Posts Tagged ‘ Libya ’

"Libyan troops loyal to Muammar Qaddafi used artillery and helicopter gunships in their effort to block the rebels’ advance west from the oil hub of Ras Lanuf toward the leader’s hometown of Sirte. ... Clashes during the past two days have become more deadly as the rebels moved along the Libyan coast toward Tripoli and government troops escalated their use of force in attempting to retake the rebel-held cities of Misurata, about 90 miles east of the capital, and Zawiyah to the west." (03/06/11)

"Libyan opposition leaders rejected a mediation offer by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally of Muammar Qaddafi, as armed rebels held out against regime attacks and prepared to push toward the capital of Tripoli. ... The plan, which would involve what Venezuela called “friendly” nations, is a non-starter with the rebels, whose spokesman said Qaddafi 'knows the way to the airport and he can leave.'" (03/03/11)

"The Dutch Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that forces loyal to embattled Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi had captured three Dutch soldiers who were on an evacuation mission and added that 'intense negotiations' were on to secure their release. According to the Ministry, the Dutch soldiers were captured by the pro-Qadhafi forces after their helicopter was forced to land near the port of Sirte on Sunday. They were on a mission to evacuate two Dutch nationals stranded in the town in the wake of anti-government protests in Libya." (03/03/11)

"Rebels fought off a coordinated assault by military jets and armored ground forces near a key oil port Wednesday, thwarting Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi's most significant attempt yet to retake eastern territory that he lost last week amid a nationwide uprising. Despite aged equipment and little training, a ragtag team of thousands that rushed to Brega repelled government forces and retook the port city after setbacks earlier in the day." (03/02/11)

"Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi were massed near the Tunisian border on Tuesday, residents said, and the United States said it was moving warships and air forces closer to Libya. Residents feared pro-Gadhafi forces were preparing an attack to regain control of Nalut, about 60 km (38 miles) from the Tunisian border in western Libya, from protesters seeking an end to Gadhafi's rule." (02/28/11)

"The United States has frozen at least $30 billion in Libyan government assets, a U.S. Treasury official announced Monday -- one of a series of steps being taken by international leaders designed to break strongman Moammar Gadhafi's grip on power. The $30 billion is the largest amount ever blocked under any sanctions program, according to David Cohen, the acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence." (02/28/11)

"The popular revolt that has already seen opponents of Col. Moammar Gaddafi's 41-year-rule claim the eastern half of the country spread deeper into the west on Sunday, with rock-wielding residents expanding control over key towns even as loyalist forces appeared poised to counterattack or impose blockades. With his rule of the nation at large failing, Gaddafi sought to reinforce his position in Tripoli, the capital and his stronghold, by literally doling out cash to citizens and vowing huge raises for public workers, residents there said." (02/27/11)

"An army unit and militiamen loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi blasted a mosque with antiaircraft missiles and automatic weapons Thursday, targeting protesters who had holed up inside. ... Protesters inside the mosque 'suffered heavy casualties,' though estimates for numbers killed were not available from witnesses, the Associated Press reports." (02/24/11)

"Forces loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi made good on threats to trigger a civil war in Libya on Wednesday night, by taking up positions across the capital, Tripoli and launching a rearguard fight against rebels in major cities." (02/23/11)

"The U.N. Security Council further isolated Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Tuesday, condemning his regime's crackdown on anti-government protesters and demanding that violence against civilians end immediately. A press statement agreed by all 15 members of the U.N.'s most powerful body expressed 'grave concern' at the situation in Libya, 'deplored the repression against peaceful demonstrators, and expressed deep regret at the deaths of hundreds of civilians.'" (02/22/11)

"Moammar Kadafi's embattled regime unleashed a military assault in the heart of the Libyan capital in an effort to crush a popular protest like those that have already toppled two North African rulers and now threatens the longest-serving leader in the Arab world. ... Libyan state television reported Monday that security forces were storming what it called 'dens of terror and sabotage' in the capital, Tripoli." (12/21/11)