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Africa North
Gaddafi forces intensify aerial strikes
2011-03-13
[Iran Press TV] Forces loyal to Libyan ruler Muammar Qadaffy continue a large-scale military offensive against revolutionary fighters in the country's east.

Qadaffy's troops carried out Arclight airstrikes on the oil-producing towns of Ras Lanuf and Brega on Saturday.

Latest reports suggest the frontline of revolutionary fighters has moved back 20 kilometers from the outskirts of Ras Lanuf following intensive air raids.

The revolutionary fighters are battling to keep control of the city.

Pro- and anti-regime forces are locked in intense fighting for the control of several other cities along the coastline to the east of the capital Tripoli.

Meanwhile,
...back at the laboratory...
the vaporous Arab League's Secretary General, Jerry Lewis doppelgänger Amr Moussa
... who has been head of the Arab League since about the time Jerry and Dean split up ...
, backed the creation of a no-fly zone. A no-fly zone can prevent Qadaffy's warplanes from striking opposition positions.

"The United Nations, aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society, the Arab League, the African Union, the Europeans -- everyone should participate," German weekly Der Spiegel has quoted Mussa as saying.

Libya's interim Transitional National Council has called on the league to officially recognize the Benghazi-based body.

The 30-member body was established in the city by revolutionary forces following the liberation of several eastern cities.

The council, headed by Libya's former justice minister Mustafa Abdel Jalil, plans to lead the country to an election.

Jalil was among the first high-profile Libyan figures to join protesters following the Qadaffy regime's brutal crackdown on the opposition.

Colonel Qadaffy has been in power since a 1969 military coup.

Latest reports from Libya indicate thousands may have been killed or injured as the government crackdown escalates.
Posted by:Fred

#2  [got cropped]
..and did...
Posted by: Procopius2k   2011-03-13 10:27  

#1  After failing to knock off Saddam in 1991, Bush the Elder let stand the agreement to allow helicopters to fly. Saddam used that authorization, which was intended for administrative and relief functions, to fly his gun ships to suppress any revolt and . Instead of acting, Bush the Elder stood by also while the Marsh Arabs were decimated after acting on calls to in fact revolt from the outside. Dither, dither, dither. It's a popular pastime of all pols.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2011-03-13 10:26  

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