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Civil War Breaks Out In Tripoli

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 02/26/2011 21:43 -0400

Looks like Gaddafi's promise that civil war will never break out while he is alive, has just been broken: "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. Residents of parts of the capital were trapped in their homes as "thousands" of soldiers patrolled the streets accompanied by African mercenaries. Tanks took up positions around public buildings including government offices, while sandbag defences were also being built. "We will fight until death," a pro-Gaddafi soldier in his early 20s said outside a military compound close to Tripoli's Green Square, which had been cleared of demonstrators by yesterday morning. "The country needs stability at a time like this, and this is what we are providing. The people are on our side." Next Gaddafi promise to be broken: "I won't burn Libya's oil."

The Telegraph on what can only be described as a preemptive civil war:

"Anywhere we go there is danger," said one woman, a 28-year-old mother of four who asked not to be named. "All we want is food and fresh water for our children but it is impossible to find. Security is the only concern of the authorities."

As ministers, generals and diplomats around the world defected, government spokesmen loyal to Col Gaddafi were trying to rally people to his side.

Col Gaddafi signalled a fightback in a speech on Tuesday, when he called on supporters to "chase away the rats and terrorists" who he said were plunging the country into civil war.

Ahmed al-Zuwi, secretary general of the People's Committees, the leading authorities, said the government was in control.

He blamed the unrest on the Gulf state of Qatar, which he said had ordered al-Jazeera, the television station owned by its royal family, to "spread lies" as part of a trade dispute.

General Jameel al-Kadiki, deputy commander of the air force, denied that his jets had bombed civilians but said they had been forced to prevent opponents "meddling" with military supplies and "using them against the Libyan people".

Later, the deputy foreign minister, Khaled Khaim, summoned EU ambassadors to claim that al-Qaeda had set up a base in the city of Darnah, under rebel control for several days. The cell was headed by a former inmate of Guantanamo Bay, he said.

"Apres moi, le deluge"

"Gaddafi will burn all cities under his control," he said. "We will not let escape with all of this."

Loyalist forces were also fighting back in the city of Sabratha, famed for its Roman ruins, after rebels burned government buildings and police stations.

Col Gaddafi and his sons seemed to be working on a plan to regroup in Tripoli and the province of Sirte, his birthplace, which is also assumed to remain loyal, before using his forces to fight back.

Two crew of a Sukhoi-22 ground attack jet ejected and allowed their plane to crash after refusing orders to bomb Benghazi, the eastern city where the revolution started.

Oh no Gaddafi won't pull a Saddam and burn Libya's oil wells. Not at all.

In the meantime, the army apparently still hasn't figured out the power vacuum beckons, and like in Egypt, it is time for a military coup.

But Mohammed Ali Abdullah, deputy leader of the National Front for the Salvation of Libya, a leading exile group, said he was concerned that the parts of the army that had defected had shown no sign of willingness themselves to take the revolution on.

"We aren't seeing the army's different brigades trying to reinforce themselves to take on the Khamis Brigade and the mercenaries," he said.

"There has been a lot of disappointment with the role of the army that has defected - it has defected and then sat down to watch."

Watch American Idol you mean. And who can blame them: the US banker class burned down the world's middle class, and the middle class just "sat down to watch" too. So much for leading by example...

- advertisements -

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:45 | 1000708 Yen Cross

Ahh it's about time! Now we can get CVN on them, and save some lifes.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:54 | 1001007 whatsinaname

meanwhile insurgents blow up refinery in iraq. 25 percent of iraq production is offline now.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 10:03 | 1001492 66Sexy

Am i missing something? Why is the MSM pumping the idea that 'Gaddafi out = lower oil price' ? Wouldnt Gaddafi out mean more uncertainty about Libyan oil? How can ANY conclusions be drawn about the power structure in the middle east: we are the 'Great Satan', and are being banished... right? How th fuck could the MSM or even our government know the outcomes here, or the effects on crude prices?

We are in a wild card scenario.. no one knows. Clearly there is an attempt to get control of the price with this association.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 19:21 | 1002385 caconhma

American democracy in action: "AP - Sixty-five civilians, including 40 children, were killed in a NATO assault on insurgents in eastern Afghanistan earlier this month, according to findings of an Afghan government investigation".

Did I mention of 1,400 civilians killed in Gaza by Israeli terrorists with American blessing?

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 02:03 | 1001176 bigelkhorn

I always love listening to the guys from FFT. They are insanely accurate with their stuff.

This is their latest stuff, and analysis of the S&P 500 chart. It is well worth a look, pretty cool!.

http://www.forecastfortomorrow.com/video/27th-feb-2011/rrt.html

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:30 | 1001634 YHC-FTSE

Oh dear. Linear regression forecast passed off technical analysis?

Thanks for the link - I'll go back there again, but not impressed so far.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 22:28 | 1002787 hbjork1

Nothing there YHC.

The loonies are loose.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 03:34 | 1001246 GoinFawr

"You ar.e decripted! I know your proxies"

\o/

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 08:58 | 1001452 mophead

*stealth devaluation*

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:28 | 1001628 YHC-FTSE

Carrier force? I don't think that's a good idea mate. Even the Libyans are having trouble distinguishing friend from foe, so how the hell are foreigners going to tell them apart? - sending in troops or bombing from the air will likely cause more civ casualities and cause a united front against "foreign invaders".

So far the Libyans on both sides have been pretty decent about foreigners evacuating, even in the midst of turmoil. That will change when the collateral damage start mounting up. Better let the Libyans sort this out for themselves, and perhaps help out the resistance with deniable covert ops if things get worse.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:51 | 1000718 reader2010

Gaddafi will be blamed for hyperinflaiton because he is allowed to burn his oil.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:53 | 1000725 johnnymustardseed

Very Sad! :(

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:53 | 1000727 JW n FL

FREE LYBIA!!!! BITCHEZ!!!!!

Italy needs the 500,000bbl's a day!!! or else the German will have to pick up a bigger tab than they already have to... lulzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:01 | 1000754 serotonindumptruck

That must be why Germany is sending three warships.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:04 | 1000767 tellsometruth

and the reason zerohedge mentioned naval movements months ago clearly a US build up in the ME

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:11 | 1000778 serotonindumptruck

The oil supertankers transitting the Red Sea and Suez are going to require combatant escort.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:59 | 1000884 Long-John-Silver

I was involved in Tanker escort during the "Tanker War" when Iran and Iraq were engaged in their war. It was the most miserable time I had during my time in the Navy. We suffered proximity explosions from a couple of anti ship missiles. We operated in a war zone but we were never considered to have served in a war zone so no war vet status for my shipmates and myself. Sucks big time and now it's going to happen to another generation of sailors.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:05 | 1000908 serotonindumptruck

It would seem that the most pressing issue at the current time is Somali pirates. That's easier to deal with than antiship missiles. At least for now.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:15 | 1000931 Long-John-Silver

The Somali pirates could be delt with in a couple of weeks if you've got someone in charge with the gonads to do it. Land Marines on the beach and take out the support areas. Pirates can't be pirates without a support base.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:25 | 1000956 Dr. Porkchop

I trust your authority on pirates based on your avatar alone ;)

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:21 | 1001037 philgramm

Somali Pirates? Still smoking that MSM weed?

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-har...

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:53 | 1001089 pods

Right. So did they steal their fish before they started dumping barrels of radioactive waste there?

pods

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 09:28 | 1001472 AnAnonymous

From the article:

Did we expect starving Somalians to stand passively on their beaches, paddling in our toxic waste, and watch us snatch their fish to eat in restaurants in London and Paris and Rome?

Absolutely. That is what US citizens expected them to do. And if they do not comply, then on with their termination.

US citizens do not support liberty. In their own times, they even codified slavery in their constitution.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 10:35 | 1001517 ZeroPower

Thats a load of BS imo

But im guessing you support dirty somalis killing innocent civilians.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 11:31 | 1001571 GoinFawr

And I am guessing you support the western world using the Somalia coastal waters as their toxic waste dumping ground?

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:40 | 1001647 YHC-FTSE

How the hell did I miss that story? Thanks for the link - makes a lot of sense.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 13:03 | 1001674 serotonindumptruck

Thanks for sharing this article, philgramm.

ZH can be an educational experience, if one keeps an open mind.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:50 | 1001081 tellsometruth

aye...yaaaahrrrr

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:32 | 1001051 Michael

What do you think of this approach for pirates?

"In the days of fighting sail, a Letter of Marque and Reprisal was a government licence authorizing a private vessel to attack and capture enemy vessels, and bring them before admiralty courts for condemnation and sale. Cruising for prizes with a Letter of Marque was considered an honorable calling combining patriotism and profit, in contrast to unlicensed piracy which was universally reviled. The French used the term lettre de course for their letters of marque, giving rise to the term corsair. Letter of Marque can sometimes describe the vessel itself: a "Letter of Marque" generally refers to a lumbering square-rigged cargo carrier that might pick up a prize if the opportunity arose, whereas a "privateer" was a fast and weatherly fore-and-aft rigged vessel heavily armed and heavily crewed, intended exclusively for fighting.

A "letter of marque and reprisal" would involve permission to cross an international border to effect a reprisal (take some action against an attack or injury) authorized by an issuing jurisdiction to conduct reprisal operations outside its borders."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_marque

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 08:39 | 1001440 falak pema

O knower of all...tell me who invented the black patch amongst those sea wolves...it's been haunting me since I read Treasure Island and realised how deadly was the Marque of pirates, not the kings, called the 'black spot' ! Yikes! I'm a 'marked' Marquee!

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 02:17 | 1001196 ebworthen

Gonads?

U.S. Leaders?

Let's see if we can get oil and vinegar to mix.

Rarely has a world power had such nutless, spineless, jellyfish at top levels of the Judiciary, Legislative, and Executive branches; and the military plays coy and polite and rolls over.

When will our military stand up for the people?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:17 | 1000937 dark pools of soros

they would of took it away anyway with austerity - why this country just doesn't openly act like an imperial state and take the ME ??? better now then later since there won't be a later very soon...

but as well all know, the banking interests don't care about USA anyway.. so the whole army should sit down until the Bankers are rooted out since Americans are getting anything but the debt from aquiring the spoils for the elite..

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 03:16 | 1001259 ft65

JW n FL / GLP ^TrInItY^ good to see your flip-flop on popular Muslim uprising. How are things at MacDill and Eglin. Has Elaine sold out to you?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:54 | 1000728 Cistercian

Bloodbath ensues.....

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:57 | 1000737 tellsometruth

"and the middle class just sat down to watch too"

-speak for yourself. It caused be to start paying attention, then educate, now opening my mouth and expressing myself to others publicly and privately...

engage your fellow man

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 21:59 | 1000745 eigenvalue

Then oil will limit up on Monday morning?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:19 | 1000805 Saxxon

What's limit-up for CL?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:44 | 1000854 eigenvalue

If I remember correctly, the daily price fluctuation limit is 10 dollars.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:56 | 1001090 pods

Nah, they will merely print up as much WTI as needed to keep the price down.

/sarc

pods

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:01 | 1000747 JW n FL

India didnt want to push for GoDaffy's punishment in the War Crimes Court.. fucking pussy dot heads! I thought they had a Prime Minister! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism

What happened with the Ambassador selling out?

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 03:21 | 1001264 ft65

JW n FL / Trinity / Captain Underpants - I think Mr Blair probably had a whisper in someones ear. It a bitch when people don't sell out. http://www.alien-earth.org/forum/message.php?message=78508&mpage=1&showd...

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:01 | 1000750 Dapper Dan

I hope there are some waves tomorrow and maybe a little off shore wind, I need some glide time, especially after this last week, add a little surf enhancer I'll be good to go.

The one quote I heard this week that I can't shake from my mind is from Damon Vickers when told the treasury bills were being bought by China or Japan.

I don't think so. I don't think sales are taking place. That's why QE2 Exists. They are issuing debt and printing paper and printing money because there is not the absorptive capacity of the world to absorb the debt, and that's where we are.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 02:18 | 1001195 HarrisonBergeron

I'm with you on feeling a chill from that comment. I am pretty sure he is right and in time it will be quite obvious.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:04 | 1000756 themosmitsos

Tyler let me first admit I'm not super up-to date on day-to-day events, and I doubt the veracity of *much* of what I hear on AJ & US media, but simply from this description here, this doesn't sound like a civil war, this sounds like someone buttoning down and getting ready for a massive crackdown [butchering if necessary], the likes of which I expected in Egypt. Of course, the Libyan military was always in a much sadder state of affairs, hence the delayed reaction. Civil war implies the other side [rebels] have a fighting capacity and if they do [again, not up-to-date & question what I hear on AJ & US MM] the more important question to ask, is ....

WHERE'D THEY GET THIS FIGHTING CAPACITY, ALL OF A SUDDEN, with such fortuitous timing, during other ME/NA revolts?

Matter of fact, what's up with all these revolts, simultaneously? Sure, sure, a wave of freedom & democracy is spreading through the land.

Give me a fucking break.

Also, I don't believe he'll damage the Oil wells.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 08:06 | 1001426 Captain Benny

Hired mercenaries are pretty easy to come by when in impoverished Africa. There is lots of evidence trickling out of Libya to show who is doing the fighting. The people living in Libya have very clearly said that their agressors are not natives and often spoke French. Do you know what countries in Africa speak French? Do you know what a civil war is? Do you understand that the people are fighting their own government in the western portion of their country and that by definition is a civil war? Give me a fucken break that you have no brain in your head.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 11:17 | 1001558 moldygoat

Are you daft?

Halliburton bought Boots and Coots. Of course he will damage the oil wells

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/06/18/halliburton-making-money-oil-spill/

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:00 | 1001600 kreso

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:04 | 1000760 nwskii

Obama is behind this uprising so he can sell more Chevy Volts

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:16 | 1000930 Pure Evil

Especially after the GM IPO tanked.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:19 | 1000944 dark pools of soros

Tesla's IPO is tracking about the same..

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:52 | 1001002 silvertrain

Didnt Al gore invent the Volt?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:10 | 1000780 Scottj88

Troubled times coming...

This crap is coming to America sooner than later...

Prices first, then riots...

http://thehardrightedge.com/america-under-attack-by-treasonous-bankers/

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:17 | 1000938 Pure Evil

Prison Planet has better scare tactics.

http://www.prisonplanet.com/mob-robbers-and-rampant-looting-is-this-the-future-of-america.html

(some great video of the LA riots)

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:12 | 1000790 kaiserhoff

And the gutless Owebama goes to the UN, and... threatens to send a nasty note to the butcher of Lockerbie.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:22 | 1000810 Moe Howard

On a more positive note, the US Marines may be able to add another verse to the Marine Hymn, the oldest official US Military song. Or slide something in there like 'From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, times two!

<HELP> for explanation

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:28 | 1000823 Belrev

Also latest news reporting about 10000 demonstrators clashing with police in Croatia. Google the news for it.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:45 | 1000861 prophet

Anybody old enough to remember Biafra?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 22:55 | 1000878 themosmitsos

Sure, but nobody cares :P

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:00 | 1000887 bugs_

and listening to Radio Biafra on shortwave

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 01:02 | 1001101 pods

"Roland was a warrior, from the land of the Midnight Sun............"

pods

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 18:16 | 1002261 snowball777

The country or Jello?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:16 | 1000935 Crumbles

""We will fight until death," a pro-Gaddafi soldier in his early 20s said outside a military compound close to Tripoli's Green Square, which had been cleared of demonstrators by yesterday morning. "The country needs stability at a time like this, and this is what we are providing. The people are on our side."

There will be a LOT of blood in the streets - Civil War is a real depopulation move - one can only hope the young 'soldiers' near the square realize the horrible futility of mowing down fellow countrymen. What will it take? The reality that The People are by and large NOT on their side?

And how many of these so-called soldiers are really mercenaries, motivated by money or promised riches? What's the price for amoral killers in Tripoli, I wonder. And in what form and when are they to be paid?

Anyone?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:22 | 1000952 dark pools of soros

the opening was on Monster - seasonal work it said

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:35 | 1000978 serotonindumptruck

"And how many of these so-called soldiers are really mercenaries, motivated by money or promised riches? What's the price for amoral killers in Tripoli, I wonder. And in what form and when are they to be paid?"

There was something posted on ZH a couple of days ago about $2000 a day. Perhaps a couple of ounces of Au would suffice?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:28 | 1000961 Dr. Porkchop

What wild rumor will they cook up to quell oil prices this week?

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:33 | 1000973 Misean

Well, it has been snowing in Southern California...

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:32 | 1000969 raya123

Um, the article is dated February 23, not today.

Sat, 02/26/2011 - 23:56 | 1001008 Atomizer

Our Mooncricket-In-Chief has fallen silent.

Chirp

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:00 | 1001014 Oh regional Indian

Nothing to celebrate, anywhere. Armaments have a use-by date and it sure as hell looks like they are going to get used.

All those hotly discussed NUMBers, 357, 7.62 and 9.... *head shake*.

Muammar was the wildest of the tin-pot looneys, so makes sense that he and his would blwo first.

Bet your last fiatsco, where-ever you live...this is coming to a street near you.

ORI

http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/wisdom-for-warriors-7/

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:11 | 1001025 scratch_and_sniff

The quicker the mad dog is dealt with the better, this could be over within a few hours and forgotten in a month. He has walked right into it, theres no other way now. RIP Daffy you mad bastard.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 00:22 | 1001040 Occams Aftershave

What an awful thing for a president to order attacking his own countrymen. Unheard of ! Oh wait, except Abraham Lincoln did it too ..... ooops.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 11:19 | 1001561 Flakmeister

I guess this is what you get from Home Schooling....Ever crossed the county line of your birth? You can't count trips to the State fair for the Grits eating contest.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 19:25 | 1002389 Occams Aftershave

Very funny, Mr. Junked Flakmester ! FYI, i am a world traveler. After seeing and studying history and the tragic effects of war, i believe that groups of people have a right to self determination, whether it be the southern US, Sri Lanka, Cyprus, or the USSR. When a cell grows, what does it do? It divides.

Mon, 02/28/2011 - 00:24 | 1003019 Flakmeister

Well... if I did not know better, I would say two different people are responsible for your posts. Obviously, such an erudite man as yourself would not say something to the effect that you did

You know what, have your say, make your case for whatever. But if you say flippant bullshit like you did, then do not be surprised when you are called out. After all this is Zerohedge.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 01:11 | 1001107 No Bid

If it's not Daffy dying or surrendering it's more of the same. UCO bishiz? Just don't die over the weekend and give us some more crazy moves, babe. Oil price shock then right back to "Oh gosh our economy is not good then to but we've got extra EXTRA liquidity then back to what about inflation?" Easy moves there.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 05:02 | 1001344 Rodent Freikorps

If he is a danger to the US economy, put a bullet in him and move on.

What the fuck is up with all the drama?

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 11:24 | 1001564 kaiserhoff

Obama says Gaddafi must go now,... or POTUS will screw up his face and throw a hissy fit.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:28 | 1001629 New_Meat

TOTUS will have O fart in their general direction.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:40 | 1001648 Rodent Freikorps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V7zbWNznbs

When society falls, I'll miss Pepsi and YouTube the most.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 05:46 | 1001359 rufusbird

"What the fuck is up with all this drama?"

Big hot fire spreads faster than small kindling fire...

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 10:02 | 1001495 Rodent Freikorps

From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow.

One dictator, one bullet.

We could change the world.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 18:22 | 1002275 snowball777

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tezZIRdVSCo

You can play with the big boys
Or you can tell them what to do
But sooner or later there's another one just like you

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 09:20 | 1001468 Charlie Bravo

It's a matter of time before we see his dead carcass on a pike folks....

Charlie Bravo

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 10:40 | 1001523 Treeplanter

We didn't sit down to watch. We went Tea Party. Something happened on Nov. 2, but you don't know what it is, do you, Mr. Durden?

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 10:56 | 1001540 props2009

Shocker: China premier says he wants to slow growth to 7%

http://dawnwires.com/investment-news/shocker-china-premier-wen-jiabao-sa...

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 12:02 | 1001602 hettygreen

If Gaddafi is perceived as being responsible for the recent jump in oil prices one has to ask cui bono? The odds that anyone representing any of the 'powers that be' (who stand to make billions over this spike) taking him out are close to zero. Note what happened on last week's rumour. No, if anyone nails Gaddafi it will be some local crackpot Libyan version of John Hinckley Jr. or a disaffected Ukrainian nurse. Moammar is our boy after all.

Sun, 02/27/2011 - 13:00 | 1001666 Ahmeexnal