...a reminder that a single man with an idea can screw up an entire nation...
Abdul Jalil, who landed at an air force base on the outskirts of Tripoli, the Maitiga airport, was given a rapturous welcome and greeted by a boisterous red carpet ceremony that is meant to show that he is taking charge of the interim government thus replacing the Al Qadaffy's dictatorial regime.
Hundreds of fighters and officials rushed toward the plane as Abdul Jalil, NTC leader since March, walked down the steps, with most of them flashing victory signs ad shouted "God is great." A large crowd gathered around him on his way to the air force building. The NTC called the arrival Mustafa Abdel Jalil, "historic".
After meeting with local leaders inside, Abdul-Jalil called for unity among Libyans to finish the fight against Al Qadaffy loyalists. He also called for forgiveness to allow Libyans to rebuild the country.
Jalil said: "This is not the time for retribution. This is not the time for taking matters into your own hands. Many rights have been lost and many tragedies have occurred. We have to realise that Muammar Al Qadaffy is not done yet and we must direct all our means to liberate the rest of the cities."
With this visit Jalil meant to show that the former rebels are getting ready to establish their government in the capital. Until now, most of leaders of the anti-Al Qadaffy movement had been based in the eastern city of Benghazi.
He said that his current visit to Tripoli was "temporary" and that soon, after the "full liberation" of the country the council he heads would be transferred to Tripoli.
An NTC member from the coastal city of Zawiyah, Abdullah Gzema, was quoted saying: "It's a day that shows Libya is finally in the hands of its people. We know we have nothing ahead of us but challenges. The challenge now is to organise the state and that will be harder than the military campaign."
The revolutionary forces captured Tripoli six months after the beginning of the conflict, on August 2. That victory sealed the ousting of the Al Qadaffy regime. However,
some men learn by reading. A few learn by observation. The rest have to pee on the electric fence for themselves...
Abdul-Jalil a former justice minister in Al Qadaffy's government who defected at the start of the conflict, stayed away from the capital until Saturday.
Officials close to Abdul-Jalil cited security concerns as one of the reasons for his prolonged absence that at times had raised questions about the former rebels' ability to take charge.
At the same time of Abdul Ajlil 's visit to Tripoli, the International Monetary Fund recognised the NTC as Libya's legitimate governing body, saying it planned to send a team there when it is safe enough.
While the new leadership controls most of Libya, there are still three Al Qadaffy strongholds where the former dictator's supporters still stubbornly appear to believe he could survive. One of these is Bani Walid where fierce fighting raged Saturday.
From hiding, in audio messages, the runaway Al Qadaffy has exhorted loyalists to keep fighting, little realising that there's no future for him and for them if they keep resisting.
Al Qadaffy and his son Seif, who, it is believed is in Bani Walid, a town about 140 kilometres southeast of Tripoli, is pushing and forcing the loyalists to keep fighting for his father have no consideration for their fellow citizens.
Theirs is a lost cause as even if they survive the battle, they will stay on the run after the warrants for their arrests by the
International Criminal Court... where Milosevich died of old age before being convicted ...
that is accusing them of crimes against humanity. They just cannot escape justice, because if they manage to flee from Libya or settle in another country with Interpol after them.
Revolutionary forces and regime loyalists had been engaged in off-and-on surrender talks in Bani Walid for more than a week. But the pro-Al Qadaffy fighters won't let up and Saturday afternoon the NTC forces came under heavy attack in a desert valley some three kilometres from the town. There were mortar attacks, while snipers also targeted anti-Al Qadaffy fighters.
The NTC fighters were told to retreat because of NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A single organization with differing goals, equipment, language, doctrine, and organization....
. The field commanders ordered the retreat because the military allince was going to bomb strategic installations. They were waiting for orders from their comrades to go back in again.
NATO confirmed its aircraft were flying missions over Bani Walid but would not comment on any air strikes. But all the rebel fighters knew that aircraft were aiding their advance in Bani Walid.
The commander of the assault, Daw Salaheen, called on the city's residents to lay down their arms, saying anyone who does so will be safe in our hands. "We are not far from liberating Bani Walid. We urge Al Qadaffy fighters to lay down their weapons. You can go to any house and will be safe. It is not too late," he said.
Meanwhile,
...back at the wreckage, Captain Poindexter awoke groggily, his hand still stuck in the Ming vase...
volunteers from all over Libya signed up to join the battle for Bani Walid and Sirte. Many seem to be getting increasingly impatient with the standoff and crowded around inside a mosque in Wishtata, 40 kilometres from Bani Walid, to register their names, and give a hand in their quest to "get rid of Al Qadaffy once and for all."