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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

THE REVOLT IN LIBYA







 

Anti-government protests in Libya

With an area of almost 1,800,000 Sq.Km (700,000 Sq.Mile), Libya is the 4th largest country in Africa by area, and the 17th largest in the World. 

The Capital Tripoli is home to 1.7 million of Libya's 6.4 million people.Libya is one of the world's 10 richest Oil Producing Countries and it produces 2% of the World's Oil.Also the oil that has been discovered and produced in Libya is of very high quality which is good for producing transport fuels.

A map from Libyan Natural Oil Company (LNOC) in 2008 shows that two-third of the country is yet unexplored or yet to be leased

Libya exports 1/3rd of the oil to Italy which accounts for nearly a quarter of Italy’s oil import and a natural gas pipeline linking the two countries.
Germany imports 14 per cent of it out from Libya along with Ireland which counts on Libya for nearly a quarter of its oil import.                                                                                              

                                           
 Libya Revolt and fall of Gadaffi - February - October 20,2011

February 2011
The arrest of human rights activist Fethi Tarbel starts a riot in Benghaz
Anti-government militias take control of central coastal city of Misurata after evicting forces loyal to Gaddafi. 
The U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions on Gaddafi and his family, and refers the crackdown on rebels to the International Criminal Court(ICC)
EU governments approve sanctions against Gaddafi 
March 2011
The rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi declares itself Libya's sole representative   
The U.N. Security Council votes to authorise a no-fly zone over Libya and military action – to protect civilians against Gaddafi's army. 
NATO air strikes halt the advance of Gaddafi's forces on Benghazi and target Libya's air defences
April 2011
A Nato missile attack on a house in Tripoli kills Gaddafi's youngest son and three grandchildren
June 2011
The ICC issues arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity
August 2011
Rebels enter Tripoli overrun Gaddafi's fortified Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli, trashing the symbols of his rule
Gaddafi's wife, his daughter Aisha and two of his sons enter Algeria.
September 2011
Libya's interim rulers meet world leaders at a conference in Paris to discuss reshaping Libya
Interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril arrives in Tripoli on his first visit since it was taken by his forces and makes his first speech in Tripoli to a crowd of about 10,000. 
France's Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain's David Cameron land in Libya
The U.N. Security Council eases sanctions on Libya, including on its national oil company and central bank.
The U.N. General Assembly approves a request to accredit interim government envoys as Libya's sole representatives at the U.N., effectively recognising the NTC.
U.S. President Barack Obama calls for the last of Gaddafi's loyalist forces to surrender as he announces the return of the U.S. ambassador to Tripoli
The interim rulers(NTC)say they have captured most of Sabha, one of three main towns where Gaddafi loyalists have been holding out since the fall of Tripoli. Gaddafi's birthplace Sirte and the town of Bani Walid continue to resist
October 2011
Government fighters capture Gaddafi's son Mo'tassim after he tried to escape Sirte. 
NTC forces say they have control of the whole of Sirte except neighbourhood 'Number Two' where Gaddafi forces are surrounded.  
NTC forces celebrate the capture of Bani Walid, one of the final bastions of Gaddafi loyalists. 
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Libya on an unannounced visit, urges militias to unite
NTC fighters capture Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown, ending a two-month siege and extinguishing the last significant hold out of troops loyal to Gadaffi - Oct 20,2011
Gaddafi  killed after being captured in Sirte - Oct 20,2011

                         

Libya's ambassadors at the United Nations are calling for leader Moammar Gaddafi to step down as the country's ruler. Deputy Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi said on Monday that if Gaddafi does not relinquish power, "the Libyan people will get rid of him."     



"I am not going to leave this land, I will die here as a martyr," Moammar Gaddafi said on state television on tuesday 22.02.2011, refusing to bow to calls from his own diplomats, soldiers and protesters clamouring in the streets for an end to his four decades at the helm.
 Facing an unprecedented revolt against his 41-year rule, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi today 22.02.2011 appeared on state television dismissing reports that he had fled the country, calling foreign news channels "dogs".
Global oil companies said Monday that they were making plans to evacuate employees in Libya after some operations there were disrupted by political unrest. Libya holds the largest crude oil reserves in Africa


On Tuesday 22.02.2011, the first official figures released by Gaddafi's regime since unrest broke out a week ago put the number of people killed at 300 people -- 189 civilians and 111 soldiers.
Heavy weapons were being used to crush the uprising
 

The Ministry of External Affairs has started the process to evacuate about 18,000 Indians stranded in strife-torn Libya. A passenger cruise ship has been stationed close to Libyan waters in order to ferry people across to Egypt.India is waiting for permission from Libya to dock ships and allow planes to land at its airports
 The son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi Saif al-Islam Gaddafi on early Monday21.02.2011 proposed the speedy implementation of significant democratic reforms in the traditionally restrictive country, while warning of a chaotic civil war, return to colonialism and mass poverty if citizens sided with anti-government demonstrators

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Several hundred people in Britain took part in a demonstration in front of the Libyan Embassy in London on Sunday20.02.2011
Britain has revoked the diplomatic immunity of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and his family and called on the autocratic leader to step down








Britain has shutdown its embassy in Libyan capital Tripoli, temporarily discontinuing diplomatic activities








The French foreign ministry has announced that it has closed its embassy in Libya and ceased all diplomatic activities








Canada has suspended its diplomatic presence in Libya and evacuated its embassy staff








The US embassy in Libya has shut down temporarily and has evacuated all of its diplomats.Department of State has temporarily withdrawn embassy personnel from Tripoli and suspended all embassy operations effective February 25, 2011
The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a draft resolution on Saturday to impose sanctions against Libya.It includes an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel bans for Gaddafi and several of his associates. The resolution also refers the situation unfolding in Libya to the International Criminal Court








UN chief Ban Ki-moon has asked the powerful Security Council to take "concrete action" against Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya to stop his forces' bloody crackdown against anti-government protesters


Libyan protesters celebrated in the streets of Benghazi(2nd largest City) on Monday 21.02.2011, claiming control of the country's second largest city after bloody fighting, and anti-government unrest spread to the capital with clashes in Tripoli's main square for the first time

 A girl celebrates and displays the victory sign in Benghazi after Libyan protesters claiming control of Benghazi,the country's second largest city after bloody fighting - Monday 21.02.2011


 People visit Gaddafi's burnt-out residence at the stormed al-Katiba base in Benghazi. Al-Katiba is a Libyan internal security forces facility that hosted offices, a training field, an official ceremonies platform, an underground secret detention camp and the residence of the Libyan leader.








 Destroyed administrative building of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli after being hit by a missle

 Opposition fighters stand amidst the wreckage of Tripoli Street in the besieged town of Misurata

A heavily damaged street in the rebel-held city of Misrata
Road blocks and debris litter the once bustling Tripoli Street in Misurata
Libyans celebrate after Tripoli fell to the rebel forces

                                                               






 Libyan fighters chants slogans as they take control of Bani Walid, a Gaddafi loyalists' town in the desert some 750 km south of Tripoli


Gaddafi's private plane lies destroyed on the runway at Tripoli airport






Battle for Sirte

Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) fighters destroy Sirte's eastern gate which they say symbolised the former regime's oppression


 Libyan rebel fighters fire at pro-Gaddafi forces during the battle to liberate the city of Sirte.

NTC forces say they have captured the University of Sirte
 
Thousands of civilians remain trapped in Sirte, with many scared of retaliation attacks by NTC forces.The NTC set a deadline for them to leave before the assault began. Nonetheless, many remained in the city, unable or unwilling to leave.

Sirte Falls to Anti-Gaddafi forces 

Troops taking down the green flags of the Gaddafi regime and hanging in their place the flag reintroduced by Libya's interim government

Col Gaddafi's green flags became a target for ecstatic government fighters, who chanted "Allahu akbar" (God is great").


Internet service has been cut off in Libya for a second consecutive day as protesters step up demonstrations against longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The US has asked its citizens to defer their non-essential travel to Libya.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Libya on Saturday to stop using force against protesters
The UN Security Council on Tuesday 22.02.2011condemned Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's crackdown on anti government protesters and demanded an immediate end to the violence.

Rebels awaiting counter-attack by Muammar Gaddafi's forces









Undeterred by the brutal military action, protesters, who have gained control of several eastern cities, advanced closer to 68-year-old Gaddafi's stronghold of Tripoli.

As Gaddafi struggles for control, Libyan city of Benghazi has fallen to his opposition.

 Citizens of Libya have took control in Benghazi and invited themselves to a once restricted area, Gaddafi's palac

 Citizens, expats, and even troops are fleeing the country as unrest intensifies in Libya.
 The Indian Government on Thursday24.02.2011 decided to immediately commence evacuation of Indians from Libya by sea and air

The first Air India flight sent to evacuate Indians from strife-torn Libya has taken off from Tripoli for New Delhi. Air India has sent two planes to Tripoli and both flights are expected to land in New Delhi with the first batch of 700 stranded Indian citizens later on Saturday night or early Sunday morning26.02.11 0r 27.02.11
Embattled Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was pushed further to the brink as opposition forces on Monday28.02.2011 stormed close to the capital Tripoli and the international community stepped up pressure on him to leave the country to bring an end to the fighting that has claimed at least 1,000 lives.
Unrest continued in and around the capital, with three key areas close to the east of Tripoli falling to opposition forces advancing from Az-Zawiyah, just 50 kms west of the capital, Al-Jazeera channel reported.
 Opposition forces on Monday stormed close to the Libyan capital Tripoli for a final showdown with militia still loyal to beleaguered strong-man Muammar Gaddafi


International pressure on Moammar Gaddafi to end a crackdown on opponents escalated on Monday as his loyalists fought rebels holding the two cities closest to the capital
 Oil prices rose above $98 a barrel on Monday as Libya's violent power struggle continued to disrupt crude output in the OPEC nation


 The European Union imposed an arms embargo and other sanctions, following  US and the UN
At least 10,000 migrant workers, mostly Egyptians but also from China, Thailand, Morocco, Turkey and elsewhere, massed at this Tunisian border town, where tent camps have been erected by the army to house the stranded laborers.                     


        
                                                          
             
                                          


     People waiting to flee Libya gather at the airport in the capital Tripoli.
                                                                 
In Benghazi, Libya's 2nd largest city and the stronghold of the rebellion in the east, a self-declared "interim government council" formed by the opposition headed by Gadhafi's former Justice Minister Mustafa Abdel-Jalil on 02.03.11
In stepped-up operations, more than 50 % out of 18,000 Indians would have been pulled out of strife-torn Libya since the evacuation process started 10 days ago, MEA said on Saturday 05.03.2011


Heavy sustained gunfire was reported from near Tripoli airport on 07.03.2011,20th day of unrest in Libya.A government official said the shots were celebratory gunfire by Muammar Gaddafi's supporters, after the military's victory in Zawiya and its presence in the oil town of Ras Lanuf in the east.

Muhammad as-Senussi is the son of Crown Prince Hasan.  Colonel Gadaffi overthrew Muhammad as-Senussi's great uncle King Idris and his father the Crown Prince on 01.09.1969 in the Al Fateh Revolution.Gaddafi detained the Royal Family and held them under house arrest. In 1982 their house with belongings was destroyed and the family moved into a shack on the beach. In 1988, they were allowed to emigrate to theUK                                                  

King Idris                                  Hassan Rida el-Senussi


 

Exiled prince Urges World Action

Muhammad as-Senussi speaking from his home in London, where he has lived in exile since 1988,  hailed  the rebels who have been fighting deadly battles against regime forces for more than three weeks,as "heroes".Also urged the international community to do more to help rid his nation of  Gadaffi(Muhammad as-Senussi is the son of Crown Prince Hasan.  Colonel Gadaffi overthrew Muhammad as-Senussi's great uncle King Idris and his father the Crown Prince on 01.09.1969 in the Al Fateh Revolution.Gaddafi detained the Royal Family and held them under house arrest. In 1982 their house with belongings was destroyed and the family moved into a shack on the beach. In 1988, they were allowed to emigrate to theUK)

 




 

3  BBC staff were detained, beaten and subjected to mock executions by pro-regime soldiers in Libya while attempting to reach the western city of Zawiya - BBC Report March 10, 2011


France  on Thursday 11.03.2011 became the 1st country to recognise Libya's rebel leadership in the eastern city of Benghazi and said it would soon exchange ambassadors with the insurgents.

The battle for control of rebel capital Benghazi looked just hours away on Thursday 17.03.2011 after the Libyan army told people to leave opposition-held locations and arms storage areas


 No mercy on traitors says Colonel Gadaffi.
Libya leader Muammar Gaddafi says he will respond to any foreign offensive with force
                                                                      








The UN Security Council voted on Thursday 17.03.2011 to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and authorize "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from attacks by Muammar Gaddafi's forces, hours after the Libyan leader vowed to crush the rebellion with a final assault on the opposition capital of Benghazi.


Libya announces ceasefire

Caving in to international pressure, Libya on  18.03.2011 announced an immediate ceasefire in the battle against rebels fighting to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi.
"Libya has decided an immediate ceasefire and an immediate halt to all military operations to protect civilians in accordance with UN Security Council resolution," Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said in a live broadcast over.

 Despite the UN resolution calling for immediate ceasefire, firing continued on number of fronts in Libya


 Libyan rebels shot down a warplane on 19.03.2011 that was bombing their eastern stronghold Saturday as the opposition accused Muammar Gaddafi's government of defying calls for an immediate cease-fire



 French fighter jets soared over a rebel-held city besieged by Moammar Gaddafi's troops on Saturday, the first mission for an international military force launched in support of the 5-week-old uprising

  Explosions and anti-aircraft fire thundered in the skies above Tripoli on early sunday 20.03.2011 but it was not clear whether they resulted from another round of cruise missile attacks by allies determined to stop Muammar Gaddafi's offensive against Libyan opposition forces

 Hours after the cruise missiles and fighter jet attacks on Libya, a defiant Muammar Gaddafi said he will fight back


Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Moamar Gaddafi explode after an air strike by coalition forces, along a road between Benghazi and Ajdabiyah on March 20, 2011
Libyan rebels wave their flag on top of a wrecked tank belonging to Moamar Gaddafi's forces on the western entrance of Benghazi on March 20, 2011
A Libyan rebel holds the rebellion flag as he stands over wrecked military vehicles belonging to Moamar Gaddafi forces, hit by French warplanes, on March 20, 2011, west of Benghazi

 Libyan rebels inspect wrecked military vehicles which were bombed by the French air force in al-Wayfiyah on March 20, 2011

 Libyans wave the French flag as they parade on a 155mm Howitzer belonging to Moamar Gaddafi forces in the eastern rebel-held city of Benghazi on March 21, 2011


 Western powers launched a second wave of air strikes on Libya early on Monday 21.03.2011 after halting the advance of Muammar Gaddafi's forces on Benghazi and targeting air defences to let their planes patrol the skies


 Moammar Gaddafi's palace was hit as coalition forces continued air strikes for a third day


 On board a military aircraft: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday 20.03.2011 that the US expects to turn control of the Libya military mission over to a coalition - probably headed either by the French and British or by NATO - "in a matter of days."


 People in Benghazi are celebrating the ongoing air strikes and thanking the West for the military intervention



 NY Times Journalists freed in Libya
4 New York Times journalists who were reported captured by pro-government forces in Libya last week have been released, the newspaper reported on Monday 21.03.2011


The heart of Muammar Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli lay in a shambles on Monday 21.03.2011 as the United States and allies continued their mission to dilute the Libyan leader's strength. But Gaddafi's whereabouts - and his plans after promising a "long-drawn war" - remained unknown


People in Libya are living in constant fear of coming under attack, with 64 dead and 150 injured since the air strikes started



Anti-aircraft fire and explosions reverberated across Tripoli for a third night on Monday  21.03.2011 and state television said several sites had come under attack in the capital

People look at a US Air Force F-15E fighter jet after it crashed near the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on March 22, 2011

After days of deliberation NATO has finally decided to impose a no-fly zone over Libya

  NATO agreed late on Thursday 24.03.2011 to take over part of the military operations against Libya enforcement of the no-fly zone, after days of hard bargaining among its members


A Libyan woman reacts with her hands written in Arabic "I love Libya" on them as she joins a rally in support of the allied air campaigns against the forces of Moammar Gadhafi, in Benghazi 23.03.2011


Revolutionary forces rapidly moved more than 150 miles west along Libya's coastal road, seizing several towns without resistance.Rebels retook the important oil towns of Brega, Ras Lanuf and Ben Jawad, and continued on the open desert road towards Sirte, about 95 miles away.

A Libyan rebel fighter sits in his vehicle as rebel forces move towards Muammar Gaddafi's home town, Sirte.

Rebel forces have taken a number of government-held oil towns including Brega, Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad in the rapid push west along 150 miles of Libya's coastal road towards Sirte.

Nato leaders have met in Brussels to finalise arrangements for a Nato-led alliance which will take over the enforcement of the UN no-fly zone from Tuesday 29.03.2011

Libya: NATO to take immediate control


The 28-member NATO has announced to take over all the international operations in Libya, including military operations to enforce no-fly-zone, enforcement of arms embargo and the civilian protections.NATO Allies have decided to take on the whole military operation in Libya under the United Nations Security Council Resolution.

India shuts down Embassy in strife-torn Libya

India has shut down its Embassy in strife-torn Libya. The Indian Ambassador to Libya, M Manimekalai, will operate from Djerba in Tunisia.


 

World Divided on Libya,India regrets bombings

The air strikes in Libya have split world opinion with India, China and Russia expressing regret over the aggression and the Arab League saying it will reconsider its agreement to join. Is then the allied aggression justified or is it solely aimed at getting rid of Gaddafi once and for all?
As the bombs and rockets fall over Libya, the voices against the US led Operation Odyssey Dawn are growing louder
African nations discuss Libya crisis .
African countries met on Friday to discuss the Libya crisis with delegates from Libya, the EU, the UN, the Arab League and the Islamic Conference.
“The aim is to foster an exchange of views in order to take action on the situation in Libya and to seek the ways and means towards a swift solution to the crisis,” AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping said at the start of the meeting
UAE contributes 12 planes to Libya no-fly zone 
The United Arab Emirates has contributed 12 warplanes to the UN-backed no-fly zone over Libya, a US official said Thursday 23.03.2011.On Wednesday 22.03.2011, 5 days after the United States, Britain and France launched air strikes to protect Libyans from Moamer Kadhafi’s security forces, Qatar was the only Arab country to have offered warplanes for a no-fly zone.



Fear and uncertainty: Libya

The uncertainties and fear over what is to come and what is happening at present remain rife in Libya, as the coalition air strikes on military targets continue.People have been scrambling to fill up the tanks of their cars in anticipation of what appears to be a looming threat of fuel shortage - or even worse - no fuel at all.
Long queues have built up at petrol stations

NATO takes sole control of Libya air operations

NATO has formally taken over full command and control of military operations against Libya from the United States, a NATO official confirmed on Thursday 31.03.2011.The mission, code-named Unified Protector, including arms embargo, a no-fly zone and protecting civilians and civilian-populated areas, will be carried out in keeping with the United Nations Security Council's resolution.

Gaddafi's daughter sends defiant message

From her father's compound, struck by US bombs exactly 25 years ago, Muammar Gaddafi's daughter sent a defiant message on early Friday15.04.2011 "Libya was not defeated by airstrikes then and won't be defeated now", she told a cheering crowd

 

 

 






Libya has declared gold reserves worth more than $6bn at current prices, thought to be held largely at home.



Moammar Gaddafi is accused of -
committing grave human rights violations.
massacring of 1,200 political prisoners in the Bouslim jail in 1996
funding and supporting several terrorist organizations and separatist movements in Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and Latin America.

Col Muammar Gaddafi



  • Born in Sirte, Libya 7 June 1942
  • Attended military academy in Libya, Greece and the UK
  • Seized power on 1 September 1969
  • The Green Book published in 1975
  • Married twice, with seven sons and one daugther

Gaddafi was a huge admirer of Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser, who led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952





 In the heady days of 1969 - when he seized power in a bloodless military coup - and the early 1970s, Muammar Gaddafi was a handsome and charismatic young army officer.



Significant Oil reserves had been discovered in Libya in the late 1950s, but the extraction was controlled by foreign petroleum companies, which set prices to the advantage of their own domestic consumers and benefited from a half share in the revenue
Col Gaddafi demanded renegotiation of the contracts, threatening to shut off production if the oil companies refused.

Libya became the first developing country to secure a majority share of the revenues from its own oil production. Other nations soon followed this precedent and the 1970s Arab petro-boom began.


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