Gaddafi is stronger than ever in Libya

The Guardian ^ | Friday 29 July 2011 | Richard Seymour

[MinorityRepublican]

Supporters of Muammar Gaddafi participate in a demonstration in Tripoli, Libya, 28 July 2011.

War on Libya has not gone well. Kim Sengupta's report on Wednesday detailed this starkly:

"Fresh diplomatic efforts are under way to try to end Libya's bloody civil war, with the UN special envoy flying to Tripoli to hold talks after Britain followed France in accepting that Muammar Gaddafi cannot be bombed into exile.

The change of stance by the two most active countries in the international coalition is an acceptance of realities on the ground. Despite more than four months of sustained air strikes by Nato, the rebels have failed to secure any military advantage. Colonel Gaddafi has survived what observers perceive as attempts to eliminate him and, despite the defection of a number of senior commanders, there is no sign that he will be dethroned in a palace coup.

The regime controls around 20% more territory than it did in the immediate aftermath of the uprising on 17 February."

If the Gaddafi regime is now more in control of Libya, then this completely undermines the simplistic view put about by the supporters of war – and by some elements of the resistance – that the situation was simply one of a hated tyrant hanging on through mercenary violence. Of course, he uses whatever resources he has at his disposal, but a) it would seem that the involvement of imperialism has driven some Libyans back into the Gaddafi camp, as it's unlikely he would maintain control without some degree of support, and b) we know that rebellious sectors started to go back to Gaddafi within mere weeks of the revolt taking off, meaning in part that his resources of legitimising his regime were not exhausted even before the US-led intervention.

[no-to-illegals]

Someone looking for someone to blame, overheard this comment coming out of the rumor and fog:

Sparks started the fire from the bombs which fell, the fire consumed the land, the land started the famine, the famine started killing after the bombs fell, the killing started more sparks, (and then repeat as often as is necessary to created more fog and rumor). The fog and rumor said, We, the fog and rumor, are innocent.

Thanks for the update gleeaikin.

[Marine_Uncle]

Good days, bad days, the colonel is not going anywhere. He has sufficient resources to keep him safe and sound for a long time to come. Eventually some one will pick him off, but the chaos will not end. I see only some real blood baths down the pike as the assorted factions make their way toward the capital.
From the first article. "It’s quite a coup for the rebels."
Who writes this stuff. Are they stupid. Idiots. The tanker docked in the port of Benghazi. The colonel's forces have no control of that port.
As for the lack of sound you experienced in the second URL. You didn't miss anything. Same old same old. The small forces they have assembled on that ridge really goes no where. They do not have sufficient armor and air power to attack the capital in order to take it over.

[moose-matson]

Wonder why the meddling US/NATO coalition is totalling the bloodshed in Syria.

[Marine_Uncle]

The world news outlets won’t let the bloodshed go by un-noticed.

[moose-matson]

You have to look to find it though. The sit-rep in Syria is exactly as it was in Egypt and Libya except more violent. I guess the Arab spring doesn’t last into an Arab summer. As for me, I say we shouldn’t be involved anywhere there except Israel.

[Marine_Uncle]

"As for me, I say we shouldn’t be involved anywhere there except Israel."
Dittos. As for the ruling party in Syria, the little lion is just trying to emulate his dear old dad. Kill a few tens of thousands when they get out of line. And with that I will be logging off the site. Have a good day.

[gleeaikin]

I did some more checking on the oil tanker. Apparently it was a Gaddafi owned vessel docked in Malta and was seized by the rebels and redocked in Benghazi. Sounds like a coup to me. Especially now that the Nafusa rebels have cut an important oil line to Tripoli.

[no-to-illegals]

Thank You gleeaikin for the update. Difficulty is in keeping up with all which is taking place throughout every location. Impossible may the word. Do you have any thoughts on London? Unknown ... or bottom line of same crowd throughout most areas of the world?