Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Libya Spiraling Out Of Control

The following developments have been reported from Libya in the past 24 hours (most recent first, going back to late yesterday evening):

Abdul Fatah Younis, former Libyan interior minister, has asked Gaddafi to "please end your life" and tells CNN that he expects Gaddafi's regime to fall "in a matter of days or hours".

Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh says that all speakers in Libya's state TV press conference keep repeating that "assailants" and arrested men "are on hallucination pills".

The United Nations issued the following statement earlier today:
The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the situation in Libya. They condemned the violence and use of force against civilians, deplored the repression against peaceful demonstrators, and expressed deep regret at the deaths of hundreds of civilians. They called for an immediate end to the violence and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population, including through national dialogue.

Libya's government spokesman goes on national TV to disparage Al Jazeera, which "creates lies and provocation on behalf of rich Egyptians who live in Qatar."

Libya's official spokesman also outlines the vision of Gaddafi's eldest son, Saif al-Islam-- claiming that plans for reform include boosting payments to the unemployed.  Also announces the formation of a committee to investigate events over the past couple of weeks.  He says people "will be shocked by the extent of the distortion committed by Arab and foreign press and media."

Gaddafi himself went on national TV a second time earlier today, this time speaking for more than an hour.  In a rambling speech, Gaddafi accused small groups of youths high on drugs of “attacks” and unrest.  He also claimed that international media are broadcasting lies and deceit about what is going on in Libya.  According to the Libyan leader, the country runs the risk of civil war if order is not restored, warning that U.S. invervention may follow if libya does not deal with own miscreants. He tried to assure viewers that police and army should restore order by tomorrow.

A group of Libyan army officers issued a statement urging fellow soldiers to “join the people” and help remove Gaddafi from power.

Dozens of students and political activists were arrested in Zimbabwe for watching Al Jazeera's reports on uprisings in north Africa.

British Petroleum suspended oil operations in Libya and began evacuating all its employees.

Libyan state TV started airing "confessions" by Tunisians in Libya saying they were behind the uprising.

Further reports came in that Libyan border guards had abandoned the eastern border with Egypt.

Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Gaeim denied use of mercenaries against Libyan citizens. Al Jazeera Arabic reported that advertisements appeared in Guinea and Nigeria offering would-be mercenaries up to US$2,000 dollars per day

Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Istanbul, said a plane sent on Monday to pick up some of the 25,000 Turkish workers in Libya had to turn back after approaching the country - because there was no-one left in air control facilities.

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