Gaddafi Supported By Algeria, Arab League Opposes InterventionMarch 2nd, 2011 It seems that Gaddafi is not alone in the world as the western media makes him out to be. There are reports that the Algerian regime are supporting him and that may not be the only source of support. The question comes up as to who the leadership of the resistance is and what their ideology is. Are they a step forward to freedom and socialism or are they a reactionary clique wanting to bring neo-liberal capitalism or some form of tribalism. We don't know and we have not been told in the media. Someone must know who these rebels are and what they stand for. I certainly don't.
I would say hands off Libya but if there is a band of revolutionary socialists in Libya to support I would support them. I do believe in international solidarity among the working classes. Where are the labor activists in Libya? Who are the rebels? Are they students and the unemployed? Is there a student organization to link up to? I searched on line and found a list from the 1990's and an article from the 1980's about the opposition. Not very much to go on. It would almost seem as if there was some sort of cleansing of information on the web. I know Google searches are not particularly forthcoming.
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From Sincerelyours : English easier
mercredi, mars 02, 2011
LIBYA : ALGERIA IS BACKING UP QADDAFI IS ALGERIA QADAFFI'S ACE IN THE HOLE?
IS ALGERIA QADAFFI'S ACE IN THE HOLE?
WHO ELSE IS HELPING THE LIBYAN LEADER?
By ROB PRINCE
March 2, 2011
At this moment when it appears that Muammar Qaddafi's days in power are numbered, the Libyan leader has made it clear repeatedly that he will stay and fight. So far he has. His domestic support is evaporating around him, leaders of the country's 140 tribes siding with the rebels, military units siding with the rebellion in larger and larger numbers, air force pilots and naval vessels defecting to Malta. Much of his government, other than his sons, has abandoned him as well.
What is left?
Those heavily armed private militias controlled by his sons? The army of mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa? Some Mirage jet fighter planes with, until now, pilots less than willing to bomb rebel strongholds? All that is true. Yet while the U.S. and Europe work to isolate Qaddafi, he is not completely alone and without allies.
Given his ever shrinking domestic base, one has to wonder how it is that Qaddafi can appear so defiant? It might come from the fact that he is not entirely isolated and alone. Indeed, the support that Qaddafi is garnering has stiffened the colonel's backbone.
Qaddafi has the support of at least one important regional ally, the Algerian government, which has both militarily and diplomatically thrown its full (and substantial) weight behind his effort to retain power. In so doing, it would appear that Algeria, which has long cooperated with the US and NATO on its North and Sub-Saharan Africa anti-terrorism policies, is breaking ranks to protect its regime's very survival.
Since its independence, Algeria has been controlled by its military which lives high off the country's oil profits at the expense of its own people. Algeria's leaders fear that if Qaddafi falls, their hold on power will be that much more fragile. Their support of Qaddafi is very much designed to save their own skins.
If Mubarak saw the writing on the wall as Ben Ali's little castle in Tunisia crumbled, so the Algerian military leadership understands that if Qaddafi falls, it very likely is next in line, or if not, not very far down the list. Desperate to cling to power, the Algerian government is – while offering a few political and economic concessions – essentially reorganizing the state's substantial repressive apparatus to weather the protest storm. But in addition, it is pulling out all stops to support Qaddafi's increasingly feeble hold on power.
Maybe it is the support of its North African oil producing ally Algeria, that has given Qaddafi that confident appearance that he can indeed – with a little help from his friends – hold out longer. An alliance of two of Africa's most important oil producing countries is nothing to sneeze at, and could have all kinds of consequences. Should the alliance between the two tighten, and they engage in a common front oil embargo, which some news outlets speculate could happen, oil prices could jump to as high as $220 a barrel.
Less than a week ago, an Algerian human rights group based in Germany, Algeria Watch,published a statement alleging that the Algerian government is providing material aid – in the form of armed military units – to Muammar Qaddafi to help prop up his shrinking (and sinking) regime.
The statement opens thus:
"It is with both sadness and anger that we have learned that the Algerian government has sent armed detachments to Libya to commit crimes against our Libyan brothers and sisters who have risen up against the bloody and corrupt regime of Muammar Kadhafi. These armed detachments were first identified in western Libya in the city of Zaouia where some among them have been arrested. This has been reported in the media and confirmed by eye witnesses."
Zaouia is the site of fierce fire fights between the residents of Zaouia, now a zone liberated from Tripoli's control and under the authority of rebel forces on the one hand, and the military elements still faithful to Qaddafi on the others. There were recent reports of a 6-8 hour battle in which Qaddafi's forces, led by one of his sons tried to recapture the city but were repulsed by the city's defenders and pushed back after fierce fighting.
Algeria Watch goes on to accuse the Algerian government of having provided the air transport planes that have carried sub-Saharan African mercenaries from Niger, Chad and the Dafur province of Sudan to Libya to strengthen Qaddafi's position militarily. It goes on to add that Algeria had played a similar role in transporting troops to Somalia to support the U.S. directed government military offensive against rebellious Somali tribes.
The statement goes on to allege that on the diplomatic front the Algerian government has been lobbying different European powers (which are presumably France, Italy, German, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain) pressing them to continue to support Qaddafi. These diplomatic efforts are being led by Abdelkader Messahel, Algerian Minister of Maghrebian and African Affairs. On the all-European level, Amar Bendjama, Algerian ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Algeria's representative to the European Union and NATO and Belkacem Belgaid, another Algerian diplomat whose responsibilities include NATO and the EU, have together opened up an active lobbying campaign in support of Qaddafi.
The political approach that Bendjama and Belgaid are pursuing echoes Qaddafi's own statements – that if his government were to fall, Libya would fall into the hands of radical Islamic fundamentalists – all this nonsense about Al Qaeda and Osama Bin Ladin being behind the national uprising. Qaddafi's argument is identical to what Ben Ali and Mubarak have been arguing for decades: that they are the alternative to an Islamic take over. The West might not like them, but better Qaddafi than Osama. This kind of fear mongering – the threat of Islamic radicalism – has lost its appeal in the current protest wave in which the Islamic fundamentalist element has been marginalized or irrelevant.
The lobbying is similar to what has happened in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen, where the first offer of concessions consists of ceding as little as possible. Bendjama and Belgaid appear to be pressing (unsuccessfully) for a solution that would see Qaddafi's son, Saif, replace his father. It is not clear if they are asking for some kind of arrangement that would protect Qaddafi from prosecution in exchange for stepping down, but such an approach is more than likely. But as one of the first demands in the Tunisian, Egyptian and Yemeni protests was precisely that no family member (sons or family member) succeed these elder and now disgraced statement to power, it is not likely that such arguments or suggestions will carry much if any weight.
There is more.
Under the direction of Colonel Djamel Bouzghaia, an advisor to Algerian President Bouteflika on security matters, Algeria has, according to the statement, `embraced' a large number of elements of disposed Tunisian president Zine Ben Ali's private security force and republican guard. These are the same units that were used as snipers to assassinate demonstrators in Kasserine, Sidi Bouzid and Thala in Tunisia. Now in the employ of Algeria, they too have been sent to Libya to shore up Qaddafi's regime. Bouzghaia works directly under Major General Rachid Laalali (alias Attafi), head of Algeria's external relations bureau.
Who else is helping Qaddafi? It will be interesting to see what shakes out.
http://sincerelyours1.blogspot.com/
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From asharq-e.com
Gaddafi deploys forces as world raises Libya pressure
01/03/2011
TRIPOLI (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi deployed forces to a western border area on Tuesday in defiance of Western military and economic pressure, raising fears that one of the bloodiest Arab revolts may become more violent still.
Suspicions grew that the veteran leader, in power for four decades, does not understand the strength of the forces now massed against him.
"All my people love me. They would die to protect me," he told the U.S. ABC network and the BBC on Monday, dismissing the armed muscle of a rebellion against his 41-year rule that has ended his control over eastern Libya.
Barely 12 hours after the United States said it was moving warships and air forces closer to the north African oil exporting country, Libyan forces re-asserted their presence at the remote Dehiba southern border crossing on Tuesday, decorating the border post with green Libyan flags.
Reporters on the Tunisian side saw Libyan army vehicles, and soldiers armed with Kalashnikov rifles. The previous day, there was no Libyan security presence at the border crossing. Dehiba is about 60 km (40 miles) from the town of Nalut.
In another part of the west, residents said pro-Gaddafi forces deployed to reassert control of Nalut, about 60 km from the Tunisian border in western Libya, to ensure it did not fall into the hands of anti-Gaddafi protesters.
The United States said on Monday it was moving ships and planes closer to the country and British Prime Minister David Cameron said his government would work to prepare a "no-fly" zone to protect the Libyan people.
The United States, whose Sixth Fleet operates out of Italy, said it was working on contingency plans, including humanitarian assistance. Analysts said military action against Gaddafi was unlikely.
Injecting a note of caution into Western military thinking, France said humanitarian aid must be the priority in Libya rather than military action to oust Gaddafi.
The French government has sent two airplanes with medical equipment and staff to the Libyan city of Benghazi, now in the hands of anti-Gaddafi rebels, and more planes are to follow, government spokesman Francois Baroin said.
Asked about the possibility of military action to dislodge Gaddafi, Baroin told France 2 television: "It's not a priority. The priority is humanitarian aid, it's no longer diplomacy."
GADDAFI SCOFFS AT REVOLT
Despite his continued hold on Tripoli, his last remaining stronghold, Gaddafi's power to influence events in his vast desert country has shrunk dramatically in the past two weeks.
Numerous tribal leaders, officials, military officers and army units have defected to the rebels, taking with them large swathes of the country including the main energy-producing east. Sanctions will squeeze his access to funds.
But in his interview, Gaddafi, 68, looked relaxed and laughed at times during the interview at a restaurant on Tripoli's Mediterranean coast and scoffed at the uprising.
He denied using his air force to attack protesters but said planes had bombed military sites and ammunition depots. He also denied there had been demonstrations and said young people were given drugs by al Qaeda and therefore took to the streets. Libyan forces had orders not to fire back at them, he said.
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice called him "delusional."
She said Washington was in talks with its NATO partners and other allies about military options. The United States also said about $30 billion in assets in the United States had been blocked from access by Gaddafi and his family.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Monday that going into exile would be one option for Gaddafi in meeting international demands that he leave power.
There was mixed reaction from analysts to the news of Western military preparations.
Algerian exile Abdullah Anas, an influential voice among north African Islamists, said Western military help for Libya's revolutionaries would be a mistake.
He said any Western armed help would be exploited by al Qaeda as a sign of Western imperialism, as was the West's 2003 invasion of Iraq.
"It will be another call for jihad. It will benefit both Gaddafi and al Qaeda," he said in an interview before the announcements. "The West should remember what happened in Iraq."
"CALL FOR JIHAD"
Alia Brahimi, a north African specialist at the London School of Economics, said some sort of multilateral protection force should be on the table to protect civilians.
"It would unnecessarily complicate things to have Western forces in the mix unless that's to prevent some sort of genocide," she added.
As the uprising entered its third week, the situation on the ground was often hard for reporters to assess due to the difficulties of moving around some parts of the desert nation and the patchy communications.
On Monday, witnesses in Misrata, a city of half a million people 200 km (125 miles) to the east of Tripoli, and Zawiyah, a strategic refinery town 50 km (30 miles) to the west, said government forces were mounting or preparing attacks.
The U.N. Security Council on Saturday imposed sanctions on Gaddafi and other Libyan officials, imposed an arms embargo and froze Libyan assets. European Union governments approved their sanctions against Gaddafi in Brussels on Monday.
http://asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=24331
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From Voice Of America
Arab League Opposes Foreign Intervention in Libya
VOA News March 02, 2011
Arab League diplomats say the organization would oppose any form of foreign intervention in Libya.
The diplomats commented Wednesday in Cairo, where the 22-member body is meeting to discuss unrest in the country.
World condemnation is mounting against the Libyan government and its attacks on civilians as a rebel protest widens. As the international community is gearing up relief efforts to areas in Libya held by anti-government forces, world powers are putting sanctions into place. And they are debating the possible enforcement of a no-fly zone against the Libyan military.
On Tuesday, the 192-member General Assembly voted by consensus to suspend Libya from the Human Rights Council for committing "gross and systematic violations of human rights" in suppressing an uprising against autocratic leader Moammar Gadhafi. The assembly also expressed "deep concern" about the human rights situation in Libya.
The United States praised the unprecedented move and said it serves as a warning to other nations who attack their own citizens.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the General Assembly decision showed that "governments who turn their guns on their own people have no place" in the 47-member rights body, which is based in Geneva.
Libya is the first nation to be suspended since the Council was formed in 2006. The resolution was co-sponsored by 72 nations, mainly Arab and African.
The action does not permanently remove Libya from the council, but prevents it from participating until the General Assembly determines whether to restore the country to full status.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Arab-League-Opposes-Foreign-Intervention-in-Libya-117248708.html
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From NPR
Libyan Opposition Uses Dating Site To Talk In Code
March 1, 2011
March 1, 2011
Libya's secret police monitor communications including social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. So government opponents have had to find another way to communicate. The anti-Gadhafi activists have created accounts on Mawada, a popular Muslim dating website. They've been speaking in coded messages, according to ABC News.
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Libya:
Opposition Groups, Parties and Organizations
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The Libyan National Group (Attajamoa Al-watani Al-leebi)
Established: September 1976
Newspaper: Saut Ashaab Alleebi
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The Libyan Democratic National Movement (Al-haraka Al-wataniya Ad-dimokratia Al-leebiya)
Established: April 1979
Magazine: Sawt Libya
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The Libyan Democratic National Group (At-tajamoa Al-watani Ad-dimokrati Al-leebi)
Established: September 1981
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The Libyan National Movement (Al-haraka Al-wataniya Al-leebiya)
Established: December 1980
Magazine: Sawt Attaleea
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The Islamic Group "Libya" (Aj-jamaa Al-islamiya "Libya")
Established: 1979
Magazine: Al-Moslim. Newspaper (Ind.): Al-Raed
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The Islamic Movement "Libya" (Al-haraka Al-islamiya "Libya")
Established: May 1980
Magazine: Ash-shorouk
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The Democratic National Libyan Front (Aj-jabha Al-leebiya Al-wataniya Ad-dimokratiya)
Established: August 1980
Magazine: Al-watan
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The National Front for The Salvation of Libya (Aj-jabha Al-wataniya Li-inqad Libya)
Established: October 1981
Magazine: Al-inqad
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The Libyan National Salvation Army (Jaish Al-inqad Al-watani Al-leebi)
Established: January 1981
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The Libyan National Struggle Movement (Harakat Al-kifah Al-watani Al-leebi)
Established: July 1985
Newsletter: Al-kifah
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The Libyan National Salvation Army Organization (Monathamat Jaish Al-inqad Al-watani Al-leebi)
Established: August 1988
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The Libyan Movement for Change and (Al-haraka Al-leebiya Lil-taghyieer Wal-islah)
Established March 1994
Magazine: Shoun Lib-biya
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The Organization for Free Libya (Monathamat Tahreer Libya)
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The Libyan National Group (Attantheem Alwatani Alleebi)
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The Libyan Authority for National Salvation (Al-haiaa Al-libiya Lil-kalas Al-watani)
Established July 1986
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The Libyan Volcano Group (Monathamat Al-burkan Al-leebi)
Established January 1984
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The Libyan Constitutional Union (Al-ittihad Ad-dostouri Al-leebi)
Established October 1981
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The Freedom Party (Hizb At-tahreer)
Re-established July 1980
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The National Libyans Front (Jabhat Al-wataniyeen Al-libi-yeen)
Established: August 1980
Magazine: Libya Al-ankaa
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The Libyan People's Struggle Movement (Harakat Al-nidal Ash-shaabi Al-leebi)
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The Libyan Democratic Party (Al-hizb Ad-dimokrati Al-leebi)
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The Nation's Party (Hizb Al-Umma)
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The Libyan National Union (Attahalof Al-watani Al-leebi)
Established: February 1983
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The Libyan Democratic Conference (Al-motamar Ad-dimokrati Al-leebi)
Established: August 1992
Magazine: Al-motamar
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The Libyan Democratic Authority (Hai-at At-tanseeq Ad-dimokratiya Al-leebiya)
Established: May 1993
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The Fighting Islamic Group (Aj-jamaa Al-islamiya Al-mokatila)
Established: 1991 (when they wrote their Manhaj)
Magazine: Al-fajr
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The Libyan Conservatives Party (Hizb Al-mohafi-deen All-leebi)
Established: May 1996
Link to article about opposition groups from 1980's.
http://countrystudies.us/libya/76.htm
An Arabic Site: National Front For The Salvation of Libya
http://www.libyanfsl.com/
A Libyan Information Site in English and Arabic
http://www.libya-watanona.com/libya1/
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