Mad Dog is in Tripolis, to late to escape now Mad Dog. This is good as it means a lesser danger of a Sirte redoubt.

[Iterate]

68. Guardian liveblog

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-55

11.04pm: Al Jazeera is reporting that two of Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam and Al-Saadi, have been arrested and another son, Muhammad, has surrendered.

11.01pm: The Libyan rebel convoy is now less than one kilometre from Green Square in the centre of Tripoli, Sky News reports.

10.54pm: In a rallying call made in an audio message played on state television, Gaddafi says:

Beautiful Tripoli, they will make it into a destroyed city. The imams of the mosques, you must leave now and march. Go out with your weapons. All of you. There should be no fear.

10.51pm: Speaking from an unknown location, Gaddafi calls on Libyans to save Tripoli and says Libya is being destroyed, Sky News reports.

[Iterate]

69. Gaddafi tells Libyans to save Tripoli from rebels

Gaddafi tells Libyans to save Tripoli from rebels
TUNIS | Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:05pm BST

(Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi made a second appeal for his people to "save Tripoli" from a rebel offensive, in an audio message played on state television on Sunday.

"It is the obligation of all Libyans. It is a question of life or death," he said. Gaddafi made a similar appeal earlier in the evening on state television, as rebels streamed into the capital.

Al Arabiya television aired images of Libyans celebrating in central Tripoli and tearing down Gaddafi posters, the first images from the city since rebels entered from the west earlier in the day.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/21/uk-libya-gaddafi-appeal-idUKTRE77K2WA20110821

Gaddafi seeks talks, calls for ceasefire
TUNIS | Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:39pm BST

(Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's government is ready for immediate negotiations with rebels seeking to oust him, and has asked NATO to convince the rebel forces to halt an attack on Tripoli, a spokesman said on state television on Sunday.

Gaddafi was prepared to negotiate directly with the head of the rebel National Transitional Council, spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said.

He added that 1,300 people had been killed in fighting in Tripoli on Sunday.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Richard Valdmanis)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/21/uk-libya-rebels-talks-idUKTRE77K2T520110821


Gaddafi presidential guard surrenders - TV reports
TUNIS | Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:02pm BST

(Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's presidential guard has surrendered to Libya's rebels, Al Arabiya reported on Sunday, citing the rebel National Transitional Council.

Al Jazeera television also reported that troops responsible for the veteran leader's security had laid down their arms.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Writing by Richard Valdmanis)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/08/21/uk-libya-rebels-tripoli-idUKTRE77K2MX20110821

[uppityperson]

70. thank you for continuing to post these

[Iterate]

71. In another audio message broadcast on Libyan state TV,

Libya, Syria and Middle East unrest - live updates

11.29pm: In another audio message broadcast on Libyan state TV, Gaddafi lists a number of tribes and calls on them to come and defend Tripoli. He says:

How can you let Tripoli, which was beautiful and safe, how can you allow for it to be destroyed and set alight? This should not happen. This must not happen.

All of these tribes, all must march to Tripoli now to to defend it and to purify it, otherwise you will have no worth whatsoever. You will become slaves and servants in the hands of the imperialists and British imperialism will return once again.

All the men and women (in different parts of the country) must come out in order to prevent the traitors and agents entering Tripoli and they must chase them and kick them out, otherwise we will be in the hands of the imperialists.

All of the tribes are now marching towards Tripoli because they have heeded the call. There's no place for the agents of imperialism, not in Tripoli, nowhere in Libya, not in front of these huge masses that are marching towards Tripoli right now. Nato will not help you.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-56

I can't find yet the four messages in 24 hours with both audio and transcription. It's important to hear them as they are increasingly weak, incoherent, and irrelevant. The same goes for Moussa Ibrahim's statement, as he spoke as if he was in charge of something.

The transcript is here:
10.40pm: The Libyan government refuses to surrender to the rebels but appears to propose a ceasefire. Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim says 1,300 people have been killed in Tripoli since midday and 5,000 injured and warns that Nato will be held responsible "morally and legally" for the death toll. Addressing a news conference, he says:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-49

[jenmito]

72. K&R. EXCELLENT factual summary! n/t

[tabatha]

73. Odd tweets of interest

Andrew Simmons: 1,000 fighter landed east of Tripoli yesterday with NATO naval amphibious help. WOW!

Checkmate! RT @AP: BREAKING: Libyan rebel leader says top military unit in charge of protecting Gadhafi has surrendered. #libya

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla #Tripoli: #Aisha #Gaddafi has been captured by FF in #Tripoli...that's the word on the ground.... #Libya #Feb17 #mermaiddawn5 minutes ago

libyanfsl Libya NFSL Mustafa Abdel Jalil confirms the arrest of #Saif #Gaddafi and says he will be kept safe until his trial #Libya #Feb17 #Tripol

42 years of fear. 3-5% of armed bad people can control totally 95% of civilian population trough fear, TV control, etc.etc. Most of lybians never lived without Gaddafi and do not know how it can be!

Mustafa Abdul Jalil: I have been in touch with the head of the Gaddafi personal security battalion for two months : NTC statement "the leader of Gaddafi's Katiba prmosed to surrender at a certain

Alex on Sky news "the people are pouring out of their houses onto the streets" Gadaffi supporters do not exist

karim dahmani I can personally confirm Mohammed has been caught, I spoke to my brother in Tripoli he was among the ones that caught him

Another son of Moammar Gadhafi, Saadi Gadhafi, has been captured by rebels moving into Tripoli, a rebel spokesman said.

RT @rrowleytucson: #Tripoli Yusuf Shakeer of #Libya State TV arrested by #Freedomfighters as he tried to flee to #Tunisia.

Alexblx Alexblx #Abduljalil of #Libya #NTC - says leader of #Tripoli Katiba #GaddafiSec Police who surrendered 2day - ws secretly communicating 4 2 months!2 minutes ago

blakehounshell Blake Hounshell by libyanproudSouth African planes are the new Elvis

AFP reports that the Internet has been restored in Tripoli for the first time in six months.

SultanAlQassemi Sultan Al Qassemi
Breaking Al Arabiya: Libyan Embassy in Algeria announces its loyalty to the Libyan Revolutionaries

Libyan Youth MovementFF continue to make their way into Tripoli for hours, non stop tidal wave #Libya #Tripoli

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla The rag tag army advanced & liberated all of Nafousa & the western coast of #Libya in 2 weeks..The best Rag Tag army in the world #Tripoli23 seconds ago

[defendandprotect]

119. Very happy for the Libyans -- Gadaffi only existed because he was supplied with weapons by

international gun runners who happen to be heads of other nations!!

Often "democraticies" -- !!

What tremendous harm this madman was able to do because of that -- 6 months

of loss of lives --

Libyans had to sacrifice their sons - their own lives -- lives and limbs -- to

defeat this dictator!!


Every armed government is the enemy of its own people!!

Something we here in US may be forced to think about soon -- !!

[Iterate]

74. Intel sources: Gaddafi’s family has been moving money, assets out of #Libya over past 5 days

washingtonpost The Washington Post
Intel sources: Gaddafi’s family has been moving money, assets out of #Libya over past 5 days wapo.st/rhngts 29 minutes ago

Gaddafi appears to be on his way out
By David Ignatius

The endgame in Libya appears near, according to Western intelligence sources, who say that Moammar Gaddafi’s family has been moving money and other assets outside the country over the past five days in anticipation of the regime’s collapse. According to these sources, Gaddafi has left Tripoli but is still in the country.

Intelligence officers from Britain and France are said to have helped the rebels plan their final assault on Tripoli, which appeared Sunday to have pushed into the capital’s outskirts. This final thrust seems to have been well-coordinated, with the rebels closing in along several strategic axes.

In the past week, the NATO coalition’s sometimes frustrating strategy finally seems to have jelled, with the capture of Zawiyah, a strategic oil-refining center west of the capital. Gaddafi’s troops have failed to rally — perhaps because they are finally feeling the squeeze of the coalition’s strategy to bleed them of money and resources until the regime finally implodes.

A sign that the implosion may at last be happening is the reported transfer of money. Some of it has gone to Algerian accounts, according to a source in contact with the banking network that is said to be conducting the transactions. The Gaddafi family, including his three sons, is said by this source to be in Tunisia, perhaps on the way to exile in Algeria.

more... http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/gaddafi-appears-to-be-on-his-way-out/2011/08/21/gIQA78lrUJ_blog.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost

When this is over we simply must make a collection of inane headlines.

[Iterate]

75. Alex Crawford reports from Martyr's Square in Tripoli

Libyan Rebels Take Control Of Green Square
Libyan rebels have taken control of the capital Tripoli's Green Square, as the end of Colonel Gaddafi's regime appears to draw ever closer.
12:25am UK, Monday August 22, 2011
Sky's special correspondent Alex Crawford, is with the rebels in Green Square.

It comes after the International Criminal Court confirmed to Sky News that Saif Al-Islam, Colonel Gaddafi's son, has been detained.

Rebels met scenes of jubilation and no resistance from Gaddafi's troops as they entered the capital.

said as opposition fighters entered the city, their cars gridlocked the roads and hundreds of people came out onto the streets to greet them.

The rebels responded with celebratory gunfire, she said.

Alex Crawford said: "These scenes are amazing - there are hundreds of people who have come out onto the streets to greet this convoy of rebel soldiers.

more, with video report... http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16054331

ETA:
feb17libya Feb17Libya
Chants live from Martyr's square #Tripoli - "With our souls, our blood, We sacrifice for you #Misrata" - #Libya 18 minutes ago

[joshcryer]

127. Alex Crawford deserves a Pulitzer! God! What a heroic woman!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Breaking_News_Reporting

Or:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_International_Reporting

[pinboy3niner]

129. +100 nt

[tabatha]

76. Heads-up

Chris
AlHarar TV but I would be surprised if it was not picked up by Sky

freedom4libya Khalifa Leebee @LVview The NTC is having a press conference in an hour and they are promising big news.20 minutes ago

[pinboy3niner]

77. LIBYAN REVOLUTION DAY 186: CURRENT TIME IN LIBYA = 1:50 AM MONDAY, AUGUST 22

Libya time = EDT +6 hours, PDT +9 hours, UTC +1 hour, GMT +2 hours

[Iterate]

79. Good to see you. I see someone forgot to change the date on time.

Jeez, leave for a while and the place turns to hell.
Enjoy getting caught up, but don't go away. I'm out of my element and belong on LRDP. :toast:

[pinboy3niner]

81. Everybody wants to party, nobody wants to do the grunt work :)

And suddenly everybody and his brother wants to post Libya news.

Kind of nice to take a break. :toast:

[Iterate]

84. Enjoy the moment.

I'm good for another hour+, plenty of coffee on hand. Actually, after the story broke there was very little about it in the press. They must have been either reporting live or off for the weekend.

[kenny blankenship]

78. Green Square in Tripoli now full of thousands of opposition supporters waving their tricolor flags

Gaddhafi will never return there (alive).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G89jIJZioNc

[ClarkUSA]

80. President Obama will be making a statement soon, as per MSNBC.

I'm proud that my President joined NATO in supporting the Libyan rebels against a dictator. He showed great leadership in doing so, too.

[tabatha]

83. He also showed great leadership in delegating the undertaking to NATO.

[bluestate10]

95. I second. nt

[tabatha]

82. Mo Nabbous

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
Mo Nabbous's photo flutters high and proud in Liberation Square #Benghazi..One of thousands of Libyans who sacrificed their lives for #Libya
5 minutes ago

Andy Carvin
acarvin Andy Carvin
by EndTyranny101
Mo Nabbous, wherever you are: it looks like you're winning the battle. And your candle never went out, because it's everywhere.
3 hours ago

[pinboy3niner]

85. A rebel brigade continues to work to root out Gaddafi snipers in Tripoli

Per caller on CNN, a rebel fighter manning a checkpoint in Tripoli.

[Iterate]

86. Rebel spokesman Mahmoud Shammam promises that Gaddafi will not be harmed

Libya, Syria and Middle East unrest - live updates

12.55am: Rebel spokesman Mahmoud Shammam promises that Gaddafi will not be harmed and that the rebels want to see him stand trial in Libya. He tells Sky News:

We're not going to put (supporters of the regime) on trial, we're going to tell them they are Libyan, they are our brothers and sisters and we are going to ask them to join the revolution. We're going to build a state where everyone can get a good education, etc etc.

There are many rumours about (Gadaffi's) location. We're going to guarantee his safety and the safety of his family. We want to see him be tried in Libya and not in any other place in the world. We're establishing a state of law and we would like to see him in the court.

Asked about reports that looters are moving into the Rixos hotel in Tripoli, he says:

It's very hard to control the people and this emotion but we're asking them... not to take revenge. We're doing every possible thing but after 42 years of dictatorship, people have the right to carry out their emotion. But we would like to tell them to control that emotion and don't be against law and order.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global/middle-east-live/2011/aug/21/libya-syria-israel-middle-east-unrest#block-65


Libyan refugees gather outside their embassy in Tunis to celebrate the rebels' push towards Tripoli. Photograph: Str/EPA

1.04am: Libyan rebels say they will rename central Libya's Green Square as Martyrs' Square, its original name, Al Jazeera reports. Jubilant opponents of Gaddafi are shooting at a poster of him.

[jannyk]

87. Thank You joshcryer for all you've done in past months. nt

[CJvR]

89. Seconded.

Good coverage.

[Posteritatis]

91. Absolutely - his coverage of this has been monumental. (nt)

[joshcryer]

120. pinboy3niner deserves 85-90% of the credit.

I could not have done this without him, if you go back to the early threads I was getting 2-3 hours of sleep a night, for weeks, it was extremely detrimental to my health, in the end. Once we moved to the weekly format pinboy3niner took over by a huge degree. It's almost all him.

And of course, other great posters, such as tabatha, Iterate, al bupp (a nice fellow, him), pampinigo (spelling?), ellisonz, and surely many others. I remember bobbolink from early on, they were amazing spiritual or emotional support.

[defendandprotect]

121. Hi joshcryer -- think you have a book here -- !! Fantastic job --

anyone who was able to follow it even for a short time benefited

from the reports -- the overall record is astounding!!

War as it really is -- personal!!

[Cerridwen]

88. THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU!!! joshcryer, pinboy3niner, Iterate, tabatha, al bupp, Turborama (LBN), and Catherina

[Iterate]

90. #alkhums

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - #Sileen, in #Gmata has been LIBERATED. G forces ran towards #AlKhums. #Libya #Feb17 7 hours ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
Confirmed: #Alkhums uprising now, they told me gunfire everywhere and all mosqus loudly Allahu Akbar 4 hours ago

LibyanLion17 A Free Libyan
BREAKING - #AlKhums - Internal Security building burnt. Many G troops are taking cover in Jabar Bin Heyan School. #Libya #Feb17 4 hours ago
BREAKING - #AlKhums - 1 G car burnt at 20 Street, 2 cars near internal security building. #Libya #Feb17
BREAKING - #AlKhums - G troops using 14.5mm guns against the people. Reports of injured in street 20. #Libya #Feb17
BREAKING - #AlKhums - Fierce fighting ongoing at Fatah street, around the centre of the city!!! #Libya #Feb17

Ekremma Abdul Caracalla
My town #Alkhums is almost to be free soon, Inshallah. 4 hours ago

Abdullah_SH Abdullah El Sherif
Confirmed: #Alkhums totally liberated now after heavy clashes with GF. #Libya 3 hours ago

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Alkhums has been Liberated by FF from #Misrata, heading down the road towards #Tripoli, told #NATO to stop shelling...#Feb17 #Libya 1 hour ago

GreenFreedom1 Jonas Buttermann
@LibyaInMe :FF from #Misrata entered al #khums to find it completely free from G brigades & self liberated,now on their way to #Tripoli 1 hour ago

Of course, someone has to be the last to get the memo:
Surjikoff Sergey Golubev
35000 volunteers #BenWaleed #Khums #Tarhouna #Zlitin #RasLanouf #Sirt #Sabha and #Shati in #Tripoli to fight the armed gangs #Libya 4 hours ago

[Cerridwen]

92. It is nice to see my recommends counting rather than

recommending to zero.

:D

[pinboy3niner]

93. We got recs?

:rofl:

[Cerridwen]

94. LOL

:rofl:

One from me for each thread. Mine was usually canceled out. :/

Many days, I logged into DU only to be able to recommend. *sigh* Useless; but I did it anyway.

Today you now have recs. :D

[tabatha]

97. Thanks for the thanks.

I guess it was like the FFs themselves - doing the grunt work gets all sorts of opinions, but the success kind of mutes that.

[Cerridwen]

103. tabatha, I have read every thread and recc'd every thread

and what you and others have posted here have kept me informed through a real-life catastrophe+a computer catastrophe.

I could not always post to tell you, but all you posted here I was able to read; in between swearing at my computer, my ISP, my momentarily screwed up life, and so on.

Your posts here have meant much to me.

I may not be your biggest fan; but I'll give odds I'm your most obnoxious fan. :D

edit for ugly grammar.

[tabatha]

108. You are not obnoxious by any stretch.

I did appreciate the few PMs we exchanged about a certain topic.

[uppityperson]

102. Me too. I could not understand why the

unrecs. Some topics, yes, but why about this ongoing struggle.

[Cerridwen]

104. People unrecced because they did not agree with NATO intervention.

There is no standard for rec and unrec.

I may understand why people unrecced; that does not mean I agree with why they did.

[uppityperson]

107. huh, never thought of that. I rec'd because it was important news, important going ons for Libyans.

[joshcryer]

116. Not just that, I think people have tired of it after 6 months.

But a lot of people cannot show empathy and put themselves in others' shoes. It's been a wild ride for us western observers, but the reality is that on the ground in Libya it has been a daily, continual nightmare.

The thread had +5 recs for at least the first 4 months. The "stalemate" meme made people not care. But there was no stalemate as we've been saying all along.

[defendandprotect]

123. That is still controversial .... didn't understand liberal split on that --

Imo, this final ousting of Gaddaffi couldn't have happened without NATO

rebalancing the power that other nations' gun-runners gave to Gaddaffi --


What we have to understand from this immense struggle by the Libyans is that TORTURE

and political violence is the way that the RW rises and the way that it holds control.


Anyone who applauds any nation's use of torture on anyone must awaken to that reality --

it will be brought home to you!


Same with weapons -- any MIC -- any national security state -- is a threat to democracy!


Every people are entitled to rise up -- to oppose the leadership it allegedly puts in place!!

Methods by governments in power to prevent those uprisings by use of weapons and now --

extraordinary weapons -- is but a lie to democracy!


STOP THE NATIONAL SECURITY STATE

STOP THE MIC

STOP THE GOVERNMENT GUN RUNNERS ALL OVER THE WORLD --

STOP THE TORTURE

STOP RW POLITICAL VIOLENCE - ASSASSINATIONS --

[Iterate]

124. Well thank you

The views were always there, and that mattered, but it's nice to know the names behind those views and to know you all appreciated it.

Without DU we each might each have followed and advocated for the Libyans, but it sure would have been much more lonely (and much less well informed) in going solo.

Since I was usually online and pondering the fate of the universe when the US woke up, I do admit some amusement in seeing the unrecs come in as each time zone passed. Some were regular as clockwork. It hope it made no one late for work.

[bluestate10]

99. The Unrec crowd is spending the night in a secure location.

The last two days have been brutal for them. Their only hope now is that their boy, Cesar takes Col. Daffy in. But have no illusions, the Unrecs will come out of temporary refuge to push their pet causes like Assange worship and primarying President Obama.

[CJvR]

98. Damn!

Libyan state TV is back up transmitting BS!

[catchnrelease]

100. I can't believe it's almost over!!

Well the first part at least. I hope that the free Libyans will now be able to work through all of the difficult steps to get to the kind of country that they have been dreaming of all this time. WOW!!!

Tabatha--I love your new sig line.

[tabatha]

106. Thanks. I changed it with tears. Andy Carvin got it right.

The really hard part comes now.

People who have been as psychologically abused as the Libyans have, will have to make some serous adjustments.

Getting over instinctive fear and immediate negative reaction is going to take some doing.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

101. Thanks for all the hard work on these threads. I read (and rec) them every day. nt

[Turborama]

105. BBC's live coverage can be watched and read here >>>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14610722

:hi:

[pinboy3niner]

109. Thanks, Turborama

I saw your thread in LBN:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4968750


:hi:

[Iterate]

110. #Sabha

LIBYA_WIN Hayat Libya
Guys with family and friends in #Sabha #Hun and #Waddan GET CALLING the phone are back online! Thank God! #Feb17 #Libya 7 hours ago

LibyanDictator The Dictator
AJA correspondent in Benghazi: We ave received reports of uprisings in both #Khoms and #Sebha tonight. 21 Aug

EndTyranny101 Ahmed Sanalla
#Sabha: Getting news that most of #Sebha has been liberated..#Gaddafi loyalists giving up...#Libya #Tripoli #Feb17 4 hours ago

FreeLibyan87 Free libya
#Sabha has risen there is no sign of #gaddafi forces or #gaddadfa in there. Everyone is on the street 1 hour ago

dovenews Libyan™
Ex Libyan C Bank Governor " Gaddafi has $6 Billion in cash down south, I urge #FF in #Sabha to track this money" 1 hour ago

RkMeldor Meldor
#Libya #Feb17: #Sabha: Getting news that most of #Sebha has been liberated..#Gaddafi loyalists giving up.. egyptday1.blogspot.com/2011/08/sabha-… 16 minutes ago

Remember "Leonore" from one of the green websites? A few weeks ago she posted a youtube vblog interview where she recounted calling a friend (People's Committee no doubt) who reassured her that the rumors about an uprising were wrong and the just one (exactly one, only one) young man had been slightly irreverent, but had been given a good talking to by the elders. She believed every word.

That same day a video was posted of a couple hundred people marching and burning a g billboard. That was Sahba. She had visited there often, but remained clueless as to what people really thought.

[Turborama]

111. Thanks for all the hard work you guys have put into the daily and weekly threads.

Looks like finally you might be able to get some well deserved sleep.

:hi:

How long before the BBC stop calling it Green Square and start using it's real name, "Martyr's Square"?

Whenever I see the celebrations in Benghazi I get flashback memories of the brave work Mo did. Hopefully he'll not be forgotten and will have something named after him as a legacy.

[pinboy3niner]

112. War crimes court wants Saif Gadhafi, prosecutor says

Posted in LBN by Turborama:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4968750

[pinboy3niner]

113. South Africa's ambassador to Libya says he has no knowledge of any S.A. planes in Tripoli

From AJE live log:

Mohammed Dangor, South Africa's ambassador to Libya, told Al Jazeera he has no knowledge of any of his country’s planes in Tripoli.

"I have no knowledge of any South African planes in Tripoli ... but Nato should know, since they control the airport and no plane can land without their permission," he said.

Dangor confirmed that most of South Africa's diplomatic mission had already left Tripoli on Saturday, with some officials still in Djerba in Tunisia and others in Tripoli.

He denied allegations that he left on a South African defence aircraft, saying that he left to Djerba on a World Food Program jet before making his way to Tunis, Dubai and finally Johannesburg.


http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-aug-22-2011-0440

[Cerridwen]

114. Oh, just -Kick-. Just because I have a few minutes on my hands tonight. n/t

[pinboy3niner]

118. WRAPUP 3-Rebels enter heart of Tripoli, crowds celebrate

Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:35am GMT

• Rebels take over Green Square, call it "Martyrs Square"

• Resistance to rebels evaporates

• Two Gaddafi sons detained (Adds radio station seized, details)


By Missy Ryan


TRIPOLI, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Jubilant rebel fighters streamed into the heart of Tripoli as Muammar Gaddafi's forces collapsed and crowds took to the streets to celebrate, tearing down posters of the Libyan leader.


Rebels waving opposition flags and firing into the air drove into Green Square, a symbolic showcase the government had until recently used for mass demonstrations in support of the now embattled Gaddafi. Rebels immediately began calling it Martyrs Square.


Earlier, a convoy of rebels entered a western neighbourhood of the city. Rebels said the whole of the city was under their control except Gaddafi's Bab Al-Aziziyah stronghold, according to al-Jazeera Television.


Two of Gaddafi's sons were captured by the rebels, who were also reported to have seized the Libyan state radio building in the capital. Gaddafi's presidential guard units laid down their arms.

...


Many Tripoli residents received a text message from the rebel leadership saying: "God is Great. We congratulate the Libyan people on the fall of Muammar Gaddafi."

...


http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFL5E7JL0LD20110822?sp=true

[joshcryer]

122. Grr...

(Just a few minutes, I need to nuke some food!)

[pinboy3niner]

125. LOL!

You beat me to it. :rofl:

[defendandprotect]

126. And now on to creating real freedom for the people of Libya -- !!!

Presume we'll be hearing a lot about that soon --

and may their victory be complete and endless!!



:)

[pinboy3niner]

128. CNN reports rumors of snipers in Martyrs' Square, Tripoli

Hard to tell if true with all the celebratory gunfire, but CNN's Sara Sidner is taking cover.

[pinboy3niner]

130. Libyan Prime Minister Mahmudi is in a hotel at Jaraba, Tunisia - Al Jazeera broadcast...

@BreakingNewsBreaking News

Libyan Prime Minister Mahmudi is in a hotel at Jaraba, Tunisia - Al Jazeera broadcast, translated by NBC News

22 minutes agovia breakingnews.com

[pinboy3niner]

131. Libyan state TV studio abandoned

Posted in GD by Tx4obama:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1787875

[joshcryer]

132. Week 27 part 3 here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1787917