Category Archives: International

International, U.S.

Foreign reporters still under attack by Libyan Rebels, U.S. Navy intercepts SCUD, CNN reporter wants out!

Reporters still holed up in the Rixos Hotel, in Tripoli, say the hotel is still under attack by Rebels.  That’s because the area is still under the control of the Libyan government.  It seems the rebels have not taken Tripoli after all.

CNN’s Matthew Chance said this about the situation: “Just had confirmation that a Maltese boat docked in a Libyan port. Would love to get on board and out of here.”

Another report says that SCUD missiles, supposedly being launched from Sirte, are being intercepted by the U.S. Navy.  The SCUDs are targeting Misrata.

 

International

Israel bombs Gaza, close to Egyptian border

August 24, a vehicle in the town of Rafah, near the Egyptian border was hit by an Israeli missile.  One man killed, one injured.

This comes after Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, said: “This is a delicate situation and there is a real risk of endangering the (1979 Egyptian-Israeli) peace treaty, which is a precious strategic asset for Israel.”

A ceasefire was agreed to, but only between Hamas and Israel.  Hamas does not control all of Gaza.  Rocket attacks against Israel, since the cease fire, were done by rivals to Hamas.  The man killed by Israel today, is said to be a member of Islamic Jihad, not Hamas.

It is now known that the August 18 attacks on Israeli tour buses were not done by Hamas, but by a group known as Popular Resistance Committees.  Earlier Israel, and most of the western media, blamed Hamas for the tour bus attacks. 

International

Tripoli water supply poisoned, Gaddafi says war is still on, Rebel positions near Tunis under attack

Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi says government forces leaving Tripoli is a tactical move, the war is not over.  He also says NATO sent no fewer than 64 air strikes against the Bab al Aziziya military compound, in the recent fighting.

Reports coming from Tunis.  Tunisia has closed its border crossings, because rebel forces, near the border, are under heavy attack by Libyan government forces, including artillery attack.

Some BBC reporters are saying the water supply for Tripoli is contaminated, possibly poisoned.  Two people were taken to hospital after drinking tap water.  Some rebel checkpoints are warning people not to drink the water.

International

Libyan forces leave Gaddafi’s hometown, to fight Rebels in Tripoli, Rebels will now focus on attacking Sirte

There are reports that Libyan government forces, and pro-Gaddafi tribes, are leaving Gaddifi’s hometown of Sirte, to attack rebels in Tripoli.

At the same time, other reports say rebels are trying to stop government forces coming from Sirte.  NATO bombed Sirte “heavily”.  Rebel officials say they need another 72 hours to fully “liberate” Libya.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said Gaddafi’s forces remain dangerous.

Business/Economics, International

BBC serves employees food covered in mouse crap

130 employees, at the British Broadcasting Corporation’s West London office, complained that the food they got in the company cafeteria, was covered with mouse droppings!

This is not the first time the BBC has been criticized for the food it serves its employees.  The famous comedian Peter Sellers (the original Pink Panther movies, Dr Strangelove) once said: “Lunch is now being served in the BBC canteen. Doctors are standing by.”

International, U.S.

NATO warns of Chemical Weapons use in Libya, open Desert not conducive to chemical warfare

U.S. and European military “experts” are trying to create fears of chemical weapons being used by a desperate Gaddafi.

In the live rebel press conference the rebel official responded that “Everything is possible” regarding fears that Gaddafi would use chemical weapons.

The open Libyan desert is not conducive to chemical warfare.  See my earlier posting: Chemical Weapons Primer.

International

Once again, Libyan rebels say they arrested Gaddafi’s son, Libyan government fell apart

Live press conference from rebels say Seif al Islam Gaddafi has been arrested, but they can’t confirm. This is not the first time they’ve made such a claim.

Rebel official says efforts will be made to allow Seif al Islam to make a statement by phone.  Rebels say dozens of Libyan government officials have surrendered.  Again, they can’t confirm it.  They add that once Seif al Islam was arrested the Libyan government fell apart.