Monday, February 21, 2011

Libya: 285 deaths, desertions from the military regime threat but promises reforms

TRIPOLI - "Libya is at a critical moment in its history. Already the next few hours, the People's Assembly will meet to discuss the reforms and that everyone wants a constitution for the country. But if the insurgency will not stop, will the civil war. Thousands of people are coming to defend Gaddafi in Tripoli and Libya.

It will do so until the last man. " It 's a mixture of threats and openings that Seif al-Islam, the second son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's decision before the cameras of state television after another day of violence, during which were also circulated rumors of a father's escape in Venezuela.

"Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli leads the fight," said the son of Colonel instead, ensuring that the military remains loyal to his father and saying he was certain of victory. The speech of the son of Gaddafi. "The separatist movements threaten national unity," said Seif al-Islam Gaddafi speaking on TV.

"The country is going through a chaotic, the armed forces and the police were not ready to deal with this situation and have made mistakes," he admitted, "but the casualty figures circulated by the international media are greatly exaggerated." Gaddafi's son spoke of a conspiracy directed from abroad, and pointed to the Libyans that the welfare of the country relies on oil, and that Libya is divided into a "bread cost as much as gold." The country is at a crossroads, said: "Already today the People's Assembly will meet to discuss a clear agenda of reform." Gaddafi's son has spoken explicitly of a constitution and promised an increase in wages.

Measures but they do not have attended if the protests continued. "Muammar Gaddafi led the army and thousands of people are ready to defend it," he warned. "Libya is not Egypt or Tunisia. We do not run away and we will win." Repression in the blood, the first cracks in the regime. The budget unofficial talk of at least 285 dead and 700 wounded in Benghazi, the second largest city, the main theater of demonstrations against the leader.

Despite the repression, the Gaddafi regime is starting to show cracks in the first series: some units have deserted the army joining the rebels. According to some sources, Benghazi was now in rebel hands. Abdel Moneim Al-Honi, Libya's permanent representative at the Arab League, announced to journalists that he will resign to "join the revolution" and to protest against "repression and violence against the demonstrators" in his country.

Finally, a tribal leader announced the blockade of oil exports if Gaddafi does not put an end to repression and not leave the country. Rockets on the protesters, appealed to hospitals. Again according to Al Jazeera, the army opened fire today on demonstrators in Benghazi RPG rockets. Through the website Libya Al Youm, hospitals have launched an appeal because they say they are no longer able to handle the wounded who are flowing.

We need doctors, blood, equipment, and if possible, setting up field hospitals. Clashes between protesters in Tripoli. The clashes have also reached the Libyan capital. According to Al Jazeera, protesters took to the streets and move toward the presidential palace in Tripoli. Some people throw stones at the posters that represent Gaddafi.

At the other supporters of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is trying to stop them. The police intervened with tear gas, but witnesses speak of blows of a firearm. EU: "Stop the violence now." An appeal to stop the violence against demonstrators, to guarantee the right of expression and to restore free access to the Internet and phones was addressed to Libya by the High Representative of EU foreign policy, Catherine Ashton, after a dinner work among the foreign ministers of the EU, devoted to the situation of the countries of North Africa.

"The legitimate demands and aspirations of the people for reform must be accepted through an open and effective guide to Libya," says Ashton. Concern was also expressed by the U.S.: "We must end all violence against peaceful demonstrators," said State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley.

Tripoli is threatening the EU: "Stop immigration cooperation." Harsh words from the Libyan government to the European Union, as guilty of supporting the Tripoli riots: "If you continue to incite the demonstrators to protest in our country, we will stop our cooperation on the immigration front." He told the ambassador of Hungary, the EU president, summoned by the Libyan authorities.

A warning about a possible immigration, Catherine Ashton said: "We heard the threats, but ultimately the EU does what is right" stressing that the Council would be "very, very clear about his desire for an end violence "and that" It 's very important that the voices of the people are heard, and that is what we ask for.

" Dispute unprecedented. The Gaddafi regime is in the throes of an unprecedented challenge against a power that has lasted more than 40 years and is trying to resist the libertarian protests erupted in the wake of riots in Tunisia and Egypt. The Libyan leader has reacted forcefully to protests in recent days, the police in deploying forces.

Hundreds of Tunisians working in Libya have left the country through the border into Ras-Jdir, to take refuge in their territory of origin and escape from what they describe as "a real massacre." He said housin Betaieb, union officials at the scene, adding, "'People who work in Libya and fleeing before the something happens." Extremists take civilians hostage and police.

A group of Islamic extremists has now taken hostage policemen and civilians in eastern Libya, announced a senior Libyan. The seizure took place in Al Baida. "A group of Islamic extremists, calling itself 'Islamic emirate of Barka', held hostage members of the security services and some citizens," said the head of Libya, asking not to be identified.

The seizure, according to what has been learned, occurred "during the clashes in recent days," added the source of Tripoli, stressing that the group "calls for the lifting of the state of siege imposed by the security forces to prevent the hostages are killed. " The Foreign Ministry: "Do not leave for Libya." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs "absolutely does not recommend any non-essential travel" in Libya.

Travel Safe in updating the site today, headed by the Foreign Ministry, please note that "demonstrations are taking place these days in various cities of the country" and in particular it highlights the "serious situation" in the city of Benghazi in Cyrenaica , Ajdabya, Al Marj, Al Beida, Derna and Tobruk.

The Foreign Ministry also advised to "avoid travel" in Bahrain, if not always strictly necessary. The Foreign Ministry announced that "to be following with great attention, through the Italian Embassy in Tripoli, the evolution of the situation in Libya with the aim of ensuring the best safety of nationals residing or temporarily present in the North African country.

The Italians in Libya which, in these hours were put in touch with the embassy are receiving information and instructions carefully, which is transmitted by the Embassy through SMS and e-mail messages. " The Foreign Ministry's Crisis Unit is available to take note of any weaknesses.

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