Libyan rebels try to regroup after setback

There is no hope for the rebels. No country has called for or supported a no-fly zone. Only a few US senators who were losers in recent presidential elections suggested that the US bomb the airfields to prevent take-offs of fighter jets. What about attack helicopters? It is such a sad situation. The world encourages the call for freedom, but when the time comes, there is no support for the human sacrifice.

A small British delegation sent to talk to the rebels headquartered in the main eastern city of Benghazi, meanwhile, was arrested by the rebels themselves, who said the group had entered the country without permission. The rebels have set up an interim governing council that is urging international airstrikes on Gadhafi’s strongholds and forces, though they strongly oppose foreign intervention on the ground.

All of the other news outlets are saying they were armed SAS. Absolutely brilliant move by the Brits.

They are not "pro-Gaddafi forces". they are the army of the still legitimate government of Libya.

they are the army of the still legitimate government of Libya.

very good point. The media is cheer-leading every uprising.

"There is no hope for the rebels." I think this comment makes little sense in light of the successes of the rebel movement. This is far from over and for the moment looks like the Rebels are in the stronger position.

Mittsu - They are not "pro-Gaddafi forces". they are the army of the still legitimate government of Libya.

I believe "they" are referring to the combined efforts of some of the Libyian military and the mercenaries that Gadhafi has imported.

I believe "they" are referring to the combined efforts of some of the Libyian military and the mercenaries that Gadhafi has imported.

And Libyans who lived well under Gadhafi.

War is bad. No showers and no toilets. It is a total loss of dignity for people caught in them. I do hope rebels win though.

haruka -

wrong, troops do wash and continue to do bowel movements.

I do hope rebels win though.

Why? Which rebels in Libya? Do you know what their plan is (besides "freedom")?

Just read on the NY Times site that the state TV went on the air and told the residents of Tripoli that the gunshots they were hearing were a celebration of victory(of course they weren't)

(of course they weren't)

how do you know? Gadhafi certainly has the firepower to potentially win.

Man. A couple points.

Haruka's point was that war takes away dignity. I don't think we can argue with that.

Haruka also said she hopes the rebels win. I concur. The destiny of Libya is up to the people. This includes having the right to toss out the old regime. What government and direction they take from there is up to them. But the motiviation for all these movements has been been pretty open. People want autonomy and prosperity. I think we can stand in support of those objectives.

As for the story of shots in Tripoli. Something is clearly up at the palace given the wide range of reports of gunfire and what sounded like conflict there.

As for the potential to win. I would say the jury is very much out on this question for Libya. The military is not a clear and absolute advocate of Ghadhfi as their many defected troops attest.

tkoind2 -

Yes, war is bad. I think almost everyone except Marxist revolutionaries and anarchists agree with this.

Regarding who wins - we know nothing about the rebels. Therefore I reserve judgement.

Tripoli - maybe, maybe not.

Potential for win - I agree, we'll have to see the outcome. But it is not our business to affect the outcome, let the Libyans decide for themselves.

I think tkoind2 sums it up best here:

The destiny of Libya is up to the people. This includes having the right to toss out the old regime. What government and direction they take from there is up to them.

America needs to do the right thing and blow the hell out of any helicopters, tanks etc..that our Pro Gadhafi and you know, kind of level the playing field for the good guys, the rebels with a cause to get rid of this nut case, Gaddufy.

elbudamexicano-

so you want a 3rd war besides Afganistan and Iraq?

Let the Libyans decide for themselves, and we'll deal (one way or another) with whatever government there is.

elbudamexicano - America needs to do the right thing and blow the hell out of any helicopters, tanks etc..that our Pro Gadhafi and you know, kind of level the playing field for the good guys, the rebels with a cause to get rid of this nut case, Gaddufy.

Since Mexico is in America, you must be urging the Mexican government to do the right thing and start a war with Libya. Are you volunteering to pick a rifle and stand a post?

Since Mexico is in America, you must be urging the Mexican government to do the right thing and start a war with Libya. Are you volunteering to pick a rifle and stand a post?

Correct, Mexican citizens are killing US police and civilians. If you advocate shooting down Libyan planes over Libyan space, then you also advocate shooting Mexican criminals in Mexico?

elbudamexicano -

I know it was a tangent to arrestpaul's point, but the comparison is the same as shooting down Libyan planes over Libyan space.

It's interesting so many liberals are now hawks. Consistency anyone?

These "rebels" are U.S. spook agency-backed thugs. Not to say the Gadhafi side is much better--it's pretty much a lose/lose situation for your average Libyan. Remember: Just because the other side is bad doesn't make your side good.

These "rebels" are U.S. spook agency-backed thugs

That's it. Get the conspiracy theories out well in advance so's you can impress your leftist friends. You probably considered Quadaffee a US-creation until weeks ago...

Libya has oil petro dollars in huge quantity.

Libya is 17th largest nation is world,6 times the size of Italy. Plenty of underground water,for irrigation in Libya.

Population density is 3.5 person per Kilometer square. It also richest nation in Africa. Spends 1,100 USD on defense/weapons/arms a year.

So much room and wealth,yet they can't get peace. They want to divide,rule and kill in a nation ,where population density is 3.5 people per kilometer square.

They want reduce population ,to less than 3.5 people per kilometer square. Only can happen in Africa or Libya.

correction...Spends 1,100 million USD on defense/weapons/arms a year.

And then their is conspiracy reality.

"The NFSL was part of the National Conference for the Libyan Opposition held in London in 2005, and British resources are being used to support the NFSL and other 'opposition' in Libya. The NFSL was actually formed in October 1981 in Sudan under Colonel Jaafar Nimieri-- the US puppet dictator who was openly known to be a Central Intelligence Agency operative, and who ruled Sudan ruthlessly from 1977 to 1985. The NFSL held its national congress in the USA in July 2007. Reports of 'atrocities' and civilian deaths are being channeled into the western press from operations in Washington DC, and the opposition NFSL is reportedly organizing resistance and military attacks from both inside and outside Libya.

Italy and France are also said to be backing these opposition groups, as the Italian and French oil companies AGIP and ELF and others seek to chop off and eat their pieces of the predatory pie. The US, Britain and Israel seek to insure control of the petroleum sector in advance of competitor corporations from other European countries."

Gadhafi is a nutcase, he does not only care about killing his own people there in Libya, but I am sure his crocodile tears for the US airplane Pan Am being blown out of the sky of Lockerbee, Scotland, is just something like a feather in his so called hat against the USA etc..Berlin, Germany, Libyan agents throwing hand grenades into a disco with many US military guys and gals, blowing them up etc..for me, this is enough to blow the hell out of Gadhafi, let fools like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, Castro in Cuba, keep it up and see what big daddy USA will do.

elbudamexicano - keep it up and see what big daddy USA will do.

With Obama at the helm? As a community organizer he's used to talking about a problem until it either goes away or someone else fixes it. Unless Europe, Mexico, China or the UN decides to get involved, Libyians are on their own. If the Libyian military doesn't actively side with the rebels, the pro Gadhafi side will eventually win.

tkoind12: The destiny of Libya is up to the people. This includes having the right to toss out the old regime.

Well it looks like the people are choosing to be slaughtered by European-made weapons. Good luck to them. Maybe they will survive the body count to be about to replace the government. Or maybe they won't.

With Obama at the helm? As a community organizer he's used to talking about a problem until it either goes away or someone else fixes it. Unless Europe, Mexico, China or the UN decides to get involved, Libyians are on their own. If the Libyian military doesn't actively side with the rebels, the pro Gadhafi side will eventually win.

Big Daddy USA should stay the hell out of other peoples business. We have nothing to do with Libya, our people are not being murdered, the property belonging to our citizens and companies is not being seized. Why should we go in? How is it any of our business? This is a concern for Libya and their neighbors. Not the US.