Libya's Civil War To Be Declared Over Tomorrow -- News Roundup

Libya's New Leaders To Declare Liberation On October 23 -- Radio Free Europe

Libya's new authorities are expected to formally declare the liberation of the country on October 23.

The National Transitional Council has said it would declare a new interim government within a month of liberation and hold elections for a constitutional assembly within eight months.

An NTC spokesman, Abdel-Rahman Busin, said preparations were under way for the ceremony. Initially the announcement had been expected to be made on October 22 in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Read more ....

More News On The Death Of Gaddafi And The End Of Libya's Civil War

Libya's new leaders to declare liberation Sunday -- Yahoo News/AP
Libya's Liberation Announcement Set For Sunday -- Voice of America
Libya prepares for liberation ceremony -- The Guardian

Libyan official: Elections coming soon -- CNN
Libya's Jibril sees elections within eight months -- Yahoo News/Reuters

Libyans rule out Kadhafi post-mortem -- Yahoo News/AFP
Libyan PM Mahmoud Jibril: 'not known who shot Col Gaddafi' -- The Telegraph
Libyan fighter claims he killed Gaddafi -- Voice of America

Col Gaddafi killed: Nato plans to end Libya mission October 31 -- The Telegraph
Gaddafi demise offers brief relief for stretched NATO -- Reuters
US looks to wrap up mission in post-Gadhafi Libya -- Stars and Stripes/AP

How a daring band of anti-Qaddafi activists helped turn the tide in Tripoli -- Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor
A New Start For Libya -- Voice of America editorial
Libya after Gaddafi: A dangerous precedent? -- Richard Falk, Al Jazeera
Does it really matter if Qaddafi was executed? -- Blake Hounshell, Foreign Policy
Libya: The challenges ahead -- BBC
Gadhafi was looks-conscious until the end -- Phoebe Connelly, The Envoy
Timeline: Libya's Gaddafi killed as his hometown taken -- Reuters

Civil War in Libya -- News Updates October 17, 2011

Libya: Gaddafi Stronghold Bani Walid Falls, NTC Forces Claim -- The Telegraph

Libyan revolutionary forces claimed to have conquered the holdout city of Bani Walid after Gaddafi loyalists deserted their positions and scattered into the countryside.

Libyan revolutionary forces claimed to have seized parts of the city centre of the Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid.

The fall of the town is an important breakthrough for the fledgling authorities who have bogged down there and in the symbolically important town of Sirte, Gaddafi's birthplace. Sirte is now the last source of resistance to the Libya rebels as fighters loyal to Col Gaddafi cling on to territory in the town.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libyan fighters raise flag over Bani Walid -- Sydney Morning Herald
Government forces take over Gadhafi stronghold -- CNN
Libya's NTC Forces Take Most of Gadhafi Stronghold -- Voice of America
Libyan Forces Seize Most of Bani Walid -- ABC News/AP
Libya raises new flag over Gaddafi stronghold Bani Walid -- National Post/Reuters
Libya conflict: NTC forces claim Bani Walid advance -- BBC
Gaddafi stronghold Bani Walid falls -- The Guardian
Libyan forces celebrate in Bani Walid city centre -- Reuters
Libyan fighters seize Bani Walid -- Al Jazeera

Libyan revolutionaries step up Sirte bombing -- CBS
Relatives of Kadhafi regime officials 'flee Sirte' -- Yahoo News/AFP
Libyans say they uncover secret Gaddafi-era morgue -- Reuters
Libya: will not spend emergency funds on refugees -- Reuters
Libyans Bulldoze Gaddafi's Tripoli Compound -- Time/AP
Libya: Bulldozers raze Gaddafi Bab al-Aziziya compound -- BBC
A lucky escape in Libya -- Con Coughlin, The Telegraph

Gunbattles Return To Tripoli

Gunbattles and Explosions Rock Libya's Capital -- Voice of America

Explosions have rocked Tripoli on Friday after gunbattles erupted between loyalists to former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and provisional government fighters.

The clashes broke out after Gadhafi's supporters tried to stage a rally in a neighborhood where he had strong support. Television video has shown plumes of black smoke rising from a section of the capital.

Meanwhile, U.S. specialists who will help the Libyan government track down missing missiles have begun arriving in the country. The U.S. State Department says the first group, which arrived Friday, includes about 14 contractors but the number will eventually rise to 50.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

New fighting breaks out in heart of Libyan capital -- Yahoo News/AP
NTC pounds Kadhafi fighters in Sirte, clashes in Tripoli -- Yahoo News/AFP
Gaddafi gunmen, government forces clash in Libyan capital -- Reuters
'Gaddafi loyalists' and Libya NTC Tripoli battle ends -- BBC
Libyan NTC troops and Gaddafi loyalists clash in Tripoli -- BBC
New fighting breaks out in heart of Libyan capital -- CBS/AP
Libya: Fighting in Tripoli breaks out between pro-Gaddafi forces and NTC fighters -- the Telegraph
Libya: Fighting breaks out on the streets of Tripoli as battle continues to rage for control of Sirte -- The Telegraph

In the chaos of Sirte, anti-Gaddafi fighters are killing each other -- The Guardian
Libya: battle for Sirte reaches endgame - Friday 14 October 2011 -- The Guardian
Last stand in Sirte: Extraordinary pictures show Libyan city shelled to smithereens -- Daily Mail
Libya's interim leader predicts Sirte victory by end of week -- Christian Science Monitor

In Gadhafi's hometown, his once opulent house lies in ruins -- CNN
Up to 7,000 held in Libyan prisons, U.N. says -- Reuters
Terrorists Seeking Missing Libyan Missiles, U.S. Official Says -- FOX News/AP
Missing Libya Missiles Find Their Way to Gaza Border -- ABC News
Egypt intercepts Libyan surface-to-air missiles in Sinai -- Jerusalem Post
Victory remains elusive for Libya's new leaders -- CBS/AP

Timeline: Libya's civil war nears end -- Reuters

Libya's Civil War Is Now Approaching Its Endgame

Libya War Reaches Endgame With 100 Loyalists Left Fighting -- The Guardian

Sirte stronghold edges close to falling with pro-Gaddafi troops stranded as rebels prepare to declare total victory

The two men are singing in the back of a pick-up truck, sitting on the rails, their legs resting on a blanket that seems oddly lumpy. Sticking out from beneath it are two pairs of feet, one bare, one wearing socks. They are the feet of two pro-Gaddafi fighters killed in the fighting in the coastal city of Sirte.

Thursday was a day of deaths on both sides. Government forces trying to enter the last pocket of Sirte held by pro-Gaddafi fighters were bogged down in a narrow street flooded with sewage and water.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Heavy fighting leaves much of Sirte in ruins -- The Telegraph
Libya conflict 'nearing conclusion' -- Press Association
Libya Fighters Say Capture of Surt Is Near -- New York Times
Gaddafi loyalists hit back in Sirte with Mutassim still at large -- The Telegraph
Conflicting Reports From Libya on Capture of Gadhafi Son -- Voice of America
Reports claim the capture of Gaddafi's son -- Al Jazeera
Libya conflict: Confusion over Mutassim Gaddafi's fate -- BBC
Amnesty International: Detainee abuse must stop in Libya -- CNN
Libya challenged on treatment of detainees -- L.A. Times
Making sense of the chaos in Libya's prisons -- BBC
UK tells Libya to form interim government after taking over Sirte -- The Guardian
Battle for Libyan city exposes Gaddafi decadence -- Reuters

The End Is Near For Gaddafi Loyalists In Libya

Gaddafi's Final Bastion Is Overrun By Rebel Surge -- The Independent

Libyan revolutionary forces stormed through the streets of Sirte yesterday, tightening their noose on this last bastion of support for the fallen former leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Recent days have seen the transitional government's troops surging into the coastal city, where they have met dwindling resistance from Gaddafi loyalists holed up within a rapidly-diminishing area.

Sirte, where Gaddafi was born in 1942, has been under siege since 15 September. At dawn on Friday, fighters loyal to the National Transitional Council (NTC) began what they called a "final assault". Its momentum has built steadily since then as the NTC seized landmarks on the outskirts and pushed further into residential areas at its heart.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libya's NTC fighters stage final advance in Sirte holdout -- CNN
Libyan forces make chaotic advance into Sirte -- Reuters
Libya: intense gunbattles in Sirte as rebels close in on victory -- The Telegraph
Libya conflict: Gaddafi forces 'cornered' in Sirte -- BBC
Libya: high ranking Gaddafi officials 'leading defence of Sirte' -- The Telegraph
Libya's NTC Says Control of Sirte is Near -- Voice of America
NTC fighters move in for kill in Kadhafi town -- AFP

Head of Libya's NTC visits battle-torn Sirte -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Libya: NTC head Jalil visits embattled Sirte -- BBC
Libyan leader hopes to declare victory within week -- CBS/AP

Libyan rebels ransack home of Gaddafi daughter in Sirte -- The Telegraph
Timeline: Libya's civil war nears end -- Reuters

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates October 7, 2011

Battle Rages On for Gadhafi's Hometown -- Voice of America

Libyan government forces are continuing their assault on Moammar Gadhafi's hometown Sirte, as the deposed leader calls on Libyans to protest the provisional government that unseated him.

Friday's fighting centered around the Ouagadougou conference center where pro-Gadhafi fighters are based.

National Transitional Council commanders have predicted they will have the city under their full control within the next few days. Their fighters have advanced on the city from both the east and the west.

Read more ....

More News On The Civil War In Libya

Libyan fighters assault main Gadhafi base in Sirte -- AP
Fighters tighten noose on Gadhafi's hometown -- MSNBC
Libya's rebels launch the final push for Sirte and their crowning victory -- The Telegraph
Libyan government forces pummel Gaddafi hometown with heavy artillery assault -- Daily Mail
Battle for Sirte: Libyan forces launch largest assault yet -- The Guardian
Gaddafi's last stronghold, the city of Sirte, becomes Libya's final battle -- the Guardian
Hundreds of fighters storm Gadhafi's birthplace -- CNN
In Sirte, Assault Seeking To Quell Loyalists Meets Fierce Resistance -- NPR
Libyan NTC suffers high casualties in battle for Sirte -- The Telegraph
Roundup: Libya's National Transitional Council troops close to taking Sirte -- CNN
Libya NTC forces' assault on Gaddafi stronghold Sirte -- BBC (Photo Gallery)

Gadhafi Calls for Mass Libya Protests Against NTC -- Voice of America
Gaddafi Urges Resistance to Libya's Leaders -- Time/AP
Gaddafi urges mass protests as diehards fight back -- ABC News (Australia)
Qaddafi Urges Followers to ‘Rise Up’ and Fill the Streets -- New York Times

Panetta defends NATO's Libya mission -- Yahoo News/AP
NATO not halting Libya air war yet, Leon Panetta says -- L.A. Times
NATO Is Not Yet Willing to Halt Its Libya Operations -- New York Times
NATO hopes to end Libya mission soon, outlines criteria -- Yahoo News/Reuters
NATO Chief Rasmussen Says ‘End Is in Sight’ for Alliance’s Libya Operation -- Bloomberg

Eni Sees Libyan Output Recovering in Year, Adding to World Gains -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Hunt for Gaddafi and sons continues -- The Telegraph
NATO in Libya: why the alliance is staying -- Howard LaFranchi, Christian Science Monitor

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates October 4, 2011

Gaddafi Forces Turn Sirte Into Military Nerve Centre -- The Telegraph

Forces loyal to Col. Muammar Gaddafi have transformed Sirte hospital into a fortified military base as rebel fighters close in on the city centre.

Doctors fleeing the area said they had seen arms depots inside the complex and that “rocket launchers and mortar detonators ring the hospital”.

Inside the built-up area of downtown Sirte, Ibn Sina hospital has become the nerve centre of the pro-Gaddafi operation. “There is a military operations room below the maternity ward of hospital,” said Osama Muttawa Swehli, one of the rebels.

Read more ....

More News On Libya

Life inside besieged Libyan city "unimaginable" -- Reuters
Libya’s NTC Pushing For Complete Control of Sirte -- Voice of America
Libya's NTC Launches 'Final Assault' on Gadhafi Stronghold -- Voice of America
Fleeing Gadhafi bastion, bitter at the new Libya -- AP
Civilians flee horror of the battle for Sirte - -AFP
Libyan Forces Plan 'Final' Attack on Sirte -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya conflict: New offensive on Sirte -- BBC
NATO'S Libya mission likely to last a while longer- Panetta -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Panetta: Libya mission can't end before fighting -- AP

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates October 3, 2011

Libya's New Rulers Say War Has Been Won -- The Guardian

Mahmoud Jibril and Mustafa Abdul-Jalil to step down as post-Gaddafi government takes shape.

Libya's new leaders are poised to declare the country's "full liberation" is complete and appoint a new transitional government.

The new government regards the war as in effect won even though there is still heavy fighting in former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte, one of the last loyalist holdouts, and Bani Walid still remains under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces who are besieged inside.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libyan leaders to announce 'liberation' if key city falls -- CNN
Libya interim forces intensify attack on Sirte -- Reuters
Fighters overrun Gaddafi birthplace -- Sydney Morning Herald
Chilly welcome for freedom fighters in Gaddafi's town -- Reuters
Many in Surt, Libya, don't trust revolutionary forces -- L.A. Times
Libya conflict: New offensive on Sirte -- BBC
Civilians Abandon Sirte ahead of Rebel Onslaught -- Spiegel Online
Libya conflict: Hundreds of residents flee Sirte -- BBC
Libya: civilians flee Sirte fighting as Red Cross take medicines into besieged city -- The Telegraph
Fighting halts Red Cross mission into Libya's Sirte -- MSNBC
Libya's post-Gadhafi rulers name new Cabinet -- Guardian/AP
Libya's Interim Prime Minister Sets Plans to Step Down -- Voice of America
Officials: Cabinet for emerging Libyan government finalized -- CNN
Libya's NTC lowers bar for starting election process -- Reuters

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 27, 2011

Libyans Seek Truce In Besieged Sirte -- Voice of America

Libya's provisional government fighters and elders from the tribe of former leader Moammar Gadhafi are trying to negotiate a truce that would allow safe passage for families trying to leave the besieged city of Sirte, Gadhafi's hometown.

A National Transitional Council (NTC) commander Tohami Abu Zayan said Tuesday that the two sides are trying to agree on a plan that would allow the remaining families to leave. He said fighters were also trying to negotiate a cease-fire with pro-Gadhafi forces in the city.

NTC fighters have been tightening their siege on Sirte, one of the few remaining strongholds for Mr. Gadhafi's supporters.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Gaddafi Loyalists 'Ask for Truce' in Besieged City -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya fighters punch into east of Gadhafi hometown -- AP
Fighters Enter Qaddafi Stronghold City as Toll Rises -- New York Times
Anti-Gadhafi forces take over port in Sirte -- CNN
Libyan fighters try to free civilians from town -- Yahoo News/AP
Libyan NTC fighters breach Gaddafi city Sirte from east -- BBC
Libya conflict: Smoke and explosions mark Sirte battle -- BBC
Battle for Sirte continues as civilians flee town under siege -- The Telegraph
Libyan Forces Close in on Sirte; Fleeing Civilians Face Scrutiny -- Voice of America
Libyans Flee Loyalist City -- Wall Street Journal
Libyan civilians caught in battle for Sirte -- Christian Science Monitor
Factbox: Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte -- Reuters

Libyan chemical and nuclear agents in NTC hands: NATO -- Xinhuanet
Libyan Women Train for Military, Hope for Equality -- New York Times/AP
Libyan 'prison massacre grave' revives painful memories -- BBC
Libya says mass grave may contain Abu Salim prisoners -- L.A. Times
Libya Orders State Security Courts Abolished -- ABC News/AP
De facto Libyan leader asks UN council to lift sanctions, but let NATO stay -- Washington Post/AP
Libyan NTC Chief Warns Gadhafi Must Be Caught -- Voice of America
Gaddafi could still destabilize North Africa: Libya PM -- Reuters
Libya envoy wants African states to prevent Gaddafi sabotage -- Reuters
Eni, Total resume some oil production in Libya -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Libya: Italian oil firm Eni resumes Abu Attifel pumping -- BBC
Exclusive: Libya assures UK of key business role -- Reuters

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 26, 2011

Former Rebels’ Rivalries Hold Up Governing in Libya -- New York Times

TRIPOLI, Libya — When the fighters who ousted Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi find caches of weapons from his arsenals, they do not entrust them to Libya’s new provisional government. Instead, they haul them back to their hometowns, like Misurata, Zintan, Yafran or Rujban. And when they capture members of the Qaddafi government, the fighters say, they cart them home as well.

Why shouldn’t we?” said Mohamed Benrasali, a Misurata member of the Transitional National Council, the interim governing authority. “We call them the spoils of war.”

Read more ....

More News On Libya

Libya's NTC May Delay Forming Gov't Again-Source -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya Political Infighting Hampers Drive to Form New Cabinet -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Libya’s Premier Warns Against Political Feuds While War Persists -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Libyan leaders in second day of interim government talks -- CNN

Libya: Net closes in on pro-Gaddafi stonghold of Sirte -- BBC
Libyan NTC fighters breach Gaddafi city Sirte from east -- BBC
Libyan tanks strike Sirte loyalists -- Reuters
Libya fighters push into Gaddafi bastion -- Al Jazeera
Libyan Opposition Fighters Renew Assault on Qaddafi Hometown -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Civilians flee Gadhafi loyalist stronghold Sirte -- Stars and Stripes/AP
Hundreds of Libyan civilians flee Gadhafi’s hometown Sirte as revolutionary offensive on hold -- Washington Post
Libyans Say Qaddafi Loyalists Mounted Raid From Algeria -- New York Times
Libyan forces enter Gaddafi home town from east -- Reuters
Libya: forces close in on Sirte despite fresh attacks from Gaddafi loyalists -- The Guardian
Thousands of fighters have lost limbs in Libya conflict -- The National
NATO authorizes extending Libya mission 90 days -- L.A. Times
Accused of Fighting for Qaddafi, a Libyan Town’s Residents Face Reprisals -- New York Times
Misurata, proud of its role in Libya revolt, looks to the future -- L.A. Times

Italy's Eni: Oil production resumes in Libya -- Yahoo News/AP
Libya seeks partners for rebuilding -- BBC
Oil, Guns and Candy Floss: Don’t Expect Business as Usual in Libya, Yet -- Wall Street Journal
FACTBOX - Foreign embassies opened in Libya -- Reuters

Defuse arms threat in an unstable Libya -- National Editorial
Exploring a New, But Cautious, Tripoli -- New York Times
The Bitter Rump of Qaddafi Loyalists -- The Atlantic
ANALYSIS - Libya's last battle may be its toughest -- Reuters

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 22, 2011

Libya's NTC Captures Three Southern Towns -- Al Jazeera

Escape route for Muammar Gaddafi now cut off, but combat suspended in tough battles for Bani Walid and Sirte.

Commanders with the National Transitional Council (NTC) said their forces now controlled all three main towns in the Al-Jufra oasis, 24 hours after they announced the capture of Libya's largest desert city, Sabha, in the deep south.

"Al-Jufra - Hun, Waddan and Sokna - is liberated," a military spokesman in Libya's third-largest city Misrata said in a statement early on Thursday.

The defeat of Muammar Gaddafi loyalists in the Saharan oases left his remaining forces in his hometown of Sirte on the Mediterranean coast and the desert city of Bani Walid to its west effectively cut off from any line of escape to the south.

Several key Gaddafi supporters have fled to Niger from Sabha, an NTC spokesman said on Thursday.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

FACTBOX-Latest developments in the Libyan conflict -- Reuters
Libya: NTC says key oasis towns taken -- BBC
Libya rulers say they seize Gaddafi desert outposts -- Reuters
Libya's NTC confirms Sabha control, confident in remaining towns -- Xinhuanet
Libya's Provisional Fighters Expand Control of Former Gadhafi Stronghold -- Voice of America
NATO strikes, NTC kill 151 in Sirte: Gaddafi aide -- Reuters
Anti-Gaddafi civilians 'executed in Sirte' -- The Telegraph
Libya NTC fighters struggle to capture Sirte -- Al Jazeera
Libya holds back from assault on last Kadhafi redoubts -- AFP
Libya delays assault on Sirte -- Sydney Morning Herald/AFP
Sirte shows rocky path ahead for Libya's new rulers -- Reuters
Libya military site yields possible radioactive material -- CNN
Libyan rebels discover Gaddafi's chemical weapons -- The Guardian
Gaddafi's ex-premier jailed after fleeing Libya -- Reuters
Nato backing for 90 more days of military action in Libya -- Daily Mail
NATO Says Gadhafi Fighters Continue to Be Threat -- New York Times/AP
Libya rulers says Gaddafi running out of options -- Reuters
$23bn windfall for new Libya -- Financial Times
Libya's Latest Tourist Attraction: Qaddafi's Old Homes -- Yahoo News/Atlantic Wire
Timeline: Libya's civil war nears end -- Reuters

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 20, 2011

Libyans Fleeing Gadhafi’s Hometown Describe State Of Siege, Deteriorating Conditions -- Washington Post/AP

SIRTE, Libya — Families in pickup trucks stacked with mattresses and jugs of water fled Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte Tuesday ahead of an expected new push by revolutionary forces to seize the city from die-hard loyalists of the fugitive leader.

Fleeing residents said they had been living under a state of siege with Gadhafi’s forces preventing them from leaving, while living conditions deteriorated and the city came under constant rocket fire and NATO bombardment.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Transitional council of Libya 'void and illegitimate' says Gaddafi -- The Telegraph
Defiant Gaddafi warns ‘NATO bombs will not last’ -- Euronews
Gadhafi mocks Libya's new reality in new message -- Vancouver Sun/AFP
Libya war: Gaddafi warns Nato support 'cannot last' -- BBC
Gadhafi Calls Libya Situation a 'Charade' -- Voice of America
Qaddafi insists "millions" still on his side -- CBS/AP

Libyan forces hold off on storming Gaddafi bastions -- Reuters
Libyan Fighters Repelled in Bani Walid as Sirte Battle Rages -- SFGate/Bloomberg
Libyan Opposition Prepares for Government, Battles for Sirte -- SFGate/Bloomberg
Libya: NTC forces seize Sabha airport -- The Telegraph
Libyan Forces Capture Parts of Key Gadhafi Stronghold -- Voice of America
Libyan forces say they captured part of Sabha -- Reuters
Government forces enter Libya's Sabah, to cheers -- CNN
Libyans flee siege in Gadhafi's hometown Sirte -- CBS News
Libyan fighters take airport near pro-Gadhafi city -- USA Today/AP
Libyan militias amass weapons -- Washington Post

Libya: Gaddafi son spotted in Bani Walid as heavy fighting continues -- The Guardian
Report: Gadhafi spotted as rebels capture parts of south Libya town -- Haaretz
Gaddafi son 'spotted' and general captured amid fierce fighting -- Sydney Morning Herald
Libya's NTC says no idea of Gaddafi's whereabouts, admits Bani Walid hardship -- Xinhuanet

Libyans Fail to Agree on New Government -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya's fractious new rulers enjoy honeymoon -- Reuters
Divisions and disorganisation halt Libyan progress -- Euronews
Libya 'Mercenary' Claim Turns Spotlight on Special Ops -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya conflict: Europe failing Libya's refugees - Amnesty -- BBC
U.S. Will Reopen Embassy in Libya This Week as Qaddafi on Run, Obama Says -- Bloomberg
Obama to tout success of Libya policy at U.N. -- L.A. Times
Even now, in Libya's bazaars, you will find support for Colonel Gaddafi -- Rob Crilly, The Telegraph

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 16, 2011

Rebel fighters fired upon pro-Gaddafi forces east of Surt on Friday. Asmaa Waguih/Reuters

Qaddafi Strongholds Come Under Attack -- New York Times

BANI WALID, Libya — Forces aligned with the provisional Libyan government fought their way Friday into two cities still held by fighters loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, in a bid to end weeks of standoff around the fugitive former leader’s remaining strongholds.

In this desert town south of the capital of Tripoli, the anti-Qaddafi forces moved early in the morning, with dozens of pickup trucks laden with heavy weapons spearheading a move through residential areas into the heart of the city. In what a spokesman called an “all-out battle,” they managed to establish positions there, the fighters said, before being forced to retreat later in the day before a barrage of mortars, rockets and sniper fire. At least six fighters were killed.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libya conflict: As it happened -- BBC
Libya conflict: NTC forces driven back from Bani Walid -- BBC
Gaddafi loyalists put Libyan forces to flight -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Libyan forces pull back after fierce resistance from Gadhafi loyalists in Bani Walid -- Globe and Mail/AP
Libyan fighters make concerted push on Gaddafi bastions -- Washington Post
Libya rebels launch assaults on Gaddafi's last strongholds -- The Guardian
Battle for Sirte and Bani Walid -- BBC
Rebels press Gadhafi loyalists on 3 fronts -- Washington Times
Libya fighters surge into two Kadhafi bastions -- Yahoo News/AFP
Libya’s Anti-Gadhafi Forces Storm Bani Walid, Sirte -- Voice of America
Factbox: Muammar Gaddafi's last bastions in Libya -- Reuters
Libyan rebels urge more NATO airstrikes -- Washington Times
Gadaffi's son flees the long siege of Bani Walid -- The Telegraph
Cameron, Sarkozy visit liberated Tripoli, assure NTC of support -- UPI
Sarkozy, Cameron vow to support Libya, help find Gaddafi -- Washington Post
David Cameron, Nicolas Sarkozy visit post-Kadafi Libya -- L.A. Times
Gaddafi spokesman denounces Cameron and Sarkozy Libya visit -- The Telegraph
Sharp splits emerging among Libya's new leaders -- AP
Tripoli's new normal - bickering politicians -- Reuters
Libya's new leaders must build state from scratch -- AP
Libyan transitional government gets UN seat -- AFP
Libya's Revolution Produces a New Hybrid: Pro-Western Islamists -- Abigail Hauslohner, Time

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 12, 2011

Flight Of The Gaddafis: Another Son Flees Across The Border Into Niger -- Daily Mail

*37-year-old son 'has no status' in Niger - not guaranteed refugee status
* One of most high-profile figures to cross from Libya
* Over 80% of Niger covered by Sahara Desert
* Former head of the regime's external intelligence service captured in Tripoli
* Gaddafi promises 'prettiest girls' in Bani Walid as reward for fighting

Following last week's news that a convoy of dozens of vehicles trucked south from Libya to neighbouring Niger, carrying Muammar Gaddafi's closest supporters - if not the 69-year-old despot himself - it has been reported that one of his sons has also now crossed the border.

A government spokesman for the large, landlocked West African country - over 80 per cent of which is the Sahara Desert - confirmed that 37-year-old Saadi Gaddafi, a former footballer in Italy, has also fled.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Gadhafi issues defiant message after attacks on oil hub -- MSNBC
Stubborn Kadafi rejected reforms as regime fell, insider says -- L.A. Times
One of Qaddafi’s Sons Flees to Niger as New Leaders Focus on Next Steps -- New York Times
Rising tensions among Libya’s new leaders threaten efforts to get country back on track -- Washington Post
Libyan civilians flee key Gadhafi stronghold -- AP
Libyan fighters still face stiff battle for Sirte -- The Telegraph
Libya conflict: New fighting in town of Bani Walid -- BBC
Pro-Gaddafi Forces Kill 17 at Libya Oil Refinery -- New York Times/Reuters
In Flash of Resilience, Qaddafi Loyalists Attack Oil Refinery -- New York Times
Gaddafi son escapes to Niger as fight stalls -- Washington Post
Battles rage as Gaddafi son watched in Niger -- Al Jazeera
Niger faces fall-out from rich relation Libya -- Reuters
Libya Fighters' Push Stalled by Gadhafi Troops -- New York Times/AP
Saadi Gadhafi arrives in Niger as Libyan troops seek to strangle Sirte -- CNN
Libya conflict: Gaddafi's son Saadi 'arrives in Niger' -- BBC
Kadafi son Saadi flees to Niger -- L.A. Times
Libya's interim PM feels the heat -- BBC
China recognizes Libya's new leaders -- Washington Post

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 8, 2011

Col Muammar Gaddafi 'Sold 20 Per Cent Of Libya's Gold' In Regime's Final Days -- The Telegraph

Former Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi sold more than 20 per cent of Libya's gold reserves, worth more than $1 billion, in the final days of his regime, the country's central bank governor said on Thursday.

Qassem Azzoz said 1.7 billion dinars worth of gold, or around 29 tonnes, were sold to local merchants as the regime ran short of cash.

"The gold was liquidated in order to pay salaries and to have liquidity, in Tripoli in particular," Azzoz said.

According to central bank officials the gold likely made its way out of the country to neighbouring Tunisia and beyond.

Azzoz added that the bank's total assets now stand at around $115 billion, of which $90 billion is abroad.

Read more ....

More News on Libya's Civil War

Libya Crisis Live -- BBC
Live reports from Libya -- The Telegraph
Gaddafi vows to remain in Libya - live updates -- The Guardian

'Scumbags, germs and rats': Gaddafi's bizarre TV rant as he insists he is still in Libya -- Daily Mail
Gaddafi issues defiant message from hiding -- The Guardian
Libya conflict: Gaddafi denies fleeing to Niger -- BBC
Libya: Muammar Gaddafi denies fleeing to Niger -- The Telegraph
Fugitive Gaddafi Vows to Stay in Libya -- New York Times/Reuters
Gaddafi denies reports he fled to Niger -- Al Jazeera
Gaddafi vows to defeat NTC and Nato -- Financial Times/Reuters

We won't block Gaddafi escape by bombing his convoy says Nato as column of vehicles seen 'heading for Niger' -- Daily Mail
Libyan rebels say they have Gadhafi surrounded -- CNN
Niger, Burkina Faso: Gadhafi Has Not Crossed Border -- Voice of America
Niger prepared to offer safe haven for Col Gaddafi -- The Telegraph
Libya: rebels send envoys to Niger to prevent Col Gaddafi from evading justice -- The Telegraph
Libyan leaders fear Gaddafi may flee south across the border into Niger -- The Guardian

Qaddafi Loyalists Urged to Fight On in Broadcast -- New York Times
Anti-Gadhafi fighters come under fire in Bani Walid -- CNN
Gadhafi Loyalists Fire Rockets From Desert Bastion -- New York Times/AP
Libya Fighters, NATO Focus on Gadhafi Strongholds -- Voice of America
Libyan Fighters Move to Tighten Noose Around Qaddafi-Loyalist Strongholds -- Bloomberg

Missing Weapons From Libya Arms Caches Raise Fears -- New York Times/AP
Heat-Seeking Missiles Are Missing From Libyan Arms Stockpile -- New York Times
Gaddafi’s chemical weapons spark renewed worries -- Washington Post
The deadly dilemma of Libya's missing weapons -- Christian Science Monitor
Intelligence Chairman Urges White House Action on Libyan Weapons -- Bloomberg

Libyan professor rises to role of rebels' prime minister -- L.A. Times
In a New Libya, Ex-Loyalists Race to Shed Ties to Qaddafi -- New York Times
Harbor sanctuary for Gadhafi's migrants -- CNN
Libya's interim leaders to honor bank contracts -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Libya’s New Leaders to Review $150 Billion in Existing Contracts -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Libya Oil Chief Plans Revival -- Wall Street Journal

At least 30,000 Killed, 50,000 Wounded in Libyan Conflict -- Tripoli Post
Libyan estimate: At least 30,000 died in the war -- AP
Libya: Estimated 30,000 Died In War; 4,000 Still Missing -- Huffington Post

Good Reads: Qaddafi's pest fixation, Libya's missing weapons, and a former hostage returns to help Somalia -- Christian Science Monitor
Libya's Neighbors Fear Export of Violence as Gaddafi Seeks an Escape -- Vivienne Walt, Time
Finding Hope in Libya -- Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 7, 2011

Libyan Fighters Say Gaddafi 'Surrounded' -- Al Jazeera

Military council official says toppled leader trapped within 60km radius and will be captured or killed soon.

Libyan fighters are claiming to have surrounded Muammar Gaddafi within a 60km radius and insist it is matter of time before the toppled leader is captured or killed.

Anis Sharif, a spokesman for Tripoli's new military council, however would not say where exactly Gaddafi had been found.

But amid the continuing hunt for the fugitive leader and his sons, he said Gaddafi had been tracked using high technology and human intelligence. "He can't get out," he said on Wednesday.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libya crisis -- BBC News
Libya: hunt for Gaddafi - live updates -- The Guardian
Libya live: latest developments after Gaddafi downfall -- The Telegraph

Libya: asylum talks begin as Gaddafi loyalists flee across border -- The Telegraph
Libyan fighters say Gadhafi surrounded -- Yahoo News/AP
Kadhafi 'in Libya' as aides seek refuge in Niger -- Yahoo News/AFP
Gaddafi stays in Libya as officials flee -- ABC News (Australia)
Libyan rebels, trying to block escape routes, say they believe Gaddafi is surrounded -- Washington Post
Qaddafi surrounded, Libya fighters say -- CBS/AP
'Fierce battle' looming for Kadhafi bastion -- Yahoo News/AFP
Libya Fighters, NATO Focus on Gadhafi Strongholds -- Voice of America
Peaceful handover sought in Libya as Gaddafi remains on the run -- Xinhuanet
Rebels poised as Gadhafi loyalists desert Libya -- USA Today
Near a Libyan Holdout Town, a Waiting Game -- New York Times
Libya rebels says ready to take over Bani Walid -- Xinhuanet

Niger's north, desert bolt-hole for Libya's losers -- Yahoo News/Reuters
At Least a Dozen Libyan Officials Flee to Niger -- New York Times
Gadhafi Loyalists Flee in Convoy to Niger -- Voice of America
Gadhafi backers in Niger, rebels say -- Washington Times
Kadafi loyalists fled to Niger by convoy, U.S. affirms -- L.A. Times
Niger: Only 1 major Libyan figure in country -- AP
Libya conflict: Niger border 'cannot be closed' -- BBC
Obama calls on Libya’s neighbors to arrest fleeing Gaddafi loyalists -- Washington Post

Aid Group: African Migrants Trapped in Libyan Town -- Voice of America
Libya’s Weapons Problem
Itching to Avoid a Fight: The Slow-Motion Struggle for a Gaddafi Stronghold -- Abigail Hauslohner, Time

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 6, 2011

Rebels Scour Desert For Gaddafi As His Loyalists Reportedly Flee To Niger -- Washington Post

TRIPOLI, Libya — A chaotic and apparently ill-coordinated effort by rebels to track down Moammar Gaddafi is being led by competing factions of military commanders and bounty hunters, as well as Libyan commandos commissioned by civilian leaders.

Libyans involved in the hunt say they are not getting much help from NATO, despite the alliance’s state-of-the-art electronic and aerial surveillance methods. Instead, they are relying on a deluge of human intelligence from informers and witnesses, but seem to be struggling to sift, process and share all the information that is coming in.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Libyan, Tuareg convoy heads for Niger capital -- Yahoo News/AP
Large Libyan armoured convoy arrives in Niger -- Al Jazeera
Libya convoy enters Niger, Gaddafi not aboard -- Hindustan Times/AFP
Libyan convoy enters Niger, Kadhafi rumoured aboard -- AFP
Libyan Army Convoy in Niger May Be Gaddafi Deal -- New York Times/Reuters
Libyan hunt: Gaddafi hides, bystanders busted -- RT
Gadhafi Has Longstanding Ties to Niger’s Tuareg -- Voice of America
Niger, Burkina Faso join Algeria in offering asylum to Gaddafis -- Washington Post
Gaddafi must face justice - France -- Reuters
Niger: Gaddafi security chief enters capital -- YNet News

Libya: rebels and tribal elders agree peaceful surrender of Bani Walid -- The Telegraph
Libyan Fighters Surround Gadhafi Stronghold -- Voice of America
Talks resume at pro-Gaddafi town of Bani Walid -- Reuters
Optimism in Libya on Talks With Remaining Loyalists -- New York Times
Elders hold talks over Gadhafi stronghold -- Stars and Stripes/AP

In Libya, euphoria mixes with uncertainty -- L.A. Times
Women fear being left out of new regime -- The Australian/The Times
Anti-Qaddafi Forces Hold Suspected Mercenaries From Eastern Europe -- Radio Free Europe
Libyan NTC Probes China, Western Arms to Gaddafi -- New York Times/Reuters
Libya's rebels face tough decisions over move to Tripoli -- The Telegraph
Libya: Gaddafi wife and children holed up in Algerian villa -- The Telegraph

Factbox-Countries That Recognise Libya's NTC -- New York Times/Reuters
Special report: The secret plan to take Tripoli -- Reuters
Has Gaddafi fled to Niger? -- Tristan McConnell, Global Post
Assessing NATO's Mission In Libya -- NPR (Audio)
Helping Libya help itself -- L.A. Times editorial
The Islamic Republic of Libya, Courtesy of U.S.A. -- Michael Tennant, The New American

Civil War In Libya -- News Updates September 5, 2011

Rebel Reinforcements Encircle Gadhafi Stronghold -- Wall Street Journal

NEAR BANI WALID, Libya—Rebel reinforcements are arriving outside the pro-Gadhafi stronghold of Bani Walid, where thousands of rebels are waiting for orders to attack as negotiations to resolve the standoff peacefully have appeared to founder.

A small rebel convoy arrived Monday at a checkpoint about 40 miles from Bani Walid, a city of 100,000 residents 90 miles southwest of Tripoli, according to the Associated Press. Ismail al-Gitani told AP the fighters were part of a larger force he commands and that he was ordered to reinforce the northern approaches to Bani Walid, though he refused to say how many fighters he had brought.

Read more ....

More News On Libya's Civil War

Khadafy loyalists ignore deadline to cease fire in Libya -- New York Daily News
Libyan fighters converge on Gadhafi stronghold, but hold back on attack to avoid bloodshed -- Winnipeg Free Press/AP
Libyan rebels massing as talks fail -- Sydney Morning Herald
Rebel Reinforcements Arrive at Qaddafi Stronghold -- FOX News/AP
Anti-Qaddafi Forces Poised For Attack On Libyan City Of Bani Walid -- Radio Free Europe
Bani Walid own rebels wait impatiently at gates of city controlled by Gadhafi loyalists -- Washington Post
Libyan fighters prepare for assault on Gaddafi desert bastion -- Washington Post
Libya rebels close in on Kadafi stronghold -- L.A. Times
Libya conflict: Gaddafi sons have 'left Bani Walid' -- BBC
‘I shot people, I don’t know how many:’ Loyalists stick to Gadhafi -- Toronto Star
"Cousin to cousin", Libyan siege tests tribal divides -- Reuters
New Libyan Factions Maneuver for Power as Divisions Emerge -- Bloomberg
Gadhafi Leaned on Arab Allies to Stay in Power -- New York Times/AP

Libyan rebels round up black Africans -- Yahoo News/AP
Libyans Turn Wrath on Dark-Skinned Migrants -- New York Times
Tuareg Leaders in Niger and Mali Urge Tuareg in Libya to Work With NTC -- Voice of America
Libya's NTC shackled by prisoner overload -- Al Jazeera
Libya NTC to Offer Fighters Police Jobs -- New York Times/Reuters
Libyan official: Water back on in parts of Tripoli -- AP
Algeria Defends Decision to Shelter Gaddafi Kin -- New York Times/Reuters

Can a fierce battle for Qaddafi's home town be avoided? -- Kristen Chick, Christian Science Monitor
Libyan Spy Files Detail Gadhafi Regime's Collapse -- NPR/AP
Read the memos from inside Colonel Gadhafi's crumbling regime -- Globe And Mail
Libya Settles Uneasily Into Life After Gadhafi -- Christoph Reuter, Spiegel Online