Posted on 08/24/2011 10:26:40 AM PDT by tobyhill
Libyan rebels weathered resistance from pro-Moammar Gadhafi forces in several volatile pockets across Tripoli on Wednesday, and a few dozen journalists kept hostage for days by the strongman's armed supporters dramatically won their freedom.
Rebels worked to topple remnants of the Gadhafi military apparatus as special forces from Britain, France, Jordan and Qatar -- which are on the ground in Libya -- have stepped up operations in Tripoli and other cities in recent days to help them.
But CNN's Dan Rivers, speaking to a senior opposition official, learned that a large portion of the southern half of the city remains dangerous.
While much of Tripoli is in rebel hands and is dotted with rebel checkpoints, there are areas where the rebels are not in control and elements of Gadhafi forces are in the streets taking shots at people. The sound of celebratory gunfire mixed with sounds of fighting make it difficult for people to ascertain what is going on.
Several rockets landed near the Tripoli International Airport -- one apparently on the tarmac -- and rebel commander Mukhtar Al-Akhbar said Wednesday four rebel fighters were found bound and executed nearby. NATO jets are overhead and there are sounds of explosions and automatic gunfire.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
If only John Boehner had half as much fight in him....
Gold. You can’t eat it, but it turns out that mercenaries are happy to be paid with it.
While Ghadaffi has Gold, he has life.
Very interesting comment by the NATO official. Obama refused to go to congress because he said it wasn't a “war” and didn't fall under the WPA.
He can pay some of the “Rebels” a couple grand to knock off a few of their own. I guarantee there would be more than a few takers.
That was my first thought too.
It doesn’t pay the mercs on either side to finish this fight too quickly/at all.
100+ tonnes of Gold to feed the conflict, all the ammo you can eat and a nation to loot: that’s a golden ticket for some of these guys.
” as special forces from Britain, France, Jordan and Qatar — which are on the ground in Libya — “
///
when did that happen?
about 2 weeks ago, to break the logjam,
to avoid the September deadline?
...as some of us noted, the stalemate should ended amazingly and conveniently fast.
and other sources reported westerners on the ground weeks ago...
(while some FReepers told us how “gullible” we were...)
“
Another NATO official elaborated on the help from foreign forces. British forces, in particular, have assisted rebel units by “helping them get better organized to conduct operations,” the official said.
Some of the foreign forces traveled with rebel units from towns across Libya as they advanced on Tripoli. The official, who declined to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence information, said the special forces have helped rebels “improve their tactics.”
“
...and remember weeks ago, when NATO “assured” everyone, that there were NOT any NATO “forward observers” on the ground?
“The forces have also provided targeting information to warplanes conducting airstrikes and conducted reconnaissance missions in Tripoli. The forces have also assisted rebels in communications as they conducted the assault on the capital.”
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