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Friday, March 25, 2011

Center Puts Cost of No-Fly Zone at $300m Weekly, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem for MACTV NEWS

The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, in an analysis this month, estimated that the Libyan no-fly zone could cost $100 million to $300 million per week.

In a classified briefing for congressional staff Tuesday, officials from the State Department, Pentagon and Treasury were pressed on the cost. They declined to address the issue.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said he would offer an amendment to the next budget resolution that would prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund U.S. military operations in Libya. His effort could gain significant congressional support, including the backing of tea partiers, if the U.S. military operation is going full-bore when lawmakers return from their recess next week.

"We have already spent trillions of dollars on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, both of which descended into unwinnable quagmires," Kucinich wrote his colleagues. "Now, the president is plunging the United States into yet another war we cannot afford."

The government already is operating on a series of stopgap spending bills for the current fiscal year amid the clamor to cut the budget, including defense dollars. The Pentagon has requested $553 billion for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, plus $118 billion in war costs for Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Pentagon really needs to do this on the cheap," said Loren Thompson, head of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute and adviser to several major defense contractors. "If someone suggests more money to do the Libyan operation, most voters would say, 'Let's not do the Libyan operation.'
As of Tuesday, the coalition had fired at least 162 sea-launched Tomahawk missiles priced at $1 million to $1.5 million apiece and dispatched B-2 stealth bombers — round-trip from Missouri — to drop 2,000-pound bombs on Libyan sites.

Total flying time: 25 hours. Operating cost for one hour: at least $10,000.

Yet those numbers only provide part of the costs. The B-2 bombers require expensive fuel — and rely on air tankers to refuel in flight — and probably needed parts replaced upon their return to Whiteman Air Force Base. The pilots most certainly will get combat pay.

An array of U.S. warplanes; 11 ships steaming in the Mediterranean, including three submarines, two destroyers and two amphibious ships; and one F-15 fighter jet that crashed, costing $75 million or more — it all adds up to numbers that unnerve budget-conscious lawmakers.

"Every six hours we have another billion-dollar deficit," said Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., a member of the House Armed Services Committee. "This could cost us a billion dollars there, which means simply another billion-dollar debt that our kids, our grandkids and our great-grandkids are going to have to pay back."

Libya: Obama Writes U.S. Congress, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem

President Barack Obama has written to the United Congress seeking support for the country’s involvement in the collation forces implementation of no-fly-zone in Libya.

In the letter addressed to the Congress and made available to My Africa Channel Television MAC.TV, Obama said, “ I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.”

Giving the specifics of U.S. involvement in Libya, Obama told Congress that, “the United States has not deployed ground forces into Libya. United States forces are conducting a limited and well-defined mission in support of international efforts to protect civilians and prevent a humanitarian disaster. Accordingly, U.S. forces have targeted the Qadhafi regime's air defense systems, command and control structures, and other capabilities of Qadhafi's armed forces used to attack civilians and civilian populated areas.

We will seek a rapid, but responsible, transition of operations to coalition, regional, or international organizations that are postured to continue activities as may be necessary to realize the objectives of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.”

According to the President although Qadhafi's Foreign Minister announced an immediate cease-fire, Qadhafi and his forces made no attempt to implement such a cease-fire, and instead continued attacks on Misrata and advanced on Benghazi.

Qadhafi's continued attacks and threats against civilians and civilian populated areas, he pointed out are of grave concern to neighboring Arab nations and, as expressly stated in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, constitute a threat to the region and to international peace and security.

Qadhafi's defiance of the Arab League, as well as the broader international community moreover, Obama said, represents a lawless challenge to the authority of the Security Council and its efforts to preserve stability in the region.

“Qadhafi has forfeited his responsibility to protect his own citizens and created a serious need for immediate humanitarian assistance and protection, with any delay only putting more civilians at risk,” the United States President added.

As part of the multilateral response authorized under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973,Obama said that U.S. military forces, under the command of Commander, U.S. Africa Command, began a series of strikes against air defense systems and military airfields for the purposes of preparing a no-fly zone.

These strikes; he indicated, will be limited in their nature, duration, and scope. Their purpose is to support an international coalition as it takes all necessary measures to enforce the terms of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973. These limited U.S. actions will set the stage for further action by other coalition partners.

“United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized Member States, under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in Libya, including the establishment and enforcement of a "no-fly zone" in the airspace of Libya. United States military efforts are discrete and focused on employing unique U.S. military capabilities to set the conditions for our European allies and Arab partners to carry out the measures authorized by the U.N. Security Council Resolution,” Obama added.

West strikes Libya forces, NATO sees 90-day campaign, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Western planes hit ground targets

* NATO planners assume 90-day campaign

* Libya suffering fuel shortage

* Sudan allows overflights for no fly zone-envoys

(Adds rebel strike on Ajdabiyah, quote)

By Maria Golovnina and Michael Georgy

TRIPOLI, March 25 (Reuters) - Western warplanes bombed Muammar Gaddafi's armour in eastern Libya on Friday to try to break a battlefield stalemate and help rebels take the strategic town of Ajdabiyah.

The African Union said it was planning to facilitate talks to help end war in the oil producing country. But NATO said its no-fly zone operation could last three months, and France cautioned the conflict would not end soon.

In Washington, a U.S. military spokeswoman said the coalition fired 16 Tomahawk cruise missiles and flew 153 air sorties in the past 24 hours targeting Gaddafi's artillery, mechanized forces and command and control infrastructure.

Western governments hope the raids, launched on Saturday with the aim of protecting civilians, will shift the balance of power in favour of the Arab world's most violent popular revolt.

In Tripoli, residents reported another air raid just before dawn, hearing the roar of a warplane, followed by a distant explosion and bursts of anti-aircraft gunfire.

Rebel forces massing for an attack on the strategically important town of Ajdabiyah fired steady bursts of artillery at army positions after Gaddafi's forces refused a ceasefire offer.

Opposition forces on the road to Ajdabiyah seemed more organised than in recent days, when their disarray stirred doubts about their ability to challenge Gaddafi.

They had set up road blocks at regular intervals and Reuters counted at least four truck-based rocket launchers -- heavier weaponry than had been seen earlier this week.

Winning back Ajdabiyah would be the biggest victory for the eastern rebels since their initial push westwards went into reverse two weeks ago and the better equipped Gaddafi forces drove them back towards the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

It would also suggest that allied airstrikes are could be capable of helping rebel fighters topple Gaddafi.

NOT DAYS, WEEKS

At African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, AU commission chairman Jean Ping said it was planning to facilitate talks to help end the conflict in a process that should end with democratic elections.

It was the first statement by the AU, which had rejected any form of foreign intervention in the Libya crisis, since the U.N. Security Council imposed a no-fly zone last week and air strikes began on Libyan military targets.

But in Brussels, a NATO official said planning for NATO's no-fly operation assumed a mission lasting 90 days, although this could be extended or shortened as required.

France said the war could drag on for weeks.

"I doubt that it will be days," Admiral Edouard Guillaud, the head of French armed forces, told France Info radio. "I think it will be weeks. I hope it will not take months."

Guillaud said a French plane destroyed an army artillery battery near the eastern frontline town of Ajdabiyah, 150 km (90 miles) south of Benghazi. Ajdabiyah is strategically important for both sides as it commands the coastal highway to the west.

In London, the Ministry of Defence said British Tornado aircraft had also been active there, firing missiles overnight at Libyan military vehicles threatening civilians.

Later in the afternoon, Western warplanes were again active over Ajdabiyah and a Reuters correspondent close to the town heard three large explosions and large plumes of black smoke rising above the eastern entrance to the town.

A rocket apparently fired from rebel positions then hit the eastern gate, sending a fireball into the sky.

"The eastern gate has fallen and we are sending a team to check before moving forward," rebel Colonel Hamad al-Hasi told Reuters near the town.

In the eastern rebel bastion of Benghazi, rebel spokesman Mustafa Gheriani said he expected Ajdabiyah to fall on Friday or Saturday following the overnight British and French strikes.

"This (the strikes) will weaken their forces and more importantly their morale," he said, adding the level of Western strikes was "sufficient. We feel safe under their protection".

Simon Brooks, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross operations in eastern Libya, reported big population movements from the Ajdabiyah area because of the fighting.

The ICRC was sending 700 tents to the area of Ajdabiyah to help displaced people, he said. In Ajdabiyah, the hospital "is obviously very close to where the fighting is going on. It is extremely difficult for people to get access to the hospital."

Officials and rebels said aid organisations were able to deliver some supplies to the western city of Misrata but were concerned because of government snipers in the city centre.

NATO said on Thursday after four days of tough negotiations that it would enforce the no-fly zone but stopped short of taking full command of U.N.-backed military operations to protect civilians from forces loyal to Gaddafi.

SUDAN SAID TO SUPPORT NO FLY ZONE

Differences over the scope the U.N. resolution gave for military action against Gaddafi's army led to days of heated arguments within NATO about its role in the operation.

The United States, embroiled in Iraq and Afghanistan, is keen to step back and play a supporting role in Libya in order to preserve alliance unity and maintain the support of Muslim countries for the U.N.-mandated intervention.

Despite the apparently cumbersome structure of the planned new command and Arab jitters on the use of force, the operation continues to receive support from beyond Western ranks.

The United Arab Emirates said it would send 12 planes to take part in operations to enforce the no-fly zone.

Qatar has already contributed two fighters and two military transport planes to help enforce the no-fly zone.

Western jets pounded targets in southern Libya on Thursday but failed to prevent government tanks re-entering Misrata, whose main hospital was besieged by government snipers.

In Tripoli, a Libyan energy official said on Thursday Libya was short of fuel and needs to import more, but a ship with fuel now bound for Tripoli may be stopped by Western forces.

Officials and hospital workers said civilians, including women, were among those killed in the latest Western air strikes in the Libyan capital. There was no way to independently verify the report. (Reporting by Mohammed Abbas and Angus MacSwan in Benghazi, Hamid Ould Ahmed and Christian Lowe in Algiers, Tom Perry in Cairo, David Brunnstrom in Brussels, Phil Stewart in Moscow, Andrew Quinn in Washington, Catherine Bremer, Emmanuel Jarry and Yves Clarisse in Paris, Rosalba O'Brien in London; Writing by William Maclean and Jon Hemming; Editing by Giles Elgood)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

NATO takes over command of Libya attacks


China Plans Increase of Crude oil Imports from Nigeria

India plans to increase it imports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from Nigeria to meet increasing demand for energy, the country's oil minister said last week.
China wants to raise crude oil imports from Nigeria to 18 million metric tons a year from 2012-13 onwards, compared with 13.2 million tons.

Reports monitored in Washington D.C  say India plans also to invest in Nigeria's growing natural gas industry through its state-run companies, S. Jaipal Reddy said after a meeting with Nigeria's foreign affairs minister, Henry Odien Ajumogobia, in New Delhi to discuss trade issues.
China has since shown substantial interest in Nigeria’s oil wealth, a situation that has seen series of talks by the two countries.

In early 2009, China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Nigerian officials  on oil exports to energy-hungry Beijing.
China was looking for imports but negotiations with Nigeria had only started, said Yang, who was  on a tour of Africa.

"Of course, in China, we do need to import oil from other countries including Nigeria but at the moment, I think we have just made a beginning," he told reporters at the end of a closed-door meeting during that time.

Yang said the two countries enjoyed "good cooperation" in energy matters and "it is a mutually beneficial relationship and progress has been made".
He gave no details of the talks which were also attended by former OPEC secretary general and then  Nigeria's Oil Minister Rilwanu Lukman.

Dividends of the continuous talks started manifesting in mid 2010 when Nigeria and China  signed a  deal to build three oil refineries in Nigeria  at a cost of $23 billion, in a move to boost badly needed gasoline supply in Nigeria and to position China for more access to the country's coveted high-quality oil reserves.
"This is a deal we need for Nigeria to cut our reliance on imports," said a senior Nigerian oil official.

He said the Chinese commitment to build refineries in Nigeria—a country that has long spent billions of dollars annually importing gasoline due to rickety refineries at home—would also help put China "in the running" for getting additional access to oil acreage in Nigeria, one of Africa's biggest crude producers and exporters. "This is business, but it builds goodwill in addition," the official said.

For the Nigeria government, the deal represents a victory of sorts over U.S. and European oil companies, which have long turned a deaf ear to Nigerian government calls to operate refineries in the country because of the poor financial returns.

Nigerian gasoline and diesel prices are highly subsidized. Nigeria's mostly low-sulphur crude, exported largely to the U.S. and Europe, is relatively easy and cheap to refine into gasoline.
The fuel subsidies mean refineries operate at little or no profit, a primary factor that has hurt new investment and upkeep at existing facilities. The subsidies have also encouraged a thriving black market for Nigerian gasoline and other fuel products in neighboring states like Benin.

But Nigeria's tough refining economics are an opportunity for the Chinese government, which is bent on procuring its state oil companies access to new oil reserves to fuel the country's speedy economic growth. Nigeria is looking to offer offshore oil fields to foreign companies but hasn't yet announced a date for any new licensing rounds.

Funding for the three refineries, each expected to pump out 250,000 a day of refined products, will come from the China Export & Credit Insurance Corp. and a group of Chinese banks.

World Bank to Help Nigeria Consolidate 95% Decline in Polio, Posted by Meosha Eaton

By Williams Ekanem

The World Bank’s Board has approved an additional credit of $60 million for Nigeria’s Partnership for Polio Eradication project. These funds will help finance polio vaccines during the coming year as well as continue to support other aspects of primary health care in the country.

A comprehensive effort against polio supported by the World Bank and other partners has contributed to a dramatic 95% reduction in polio cases from the year 2009 to 2010. However, detection of even a few new cases in 2010 means that immunization must continue to consolidate these gains.

“The few remaining cases of polio in Nigeria still represent a threat to global fight against polio, as the virus knows no borders and could still spread into more countries,” said Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria. “Building on recent gains, the time is ripe to try to wipe out the disease from Nigeria for good through continued immunization, and move a step closer to regional and global eradication.”

In 2011, with the support of the World Bank financing, over 400 million doses of oral polio vaccines will be procured for the supplemental immunization activities at national and sub-national levels and mop-up rounds. Partners’ and government financing will also cover the operational costs for these campaigns and support activities like social mobilization and capacity building.

The new World Bank credit for Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts is the third since 2003. It continues a “buy-down” provision by which the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rotary International (through the UN Foundation) will pay off the present value of the credit on behalf of Nigeria if an independent assessment determines that performance indicators have been achieved. If targets are met, funds for the buy-down are released and the debt is paid off.

We are happy to support Nigeria in what we hope is the country’s final push against polio,” said Walt Orenstein, Deputy Director of Immunization Programs from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, “Success involves significant resources, but eventually, eradicating polio from Africa means that health funds can be used to meet other urgent health priorities.”

The recent progress in polio cases is so significant because Nigeria had 4000 cases in 2003 at the start of World Bank support to the effort, falling to 388 cases in 2009; and just 21 cases in 2010. While polio cases were seen in 27 states in Nigeria in 2009, this number fell to just eight states in 2010.

“While there are no guarantees, there is a real possibility that Nigeria may see its last case of polio in 2011,” said Dinesh Nair, Senior Health Specialist with the World Bank in Abuja. “Lessons from Nigeria’s battle against polio include the continued engagement of traditional leaders in community campaigns.”
Support from traditional leaders and local government officials has been a key factor in Nigeria’s recent success against polio, as this has helped to build confidence in communities about the polio vaccine. Elements from this approach are being introduced into Nigeria’s other routine immunization efforts as well.

Partners in the Polio Eradication Project include the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the United States Agency for International Development, the UK’s Department for International Development, Rotary International, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and others.

UN News: Global teachers' conference to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery (Part 1) , Posted by Menelik Zeleke







23 March 2011

New approaches to teaching African history and the transatlantic slave trade (Part 1/2).

A one-day global video conference for teachers, curriculum supervisors and administrators at the primary and secondary levels from countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and North America that have been affected by the transatlantic slave trade.

The video conference, anchored in the Economic and Social Council Chamber at UN Headquarters in NY, will highlight several panel discussions throughout the day - one that will respond to the questions “why the slave trade should matter to us”, and “what is the gap between the available knowledge and what is taught in the classroom about the slave trade?”

One panel, chaired by Ms Ulrike Storost from UNESCO focussed on new research, curricula and teaching of the transatlantic slave trade. To encourage information sharing among the educators during and beyond the event on 23 March, the United Nations Department of Public Information will create a Facebook page.

In addition to educators from New York City and other parts of the United States who attended the conference at UN Headquarters in New York, others were invited through UNESCO’s Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) as well as the network of UN Information Centers to participate via videoconference from distant sites.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

No reports of Libyan civilian casualties- US admiral, Posted by Meosha Eaton

WASHINGTON, March 23 (Reuters) - A top U.S. military officer involved in enforcing the U.N.-backed no-fly zone over Libya said on Wednesday he had no reports of civilian casualties caused by coalition forces.

"There have been no reports of civilian casualties. Our mission here is to protect the civilian populace and we choose our targets and plan our actions with that as a top priority," Rear Admiral Gerard Hueber told reporters by phone from the command ship USS Mount Whitney in the Mediterranean.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)

Gaddafi forces shell rebel town of Zintan:resident, Posted by Meosha Eaton

ALGIERS, March 23 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have resumed their bombardment of the rebel-held town of Zintan, about 90 km (55 miles) south-west of the capital, a resident said. "Gaddafi's brigades started bombardment from the northern area half an hour ago. The bombardment is taking place now. The town is completely surrounded. The situation is very bad," the resident, Abdulrahman, told Reuters by telephone from the town.

"They are getting reinforcements. Troops backed with tanks and vehicles are coming. We appeal to the allied forces to come and protect civilians," he said. (Reporting by Hamid Ould Ahmed; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Misrata resident says snipers fire on hospital, Posted by Meosha Eaton

BEIRUT, March 23 (Reuters) - Snipers are firing at the clinic in Libya's rebel-held Misrata where people wounded in fighting over the city are being treated, and three people have been killed, a resident told Reuters by telephone.

The report could not be verified independently and Libyan officials made no immediate comment.

"It started half an hour ago. The snipers are ... shooting at the hospital and its two entrances are under heavy attack. No one can get in or out," said the resident, called Saadoun. "We have lost all communication with people inside. The last thing we knew is that three are killed and three are critically wounded." (Reporting by Mariam Karouny; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Louise Ireland)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

US PLANE CRASHES IN LIBYA


Gaddafi attacks rebel towns, U.S. plane down, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Residents in Misrata, Zintan say attacked

* NATO meets to discuss assault's command structure

* U.S. warplane crashes, crew rescued

* Analysts see stalemate as rebel army stalls

(Adds quotes from battlefield in east Libya, NATO meets)

By Maria Golovnina and Michael Georgy

TRIPOLI, March 22 (Reuters) - Muammar Gaddafi's forces attacked two west Libyan towns, killing dozens while rebels were pinned down in the east and NATO tried to resolve a heated row over who should lead the Western air campaign.

With anti-Gaddafi rebels struggling to create a command structure than can capitalise on the air strikes against Libyan tanks and air defences, Western nations have still to decide who will take over command once Washington pulls back.

The United States will cede control in days, President Barack Obama said, even as divisions in Europe fuelled speculation that Washington would be forced to retain leadership of air patrols that will replace the initial bombardment.

"We anticipate this transition to take place in a matter of days and not in a matter of weeks," Obama, facing questions at home about the U.S. military getting bogged down in a third Muslim country, told a news conference on a visit to Chile.

In the first apparent air force casualty of the campaign, a U.S. F-15E crashed in Libya overnight and its two crew members were rescued, the U.S. military said. The crash was likely caused by mechanical failure and not hostile fire, it said.

In the latest fighting on Tuesday, Gaddafi's tanks shelled the rebel-held western city of Misrata and casualties included four children killed when their car was hit, residents said, adding the death toll for Monday had reached 40.

"The bombardment is focused on the town centre, and what is going on in Misrata is a massacre," Saadoun, a spokesman for the rebels in Misrata, told Al Jazeera. "The bombardment continues."

"The situation here is very bad. Tanks started shelling the town this morning," a resident, called Mohammed, told Reuters by telephone from outside the city's hospital, adding: "Snipers are taking part in the operation too. A civilian car was destroyed killing four children on board, the oldest is aged 13 years."

REBELS PINNED DOWN IN EAST

Al Jazeera news network said Gaddafi forces were trying to seize the western rebel-held town of Zintan near the Tunisian border in an attack using heavy weapons. Residents had already fled the town centre to seek shelter in mountain caves.

Rebels in east Libya were positioned just outside Ajdabiyah on Tuesday, making no further advance on the strategic town despite a third night of Western air strikes on the north African oil-producing state.

At the frontline in the desert scrub about 5 km (3 miles) outside the town located at the gateway to the rebel-held east, rebels said air strikes were helping cripple Gaddafi's heavy armour. But there was no sign of a swift drive forward.

When asked why rebel units had not advanced towards their objective, which is the eventual taking of Tripoli, Ahmed al-Aroufi, a rebel fighter at the frontline, told Reuters: "Gaddafi has tanks and trucks with missiles."

Commenting on the air campaign to protect civilians in this uprising against Gaddafi's 41-year rule, Aroufi said:

"We don't depend on anyone but God, not France or America. We started this revolution without them through the sweat of our own brow, and that is how we will finish it."

Echoing rebel opposition to any intervention by foreign ground forces, he said: "We need the no-fly zone for them to strike the heavy armour. But if they bring land forces we will leave Gaddafi alone and they will be our new target."

Washington, wary of being drawn into another war after long campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, has ruled out specific action to overthrow Gaddafi, though France said on Monday it hoped the Libyan government would collapse from within.

Obama did not spell out which nation or organisation would take charge of the campaign, but Britain and France took a lead role in pushing for air strikes in Libya which have already destroyed much of its air defences.

NATO TALKS "EMOTIONAL"

British Prime Minister David Cameron said the intention was to transfer command to NATO, but France said Arab countries did not want the U.S.-led alliance in charge of the operation.

NATO officials resumed talks in Brussels on Tuesday after failing to reach agreement at heated talks on Monday.

Some allies were now questioning whether a no-fly zone was necessary, given the damage already done by air strikes to Gaddafi's military capabilities, a NATO diplomat said.

"Yesterday's meeting became a little bit emotional," the NATO envoy said, adding that France had argued that the coalition led by France, Britain and the United States should retain political control of the mission, with NATO providing operational support, including command-and-control capabilities.

"Others are saying NATO should have command or no role at all and that it doesn't make sense for NATO to play a subsidiary role," the diplomat said.

Underlining the differences in the anti-Gaddafi coalition, Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said if agreement was not reached on a NATO command, Italy would resume control of the seven airbases it has made available to allied air forces.

A NATO role would require political support from all the 28 states. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, whose country is a NATO member, said on Tuesday that the United Nations should be the umbrella for a solely humanitarian operation in Libya.

In a speech to deputies from his ruling AK Party in parliament Erdogan said: "Turkey will never ever be a side pointing weapons at the Libyan people."

Andrew Bacevich, a professor of international relations at Boston University, said it would be difficult to stand up a multinational command structure "on the fly."

"If that's what's being attempted then the hand-off may take longer than the Obama administration would like," he said.

Rifts are also growing in the world community over the resolution, with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin comparing the U.N. mandate a call for "medieval crusades". China and Brazil urged a ceasefire amid fears of civilian casualties.

ARCHIVE FOOTAGE OF GADDAFI

Libyan television was showing archive footage of Gaddafi being greeted by cheering crowds waving his portrait. The images were set to stirring patriotic music. Gaddafi himself has not been since in public since the air strikes began at the weekend.

State television was also broadcasting old footage of military parades, including pictures of elite troops marching in formation wearing balaclavas and gas masks.

Several sites in Tripoli had been subject to new attacks by what it called the "crusader enemy", state television said. "These attacks are not going to scare the Libyan people."

The United States and its allies have run into some criticism for the intensity of the firepower unleashed on Libya, including more than 110 Tomahawk missiles on Saturday. The next step is to patrol the skies to enforce the no-fly zone.

Security analysts say it is unclear what will happen if the Libyan leader digs in, especially since Western powers have made clear they would be unwilling to see Libya partitioned between a rebel-held east and Gaddafi-controlled west. (Reporting by Mohammed Abbas and Angus MacSwan in Benghazi, Maria Golovnina and Michael Georgy in Tripoli, Hamid Ould Ahmed and Christian Lowe in Algiers, Tom Perry in Cairo; David Brunnstrom in Brussels; Writing by Peter Millership; Editing by Giles Elgood)

Rebels wary of Gaddafi forces near east Libya town, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Rebels were driven back before Western air strikes

* Air strikes help cripple Gaddafi's heavy armour

* Rebel forces depend on pick-ups with maching guns

By Mohammed Abbas and Angus MacSwan

NEAR AJDABIYAH, Libya, March 22 (Reuters) - Rebels in east Libya outside Ajdabiyah were not advancing on the strategic town on Tuesday because heavily armed troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi could still overhelm them despite Western air strikes.

Rebels at the frontline about 5 km (3 miles) outside the town located at the gateway to the rebel-held east said three nights of air strikes were helping cripple Gaddafi's heavy armour, but his forces were still a potent threat.

"Gaddafi has tanks and trucks with missiles," said Ahmed al-Aroufi, a rebel fighter at the frontline.

The rebel forces had been driven as far back as their headquarters in Benghazi by Gaddafi's warplanes, tanks and artillery before U.N.-air strikes were launched on Saturday by France, Britain, the United States and others in a coalition.

"We need the no-fly zone for them to strike the heavy armour," he said, adding a warning against any more direct intervention.

"If they bring land forces we will leave Gaddafi alone and they will be our new target," Aroufi said, echoing rebel opposition to any involvement of foreign ground forces.

"We don't depend on anyone but God, not France or America. We started this revolution without them through the sweat of our own brow, and that is how we will finish it."

There have been signs of tensions at the front as rebels have failed to make swift progress. There is no obvious sign of a clear command structure to guide what is mostly a rag-tag force of enthusiastic but inexperienced fighters.

Overhearing Aroufi speaking to the Reuters media team, another rebel nearby, Rashad Shaafi, said: "If you want to attack, go and flank them, or do you just want to pose for the cameras?"

Gaddafi's burned out tanks, armoured personnel carriers and other vehicles destroyed by Western warplanes litter the road that his forces used on their advance on Benghazi, where the rebels have their headquarters.

Rebels say strikes halted that offensive but they also say the Libyan leader has plenty more equipment to use against their forces which rely largely on 4x4 pick ups mounted with machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launchers and other light arms.

There was no obvious sign of rebel heavy equipment at the front on Monday, although in past days and weeks rebels have been seen with a few tanks and other heavier equipment. (Writing by Edmund Blair in Cairo; Editing by Matthew Jones)

West trying to avoid Libya civilian deaths-Gates, Posted by Meosha Eaton

MOSCOW, March 22 (Reuters) - The Western coalition carrying out air strikes in Libya is trying to avoid civilian casualties and is targeting air defences in sparsely populated areas, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday.

"The coalition is going to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties and most of the targets are air defense targets isolated from populated areas," Gates said in Moscow where he met Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

"I also told him that I thought the significant military fighting that has been going on should recede in the next few days," Gates said.

Serdyukov condemned civilian deaths in Libya. (Reporting by Phil Stewart, writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Steve Gutterman)

Divided NATO tries again to define Libya role, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* NATO split on French, Turkish demands

* U.S. wants to step back from leadership within days

By David Brunnstrom

BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - NATO tried again on Tuesday to resolve a fractious debate on who should command the military campaign in Libya once the United States steps back from leading the operation.

President Barack Obama, seeking to avoid getting bogged down in a war in another Muslim country, said on Monday Washington would cede control of operations against Muammar Gaddafi's forces within days and NATO would have a coordinating role.

But a heated meeting of NATO ambassadors on Monday failed to resolve whether the 28-nation alliance should run the operation to enforce a U.N.-mandated no-fly zone, diplomats said. The NATO council was meeting again on Tuesday to resume debate.

France, which launched the initial air strikes on Libya on Saturday, has argued against giving the U.S.-led NATO political control over an operation in an Arab country, while Turkey has called for limits to any alliance involvement.

Some allies were also now questioning whether a no-fly zone was necessary, given the damage already done by air strikes to Gaddafi's military capabilities, a NATO diplomat said.

"Yesterday's meeting became a little bit emotional," the envoy said, adding that France had argued that the coalition led by France, Britain and the United States should retain political control of the mission, with NATO providing operational support, including command-and-control capabilities.

"Others are saying NATO should have command or no role at all and that it doesn't make sense for NATO to play a subsidiary role," the diplomat said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggested that air strikes launched after a meeting in Paris hosted by France on Saturday had gone beyond what had been sanctioned by a U.N. Security Council resolution. [ID:LDE72L0JR]

"There are U.N. decisions and these decisions clearly have a defined framework. A NATO operation which goes outside this framework cannot be legitimised," he told news channel CNN Turk.

ITALIAN WARNING ON BASES

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reiterated a warning that Italy would take back control of airbases it has authorised for use by allies for operations over Libya unless a NATO coordination structure was agreed. [ID:RMELEE7IO]

U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said Britain or France could take charge of the air operation, or NATO could lead it, if sensitivities in the Arab League over working under NATO leadership were assuaged. [ID:nN20241921]

However, some analysts and NATO officials question whether France or Britain would be capable of coordinating a complex multinational air mission.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday that NATO should take charge of a no-fly zone, given its "tried and tested machinery in command and control". [ID: nHOC002230].

In arguing against a prominent NATO role, France has cited the alliance's poor reputation in the Arab world as a result of the war in Afghanistan and the perception that NATO is dominated by the United States.

Senior French analyst Francois Heisbourg said the best outcome would be to have NATO handle military coordination but hand political decisions to an ad hoc council of states participating in the coalition, including Arab countries.

Italy should be given an equal role with France and Britain because of its geographical location, interests in Libya and the key role of its air bases, he said.

"If Turkey sticks to its line, that would rule out a NATO role either politically and militarily," Heisbourg told Reuters. "If it lifts its objection, France would favour having NATO do the operational military coordination but not the political conduct of operations."

The nations leading the air campaign are all prominent NATO states, but NATO's operational role has so far been limited to expanded air surveillance.

Italian officials have described the current three-way command structure involving France, Britain and the United States and the resulting bombing campaign as "anarchic".

Italy's position reflects evident Italian annoyance with the attitude of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who led the diplomatic drive for the Security Council resolution.

Gianpiero Cantoni, head of the Italian Senate's defence affairs committee, was quoted in the Corriere della Sera daily as saying that French policy appeared to be motivated by a desire to secure oil contracts with a future Libyan government, while Italy would have to face a potential flood of refugees.

On Monday, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the mission should be limited to creating a no-fly zone and that Italian planes taking part would not open fire.

(editing by Paul Taylor)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Obama lands in Chile on Latin America trip, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Obama begins second leg of Latin American tour in Chile

* Libyan action overshadows trip to deepen ties

SANTIAGO, March 21 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama landed in Chile on Monday on the second leg of a trip, overshadowed by U.S. military air strikes to contain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, to lay out his vision for deeper ties with Latin America.

Obama arrived aboard Air Force One from Rio de Janeiro after a two-day visit to regional powerhouse Brazil, a Reuters correspondent traveling with him said.

Obama plans a joint news conference with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, and is expected to hail Chile's transition from military rule to stable democracy as a model for Libya and other countries in the Arab world, which is being swept by popular rebellions against autocratic rule. (Reporting by Alister Bull and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Eric Walsh)

Italy tug zig-zagging along Libya coast - operator, Posted by Meosha Eaton

* Offshore supply vessel heading northwest towards Mellitah

* Pro-Gaddafi military personnel are on board with crew

ROME, March 21 (Reuters) - An Italian tugboat, held for nearly 24 hours in Tripoli, is zig-zagging northwest along the Libyan coast with pro-Gaddafi military personnel on board, its operator said on Monday.

The offshore supply vessel, crewed by 8 Italians, two Indians and a Ukrainian was detained in Libya at around 1600 GMT on Saturday, shortly before French aircraft fired the first shots against forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The vessel left Tripoli at around 1300 GMT on Sunday with its crew along with members of Libya's armed forces aboard and its destination was unknown, said a spokesman from Augusta Offshore, operator and manager of the ship. "It left the port (of Tripoli) and it is navigating between Mellitah and Tripoli," the spokesman said.

"We are not quite sure where it is or where it is going. But obviously the Italian foreign ministry is involved in trying to negotiate the release of the ship," he said. "We know Libyan military personnel are on board."

Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa told Italian television that the crew was still aboard the the vessel, which had been engaged for a Libyan client of Italian oil group Eni.

"It's heading west but we don't really know where it's going because it's zig-zagging along and there are armed Libyan soldiers aboard," he told Canale 5 television. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul and James Mackenzie; Editing by Louise Ireland)

NY Times journalists at Turkish embassy in Libya, Posted by Meosha Eaton

ANKARA, March 21 (Reuters) - Four New York Times journalists captured by Libyan forces while covering the conflict there are at the Turkish embassy in Tripoli and will be sent home within hours, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday.

The four are two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Beirut bureau chief Anthony Shadid, reporter and videographer Stephen Farrell and photographers Tyler Hicks and Lynsey Addario.

"Four New York times correspondents are currently in our embassy in Libya. The necessary work will be conducted for them to be returned to their countries within a few hours," Davutoglu told reporters.

The son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam, said last week at least one of the correspondents was arrested by the Libyan army after it captured the city of Ajdabiya from rebels.

Turkey had been involved in seeking the correspondents' release. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz, writing by Daren Butler)

US UK FRANCE ATTACK LIBYA