Military forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, who have surrounded this city and vowed to crush its anti-Qaddafi rebellion, have been firing into residential neighborhoods with heavy weapons, including cluster bombs that have been banned by much of the world and ground-to-ground rockets, according to the accounts of witnesses and survivors and physical evidence on the ground.According to sources, the shelling of civilians began between Obama's second and third fundraisers last night, not between the first and second as initially reported.
Such “indiscriminate” weapons, which strike large areas with a dense succession of high-explosive munitions, by their nature cannot be fired precisely, and when fired into populated areas place civilians at grave risk.
The use of such weapons could also add urgency to the NATO campaign, which has as its mandate protecting civilians from the Qaddafi regime’s harm. And it could place pressure on the United States, which pulled back air power from the war when it ceded control of the campaign to NATO earlier this month.
When asked about the munitions at a news conference in Berlin, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she was “not aware” of the specific use of cluster or other heavy weapons in Misurata, but said, “I’m not surprised by anything that Colonel Qadaffi and his forces do.”
She added: “That is worrying information. And it is one of the reasons the fight in Misurata is so difficult, because it’s at close quarters, it’s in amongst urban areas and it poses a lot of challenges to both NATO and to the opposition.”
The cluster munitions were visible in use late Thursday night, in the form of what appeared to be 120-millimeter mortar rounds that burst in the air over the city, scattering high-explosive bomblets below.
In the letter, sent Wednesday, Gadhafi says his country had been hurt more morally than physically by the NATO campaign and that a democratic society could not be built through missiles and aircraft. He also repeated his claim that his foes are members of al-Qaida.
Gadhafi addresses Obama as "our son" in the letter and says he hopes Obama will win re-election in 2012.
With the end game in Libya still unclear, President Obama said Tuesday that Col. Moammar Khadafy's grip on power cannot last much longer.Obviously it hasn't "filtered" to him yet since his forces are beating the snot out of the rebels according to the latest reports.
"The noose has tightened around him," Obama told CBS News.
"Khadafy's camp, people around him, are starting to recognize that their options are limited and their days are numbered," he said.
"But that information may not have filtered to Khadafy yet."
Libyan rebels have withdrawn from the oil town of Ras Lanuf under bombardment from Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's forces, exposing their weakness without Western support.Now if you're this rag-tag rebel bunch of guys who we can't even identify, do Obama's empty words provide any comfort for you? Especially with such clear, decisive statements such as this?
The rapid reverse comes just two days after the rebels raced westwards along the coastal road in pursuit of the Libyan dictator's forces.
The government army had seen its tanks and artillery demolished in five days of coalition aerial assault in the town of Ajdabiyah, but now appears to have regrouped.
Col Gaddafi's troops first ambushed the insurgent convoy outside the leader's hometown of Sirte, then outflanked them through the desert, a manoeuvre requiring the sort of discipline entirely lacking in ragtag rebel force.
On the offensive, government tanks and artillery have unleashed a fierce bombardment on towns and cities, forcing the rebels to flee.
The tactic appears to have worked once again in Ras Lanuf, an oil terminal town 230 miles east of the capital Tripoli.
"Gaddafi hit us with huge rockets. He has entered Ras Lanuf," rebel fighter Faraj Muftah told Reuters after pulling out of Ras Lanuf.
The United States and France have raised the possibility of arming the rebels, though both stressed no decision had yet been taken.Well, gee, thanks for clearing that up, Colonel Obama. If I were a rebel on the run, hearing that you're neither ruling it in or out really provides a clear picture on what my options are. Let's see, should I stay where I am and have huge rockets rain down on me or should I wait around for a guy more interested in watching basketball before I clear the hell out if I want to live.
"I'm not ruling it in, I'm not ruling it out," US President Barack Obama told NBC overnight.
Obama appears to be hesitating about which side to take, with signs that he might give the tyrant the benefit of a doubt. That would be a mistake.Of course such obvious humiliation and fecklessness didn't prevent Obama's pom-pom media for celebrating his masterful foreign policy, but they can't sustain much longer pretending one thing is happening while our eyes tell us a completely different story.
Obama adopted such a position during the pro-democracy uprising in Iran in 2009. That made it easier for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to consolidate its coup and impose Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president for a second term.
Obama at first tried the same approach in Tunisia and Egypt, by supporting the despots -- but finally wound up siding with the people. As a result, America lost on both scores. By abandoning well-established allies, it was accused of being a fickle friend. But the switch to the people's side came too late to enable the United States to claim a share in ending the dictatorial regimes.
In June, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi gave a public speech praising Obama, claiming foreign nationals were donating to his campaign. “All the people in the Arab and Islamic world and in Africa applauded this man,” the Libyan leader said. “They welcomed him and prayed for him and for his success, and they may have even been involved in legitimate contribution campaigns to enable him to win the American presidency…”But hey, let's look at the upside. At least none of this funny money came from those evil Koch Brothers.
[O]n July 31 that donors from the Gaza strip had contributed $33,000 to the Obama campaign through bulk purchases of T-shirts they had shipped to Gaza…. A pair of Palestinian brothers named Hosam and Monir Edwan contributed more than $31,300 to the Obama campaign in October and November 2007, FEC records show. Their largesse attracted the attention of the FEC almost immediately. In an April 15, 2008, report that examined the Obama campaign’s year-end figures for 2007, the FEC asked that some of these contributions be reassigned. The Obama camp complied sluggishly, prompting a more detailed admonishment form the FEC on July 30. The Edwan brothers listed their address as “GA,” as in Georgia, although they entered “Gaza” or “Rafah Refugee camp” as their city of residence on most of the online contribution forms…. The latest Obama campaign filing shows that $891.11 still has not been refunded to the Edwan brothers, despite repeated FEC warnings and campaign claims that all the money was refunded in December.
Think that sounds insane? Just as nutty as blaming them for everything else under the sun, as has become the left's latest obsession. But considering hos nutty madman Moammar has sounded of late, it can't be far off.LIBYAN leader Muammar Gaddafi said protesters should return to their homes, as he made an audio address on state TV today.Meanwhile, a little flashback from the Libyan nutcase.
Gaddafi claimed rebels of drug-taking and links to Usama bin Laden.
He accused protesters of being under the influence of al Qaeda and taking drugs as he made the statement, apparently from the town of Zawiyah, which has been the scene of heavy fighting throughout the day.
He said, "Teenagers feel trigger happy, they shoot especially when they get stoned with drugs."
He said, "Now, ruling America is a black man from our continent, an African from Arab descent, from Muslim descent, and this is something we never imagined – that from Reagan we would get to Barakeh Obama."
Gaddafi stressed that Obama's presidency is "a major historical gain" and said, "He is someone I consider a friend. He knows he is a son of Africa. Regardless of his African belonging, he is of Arab Sudanese descent, or of Muslim descent. He is a man whose policy should be supported, and he should be assisted in implementing it in any way possible, since he is now leaning towards peace."
Unprecedented demonstrations sweeping the Middle East and North Africa spread Wednesday to Libya, where police clashed with anti-government protesters in the coastal city of Benghazi, an independent source told CNN.Sure.
About 200 protesters came out to show support for human rights activist and lawyer Fathi Terbil, who had been detained earlier, the source said. Several people were arrested after police confronted the protesters, the source added.
But Libya -- ruled by Moammar Gadhafi since 1969 -- is not Egypt, said a highly placed Libyan source close to the government who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
"There is nothing serious here," he said. "These are just young people fighting each other."
Khadafy regarded Egypt's Hosni Mubarak as a friend and partner, and called Tunisian despot Ben Ali "both a friend and brother." For years, Tunisian secret services spied on the Libyan opposition for Khadafy. They also helped kidnap at least four Libyan opposition activists in Italy and Malta for transfer to Khadafy's prisons.Of course any insurrection against him may well be crushed. It'll be curious to see if there is enough of a movement.
Last Friday, the colonel received a number of notables to warn against "plots" against his regime, which he calls the Jamahiriyah, a meaningless word that he coined in the 1980s.
"We are facing our gravest threat yet," he told the group, according to Libyan sources. "Even a small disturbance could be exploited by our enemies and turned into a big fire."
However, Khadafy might prove a tougher nut to crack. Unlike the Tunisian and Egyptian despots, he has huge sums of money to play with. With a population of less than 5 million, Libya earns around $50 billion from oil exports. Khadafy can throw money at many of his problems, especially in the neglected eastern part of the country.
Also unlike Egypt and Tunisia, no foreign journalists are allowed in Libya unless Khadafy invites them. This means that even if the "Day of Rage" produces dramatic scenes, there'll be no satellite TV to beam footage across the globe.
More important, Khadafy's police and Jamahiryah vigilantes have been picking up actual or potential opposition figures all over the country.
According to one organizer of the "Day of Rage," dozens of people have been arrested, especially in Benghazi.
"We may end up with nothing but more political prisoners," he says. "But we have to keep trying."
You want that in cash, buddy?The Obama Administration plans to give $400,000 in funding to a Libyan charity run by the Gadhafi family, and U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) wants the grant withdrawn.This is just insane, although typical for this administration.
The money would be divided between two foundations run by the family of Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi. A $200,000 share is set to go to the Gadhafi Development Foundation, which is run by Gadhafi's son, Saif, and another $200,000 are to go to Wa Attassimou, an organization run by Muammar Gadhafi's daughter, Aisha.
Kirk says the grants should be withdrawn in light of the recent return to Libya of Pan Am Flight 103 bomber Abdel Baset Megrahi. The terminally ill prisoner was released from in Scotland on compassionate grounds, and got a hero's welcome from Muammar Gadhafi and other Libyans upon his return.
Saif Gadhafi was involved in negotiating for Megrahi's release, and accompanied him back to Libya.
"Just weeks after the Gadhafi family celebrated the return of a terrorist responsible for the murders of 189 Americans, the U.S. taxpayer should not be asked to reward them with $400,000," Kirk wrote to the president. "For the sake of the victims' families who have endured so much pain these last few weeks, I ask you to withdraw your Administration's request."
Unwelcome Libyan thug Moammar Khadafy briefly found a comfy spot to rest his foul head yesterday -- at Donald Trump's palatial estate in suburban Westchester.Nice weasel words there.
But town officials in tony Bedford put the kibosh on the dictator's plans to use his Bedouin-style tent on the real-estate mogul's property, which Trump rents out for tens of thousands of dollars a month.
The wandering Khadafy -- who arrived in New York City yesterday to a zero's welcome -- was sent packing when a building inspector ordered his henchmen to stop erecting the white tent because they didn't have a work permit.
After initially denying that his property had been rented to Khadafy, Trump later backtracked and admitted it could have happened.
It's unclear if Khadafy -- an international pariah who has struggled to find lodgings for his visit to the United States -- will use the property's seven-bedroom, nine-bathroom mansion, or if he's only comfortable in outhouses.
Regardless, residents of the ritzy town -- which counts Martha Stewart as a resident -- were reeling.
"The neighbors are appalled, absolutely," said a nearby resident.
State Sen. Vincent Leibell (R-Westchester) said, "Most people wish he'd go home and stay there."
After reports yesterday afternoon said the hated Khadafy was putting up a tent, Trump's spokeswoman, Rona Graff, told The Post, "There is no truth to the rumors. I'm not even going to engage in a dialogue on this."
But shortly afterward, Graff released the following statement: "We have business partners and associates all over the world. The property was leased on a short-term basis to Middle Eastern partners, who may or may not have a relationship to Mr. Khadafy. We are looking into the matter."
The Donald never met anyone he wouldn't take money from and he's playing dumb about this. But unless someone surreptitiously snuck onto his estate and erected a massive tent without his knowledge, we'll assume it the terrorist leader from Libya. I hope Khadafy doesn't mind but it's a very white neighborhood, lots of Jews around too. I went to high school there so I have some knowledge of the area. Let's just says the locals might not be too happy. Of course any objection will be deemed racist. Just ask Dave Matthews.Mr. Trump-you misfired!Sure, and for the last 25 years he's unaware he's got a bird's nest on his head.
Libyan loon Moammar Khadafy has pitched a tent on one of Donald Trump's lavish estates in a ritzy town one over from Martha Stewart's.
Bedouin-style tents have been erected on the Westchester property, known as Seven Springs, in Bedford Corners.
The tiny hamlet borders North Castle, New Castle and Bedford, where Stewart owns a 153-acre estate, her main residence.
"We have business partners and associates all over the world," the Trump Organization said in a statement.
"The property was leased on a short-term basis to Middle Eastern partners who may or may not have a relationship to Mr. Khadafy.
"We are looking into the matter now."
Trump could not be reached fo comment but a source close to The Donald insisted he was unaware his property was being rented by the terrorist dictator.
Bedford police said they were made aware of Khadafy's plans. "We were notified by the Secret Service earlier this morning," town police Sgt. Thomas Diebold told the Journal News.Nice to see we're paying the Secret Service to keeps tabs on this monster.
"We have no comment on it from our end."
Looks like Colonel Khadafy is being warmly welcomed to New York.Keep on moving, Moammar.Meanwhile, his visit is already going to the dogs. Literally.
Agents for the terrorist-coddling Libyan strongman Moammar Khadafy were met with a strong-arm from a real-estate broker they approached to rent a posh Upper East Side townhouse for his visit to the city this week.
The broker, with characteristic New York chutzpah, told them to take a hike back to the desert.
"They kept asking, 'What would be the price? What would be the price?' I thought about it and said, 'Why don't you send Megrahi back to Scotland, and then maybe we can work something out.' They hung up on me immediately," said Jason Haber, a broker for Prudential Douglas Elliman.
Haber was referring to convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who was released from prison in Scotland last month with terminal cancer and greeted with a hero's welcome in Tripoli that Khadafy orchestrated.
Uproar over the release has made it hard for Khadafy to find a place to set up his Bedouin tent while in town for the UN General Assembly.
Residents of Englewood, NJ, had already rejected his plan to stay at a home the Libyan Mission owns there, so diplomats approached Haber about the swank rental pad he was peddling at 5 E. 78th St.
"They were very rude on the phone, and I asked who it was for. They said it was for a high-ranking member of the Libyan delegation, and they said there would be high security," he said.
"It sounded more and more to me as we spoke that this was for Khadafy."
A politically incorrect pooch delivered a stream of consciousness protest Saturday as Libyan officials rolled out the red carpet for dictator Moammar Khadafy.Perhaps wherever the mini-Hitler from Iran shows up that pooch can drop the decue wherever he's staying.
Maggie the dog was out for a walk when she responded to the pomp by taking a pee on the lush rug outside the Libyan Mission - a gesture appreciated by many New Yorkers with little use for the notorious colonel.
"The dog had excellent taste," said Mark Birnbaum, 57, a Mission neighbor who watched the whole thing. "She's a sweetheart."
Aggravated Libyan officials were forced to cut away a section of the carpet that stretched across the E. 48th St. sidewalk from the curbs to the steps.
You have to admit that for a psychotic greaseball the dude is pretty amusing.Libya's Col. Moammar Khadafy has a beef with Switzerland and plans to ask the United Nations to abolish the tiny Alpine home of milk chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodeling.
According to Swiss minister Christa Markwalder, Khadafy will demand that Switzerland be wiped off the map when he comes to New York Sept. 23. He apparently wants the country to be dismembered and the land parceled out among neighbouring France, Germany and Italy.
The Libya-Swiss kerfuffle began a year ago, when Khadafy's youngest son, Hannibal Khadafy, and his pregnant wife were arrested in a Geneva luxury hotel for beating two servants with a belt and a coat-hanger.
Hannibal Khadafy had previously been busted in both France and Italy for beating a woman and fighting a cop, and once for driving drunk down Paris' Champs Elysee at 90 mph - the wrong way.
Libya retaliated with fury, recalling some diplomats, suspending visas for Swiss citizens, withdrawing funds from Swiss banks, shuttering the Tripoli office of Nestle and threatening to cut off oil deliveries to Switzerland.
Two Swiss businessmen were barred from leaving the country until Libya received an apology for Hannibal's arrest.
A leafy New Jersey suburb will soon turn into a seething oasis of outrage when Libyan President Moammar Khadafy plops down a Bedouin tent in the middle of town next month while here for a UN General Assembly meeting.
Khadafy, who habitually travels with a large air-conditioned tent wherever he goes, will put up his shelter on the front lawn of a home in Englewood, NJ, owned by the Libyan Mission to the United Nations.
Neighbors are none too pleased that the terrorist-coddling dictator will land among them. Khadafy was most recently photographed warmly embracing Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, the convicted bomber of Pan Am Flight 103, as he returned home after being released from a Scottish prison.
"I think having a terrorist living next door would be devastating, and I'd consider moving," said one Englewood resident who declined to give her name.
"The [government] is trying to fight terrorism, and they're opening the door for this man?" asked another longtime resident who also requested anonymity.
The suburban New Jersey town has a large Orthodox Jewish population. A Jewish day school is one block from the Libyan property. And Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of such books as "Kosher Sex" and a one-time spiritual adviser to Michael Jackson, lives right next door.
In a column in The Jerusalem Post, Boteach wrote that he was willing to be open-minded about the situation but still had reservations.
Most residents had trouble understanding why Khadafy would want to go there at all.
"Why would a head of government come to this small community to live?" asked Dr. Peter Scaglione. "He must have an ulterior motive."
In fact, it's not the first time Khadafy has attended the meeting of the General Assembly, slated to begin on Sept. 23.
Typically, he erects his tent on UN property, but since that area is under construction, he has to seek alternative accommodations.
