Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has refused to stand down amid widespread anti-government protests which he said had tarnished the image of the country.
In his first major speech since unrest began last week, Col Gaddafi said the whole world looked up to Libya and that protests were "serving the devil".
Reading from the country's constitution, he said enemies of Libya would be executed.
Rights groups say nearly 300 have been killed in the violence so far.
A defiant and angry Col Gaddafi said that he had brought glory to Libya. As he had no official position from which to resign, he would remain the head of the revolution, he said.
He blamed the unrest on "cowards and traitors" who were seeking to portray Libya as a place of chaos and to "humiliate" Libyans. At other points he referred to the protesters as cockroaches or rats and mercenaries.
State TV had said Col Gaddafi was going to announce "major reforms" in his speech, but the only such reference was to some devolution of power to local authorities.
The protesters had been given drink and drugs, he said, frequently shouting and banging his fist on the table as the address continued.
They represented less than 1% of Libya's population he said, urging people to arrest them and hand them over to the security forces.Analysis
Frank Gardner Frank Gardner BBC security correspondent
Even by his own bizarre and eccentric standards, the latest speech by Col Gaddafi was breathtaking in its defiance of both the wider world and the reality now facing him.
Speaking from his favourite location, Tripoli's bombed-out Bab Al-Azizia Barracks, he referred to the protesters variously as "cockroaches" and "traitors" who were "drug-fuelled, drunken and duped".
At times, the Libyan leader seemed to lose control of his temper, shouting his words in Arabic. At others, he paused to adjust his matching khaki shawl and cap. His language, while undoubtedly aimed at shoring up what support he still has in the country, was one of quaint nationalist slogans from the 1960s and 70s.
To many of those opposing his rule, who use Twitter, Facebook and the internet, this was a speech from a bygone era from a man whose time they believe has long passed.
He called on "those who love Muammar Gaddafi" to come on to the streets in support of him, telling them not to be afraid of the "gangs".
"Come out of your homes, attack them in their dens. Withdraw your children from the streets. They are drugging your children, they are making your children drunk and sending them to hell," he said.
He urged young people to form committees "for the defence of the revolution and the defence of Gaddafi". He said they would "cleanse Libya house by house".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12544624
Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Sadat, back when he was in a condition to express himself freely, said of Ghaddafi: "He has two personalities. Both of them evil."
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Death does put a hamper on speaking freely doesn't it?
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Mr. Gaddafi is rapidly headed towards becoming the Mayor of Tripoli....
I watched the Colonel's (gee after 41 years running the place, you'd have thought he'd make General) speech two days ago...(or at least the first twenty minutes or so, before the cable news channels gave him the hook....)
He made Hosni Mubarak's last speech look like a case study in clear headed linear rhetoric....
Ol' Muammar is the King of conceptual thinkers....
If Ghaddafi is overthrown, it would mark possibly the most significant development in the wave for democracy sweeping the Mid East. It would be the first time that a dictator who was not susceptible to Western pressure, who's security forces had no compunction about massacring his subjects, and who had successfully prevented Western press access (though there are plenty of images being smuggled out that have been taken with cell cameras) was still overthrown by a popular uprising....
If this should actually happen, it could give new inspiration to those struggling for freedom in Syria and Iran, where the regimes are comparably composed...It might also have some impact on some in the military forces in those countries (particularly the regular troops and younger officers) when they see that it is possible to disobey orders to kill your countrymen....
There's a lot of talk going on about the possibility of establishing a no fly zone over Libya in order to prevent this murderous freak from continuing to use planes and helicopter gunships to mow down unarmed civilians....(he's also got a significant mercenary force which has been leading the carnage on the ground)
I doubt that a no fly zone could be approved through the Security Council, because I can't see the Russians and the Chinese (who would have no compunction about doing the same thing to their people, should they see the need arise) supporting it....
Perhaps it's something NATO could do, (it would be relatively easy and low risk to enforce; Libya doesn't have a huge air force or a sophisticated anti-aircraft capability) but if it's going to be done, it needs to be done soon....
I watched the Colonel's (gee after 41 years running the place, you'd have thought he'd make General) speech two days ago...(or at least the first twenty minutes or so, before the cable news channels gave him the hook....)
He made Hosni Mubarak's last speech look like a case study in clear headed linear rhetoric....
Ol' Muammar is the King of conceptual thinkers....
If Ghaddafi is overthrown, it would mark possibly the most significant development in the wave for democracy sweeping the Mid East. It would be the first time that a dictator who was not susceptible to Western pressure, who's security forces had no compunction about massacring his subjects, and who had successfully prevented Western press access (though there are plenty of images being smuggled out that have been taken with cell cameras) was still overthrown by a popular uprising....
If this should actually happen, it could give new inspiration to those struggling for freedom in Syria and Iran, where the regimes are comparably composed...It might also have some impact on some in the military forces in those countries (particularly the regular troops and younger officers) when they see that it is possible to disobey orders to kill your countrymen....
There's a lot of talk going on about the possibility of establishing a no fly zone over Libya in order to prevent this murderous freak from continuing to use planes and helicopter gunships to mow down unarmed civilians....(he's also got a significant mercenary force which has been leading the carnage on the ground)
I doubt that a no fly zone could be approved through the Security Council, because I can't see the Russians and the Chinese (who would have no compunction about doing the same thing to their people, should they see the need arise) supporting it....
Perhaps it's something NATO could do, (it would be relatively easy and low risk to enforce; Libya doesn't have a huge air force or a sophisticated anti-aircraft capability) but if it's going to be done, it needs to be done soon....
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Remember when RONALD REAGAN was POTUS, the USAF had to fly around France to bomb Ghadaafi's hdqtrs in Tripoli?
Declare France a "no-fly zone" as well.
Declare France a "no-fly zone" as well.
Your collective inability to acknowledge this obvious truth makes you all look like fools.
yrs,
rubato
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Christ he's lucky Bush the chimp isn't still in charge of the USA...Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi has told state TV that Osama Bin Laden and his followers are to blame for the protests racking his country.
In a phone call addressed to residents of the town of al-Zawiya, Col Gaddafi said young people were being duped with drugs and alcohol to take part in "destruction and sabotage".
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
The Administration is in a difficult position in dealing with this, just as it was with Egypt, though for different reasons....
We don't have the dilemma of Ghaddafi being a long term ally, as we did with Mubarak in Egypt....
But we have the problem of him being a complete nutcase, who might start trying to take whatever Americans (and other Westerners) he could lay his hands on as hostages in a desperate effort to save himself....
That's a good justification for subdued public rhetoric, but that shouldn't prevent us from co-ordinating with our allies and quietly moving assets into the area to enforce a No Fly Zone....
We don't have the dilemma of Ghaddafi being a long term ally, as we did with Mubarak in Egypt....
But we have the problem of him being a complete nutcase, who might start trying to take whatever Americans (and other Westerners) he could lay his hands on as hostages in a desperate effort to save himself....
That's a good justification for subdued public rhetoric, but that shouldn't prevent us from co-ordinating with our allies and quietly moving assets into the area to enforce a No Fly Zone....
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
The noose tightens on The Mayor Of Tripoli....
Dude's rackin' up a lot of bad karma....
He may wind up winning The Nicolai Ceausescu Memorial Award For Unpopularity....
Where they have to hold a lottery to pick the members of your firing squad because there are so many volunteers....
More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110225/wl_ ... a_protestsBENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Government forces shot dead two protesters in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Friday, Al Jazeera television reported, as a popular uprising against Muammar Gaddafi closed in on his main power base.
Pro-Gaddafi forces opened fire after hundreds of people in the Janzour district in western Tripoli started a protest march after Friday prayers, a resident, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters in an email.
He said protesters were also shouting anti-Gaddafi slogans in Fashloum in the city's east, and another resident said security forces had fired into the air there.
Al Jazeera said two people had been killed and several wounded in heavy shooting in several districts.
Tripoli and the surrounding area, where Gaddafi's forces had managed to stifle earlier protests, appear to be his last main stronghold as the revolt that has put the east under rebel control has also reportedly advanced through the west.
Dude's rackin' up a lot of bad karma....
He may wind up winning The Nicolai Ceausescu Memorial Award For Unpopularity....
Where they have to hold a lottery to pick the members of your firing squad because there are so many volunteers....
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
How would it strike you if Kaddafi is able to hold on to power due to his African mercenaries. And how do my liberal friends go about justifying that. That would be interesting, but would you even try.
I would be interest to read your reply, but I may not be able to reply. I had surgery last week and have to remain up right, it gets tiring fast.
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LIBYA: African mercenaries imported by Kadafi to quash protests, Al Arabiya reports

Comments (14)
February 19, 2011 | 12:38 pm
Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Kadafi has flown in hundreds of mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa to quash protests threatening his 41-year-old regime, the Al Arabiya network reported Saturday, quoting witnesses to the arriving foreign recruits.
Protesters in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city and an anti-Kadafi stronghold, captured some of the imported gunmen, the news agency said. The captured French-speaking mercenaries admitted to having been recruited by Kadafi's son, Khamis, to confront the unrest threatening to topple one of the region's longest-reigning regimes, Al Arabiya reported.
The agency said witnesses reported seeing four planes carrying mercenaries land in Benina International Airport near Benghazi. The British-based website jeel.libya.net reported earlier that several planes carrying foreign recruits in Libyan army uniforms landed at a military airport near Tripoli.
The crackdown on anti-Kadafi demonstrators has resulted in at least 84 deaths, the New York-based Human Rights Watch reported from sources in the region.
I would be interest to read your reply, but I may not be able to reply. I had surgery last week and have to remain up right, it gets tiring fast.
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Observations from Iraq, Iran,
Israel, the Arab world and beyond
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LIBYA: African mercenaries imported by Kadafi to quash protests, Al Arabiya reports

Comments (14)
February 19, 2011 | 12:38 pm
Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Kadafi has flown in hundreds of mercenaries from sub-Saharan Africa to quash protests threatening his 41-year-old regime, the Al Arabiya network reported Saturday, quoting witnesses to the arriving foreign recruits.
Protesters in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city and an anti-Kadafi stronghold, captured some of the imported gunmen, the news agency said. The captured French-speaking mercenaries admitted to having been recruited by Kadafi's son, Khamis, to confront the unrest threatening to topple one of the region's longest-reigning regimes, Al Arabiya reported.
The agency said witnesses reported seeing four planes carrying mercenaries land in Benina International Airport near Benghazi. The British-based website jeel.libya.net reported earlier that several planes carrying foreign recruits in Libyan army uniforms landed at a military airport near Tripoli.
The crackdown on anti-Kadafi demonstrators has resulted in at least 84 deaths, the New York-based Human Rights Watch reported from sources in the region.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
liberty wrote:How would it strike you if Kaddafi is able to hold on to power due to his African mercenaries. And how do my liberal friends go about justifying that. That would be interesting, but would you even try.
"Hang on while I log in to the James Webb telescope to search the known universe for who the fuck asked you." -- James Fell
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Ok. I am not a "liberal" or your friend, and will spare the diatribe because I am working three jobs, but did you just quote David Ben Ariel?
WTF? I will come back to curse you proper later when time permits. Really?
Liberty: I wish that I had the capacity to see the world in black and white as you do...
Oh, wait, NO I DON'T!
Remaining "up right" must be very tiring indeed.
God speed and Get well soon.
WTF? I will come back to curse you proper later when time permits. Really?
Liberty: I wish that I had the capacity to see the world in black and white as you do...
Oh, wait, NO I DON'T!
Remaining "up right" must be very tiring indeed.
God speed and Get well soon.
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer-
Arthur Schopenhauer-
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
I predict Kaddafis death will make Mousilinis look like internment at arlington National Cemetery.
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Scooter wrote:liberty wrote:How would it strike you if Kaddafi is able to hold on to power due to his African mercenaries. And how do my liberal friends go about justifying that. That would be interesting, but would you even try.
close enough, check mark.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Timster wrote:Ok. I am not a "liberal" or your friend, and will spare the diatribe because I am working three jobs, but did you just quote David Ben Ariel?
WTF? I will come back to curse you proper later when time permits. Really?
Liberty: I wish that I had the capacity to see the world in black and white as you do...
Oh, wait, NO I DON'T!
Remaining "up right" must be very tiring indeed.
God speed and Get well soon.
Well Tim what makes you think I was referring to you, at any rate if you do not want to be my friend that’s ok.
What do you mean you are not a liberal, give me a break. There is nothing wrong with being liberal if that is your world view.
Let me justify it for you; as a moderate I could buy this: These poor black men come from a country where they watch their children die from a lack of food and medicine. If you where in their place I don’t think that you would see killing other people’s children for money to ensure a better life for your own children as such an evil thing.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
liberty wrote:
"Hang on while I log in to the James Webb telescope to search the known universe for who the fuck asked you." -- James Fell
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
(Between bites of my dinner) Well lib, First of all I never thought you were referring to me in any sense.
Secondly, everything you write is tainted with the stench of racism.
Get over yourself and get well soon.
Secondly, everything you write is tainted with the stench of racism.
Get over yourself and get well soon.
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenhauer-
Arthur Schopenhauer-
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Leave it to liberty to claim that black people are incapable of seeing the immorality of killing children.
"Hang on while I log in to the James Webb telescope to search the known universe for who the fuck asked you." -- James Fell
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Let me help you out: Children and child does not always an infant or a minor.Scooter wrote:Leave it to liberty to claim that black people are incapable of seeing the immorality of killing children.
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
I would try to help you out with the syntax of that sentence, but even with that summa cum laude associate's degree from the University of East Butt Crack you are beyond any form of help.
"Hang on while I log in to the James Webb telescope to search the known universe for who the fuck asked you." -- James Fell
Re: Gaddafi's last throw of the dice?
Scooter wrote:I would try to help you out with the syntax of that sentence, but even with that summa cum laude associate's degree from the University of East Butt Crack you are beyond any form of help.
Wrong it is not a sentence, a good try though. Now the question is what is it called?.
"Children and child does not always an infant or a minor."
Soon, I’ll post my farewell message. The end is starting to get close. There are many misconceptions about me, and before I go, to live with my ancestors on the steppes, I want to set the record straight.