Westbound rebels raise questions (about the training & dedication of troops loyal to Gaddafi)

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

By Evan Hill in Africa |March 6th, 2011.

Libyan rebels are moving westward with surprising speed and meeting little resistance, raising questions about the training and dedication – perhaps even the very presence – of troops loyal to longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

It was long understood here in Benghazi, the rebellion’s capital, that loyalist military units had entrenched themselves around Ras Lanuf, the country’s largest oil refinery, around half an hour west of the rebel-held town of Brega.

But on Friday night, Gaddafi troops withdrew from Ras Lanuf under pressure from advancing rebels. By Saturday afternoon, there were reports of fighting dozens of kilometers farther west, and opposition fighters spoke of attacking Sirte, Gaddafi’s birthplace and another reputed site of heavy defences.

=snip=

An advance on Sirte appears to be the next move, and could come as early as Sunday or Monday.

Read more: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/03/06/westbound-rebels-raise-questions

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Sirte/Sirt is Gaddafi's hometown and the main barrier between Benghazi and Tripoli. If Sirte goes then it's almost game over for Gaddafi.



(Map sourced from this 2007 article: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7033600">BP Agrees Major Exploration and Production Deal with Libya)

From http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/libya-live-blog-march-6-0">AJE's live blog:

6:45am Untrained Libyan rebels are advancing west rapidly, taking oil installations that many thought would be heavily defended by troops loyal to longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. As they get closer to Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace, they are trying to impose some kind of order on the road, and many wonder what kind of resistance - if any - they'll meet. Al Jazeera's web producer sent through this video from Libya.

On the road to Sirte
http://www.youtube.com/user/AlJazeeraEnglish">AlJazeeraEnglish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQS2sBxevzE

6:24am A group of volunteers have worked with different NGOs to put together a comprehensive crisis map that aims to support humanitarian preparedness operations. Have a look at the map here: http://libyacrisismap.net/main

[Webster Green]

1. I've been watching the Al Jazeera stream for awhile.

Amazing coverage as usual.

[pinboy3niner]

2. AFP: "Negotiations for a peaceful entry into Sirte possible"

News excerpt from AFP:

A retired soldier-turned-rebel said an advance further towards Sirte would depend on reinforcements and the weather. A dust storm reduced visibility in Ras Lanuf on Saturday.

Negotiations for a peaceful entry into Sirte were possible.

"We can easily enter Sirte, but we want to avoid the loss of life," Namil Mashash, a rebel leader in Ras Lanuf, told AFP. "That is why we are negotiating to go to Sirte without fighting and then continue on to Tripoli."

Defected soldier Ibrahim al-Atrashi said 7,000 men have moved from Benghazi west towards the front in the past three days.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110305/ts_afp/libyapoliticsunrestmideast_16

[Turborama]

3. Up close map & reports on $100s of millions of oil still being sold to China, India and Austria...

(Sourced from this Financial Times article published on Friday: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1d72af02-46a5-11e0-967a-00144feab49a.html##axzz1Fnjz5jcU">Oil millions still flow for Gaddafi)

More on that story in this Al Jazeera report (video at the link)...

Libyan oil sales continuing
Despite sanctions on government, international companies still buying oil from Libya.

Last Modified: Mar 05 2011 19:51 GMT

Libya's oil sales contribute significantly to the country's export earnings, making the industry one of Muammar Gaddafi's main financial pressure points.

The international community has been trying to prevent the Libyan leader from obtaining revenue from sales, as his regime's violent crackdown on protests continue.

But the web of international sanctions on the government still has some gaps, as companies from China, India and Austria continue to buy Libyan oil - completely legally.

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports: http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/201135185018478510.html