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.
Rebel official speculates that Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi, might have been kidnapped by government elites.
The official thinks that, because Gaddafi was apparently going to surrender, then a convoy of armored Toyota Land Cruisers showed up and took Gaddafi away.
Rebel officials say Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi escaped. Rebels say he indicated he was willing to surrender, but then changed his mind.
They also began thanking many Arab countries for helping them in their revolution, especially Qatar. Rebels admitted they had outside help from the very beginning.
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.
Al Jazerra reports that Libyan government troops, and possibly Gaddafi, are retreating to Sirte. Sirte is the hometown of Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi.
Some unconfirmed reports out of Libya: Rebels have entered the Libyan government military compound in Tripoli, and NATO claims the Libyan army launched SCUD missiles.
Unfortunately announcements by rebels, in the past, have a poor track record of truth. But there are many reports that they’ve broken into the large military compound in Tripoli, and one report said they made it inside Gaddafi’s office.
Another report says Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi is not in the compound.
Other reports say the Libyan army fired SCUD missiles at Misrata. Those reports come from NATO. They “confirm” that at least three SCUD missiles were launched.
Jane’s Defence estimates that Libya has 240 of the ballistic missiles, with a range of about 300km (186 miles).
President Obama has said over and over that the United States would play a supporting role for NATO, in the attacks on Libya.
Now the Pentagon admits they’ve been directly involved with attacking Libya.
U.S. forces have launched at least three air strikes per day, for the past 12 days. These attacks are done by UAVs. Even though the bombings are done with UAVs that does not negate the fact that it means direct U.S. military involvement.
The total cost of U.S. involvement in the attacks on Libya, have cost taxpayers $1 billion, so far. And don’t think the U.S. military industrial complex is making enough money off this to make up for the $1 billion in spent tax revenues, so far only $220 million in weapons and ammo have been sold to NATO members.
Despite Libyan rebel’s claims that they detained Gaddafi’s sons, at least one escaped, another is leading counter attacks and a third just made a surprise appearance in Tripoli.
Seif al Islam showed up outside the Nixos hotel. In a live interview with Fox News, Seif said his father is alive and well: “Yes, he is in Tripoli, he is alive and well and we are winning. The rebels have been lured into a trap and we will crush them.”
Iranian oil official, Mohammad Ali Khatibi, has just stated that OPEC will not allow oil prices to fall much further.
Iran currently holds the presidency of OPEC. Khatibi says Iran will call an emergency OPEC meeting if oil prices fall too much.
Iran blames the United States, and Europe, for creating highly unstable markets, that do not reflect the true value of resources.
Reports that NATO is now rushing boatloads of fresh rebel fighters from Misratah to Tripoli.
A day ago a Reuters reporter revealed that NATO sent in at least 200 rebels, to Tripoli by sea, at the beginning of the assault on Tripoli.