Gaddafi gives a defiant speech to cheering supporters, as witnesses report indiscriminate firing on demonstrators
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 February 2011
"Libya's uprising reached the heart of Tripoli on Friday as anti-regime demonstrators defied a security clampdown to demand Muammar Gaddafi's overthow amid hopes that key military units in the west of the country would defect.....
Ominously, there were claims by opposition sources that missing people were being held as human shields in the sprawling Bab al-Aziziya compound where Gaddafi lives and works.
Libyan exiles said that a reported rebellion by military personnel at Tripoli's Mitiga air base was linked to calls by air force officers in the liberated eastern city of Benghazi to come out against the regime. Analysts believe defections from the military are likely to prove more decisive than actual fighting as the nine-day uprising enters what may be its final phase.
The Libyan air force, which is dominated by members of the Megarha tribe, has traditionally been considered one of Gaddafi's most loyal supporters.
Army commanders in the east who have renounced Gaddafi's leadership have said that commanders in the west are now beginning to turn against him.
The loss of Mitiga would be a grave blow....
Foreign diplomats monitoring Libyan developments said there were signs that more damaging high-level military and civilian defections may be imminent. Several key ministers and generals have abandoned Gaddafi in the last few days.... "
Ian Black, Middle East editor
guardian.co.uk, Friday 25 February 2011
"Libya's uprising reached the heart of Tripoli on Friday as anti-regime demonstrators defied a security clampdown to demand Muammar Gaddafi's overthow amid hopes that key military units in the west of the country would defect.....
Ominously, there were claims by opposition sources that missing people were being held as human shields in the sprawling Bab al-Aziziya compound where Gaddafi lives and works.
Libyan exiles said that a reported rebellion by military personnel at Tripoli's Mitiga air base was linked to calls by air force officers in the liberated eastern city of Benghazi to come out against the regime. Analysts believe defections from the military are likely to prove more decisive than actual fighting as the nine-day uprising enters what may be its final phase.
The Libyan air force, which is dominated by members of the Megarha tribe, has traditionally been considered one of Gaddafi's most loyal supporters.
Army commanders in the east who have renounced Gaddafi's leadership have said that commanders in the west are now beginning to turn against him.
The loss of Mitiga would be a grave blow....
Foreign diplomats monitoring Libyan developments said there were signs that more damaging high-level military and civilian defections may be imminent. Several key ministers and generals have abandoned Gaddafi in the last few days.... "
No comments:
Post a Comment