US intelligence indicates “flickers” of evidence that there are fighters among the Libyan rebels with ties to al-Qaeda and Hezbollah, but neither group holds significant sway over the movement, Admiral James Stavridis told Congress today. “The intelligence that I’m receiving at this point makes me feel that the leadership that…
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As justice secretary Ken Clarke prepares to announce winning bids to run jails, prison officers consider industrial action Up to 3,000 troops have been put on standby to run any prison hit by industrial action as a result of an imminent decision on whether to privatise some of Britain’s biggest jails . The justice secretary, Ken Clarke, is pressing Downing Street for approval to announce the winning bidders to run HMP Birmingham, HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, and a new “super-sized jail” on a site next to HMP Featherstone in Wolverhampton. The announcement is due before the end of the week. The Prison Officers Association, which has a two-year-old mandate to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in the event of any prison being privatised, is urging prison staff to hold gate meetings at the start of their shift the day after any such announcement, to discuss a strict work to rule. Feelings are particularly strong at the 1,450-capacity Birmingham prison, which Jack Straw ordered to be market-tested when he was justice secretary after it was branded a “failing jail”. Staff say they feel they worked hard to bring it up to a higher standard and don’t want to see a private company profit from their hard work. Colin Moses, POA chairman, said more than 500 prison officers went on the weekend’s TUC anti-cuts march in London: “That is a massive contingent for us. It was the first time that we have marched alongside other trade unions.” Ministers got the agreement of the Ministry of Defence to train 2,000 to 3,000 regular soldiers in formal jailcraft earlier this year after studying the first national strike by the POA in 2007 when 90% of prison officers walked out for 12 hours. A reserve power to ban prison strikes was reintroduced the next year. The army used to train its soldiers in staffing a jail as a matter of routine during the 1980s and 1990s but withdrew from the agreement 10 years ago in the face of the pressures of Iraq and other campaigns. The prisons minister, Crispin Blunt, a former army captain, got MoD approval a few months ago for up to 3,000 servicemen and women to be trained in prison craft such as how to lock down a wing, moving inmates around the prison safely, and understanding fire risks. The numbers of soldiers who have been trained means that they could not provide cover for walkouts at more than a handful of prisons. It is understood those involved are drawn mainly from the army’s only prison, the military corrective training centre at Colchester, and elements of the RAF Regiment, which guards air force bases. Although the prison service has also been talking to the police about contingency plans it is reluctant to get involved. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our aim is to avoid any form of industrial action and we will continue to talk to the unions to do everything possible to achieve this. However, given the risks and complexities involved in running prisons it is sensible and appropriate to review our contingency plans for dealing with widespread industrial action.” She added that they were to ensure their contingency plans were “as strong as possible”. Bids from the public and private sectors were invited for the three prisons. It is believed that Serco and G4S, the largest UK private security companies, are involved in the bids. Buckley Hall was one of the first jails to be privatised in 1994 but was taken back into the public sector in 2000. Featherstone 2 was initially earmarked as a Titan prison holding 2,500 inmates but has been scaled back to a “super-sized” 1,600 capacity. Prisons and probation Military Kenneth Clarke Jack Straw Alan Travis Eric Allison guardian.co.uk
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Observers predict further trouble after Friday prayers as Assad’s TV broadcast, which detailed no reforms, angers the nation Syrians reacted with anger and disappointment after their president, Bashar al-Assad, failed to deliver any decisive reforms in his first public appearance since the street uprising that has threatened his regime. In homes and cafes around Damascus Assad was castigated for a speech which seemed tailored to send a message of strength to protesters demanding an overhaul of the Baathist old guard which has ruled Syria for 40 years. However, demonstrators had demanded much more and are unlikely to be appeased by Assad’s main message that foreign conspirators were largely responsible for the unprecedented scenes across the country during the past fortnight. “This is what happened in Egypt and Tunisia on repeat,” said one young pro-change Syrian. “Excuses and arrogance.” Assad has the reputation of being a crowd-pleaser and many had anticipated a surprise announcement. His key adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban, had foreshadowed decisive reforms, including lifting an emergency law that bans public dissent. However, Assad’s speech offered no substantive concessions. He said satellite television and propaganda had incited demonstrators, although he also said that “not all demonstrators were conspirators”. He added that the chaos in Syria had an Israeli agenda, but did not elaborate. “This is the end of Syria,” said one young engineer from the capital, Damascus. “There was no apology and no promise of reform. This only makes us angrier. He could have at least expressed sorrow for those who have died.” Residents of the southern city of Deraa, where at least 55 people have been killed during clashes with security forces, told the Guardian that the speech had been met with significant anger. Assad expressed grief for the deaths of “fathers and brothers” in Deraa and acknowledged that security forces had “made mistakes” during the clashes. However, he also said residents had a responsibility to stop the protests themselves. “The speech was nonsense and has given security forces the green light to continue its oppression of our people,” said a man who declined to be named, speaking by telephone from Deraa . Even Assad’s supporters seemed at a loss after the address, which was regularly interrupted by choreographed bursts of poetry from the floor. “Many Baathists were congratulating me today on the removal of emergency law,” said one Christian businessman. “But now they are empty-handed as they face the Syrian people.” For a core of supporters, however, the speech may have made little difference. Some said he was received as honest for admitting to the need to fight corruption, and interpreted the speech as reiterating that reforms were needed. Before the address one Syrian diplomat had said Assad was intent on striking a dignified tone. “The west needs to know that we are not their valet, their entry point to the region,” the diplomat said. “And he will not be seen as capitulating to the protesters.” Analysts in Damascus said Assad had been strengthened by external support in recent days. In giving little by way of concession, he managed to adopt a more consistent narrative absolving the regime of blame. “Reform was placed within the context of ongoing plans, meaning he can downplay the idea that he is reacting to discontent while at the same time saying it doesn’t exist,” said one. Syria is of key strategic significance in the Middle East and a full-blown revolution would have widespread effects. Assad is aligned to an anti-western orbit, headed by Iran. However, he has attempted to broker improved relations with the United States over the past year and also to reach out to Europe. Assad’s regime is led by members of the minority Alawite sect, loosely aligned with Shia Islam. He has been a strong backer of Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah and has so far resisted US attempts to prise him free from them. The US did not immediately react to the speech. However, across the Syrian border in Lebanon there was celebratory gunfire in the Shia heartland areas of the Bekaa Valley and the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, which is a Hezbollah heartland. Some observers in Damascus said the speech would add weight to calls for further protests across the country on Friday. The scenes of recent clashes were quiet amid a large security presence, which is expected to be reinforced on Friday — a day of prayers that has seen a rise in violence for the past two weeks. Katherine Marsh is a pseudonym for a journalist living in Damascus Syria Middle East Bashar Al-Assad Protest Arab and Middle East unrest Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk
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Government tank and artillery fire forces opposition fighters to abandon ground won since Nato air strikes began Troops loyal to the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, have retaken Brega, forcing rebel fighters into a chaotic retreat under a barrage of tank and artillery fire to their stronghold of Benghazi. With Gaddafi’s forces advancing on the town of Ajdabiya, rebels are fleeing back to the position they held before Nato air strikes began, on Saturday. Nato planes continued to bombard the regime troops, but their outgunned opponents were forced back from positions taken earlier in the week, when they advanced to within 60 miles of Sirte, Gaddafi’s home city. Meanwhile, as debate within the anti-Gaddafi international coalition over the legality of arming the rebellion continued, the foreign secretary, William Hague, said it would be possible to supply weapons under certain circumstances. Earlier, David Cameron told the Commons no decision had been made but he “would not necessarily rule out the protection of civilians in certain circumstances”. The rebels’ rapid withdrawal came just days after they raced westwards following the destruction of government tanks and artillery in five days of aerial bombardment in Ajdabiya. Ragtag opposition fighters have repeatedly been forced to retreat after fierce bombardments by the more disciplined government troops. “Gaddafi hit us with huge rockets. He has entered Ras Lanuf,” one rebel fighter, Faraj Muftah, told Reuters after pulling out of the oil port. “We were at the western gate in Ras Lanuf and we were bombarded,” said a second fighter, Hisham. Scores of rebel four-wheel pickups raced east, away from Ras Lanuf. Later, pro-government forces moved through Ras Lanuf into Brega, sending rebels fleeing once more. Speaking to the Commons, Hague revealed that five Libyan diplomats had been expelled from the regime’s London embassy because they represented a potential security risk. Hague said that while the current arms embargo prevented weapons being provided to the whole of Libya, UN resolution 1973 allowed “for all necessary measures to protect civilians” to be taken. The British government’s view, which was not necessarily shared internationally, was that this meant rebels protecting civilians could be armed, although ministers had “not yet taken a decision”, he said. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said on Tuesday she believed arming rebels was legal under the UN security council resolution , which sanctioned the no-fly zone and air operations. But experts in international law have questioned this interpretation , which they say would breach the arms embargo on Libya agreed last month. There also remain questions about who is represented in the interim national council (INC) guiding the uprising. In Washington, Admiral James Stavridis, Nato’s supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate intelligence reports had suggested “flickers” of al-Qaida or Hezbollah presence within the rebel movement. A UK diplomat, Christopher Prentice, the ambassador in Rome, met rebel leaders in their stronghold of Benghazi on Monday and Tuesday, the Foreign Office said. Cameron told the Commons during prime minister’s questions: “In terms of the situation on the ground, it is an extremely fluid situation, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the ceasefire is still being breached and it is absolutely right for us to keep up our pressure under UN security council resolution 1973.” Asked by the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, whether the terms of the resolution that authorised “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians, overrode the arms embargo, Cameron said: “I have said before in the house that we must do everything to comply with both the security council resolutions. “The arms embargo applies to the whole of the territory of Libya, but at the same time UN security council resolution 1973 allows all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas. “Our view is that this would not necessarily rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances. We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so.” Cameron said coalition forces had “taken action yesterday against regime forces harassing civilian vessels trying to get into Misrata”, the rebel-held town in the west of Libya, under siege from Gaddafi’s troops for several days. The RAF had flown 24 sorties over Libya on Tuesday night and Wednesday. “Tornado aircraft destroyed artillery and an armoured fighting vehicle near Sirte,” he told MPs. He also revealed that in his talks with the INC’s special envoy at Tuesday’s international conference on the Libya crisis he had been “reassured” the group wanted its role to be transitional. “They are democrats. They are not tribal, and they want to see a future for the whole of Libya where the people have a choice over how they are governed.” Hague told the Commons afterwards: “To underline our grave concern at the regime’s behaviour, I can announce to the house that we have today taken steps to expel five diplomats at the Libyan embassy in London, including the military attache. The government also judged that were these individuals to remain in Britain, they could pose a threat to our security.” Libya Middle East Arab and Middle East unrest David Cameron United States Nato Hillary Clinton William Hague Chris McGreal James Meikle guardian.co.uk
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Libya rebels withdraw from oil town as international coalition continue discussions over legality of arming them Troops loyal to the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, have retaken the key oil port of Ras Lanuf, forcing rebel fighters into a chaotic retreat under a barrage of tank and artillery fire. Nato planes bombarded the regime troops as their outgunned opponents continued to fall back from positions taken earlier in the week, when they had advanced within 60 miles of Sirte, Gaddafi’s home city. Meanwhile, as the debate within the anti-Gaddafi international coalition over the legality of arming the rebellion continued, the foreign secretary, William Hague, said that it would be possible to supply weapons under certain circumstances. Earlier, David Cameron told the Commons that no decision had been made but he “would not necessarily rule out the protection of civilians in certain circumstances”. The rebel’s rapid withdrawal came just days after insurgent fighters raced westwards following the destruction of government tanks and artillery in five days of aerial bombardment in the town of Ajdabiya. Ragtag opposition fighters have repeatedly been forced to retreat after fierce bombardments by the more disciplined government troops. “Gaddafi hit us with huge rockets. He has entered Ras Lanuf,” rebel fighter Faraj Muftah told Reuters after pulling out of the oil port. “We were at the western gate in Ras Lanuf and we were bombarded,” said a second fighter, Hisham. Scores of rebel four-wheel pick-ups raced east, away from Ras Lanuf, a Reuters journalist saw. Speaking to the Commons, Hague revealed that five Libyan diplomats had been expelled from the regime’s London embassy because they represented a potential security risk. Hague said that while the current arms embargo prevented weapons being provided to the whole of Libya, UN resolution 1973 allowed “for all necessary measures to protect civilians” to be taken. The British government’s view, which was not necessarily shared internationally, was that this meant rebels protecting civilians could be armed although ministers had “not yet taken a decision”, he said. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said on Tuesday that she believed arming rebels was legal under the UN security council resolution which sanctioned the no-fly zone and air operations. But experts in international law have questioned this interpretation , saying that it would breach the arms embargo on Libya agreed last month. There also remain questions about who is represented in the interim national council (INC) guiding the uprising. In Washington, Admiral James Stavridis, Nato’s supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate that intelligence reports had suggested “flickers” of al-Qaida or Hezbollah presence within the rebel movement. A UK diplomat, Christopher Prentice, the ambassador in Rome, met rebel leaders in their stronghold of Benghazi on Monday and Tuesday, the Foreign Office has said. Cameron told the Commons during prime minister’s questions: “In terms of the situation on the ground it is an extremely fluid situation, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the ceasefire is still being breached and it is absolutely right for us to keep up our pressure under UN security council resolution 1973.” Asked by the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, whether the terms of the resolution that authorised “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians, overrode the arms embargo, Cameron said: “I have said before in the House that we must do everything to comply with both the security council resolutions. “The arms embargo applies to the whole of the territory of Libya, but at the same time UN security council resolution 1973 allows all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas. “Our view is that this would not necessarily rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances. We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so.” Cameron said coalition forces had “taken action yesterday against regime forces harassing civilian vessels trying to get into Misrata”, the rebel-held town in the west of Libya, under siege from Gaddafi’s troops for several days. The RAF had flown 24 sorties over Libya on Tuesday night and Wednesday. “Tornado aircraft destroyed artillery and an armoured fighting vehicle near Sirte,” he told MPs. He also revealed that in his talks with the INC’s special envoy at Tuesday’s international conference on the Libya crisis, he had been “reassured” the group wanted its role to be transitional. “They are democrats. They are not tribal, and they want to see a future for the whole of Libya where the people have a choice over how they are governed.” Hague told the Commons afterwards: “To underline our grave concern at the [Gaddafi] regime’s behaviour, I can announce to the House that we have today taken steps to expel five diplomats at the Libyan embassy in London, including the military attache. The government also judged that were these individuals to remain in Britain, they could pose a threat to our security.” Libya Arab and Middle East unrest Muammar Gaddafi Middle East Nato James Meikle guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …In Libya Interview, Sawyer Asks Obama About Praying Like Lincoln and ‘How Much Do You Think Kentucky Will Win By?’
March 30, 2011 No Comment
The broadcast evening news anchors all got ten minutes with President Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon in New York City to press him about contradictions in his Libya policy, ceding authority for foreign entities and how he’s a hypocrite after his criticism of President Bush for unilateral actions and not getting congressional approval, but instead they simply prodded him to provide arms to the rebels and pushed him to take action in Syria. But ABC’s Diane Sawyer stood out for her obsequiousness as the Kentucky native ended by giddily bringing up the college basketball tournament: “How much do you think Kentucky will win by?” Before that, she cued him up to agree he’s as burdened as Abraham Lincoln: What about the famous quote from another beleaguered President, Abraham Lincoln, who said he had been driven many times to his knees because his own wisdom and that around him “was insufficient for the day”? Obama assured her: “I do a lot of praying.” Following the interview except, Sawyer personalized her “beleaguered President” theme: By the way, on that avalanche of crises the President faces every day – from Libya to Iraq to Afghanistan to nuclear crises in Japan – the President goes home every day to talk to his daughters about his day. I ask him what does he say to them about days like this? And you can see that at ABCNews.com/World News. She had teased World News : “One on One: I ask the President about cutting a deal with Moammar Gadhafi and does he ever say ‘what's going on with this avalanche of world crises’?” Brian Williams teased the NBC Nightly News : “‘Not ruling it out.’ Tonight, in our conversation with President Obama, he leaves the door open to arming those rebels in Libya.” For CBS, Erica Hill landed the sit-down with Obama, which she teased: “Tonight, keeping up the pressure on Gadafi. The new air strikes and a diplomatic push. We talk to the President.” Hill posed about the toughest question, which shows just how soft the sessions were: “The supreme allied commander for NATO said today that there are flickers of al Qaeda and Hezbollah amongst these rebels. How do we know what their end goal is? And how do we know they won't, in fact, turn on the U.S. and on our allies?” Diane Sawyer’s questions to Obama as aired on the Tuesday, March 29 ABC World News : – In my interview with the President I started by asking about Gadhafi and those reports he is trying to make a deal. [To Obama:] As of this moment, any sign Gadhafi wants out? – If Gadhafi ends up in a villa someplace in Zimbabwe with no war crimes trial, is that okay with you? – Have you made, or would you make any calls to say “take him”? – We are hearing tonight, it’s fierce fighting, the U.S. must send munitions. How long would it take to get there? – Can we say that we could have it [arms] in there in a day, in two days? – I want to try to clarify what you’re saying today to the people of Syria. [Sawyer narration: We specifically asked the President, is he saying to the protesters in Syria that if they meet the five criteria he laid out last night] Are you saying to them we will be there for you as we were there in Libya? – Even if these paper criteria are met? – What about the famous quote from another beleaguered President, Abraham Lincoln, who said he had been driven many times to his knees because his own wisdom and that around him “was insufficient for the day”? [Obama: “I do a lot of praying.”] – Just a final question: How much do you think Kentucky will win by? Erica Hill’s questions to Obama as excerpted on the CBS Evening News: – Earlier today I spoke with President Obama here in New York. He has made it clear, from the beginning, he wants Gaddafi out. But what if he doesn’t go? – Are there also discussions and even perhaps meetings at all with people in Muammar Gaddafi's camp? – The supreme allied commander for NATO said today that there are flickers of al Qaeda and Hezbollah amongst these rebels. How do we know what their end goal is? And how do we know they won't, in fact, turn on the U.S. and on our allies? – Can you give us an idea of what some of those goals are [for the Libyan rebels]? Beyond just removing Qaddafi from power? – You mentioned the region. There's obviously so much focus on the region at this point. From everything we've seen over the last couple of months, there is renewed focus, though, on Syria. What would it take, what circumstances in particular would lead to direct involvement from the U.S. in Syria? The questions from Williams to Obama run on the NBC Nightly News: – The moment your speech ended last night the Associated Press put out an item that read: “President Obama’s speech was about defending the first war launched on his watch.” How does it end? – What if it doesn’t work? What if the rebels find themselves bogged down, this becomes protracted? – How do you not offer the rebels direct assistance of some sort? – Due respect, Mr. President, watching the reportings of our two correspondents in Libya, what it appears the rebels need is military equipment. Some of their equipment dates back to World War II. Are you ruling out U.S. military hardware assistance? – Three weeks from now, if a member of your circle makes an impassioned case to do the same in Syria, to finally de-couple it from Iran, what do you do? – So when people hear words like “values” and “interests” and your phrase “the flow of commerce” – which some people couldn’t help but substitute oil – they shouldn’t think that there is any blanket policy, this may be an ad-hoc business if this so-called Arab Spring turns into Arab Summer and we keep at this, watching countries change? — Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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A friendly of vigour and ambition is an anachronism and the majority of the Wembley crowd will be unsure if it is wholly to their taste. Those England followers did not see a victory delivered by Andy Carroll’s first goal for his country because Ghana deservedly equalised in stoppage time with a shot from Asamoah Gyan. The fixture had also contained the statutory curio when Danny Welbeck, on loan to Sunderland from Manchester United, received his England debut as a substitute. Supporters are not naive and few bought tickets under the misconception that a rip-roaring performance from the cream of the country’s footballers awaited them. The nature of friendlies is understood and more or less tolerated. Indeed, fans were not being exploited quite as severely as some had dreaded, even if Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, Jack Wilshere, and Ashley Young were the only starters who had also been on the field at kick-off against Wales in Cardiff last Saturday. The England manager Fabio Capello had not really resorted to obscure batch of footballers. Carroll certainly could not be termed a makeweight once Liverpool had spent £35m to take him from Newcastle United. He had already made his debut in the loss to France four months ago, but expectations have climbed in parallel with his valuation. If it was any comfort to him, there was a craving from his team-mates to get him into the action. At least the early part of the night was given over to spirited attacking from the hosts. There was high energy, underlined by the interchanging midfield. Modest experimentation was on show, too, with Stuart Downing and Ashley Young, against expectation, on right and left wings respectively. If there was any disappointment, it lay for a while in the fact that Carroll did not look entirely fit following the recent injury and could not assist much in the swirling play at that stage. It may be most encouraging of all that he notched the opener in any case. Regardless of physical condition, his impact was unimpaired. Two minutes from half-time Young found his Aston Villa team-mate Downing and the latter released Carroll to score with a low and accurate finish. Young’s part in that ought to have come as a relief to the Villa winger since he had found a way of hitting the bar from close range after excellent build-up from Downing before Miler cut the ball back in the 25th minute. There was an eagerness to England that could not have been expected in the opposition. Nobody would have supposed that the friendly was at the forefront of Ghana’s thinking. Minds were expected to have been a little jumbled by the 4,000 mile journey to London following Sunday’s away victory in Brazzaville over Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Even so, some were sprightlier than others and Sunderland’s Gyan, who had been suspended from that fixture, should have been capable of bringing a relative freshness to this match. There was a desire to compete with England and to earn the approval of the significant number of their followers at Wembley. Hart needed to make a very good save from a close range attempt by Dominic Adiyah in the 25th minute, even if the goalkeeper was also on the verge of looking a hapless figure when he knocked the ball to Gyan. The striker came to his aid by looking puzzled rather than merciless on discovering that he was in possession. The edge to the game also looked a little blunted at the outset of the second-half. Ghana, perhaps hoping to counter the fatigue of the trek to London, made three substitutions at half-time. It would, in any case, have been unexpected for a friendly to continue in so frisky a manner. If anything, it was the visitors who had more zest. Talk of their desire to be the first African team to defeat England did not look like promotional hype when a drive from John Pantsil was deflected just over the bar with almost an hour gone. At that point England followers might have felt a secret pang of nostalgia for duller friendlies in which their team prevails as a matter of course. There had to be a deep respect for a side that had travelled so far and arrived so recently to conduct themselves as if such a schedule had been expressly designed to bring out the best of themselves. As the match moved towards the last 20 minutes England were still awaiting evidence of exhaustion in their opponents. Many onlookers will have known days when they raged against the insipid character of matches at Wembley when no prize is at stake, but this was too authentic for comfort. It did at least hold the attention of 80,102 people. Some held their breath when Gyan ran clear from the right in the 68th minute, only to bash his shot into the side netting from an angle. Capello brought on the Wolves winger Matt Jarvis for his debut, but by then it must have been the need for more energy that really accounted for his introduction on this testing occasion. Friendlies England Ghana Kevin McCarra guardian.co.uk
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Hillary Clinton and William Hague claim arming rebel groups may be legal under the recent UN resolution The US and Britain have raised the prospect of arming Libya’s rebels if air strikes fail to force Muammar Gaddafi from power. At the end of a conference on Libya in London, Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said for the first time that she believed arming rebel groups was legal under UN security council resolution 1973, passed two weeks ago, which also provided the legal justification for air strikes. America’s envoy to the UN, Susan Rice, said earlier the US had “not ruled out” channelling arms to the rebels. The British foreign secretary, William Hague, agreed that the resolution made it legal “to give people aid in order to defend themselves in particular circumstances”. The west’s main Arab ally, Qatar, also said providing weapons to Gaddafi’s opponents should be considered if air strikes failed to dislodge him. The Gulf state’s prime minister, Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani, said the effect of air strikes would have to be evaluated in a few days, but added: “We cannot let the people suffer for too long.” A prolonged conflict appeared more likely after pro-Gaddafi forces launched a powerful counterattack against Libyan rebelstoday, sending the revolutionaries fleeing from towns they had taken only two days earlier. Mahmoud Shammam, a spokesman for the rebel interim national council (INC) said the insurgents lacked weapons. “We don’t have arms at all, otherwise we would finish Gaddafi in a few days. We ask for the political support more than we are asking for the arms. But if we get both that would be great.” However, the French and the Italians disagreed with Washington and London’s interpretation of the UN resolution. Asked about the possibility of arming the rebels, the French foreign minister, Alain Juppé said: “It is not part of the UN resolutions, but we are ready to discuss it with our partners.” French and Italian officials said the issue had been discussed at the conference in London, contradicting US and British assurances to the contrary. There appeared to be greater consensus on offering Gaddafi a way out of the conflict through exile, with Italy leading the way in seeking a haven prepared to accept the Libyan leader. The UK was not looking for somewhere for him to go, said Hague. “That doesn’t exclude other countries from doing so.” Clinton said the UN’s special envoy to Libya, Abdul Ilah Khatib, was due in Tripoli soon to explore “a political solution that could involve [Gaddafi] leaving the country”. The INC was not formally invited to the London conference, and has only been recognised so far by France and Qatar. However, it emerged from the conference with its status enhanced. The group was allowed to use the Foreign Office’s official briefing room to launch its political manifesto, A Vision of a Democratic Libya, which diplomats distributed on its behalf. Shammam said Clinton herself had “just stopped short of recognition,” but had dispatched a senior US diplomat, Chris Stevens, to Benghazi to strengthen ties. “We have been told here that a lot more delegates will be coming to Benghazi soon,” Shammam said. The conference agreed to study a Qatari proposal to sell oil from rebel-held areas of Libya, to provide revenue for the insurgents. However Clinton admitted that Americans “do not know as much as we would like to” about the INC. In Washington, Admiral James Stavridis, Nato’s supreme allied commander in Europe, told the Senate intelligence analysis had revealed “flickers” of al-Qaida or Hezbollah presence inside the movement, and argued it required further study. Rice told Fox News she was “reading much the same stuff” and distanced herself from Stavridis’s comments. “I think we can’t rule out the possibility that extremist elements could filter into any segment of Libyan society and it’s something clearly we will watch carefully for,” she said. Pro-Gaddafi forces bolstered by recent reinforcements bombarded rebel positions 45 miles from the politically and strategically significant town of Sirte, on the Libyan coast. Revolutionaries around Bin Jawad eventually fled under the intense assault. The government army moved into the town and then continued to press east for 20 miles along the main coastal road until they came within striking distance of Ras Lanuf, which was left dangerously vulnerable when rebels fled a fresh round of attacks on the road. Towns on the road to Benghazi have changed hands several times since the beginning of the uprising two months ago. The rebels’ see-sawing military fortunes, which saw them charge down the road to Bin Jawad on Sunday after western air strikes sent Gaddafi’s forces fleeing only to charge back up again yesterday, is further confirmation that they are unlikely to be able to defeat the regime without foreign air forces continuing to destroy government tanks and artillery. It was not immediately clear if there had been any air strikes near Sirte or Bin Jawad on Monday, but the advance of the regime’s forces did not appear to have been slowed. Rebel fighters demanded to know if Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president who is a favourite of the revolutionaries after his government recognised them, was sleeping. Libya Middle East Muammar Gaddafi Hillary Clinton William Hague Arab and Middle East unrest US foreign policy Julian Borger Chris McGreal guardian.co.uk
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Gunfire was widely heard throughout the capital and at least five helicopters were circling scenes of clashes, amid widespread panic on the streets below Military troops have opened a large-scale assault against hundreds of anti-government protesters occupying a landmark square in Bahrain’s capital. The focal point for Bahrain’s demonstrators was again over-run by riot police in a nationwide crackdown aimed at crushing the two month anti-government uprising. Smoke was billowing for the landmark site, known as Pearl Roundabout, and the scent of tear gas wafted through many locations in Manama. Gunfire was widely heard throughout the capital and at least five helicopters were circling scenes of clashes, amid widespread panic on the streets below. Riot police entered Manama’s Salmaniya Medical Centre for the first time since the demonstrations began and doctors reported they were being prevented from reaching the hospital and treating patients inside. The police were also preventing casualties from reaching the facility. By 8am, they had closed its main gate and stationed forces outside. This morning’s events are a significant escalation in more than eight weeks of clashes that have threatened the legitimacy of Bahrain’s monarchy and stoked sectarian tensions throughout the Gulf and Saudi Arabia. They follow the arrival of more than 1,000 troops from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), invited to the kingdom by its beseiged rulers. One Amoured Personnel Carrier flying a flag of the United Arab Emirates was seen by bystanders this morning amid a column of troop carriers. Two people were killed during clashes with troops on Tuesday afternoon. Demonstrators are bracing for more pitched battles today, in the wake of a state of emergency declared for the next three months by the regime. Pearl Roundabout was first attacked by riot police in mid-February, forcing demonstrators to abandon the site for three days until troops surrendered it under the orders of Bahrain’s Crown Prince. That gesture was supposed to mark a watershed in the protests and the start of a national dialogue between the Shia majority, which accounts for 70% of Bahrain’s population, and the Sunni minority which rules them. However, the dialogue faltered almost before it began, with protesters claiming they could not trust the Government and being unable to agree on their demands. For the last four weeks the roundabout in the central city had been transformed into a hub of activism, with hundreds of tents, supplied food and a media centre. It had taken on almost a folk festival feel. However, the status quo had seemed untenable in the wake of increasing nervousness within the regime about the momentum of the demonstration. Bahrain’s fresh crackdown has the support of the Gulf states who are anxious to avoid the risk that demonstrations will spread their way. However, they had angered nearby Iran, which has supported Bahrain’s Shias in the past and also drawn a rebuke from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Bahrain Protest Martin Chulov guardian.co.uk
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Vali Damaskou at Nameless Dance Academy, Beirut – Lebanon Nantes by Beirut..-2.wmv My week Investigator UN Job Vacancy in Beirut | Jobs Corner: Career and … The position is located in the UNIFIL House in Beirut unit of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), Investigations Division (ID). The incumbent will be stationed in Beirut , but report to the Chief of Unit at the Vienna … Rawi Hage on urban planning and sectarianism in Beirut | beirut … Behind his argument against Lebanon’s “divisive sectarianism”, Hage paints a bleak and unforgiving picture of today’s Beirut . He hints, with a “maybe”, at a glimmer of hope… My house in Lebanon is in what was historically known as the … “For some of these kids, it's like Beirut to finally get to school … That’s according to retired US basketball player, Jalen Rose, who was at the ESPN screening of the documentary “The Fab Five,” which Rose helped to produce; drink tea be content: NANTES – BEIRUT NANTES – BEIRUT . With the first sight of sun in months, I grabbed my sunglasses after school this morning and headed down to meet my friend at the gym. Wearing the outfit that had only graced the inside of my house last weekend, … Lebanese gather for protest against Hezbollah arms Lebanese gather for protest against Hezbollah arms. Beirut , March 13 (DPA) Supporters of outgoing Lebanese Premier Saad Hariri gathered in Beirut Sunday to protest the weapons arsenal held by the rival Shiite movement Hezbollah. … nasawiya says: RT: @MashallahTweet : Mashallah News / Beirut → The Art of Deception http://mashallahnews.com/?p=2012 #IWD #Lebanon # Beirut
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