Misplaced Pages

Libyan Civil War: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 04:51, 4 March 2011 editSaunasolmu (talk | contribs)22 editsmNo edit summaryTag: possibly non-minor edit← Previous edit Latest revision as of 04:42, 23 July 2024 edit undoHadal (talk | contribs)Administrators31,685 editsm fix double redirectTag: Redirect target changed 
(20 intermediate revisions by 16 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
#REDIRECT ]
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Current|date=February 2011}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict
|conflict= 2011 Libyan uprising
|partof= ]
|image= ] <!--]-->
|caption=<div style="text-align:left">
] Cities controlled by pro-Gaddafi forces<br>
] Cities controlled by anti-Gaddafi forces<br>
] Ongoing fighting/Unclear situation</div>
|date= {{Start date|2011|02|15|df=y}} – ''ongoing''
|place=]
|status= Ongoing
|combatant1= {{flagicon|Libya|1951}} ''']'''
*]
*]
*The newly formed ], made of defectors and volunteers
*]<ref name="DefectedTribes">{{cite web|url= http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-2-25/libya-s-tribal-revolt-may-mean-last-nail-in-coffin-for-qaddafi.html|title=Libya’s Tribal Revolt May Mean Last Nail in Coffin for Qaddafi|work= Business Week |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref>
|combatant2= {{flagicon|Libya}} ''']'''
*Part of the ]<ref name="GaddafiSupport"/> remaining loyal to Gaddafi
*Part of the Libyan police remaining loyal to Gaddafi
*Part of Libyan populace remaining loyal to Gaddafi
*Foreign ]
<!-- Do NOT put names of leaders here unless sources show they are LEADERS of the UPRISING, not simply anti-Gaddafi or leading an interim government -->
|strength1= Unknown (numbers disputed)
5,000 volunteers (opposition claim)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113242554921501.html |title=Battle rages over Libyan oil port | work = Africa | publisher =Al Jazeera |date= |accessdate=2011-3-3}}</ref>
|strength2= 50,000+ (before defections, now disputed)<ref>IISS, The Military Balance 2 009, p. 256.</ref>
10,000–12,000 Loyalist troops remain (Al Jazeera estimate)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/2011331522685587.html |title=Gaddafi's military capabilities | work = Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera |date= |accessdate=2011-3-3}}</ref>
<!-- For CASUALTIES section ONLY put sourced estimates of TOTALS, not figures from reports of single incidents-->
|casualties1= 733 opposition members/fighters confirmed killed (])<br>3,000 killed in Tripoli (Opposition claim)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/news/at-least-3-000-dead-in-libya-rights-group-news-international-ldcxkhgggdh.html |title=At least 3,000 dead in Libya: rights group |publisher=Sify.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>
|casualties2= 111 soldiers killed (by Feb. 20)<ref>{{cite web|author=9:45 PM |url=http://www.asianage.com/international/libya-says-300-dead-violence-including-111-soldiers-193 |title=Libya says 300 dead in violence, including 111 soldiers |publisher=The Asian Age |date= |accessdate=2011-02-24}}</ref><br>10 soldiers killed (on the day of Feb. 28)<ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/world/africa/01unrest.html |title=Qaddafi’s Forces Hit Back at Rebels |publisher=NYtimes |date= 2011-28-02}}
</ref><br>50 mercenaries killed (by Feb. 19)<ref>{{cite web|author=Ian Black and Owen Bowcott |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/18/libya-protests-massacres-reported |title=Libya protests: massacres reported as Gaddafi imposes news blackout &#124; World news |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2011-02-25}}</ref><br>2 policemen killed (by Feb. 18)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-02/19/c_13739109.htm |title=Two policemen hanged in Libya protests |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2011-02-19 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>
|casualties3= 3,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/news/at-least-3-000-dead-in-libya-rights-group-news-international-ldcxkhgggdh.html |title=At least 3,000 dead in Libya: rights group |publisher=Sify.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>-6,000 dead<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/artikkel.php?artid=10082689 |title=Minst 6.000 skal være drept i Libya - VG Nett om Libya |publisher=Vg.no |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><br>5,000+ injured<ref name="aljazblog22feb"/>}}
{{Campaignbox 2011 Libyan uprising}}


{{Rcat shell|
The '''2011 Libyan uprising''' began as a series of protests and confrontations occurring in the ]n state of ] against ]'s ]. The protests began on 15 February 2011 and have since become a widespread uprising that continues to the present. Inspiration for the unrest is attributed to the uprisings in ] and ], connecting it with the wider ].<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/world/africa/19libya.html|title = Libya Protests Build, Showing Revolts' Limits|date=18 February 2011| accessdate = 22 February 2011 | first= Anthony| last =Shadid|newspaper=]| location = ]}}</ref> On 22 February, '']'' described the events as an "uprising that is trying to reclaim Libya from the world's longest-ruling ]."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/02/libyas_uprising|title=The Economist, "Time to Leave – A correspondent reports from the border between Libya and Egypt"|newspaper=]|date=22 February 2011|accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref>
{{R from move}}

}}
Many in Gaddafi's own security forces have refused to martyr civilians and significant portions have sided with the protesters. Gaddafi has hired large numbers of ] from a number of African countries to attack protesters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Experts-Disagree-on-African-Mercenaries-in-Libya-117156253.html|title=Experts Disagree on African Mercenaries in Libya|date=1 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011|agency=Voice of America}}</ref> By the end of February it seemed that Gaddafi had lost control of most of his country.<ref name="aljazeeradefiant">{{cite news |title=Gaddafi defiant as state teeters – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=23 February 2011 |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112235434767487.html |accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698|title=Middle East and North Africa unrest |newspaper=BBC News|date=24 February 2011|accessdate=24 February 2011}}</ref> The ] has formed a ] and free press has begun to operate in ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Free press debuts in Benghazi |publisher=Magharebia |date=28 February 2011 |url=http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/news/awi/newsbriefs/general/2011/02/28/newsbrief-02 |accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref> ] has played an important role in organizing the opposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-02-28/news/28637707_1_moammar-gadhafi-diaspora-fortress/|title=Twitter and other services create cracks in Gadhafi's media fortress|first=John|last=Timpane|agency=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=28 February 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref>

Gaddafi remains in control of Tripoli, ],<ref name="BBC Gaddafi Embattled">{{Cite news|newspaper=BBC News|date=24 February 2011|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12564104|title=Libya protests: Gaddafi embattled by opposition gains.}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/World+powers+edge+closer+Gadhafi+solution/4362220/story.html|date=28 February 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011|agency=The Vancouver Sun|title=World powers edge closer to Gadhafi solution}}</ref> and ].<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=afrol News|date=27 February 2011|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/37458|title=Ghaddafi's control reduced to part of Tripoli}}</ref> Gaddafi controls the well-armed ] and a large number of mercenaries. ] have sided with the protesters and requested international community to help bring end to massacres of civilians, many of whom are non-combatants.

Most nations have ] against civilians.<ref name="Gadhafi's Name">{{cite news |title= Where Gadhafi's Name Is Still Gold |author1= Nicholas Casey |author2= José de Córdoba|url= http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704150604576166452254733490.html?mod=googlenews_wsj|newspaper= ]|date= February 26, 2011}}</ref> The ] has imposed sanctions on Gaddafi. The ] has passed a ] freezing the assets of Gaddafi and 10 members of his inner circle. The resolution also imposed a ] and referred Libya to the ] for investigation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wyatt|first=Edward|title=Security Council Calls for War Crimes Inquiry in Libya|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/world/africa/27nations.html?hp|accessdate=27 February 2011|newspaper=]|date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> Options for outside intervention have been discussed by European and US governments and rebel leaders, including a possible ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hosted2.ap.org/APDefault/*/Article_2011-02-28-Libya%20Diplomacy/id-73a8e1c5117c4d8abac0114d00c6b9b8 |title=AP: "US, Europe sanction Libya; 'no-fly' weighed" |publisher=Hosted2.ap.org |date=2009-09-17 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> However a few state leaders in ] have expressed support for Gaddafi's government<ref name="Gadhafi's Name"/> for which they were criticized by other world leaders.<ref>, '']''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livinginperu.com/news-14256-2011-elections-humala-criticizes-chavez-supporting-gaddafi |title=Humala criticizes Chavez for supporting Gaddafi |publisher=Livinginperu.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/02/25/jewish-group-slams-solidarity-gadhafi/ |title=Jewish group slams 'solidarity' with Gadhafi |publisher=Foxnews.com |date=2010-02-01 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Cameron S. |url=http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=209907 |title=Wiesenthal Center slams 'solidarity' with Gaddafi |publisher=Jpost.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>
The European Union's arms trafficking watchdog has stated that during the crisis Gaddafi has received military shipments from ].<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/01/libya-received-belarus-military-shipment |title=Libya received military shipment from Belarus, claims EU arms watchdog |date=2011-03-01 |publisher=The Guardian }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/arms-deliveries-from-belarus-to-libya/story-fn6e1m7z-1226013868112 |title=Belarus sends arms to Libya |date=2011-03-01 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

== Background ==
=== History ===
{{main|History of Libya under Gaddafi}}
<!-- Hold on power: Oligarchy -->
] has ruled Libya as ''Brotherly Leader and Guide of The Revolution'' since overthrowing the monarchy in 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Qaddafi is no Mubarak as regime overthrow may trigger a 'descent to chaos' |url=
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-23/qaddafi-is-no-mubarak-overthrow-may-mean-descent-to-chaos-.html|date=23 February 2011|accessdate=24 February 2011|publisher=Bloomberg|last=Viscusi|first=Gregory}}</ref> Following the retirement of ] in 2008 and the death of ] in 2009, Gaddafi is the world's extant ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mills |first=Robin |title=Qaddafi remains one of few constants for troubled Libya |publisher=] |location=] |date=22 February 2011 |url=
http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/economics/qaddafi-remains-one-of-few-constants-for-troubled-libya |accessdate=22 February 2011 |quote=The one constant is Qaddafi himself, the world's longest-serving non-royal head of state, having outlasted another oil potentate, Gabon's Omar Bongo, who died in 2009.}}</ref> ]' disclosure of ] has revealed US diplomats there even speaking of Gaddafi's "mastery of tactical maneuvering".<ref name="Whitlock 02/22">{{cite news |last=Whitlock |first=Craig |title=Gaddafi is ecccentric but the firm master of his regime, Wikileaks cables say |newspaper=Washington Post |date=22 February 2011 |url=
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/22/AR2011022207298.html}}</ref> While placing relatives and loyal members of ] in central military and government positions, he has skillfully marginalized supporters and rivals, thus maintaining a delicate balance of powers, stability and economic developments. This extends even to his own children, as he changes affections to avoid the rise of a clear successor and rival.<ref name="Whitlock 02/22"/>
<!-- Economy: Oil, resources sharing -->
] revenues contribute up to 58% of Libya's ].<ref name="Silver 2011">{{cite web|title=Egypt, Oil and Democracy|date=31 January 2011|accessdate=22 February 2011|last=Silver|first=Nate|url=http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/egypt-oil-and-democracy/}}</ref> Governments with "]" revenue have a lower need for taxes from other industries and consequently are less willing to develop their ]. To calm down opposition, such governments can use the income from natural resources to offer services to the population, or to specific government supporters.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ali Alayli |first=Mohammed |title=Resource Rich Countries and Weak Institutions: The Resource Curse Effect|publisher=] |format=PDF |date=4 December 2005 |url=
http://are.berkeley.edu/courses/EEP131/fall2006/NotableStudent05/Resource%20CurseM_Alayli.pdf |accessdate=22 February 2011}}</ref> The government of Libya can utilize these techniques by using the national oil resources.<ref>{{cite video |title=More killed in Libya crackdown |medium=Television news production |publisher=] via ] |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIii58v93v4 |date=15 February 2011 |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> Libya's oil wealth was spread over a relatively small population of six million,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/02/how-qaddafi-lost-libya.html|title=News Desk: How Qaddafi Lost Libya|first=Andrew |last=Solomon|newspaper=]|date=21 February 2011}}</ref> with 21% general unemployment, the highest in the region, according to the latest census figures.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Libya's Jobless Rate at 20.7 Percent |publisher=Reuters Africa |date=2 March 2009 |url=http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE52106820090302 |accessdate=2 March 2009}}</ref>
]

<!-- Gaddafi's achievements compared to other Arab countries -->
Libya's ] (PPP) GDP per capita in 2010 was US $14,878; its human development index in 2010 was 0.755; and its literacy rate in 2009 was 87%. These numbers were lower in Egypt and Tunisia.<ref name="Maleki 02/09">{{citation|title=Uprisings in the Region and Ignored Indicators|last=Maleki|first=Ammar|date=2011-02-09|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/11/feb/1080.html}}</ref> Indeed, Libyan citizens are considered to be well educated and to have a high standard of living.<ref>{{citation|title=Educated and rich Libyans want democracy|last=Kanbolat|first=Hasan|date=2011-02-22|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/columnist-236274-educated-and-rich-libyans-want-democracy.html}}</ref> Its ] in 2010 was 2.2, which was worse than that of Egypt and Tunisia, two neighboring countries who faced uprising before Libya.<ref>{{cite web |url=
http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results |title=Corruption perceptions index 2010 results |work=] |publisher=] |accessdate=22 February 2011}}</ref> This specific situation creates a wider contrast between good education, high demand for democracy, and the government's practices (perceived ], political system, supply of democracy).<ref name="Maleki 02/09" />

=== Repressive system ===
Libya is the second most censored country in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the ].<ref>{{cite web | title=Freedom of the Press 2009 | url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/uploads/fop/2009/FreedomofthePress2009_tables.pdf | work=| publisher=] | date= | accessdate=7 May 2009}}</ref>

Gaddafi's Revolutionary committees resemble similar systems in communist countries and reportedly 10 to 20 percent of Libyans work in surveillance for these committees, a proportion of informants on par with ]'s Iraq or ]'s North Korea. The surveillance takes place in government, in factories, and in the education sector.<ref name="Mohamed Eljhami"/>

Engaging in political conversations with foreigners is a crime punishable by three years of prison in most cases. In any case, Gaddafi removed foreign languages from school curriculum. One protester in 2011 described the situation as: "None of us can speak English or French. He kept us ignorant and blindfolded".<ref>{{Cite news|title=A new flag flies in the east|date=24 February 2011|publication=The Economist}}</ref>

] has paid for murders of his critics around the world.<ref name="Mohamed Eljhami" /><ref name="autogenerated758">The Middle East and North Africa 2003 (2002). Eur. p. 758</ref> As of 2004, ] still provides bounties for critics, including 1&nbsp;million dollars for ], a Libyan-British journalist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/mar/28/politics.libya |title=Gadaffi still hunts 'stray dogs' in UK |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=28 March 2004}}</ref>

The regime has often executed opposition activists publicly and the executions are rebroadcasted on state television channels.<ref name="Mohamed Eljhami">{{cite web|url=http://www.meforum.org/878/libya-and-the-us-qadhafi-unrepentant|title=Libya and the U.S.: Qadhafi Unrepentant|publisher=The Middle East Quarterly|author=Mohamed Eljahmi|year=2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Qaddafi, terrorism, and the origins of the U.S. attack on Libya.|author=Brian Lee Davis}}</ref>

=== Early developments ===
] is a ] in Tripoli which ] and other observers often describe as "notorious".<ref name="notorious Abu Salim">{{cite web |title=Libya's notorious Abu Salim prison to be emptied |publisher=] |date=24 March 2010 |url=http://www.daylife.com/article/0gNNdjv7Qq32E?q=Libya |accessdate=25 February 2011}} —<br>which cites an item at Rantburg website:<br>{{cite web |title=Libya's notorious Abu Salim prison to be emptied |format=Archived material, restricted to regulars and members |publisher=] |date=24 March 2010 |url=http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?D=2010-03-24&ID=293178 |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://genevalunch.com/blog/2010/03/24/libyas-notorious-abu-salim-prison-to-be-emptied/|title=Libya's notorious Abu Salim prison|publisher=geneva lunch}}</ref><ref name="CNN libya death">{{Cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Nic|first2=Paul|last2=Cruickshank
|url=http://www.edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/11/23/libya.death/index.html|title=Jihadist death threatened Libyan peace deal|newspaper=]|date=28 November 2009}}</ref> ] has called for an ] into deaths that occurred there in 1996,<ref name="amnesty 346">{{cite web|url= http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/346|title=Investigation needed into prison deaths|publisher=]}}</ref> an incident which Amnesty International and other news media refer to as the ''Abu Salim prison massacre''.<ref name="court celebrates massacre">{{Cite news |url=
http://www.arabicnews.com/ansub/Daily/Day/050624/2005062418.html|title=Libyan legal court celebrates Abu Salim prison massacre|publisher=]|date=24 June 2005}}</ref> ] believes that 1,270 prisoners were killed,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.binrabah.com/h/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=337:2010-12-26-00-24-18&catid=39:e&Itemid=27 |title=Site news Bilal bin Rabah (the city of Al Bayda, Libya), a meeting with the Libyan Minister of Justice |publisher=Binrabah.com |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="Human Rights Watch 1270">{{cite web|url= http://www.hrw.org/es/news/2009/10/16/libya-free-all-unjustly-detained-prisoners |title=Libya: Free All Unjustly Detained Prisoners |publisher=]}}</ref> and calls it a "site of egregious ] violations."<ref name="Human Rights Watch 1270" />

On 24 January 2011, Libya ] after it featured videos of demonstrations in the Libyan city of Benghazi by families of detainees who were killed in Abu Salim prison in 1996, and videos of family members of Gaddafi at parties. The blocking was criticized by Human Rights Watch.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gMqNCaIpcd74x_33F16sT_6IDriw|title=Watchdog urges Libya to stop blocking websites|publisher=]|accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref>

Between 13 and 16 January, upset at delays in the building of housing units and over ], protesters in ], Benghazi, ] and other cities broke into and occupied housing that the government was building.<ref>{{cite web| title = Libyans protest over delayed subsidized housing units | url = http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/news/libyans-protest-over-delayed-subsidized-housing-units | date = 16 January 2011}}{{dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Libya protest over housing enters its third day|url =http://www.mesop.de/2011/01/16/libya-protest-over-housing-enters-its-third-day/|last=Mohamed|first=Abdel-Baky|date=16 January 2011}}</ref> By 27 January, the government had responded to the housing unrest with a ]24&nbsp;billion investment fund to provide housing and development.
] used by the ]. It, or modified versions of it, has been used by many protesters as an ] flag.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/18/2666087/violent-repression-of-protests.html|title= Violent repression of protests rocks Libya, Bahrain, Yemen |author= Janathan S. Landay, Warren P. Strobel and Arwa Ibrahim |date= 18 February 2011|work= The Kansas City Star|publisher= |accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/feb/17/bahrain-crisis-middle-east-protests-live-blog#block-20|title= Bahrain in crisis and Middle East protests – live blog|author= Mark Tran|date= 17 February 2011|work= The Guardian|publisher= |accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://signalfire.org/?p=7778 |title= Clampdown in Libyan capital as protests close in |date= 23 February 2011 |accessdate= 23 February 2011 |publisher= SignalFire |author= SignalFire }}</ref>]]

In late January, Jamal al-Hajji, a writer, political commentator and accountant, "call on the internet for demonstrations to be held in support of greater freedoms in Libya" inspired by the ] and Egyptian uprisings. He was arrested on 1 February by plain-clothes police officers, and charged on 3 February with injuring someone with his car. Amnesty International claimed that because al-Hajji had previously been imprisoned for his non-violent political opinions, the real reason for the present arrest appeared to be his call for demonstrations.<ref name="AI_JamalH">{{cite web|title=Libyan writer detained following protest call| publisher =Amnesty International| date =8 February 2011| url =http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/libyan-writer-detained-following-protest-call-2011-02-08|accessdate=8 February 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wLwGDmVM|archivedate=8 February 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref>

In early February, Gaddafi had met with "political activists, journalists, and media figures" and "warned" them that they would be "held responsible" if they participated "in any way in disturbing the peace or creating chaos in Libya".<ref name="awsat">{{cite news | first=Khaled | last=Mahmoud | pages= | language =| title=Gaddafi ready for Libya's "Day of Rage" | date=9 February 2011 | publisher=] | url=http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=24095 |accessdate=10 February 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wP31PQo1 |archivedate=10 February 2011 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

== Timeline of events ==

{{main|Timeline of 2011 Libyan uprising}}

=== 15–21 February ===
]
In the evening of 15 February approximately 200 people began demonstrating in front of the police headquarters in Benghazi following the arrest of human rights activist ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20110216-libya-violent-protests-rock-benghazi-anti-government-gaddafi-egypt-tunisia-demonstration |title= Violent protests rock Libyan city of Benghazi |date=16 February 2011 |publisher=France24 |accessdate=16 February 2011}}</ref> They were joined by others later who totaled between 500 to 600 protesters. The protest was broken up violently by police, causing as many as 40 injuries among the protesters.<ref name="15 Feb BEN">{{Cite news| title = ليبيا: جرحى في مظاهرات بنغازي والإعلان عن الافراج عن معتقلين | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/middleeast/2011/02/110215_libya_opposition.shtml | date = 16 February 2011|language=]}}</ref> (The main military encampment in Benghazi, al-Katiba, was battled over for three days , the turning point coming when one protester packed his car with explosives and rammed it into the walls of the base. A Libyan army officer who subsequently surrendered to the rebels has told of the killing of soldiers who had refused to open fire on those marching against the regime, by Gaddafi loyalists, before they were forced to flee.) <ref> The Independent, p.4, 1 March 2011, ''Body bags reveal fate of soldiers who refused to fire on their own people.'' </ref> BBC reported on February 23 that during the preceding week (February 13-19) these battles between protests and government loyalists led to Benghazi falling into opposition hands as well as resulted in "300 protesters and 120 members of the government forces killed"<ref name="Leyne_BBC_2011feb24">{{Cite news | title=Libya: Opposition hopes for new era in Benghazi |url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12573890
|date =24 February 2011}}</ref> Al Jazeera reported that a decisive moment was the Sunday, February 19th defection to the protesters' side of longtime Gaddafi regime loyalist and special forces commander Abdel Fattah Younes, who had troops from his unit attack Katiba with machine guns and truck-mounted anti-aircraft guns, with two tanks under Younes's command soon being added to the opposition's side.<ref name="jazeera_katiba_fell">{{Cite news
|title=The day the Katiba fell
|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/libya/2011/03/20113175840189620.html
|date= 1 March 2011}}</ref> Similar protests and conflicts with police continued throughout the country through 19 February.<ref name="aljaz_febdominos">{{cite news | first= | last= | pages= | language =| title=Calls for weekend protests in Syria | date=4 February 2011 | publisher=] | url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201122171649677912.html |accessdate=8 February 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wLygnerq |archivedate=8 February 2011 |deadurl=no }}</ref><ref name="aljaz_libya17Feb">{{cite news | first= | last= | pages= | language = | title='Day of rage' kicks off in Libya | date=17 February 2011 | publisher=] | url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121755057219793.html |accessdate=17 February 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wZR5TsUv |archivedate=17 February 2011 |deadurl=no }}</ref>

The ] began hiring African mercenaries, mostly from ], to support its own forces. It was reported that “They were paid for 5,000 (Dinars) and the latest model cars just to get rid of demonstrators,” according to inside sources.<ref>{{cite news |title=Muammar al-Gaddafi is Accused of Hiring Soldiers from Chad, Dozens of People Dead in Benghazi |publisher=WNCNews |date=18 February 2011 |url=
http://www.worldnewsco.com/3214/muammar-al-gaddafi-accused-hiring-soldiers-chad-dozens-people-dead-benghazi/ |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> The conflict continued to escalate; on 19 February witnesses in Libya reported helicopters firing into crowds of anti-government protesters.<ref>{{cite news|author=By Moni Basu, CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/02/19/libya.protests/index.html |title=Doctor: At least 30 killed in escalating Libyan protests |publisher=CNN.com |year= |accessdate=19 February 2011 }}</ref> On 20 February the ], through the American Embassy, issued a ] to US citizens due to the continuing unrest in the country.<ref>This was superceded by other travel warnings. As of 28 February 2011, the most recent travel warning was dated 25 February: {{cite web |url=http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5358.html |title=Libya – Travel Warning|publisher=] |accessdate=28 February 2011 }}</ref> On 21 February in Benghazi, protesters took control of the streets, and looted weapons from the main security headquarters. Demonstrators also lowered the Libyan flag from above the main courthouse and replaced it with the flag of the country's old monarchy.<ref name="Haaretz-airforce"/> ] warplanes and attack helicopters launched airstrikes on protesters, reportedly targeting a funeral procession and a group of protesters trying to reach a military base.<ref name="Haaretz-airforce">{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/report-libya-air-force-bombs-protesters-heading-for-army-base-1.344775 |title=Report: Libya air force bombs protesters heading for army base |work=Israel News |publisher=] |date=2 February 2011 |accessdate=21 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Yasmine Ryan |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122116042447579.html |title=Report: Libyan protesters fired on – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=20 February 2011 |accessdate=21 February 2011 }}</ref>
Two senior mutineering air force pilots flew their ] fighter jets to ] and requested political asylum after defying orders to bomb protesters.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peregin|first=Christian|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110222/local/two-libyan-fighter-pilots-defect-to-malta |title=Two Libyan fighter pilots defect to Malta|publisher=timesofmalta.com |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref>

=== 22–28 February ===
]
]
]

On February 22nd, Gaddafi made a brief appearance on state television<ref>{{cite web|author=A correspondent | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12533069 |title=Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi appears on state TV |publisher=BBC |year= |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref> in which he said he had been speaking to the youth in ]. He also said: {{q|I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite web|last=Derhally |first= Massoud A |url=
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-22/qaddafi-says-he-hasn-t-fled-libya-as-regime-unravels.html |title=Qaddafi Clings to Power in Libya as Soldiers Desert, Diplomats Quit Posts |publisher=Bloomberg |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref> Do not believe the (news) channels belonging to stray dogs.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011221215421542497.html |title=Gaddafi's hold on Libya weakens |publisher = Al Jazeera English | date = 22 February 2011 |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref> Eyewitnesses reported that thousands of African mercenaries were flown into Tripoli to put down the uprising.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/gaddafi-clings-to-power-as-supporters-desert-20110222-1b46r.html | title = Gaddafi clings to power as supporters desert |publisher=Smh.com.au |date= |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref> In a second speech within 24 hours, believed by commentators to be made from his family compound in the ] military barracks in southern Tripoli,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12544624|title=Defiant Gaddafi refuses to quit amid Libya protests|publisher=BBC News|date=22 February 2011|accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref> Gaddafi blamed foreign powers and hallucinogens being forced on the protesters for the unrest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/20112221852864320.html |title=Gaddafi strikes defiant note |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=24 February 2011 }}</ref> Gaddafi vowed to fight his opponents {{q|until the last drop of his blood had been spilt}} rather than step down, describing anti-regime protesters as {{q|rats}} and {{q|mercenaries}} working for foreign nations and corporate agendas. By the nighttime, the ] suspended the Libyan delegation from meetings until the Libyan people were safe.<ref name=ft22>{{cite news |title=Defiant Gaddafi vows fight to death |publisher=Financial Times |date= 22 February 2011 | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5b307dd4-3e9d-11e0-9e8f-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss#axzz1Eil3i6Ng | accessdate = 22 February 2011}}</ref>

By the end of the day on 23 February, headlines in online news services were reporting a range of themes underlining the precarious state of the regime. Former justice minister ] alleged that Gaddafi personally ordered the 1988 ],<ref>{{cite news |title= Muammar Gaddafi ordered Lockerbie bombing, says Libyan minister |work=News Digital Media |publisher=] |location=Australia |date=24 February 2011 (Australian time) |url=
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/muammar-gaddafi-ordered-lockerbie-bombing-says-libyan-minister/story-e6frfku0-1226011070628 | accessdate = 23 February 2011}} – citing an original interview with Expressen in Sweden: {{cite news |last=Hamadé |first=Kassem |last2=Julander |first2=Oscar |title=Khadaffi gav order om Lockerbie-attentatet |language=Swedish |trans_title=Gaddafi ordered the Lockerbie bombing |publisher= ] |date = 23 February 2011 |url=
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/1.2341356/khadaffi-gav-order-om-lockerbie-attentatet |accessdate= 25 February 2011}} .</ref> resignations and "defections" of close allies,<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaddafi top aide quits |url=
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/international/gaddafi-top-aide-quits-212 |accessdate=23 February 2011 |agency= Reuters |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=23 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="BBCNews-pressure">{{cite news |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12550719 |title=Pressure mounts on isolated Gaddafi |publisher= BBC News | date= 23 February 2011 |accessdate= 23 February 2011}}</ref> the loss of Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya, reported to be "alive with celebration"<ref>{{cite news |last=Dziadosz |first=Alexander |title = Benghazi, cradle of revolt, condemns Gaddafi |newspaper=The Star online |date=23 February 2011 |url=
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/2/24/worldupdates/2011-02-23T222628Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-550982-4&sec=Worldupdates |accessdate=23 February 2011 |quote=The eastern city of Benghazi... was alive with celebration on Wednesday with thousands out on the streets, setting off fireworks}}</ref> and other cities including ] and ] reportedly falling<ref>{{cite news |title=Gaddafi loses more Libyan cities |url= http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011223125256699145.html | accessdate= 23 February 2011 | publisher = ] |date = 23 February 2011}}</ref> with some believing that government had retained control of "just a few pockets".<ref name="BBCNews-pressure"/>

Around midnight, some reports began to emerge describing the situation as ]<ref>{{cite news |title= Libya: civil war breaks out as Gaddafi mounts rearguard fight |first = Richard |last=Spencer |publisher= ] |date=23 February 2011 |url=
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8344034/Libya-civil-war-breaks-out-as-Gaddafi-mounts-rearguard-fight.html |accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Obama: Libyan attacks on civilians are ‘outrageous’ and ‘unacceptable’ |newspaper=] (edited version of a ] article) |date=23 February 2011 |url=
http://tucsoncitizen.com/usa-today-news/2011/02/23/obama-libyan-attacks-on-civilians-are-outrageous-and-unacceptable/ |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> or ],<ref>{{cite news |last=Charkow |first= Ryan |title=Libya after Gadhafi |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/23/f-gadhafi-family.html | accessdate=23 February 2011 |publisher=] |location=Canada |date=23 February 2011}}</ref> with Gaddafi trying to ensure control over the capital and his political base Tripoli.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dziadosz |first=Alexander |title=Fear stalks Tripoli, celebrations in Libya's east |newspaper= ] | agency =Reuters |date=23 February 2011 |url = http://www.vancouversun.com/Fear+stalks+Tripoli+celebrations+Libya+east/4335224/story.html |accessdate=23 February 2011}}</ref>

On 24 February protesters assumed complete control of Tobruk, where soldiers and residents celebrated by waving the former ] used between ], firing guns into the air and honking horns. Army units in Tobruk and throughout eastern Libya sided with protesters, with some soldiers and officers participating in demonstrations. Commanders pledged to defend the "liberated territory" with their lives after Gaddafi threatened to take it back by force. Two airmen bailed out of their jet, which crashed into the desert, after defying orders to bomb Tobruk. In the collapse of central authority, residents formed public defence committees for security, and opened welfare organizations to ensure that residents had enough to eat. At newly established security checkpoints, demonstrators handed out bottled water and juice to passing motorists.<ref name="yahoo ap">{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110223/ap_on_re_af/af_libya_liberated_city |title=Libyan city celebrates freedom from Gadhafi | publisher = Yahoo! News |date=23 February 2011|accessdate=26 February 2011 }}</ref>

On 25 February Gaddafi’s youngest son, ], was claimed to have joined the protesters in Benghazi and to comment that Muammar Gaddafi would probably commit suicide or flee to Latin America if the protests succeeded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/gaddafis-son-join-pro-democracy-protesters-reports |title=Gaddafi's son joins pro-democracy protesters – reports |publisher= The Times of Malta | date =25 February 2011|accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> For the first time in days, thousands took to the streets of Tripoli to protest, with protester and civilian death tolls rising.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011225133345917205.html | title = Libyan forces shoot protesters – Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=25 February 2011| accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> Colonel Gaddafi appeared at 18h55 (local time) in Green Square in Tripoli, with a microphone shouting to the crowd of Gaddafi loyalists<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/25/libya-uk-gaddafi-sas-embassy |title= Libya: UK officials tell Gaddafi loyalists to defect or face war crimes trial |publisher= The Guardian |date=25 February 2011| accessdate =25 February 2011}}</ref> "Sing, dance and be ready, we will fight those who are against us."<ref>{{citation | publisher = ] | date =25 February 20115}}</ref>

On 26 February, there were unconfirmed reports that helicopter-borne mercenaries fighting for Gaddafi fired on protesters attending a funeral in the western city of Misrata.<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110226/local/mercenaries-fire-on-protesters-in-west-libya | publisher = The Times of Malta | date = 2011-2-26 | title = Mercenaries fire on protesters in West Libya}}</ref> On the same day, former justice minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil led the creation of an ] claiming control of the country, even though it can only exert control of cooperative areas of Libya in rebellion against Gaddafi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lse.co.uk/FinanceNews.asp?ArticleCode=77c8l0riig2uluz&ArticleHeadline=Ex_Libyan_minister_forms_interim_govtreport|title=Ex-Libyan minister forms interim government | agency=LSE|date=26 February 2011|accessdate=27 February 2011}}</ref> Although it is unclear as to the extent of the interim government's recognition and authority both within and outside Libya, the ] took the opportunity to call publicly for Gaddafi to step down, marking an escalation of its rhetoric against his regime.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/26/us-libya-protests-idUSTRE71G0A620110226|title=Time to go, U.S. tells Gaddafi, as revolt closes in|agency = Reuters | date = 26 February 2011|accessdate=27 February 2011}}</ref>

On 27 February, ] and ] reported that ], Libya's ambassador to the United States, had declared his support for the interim government in Benghazi.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-feb-27| work =Live Blog | title = Libya Feb 27|agency=Al Jazeera |date=27 February 2011|accessdate=27 February 2011}}</ref> Al Zawiyah, just {{convert|30|mi|km|}} from Tripoli, was taken by the protesters. Britain revoked the diplomatic immunity of Gaddafi after the UN agreed to a range of sanctions against Libya amid the growing unrest. Gaddafi gave an interview to a ]n TV station, ], calling the Security Council resolution "invalid in accordance with the ]" and that the resolution was based on the news reports rather than on actual state in Libya. He vowed to stay in Libya blaming the "foreigners and ]" for the unrest, saying that the protests began when "the gangs of drugged young men attacked regular army forces".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rtvpink.com/ |title=Exclusive Interview with Muammar Al Gaddafi |publisher=RTV Pink |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122792426740496.html| title = Defiant Gaddafi confined to Tripoli |agency=Al Jazeera |date=27 February 2011| accessdate = 28 February 2011}}</ref> Late on 27 February, the Royal Navy's ] docked at Benghazi in the east to pick up British citizens still stranded in the port city. The same day Gaddafi's trusted nurse ] arrived back in ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Miriam Elder in Moscow |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/27/libya-muammar-gaddafi-nurse-ukraine |title=Muammar Gaddafi's nurse flees Libya for Ukraine | work = World news | publisher =The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

On 28 February, Gaddafi gave an interview in which he claimed there was no unrest in Libya. {{q|All my people love me,}} Gaddafi told journalists from ], the ] and Britain's '']''. He also described the pressure from foreign leaders as {{q|betrayal}} and laughed at suggestions that he should leave the country. ], the US ambassador to the United Nations, said the interview indicated Gaddafi is {{q|delusional}} and {{q|unfit}} to lead Libya.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12603259|agency=BBC News| title = Libya protests: Gaddafi says {{q|all my people love me}} |date=28 February 2011|accessdate=1 March 2011}}</ref> '']'' reported US military assets in the ] and ]s were being repositioned to facilitate possible military intervention in Libya, with top ] officials suggesting a ] could be imposed to prevent Gaddafi from flying in mercenaries or using aircraft to attack opposition forces or civilians.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/world/africa/01military.html?_r=1&hp|title=U.S. Readies Military Options on Libya| agency =The New York Times|date=28 February 2011|accessdate= 1 March 2011}}</ref> British Prime Minister ] suggested the UK would seek international cooperation to enforce a no-fly zone, which the ] government indicated it may offer its military bases to abet.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/28/us-libya-protests-idUSTRE71G0A620110228|agency=Reuters|date=28 February 2011|accessdate=1 March 2011| title = World raises pressure on Libya, battles for key towns}}</ref> Though the no-fly zone proposal attracted the support of the ]n government, the foreign ministers of Italy and ] suggested the option required further study<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-28/european-ministers-cool-on-libya-no-fly-zone-rudd-in-favor.html|title=European Ministers Cool on Libya No-Fly Zone; Rudd in Favor|agency=Bloomberg|date=1 March 2011|accessdate=1 March 2011}}</ref> and their ] counterpart said he was sceptical such a plan would be enacted.<ref>{{cite news|title=Libya no-fly zone won't fly: Foreign Affairs Minister|url=http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.dd0e48cc352c6c7fab407dabd31d7f82.cc1&show_article=1|agency=Breitbart|date=28 February 2011|accessdate = 1 March 2011}}</ref> In Libya itself, Gaddafi appointed foreign intelligence chief ] to act as an envoy to the National Transitional Council in Benghazi, although officials in Tripoli suggested Gaddafi and Dordah intend for negotiations to center on the opposition standing down. {{q|If all attempts and efforts for dialogue… are exhausted, a very well guided force will be used in accordance with international rules,}} warned Deputy Foreign Minister ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011228153557564360.html|agency=Al Jazeera English|date = 28 February 2011|accessdate=1 March 2011|title = Gaddafi aide {{q|to talk to rivals}}}}</ref> Gaddafi's forces also attacked rebels in Misurata and Zawiyah and reportedly commenced an airstrike against a defected military base near ]. Reports indicated the attacks on Misurata and Zawiyah were repulsed with minimal anti-Gaddafi casualties.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/world/africa/01unrest.html|title=Libya Wages Counterattack Against Rebels on 3 Fronts|agency=The New York Times|date=28 February 2011|accessdate=1 March 2011}}</ref>

=== 1–4 March ===
On 1 March, Australian ] ] confirmed that his government was considering military options against Gaddafi, saying that international intervention to enforce a no-fly zone was probable. Smith asserted that "no one is expecting" Gaddafi to leave power voluntarily.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/nofly-zone-still-an-option-on-libya-rudd-20110301-1bccl.html|title=No-fly zone still an option on Libya: Rudd|date=1 March 2011| accessdate =1 March 2011| agency = The Age}}</ref> Al Jazeera reported that Misurata was once again under attack, this time from a combined armor and air assault. According to a witness quoted by the ]-based news agency, Gaddafi's forces are using heavy weapons against protesters and rebels in the city, while the anti-Gaddafi forces are fighting back with small arms.<ref name = "liveblog1-3">{{cite news | url = http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-1 | agency = Al Jazeera English | work = Live Blog | title = Libya | date = 1 March 2011 | accessdate = 1 March 2011}}</ref> ], Gaddafi's former interior minister and the leader of a growing rebel force, told Al Jazeera that if Gaddafi could not be dislodged from Tripoli, he would welcome foreign intervention in the form of targeted airstrikes, though he said a land invasion was unwanted and offered the use of Libyan military airbases only in case of emergency to foreign aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/2011228232312771972.html| agency =Al Jazeera English|date=1 March 2011 | accessdate = 1 March 2011 | title = Gaddafi's friend turns foe}}</ref> Al Jazeera also reported that anti-Gaddafi forces had repulsed a six-hour offensive from government forces attempting to seize ], securing the city for the opposition.<ref name = "liveblog1-3" /> Other members of the council demanded that the United Nations call for airstrikes on major military assets of the regime. One senior official told '']'', {{q|If he falls with no intervention, I’d be happy, but if he’s going to commit a massacre, my priority is to save my people.}}<ref>{{citation | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/world/africa/02libya.html?emc=na | title = Libyan Rebels, Invoking UN, May Ask West for Airstrikes | publisher = The New York Times | date = 2011-3-2}}</ref>

{{main|Battle of Brega}}

On 2 March, Al Jazeera reported that rebels based in eastern Libya were preparing to march on Tripoli with over 5,000 volunteers, who have been trained to use weapons in recent days by defected and retired soldiers and officers. The ] and ] increased their offshore presence, intending to place more pressure on Gaddafi to step down.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113242554921501.html | title=Libyan rebel army prepares for war|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011| agency =Al Jazeera English}}</ref> The ] expressed concern over the border situation with Tunisia, where ] ] said thousands attempting to flee the unrest in Libya combined with a lack of resources for handling the mass emigration threatened to trigger a ].<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12616304 | title = UN urges mass Libyan evacuation | date = 2 March 2011 | accessdate = 2 March 2011 | agency = BBC News}}</ref> At about 9 AM Libyan time, four large explosions went off in close succession in central Tripoli. According to reports from international media, security forces and Gaddafi supporters prevented journalists and onlookers from approaching after the blasts, which they described as originating from an oil tanker truck.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/02/libya.explosions/index.html?hpt=T1| agency = CNN International | title = Several explosions heard in Libyan capital of Tripoli|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Libya-Protests-Explosions-Heard-In-Tripoli-Day-After-Saif-Gaddafi-Said-Military-Not-Involved/Article/200801115943885?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_0&lid=ARTICLE_15943885_Libya_Protests%3A_Explosions_Heard_In_Tripoli_Day_After_Saif_Gaddafi_Said_Military_Not_Involved|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011| agency = Sky News | title =Series of Explosions Heard in Tripoli}}</ref> Around midday, Arab media reported that forces loyal to Gaddafi seized the town of ] in ], killing 14, and were launching a counterattack against ] in eastern Libya.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://blogs.aljazeera.net/live/africa/live-blog-libya-march-2|date= 2 March 2011 | accessdate = 2 March 2011|title=Live Blog — Libya |agency = Al Jazeera English}}</ref> Almost as soon, reports broke on ] that the opposition had fought back against two jets bombing positions near ] and a column of at least 100 vehicles transporting pro-Gaddafi troops,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113242554921501.html|title=Reports: Gaddafi forces make gains| agency = Al Jazeera English|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://twitter.com/#!/SultanAlQassemi| date = 2 March 2011|agency=Twitter|accessdate=2 March 2011|first=Sultan Sooud | last=Al Qassemi|title = SultanAlQassemi}}</ref> reportedly shooting down one warplane,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/libyan-protesters-down-qaddafi-loyalists-plane-al-jazeera-says.html | agency = Bloomberg | date = 2 March 2011 | accessdate=3 March 2011|title=Libyan Protesters Down Qaddafi Loyalists’ Plane, Al-Jazeera Says|first=Massoud|last=Derhally}}</ref> and the opposition retook control of Brega.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://twitter.com/#!/SalmaCNN|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=2 March 2011|agency=Twitter | first = Salma | last = Abdelaziz| work = CNN | title = Feed}}</ref> During a lengthy televised speech by Gaddafi in which he insisted no attacks had been launched against rebels, whom he again claimed were ] operatives, reports came in of another airstrike against rebel positions near Brega, where Al Jazeera reported 250–300 pro-Gaddafi fighters were routed by revolutionary forces.<ref name="Guardian2-3">{{cite news| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/mar/02/libya-uprising-gaddafi-live?CMP=twt_gu|agency = The Guardian | date = 2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011|title = Libya uprising — live updates}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/20113242554921501.html|title=Battle rages over Libyan oil port| date = 2 March 2011 |accessdate=3 March 2011|agency=Al Jazeera English}}</ref> At least 14 people were killed in the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12626496|title=Libya unrest: Rebels fight off Gaddafi attack|agency=BBC News|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref>

'']'' reported that US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed British ] forces would likely be mobilized to seize ] and ] stockpiled by Gaddafi's forces in the Libyan desert.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8355955/Libya-SAS-ready-to-seize-Col-Gaddafis-stores-of-mustard-gas.html | title=Libya: SAS ready to seize Col Gaddafi's stores of mustard gas|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011| agency = The Telegraph}}</ref> Gaddafi delivered a nearly three-hour speech to mark the 34th anniversary of the establishment of the ] in which he again blamed al-Qaeda for unrest. He also insisted there were no demonstrations in Libya and claimed he had ordered a full retreat from towns attacked by al-Qaeda, despite saying he held no power in the Libyan government and describing the jamahiriya as a {{q|democracy… without elections… …the authority of the people}}. By the later part of the day, the news agency ] reported that local protesters in the southwestern oasis town of ], on the border with Tunisia and ], apparently took control of the settlement, though some reports suggested parts of the town and its environs are being disputed by pro-Gaddafi elements. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/37489|title=Ghadames; first "liberated" town in south-west Libya|agency=Afrol News|date = 2 March 2011 | accessdate = 3 March 2011}}</ref> At a summit in ], the ] rejected direct military intervention as an option in Libya, but suggested it could establish a no-fly zone over the country, possibly in conjunction with the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/20113218130353466.html|agency= Al Jazeera English| title = Arabs may impose Libya no fly zone|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref>

On 3 March, an opposition website posted a "distress call" purportedly from "the people of Brega" warning that mercenaries had reinforced forces loyal to Gaddafi at ], midway between ] and Brega, and calling for immediate reinforcements in case Gaddafi's fighters attacked Brega again.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.libyafeb17.com/2011/03/breaking-call-of-distress-from-brega-tonight/ | title = Breaking: Call of distress from Brega tonight!|agency=17th February Movement| date = 3 March 2011 | accessdate = 3 March 2011}}</ref> The government of the ] said three Dutch marines were captured by pro-Gaddafi forces after landing near ] as part of a rescue operation to evacuate Dutch workers trapped in the country. Dutch and Libyan authorities are reportedly in negotiations over the marines' fate, with the Netherlands seeking the immediate release of the captured servicemen into Dutch custody. At least two of the workers the marines were attempting to evacuate have left the country, '']'' reported.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/03/gaddafi-forces-capture-dutch-marines| title=Gaddafi's forces capture Dutch marines|date = 3 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011|agency= The Guardian}}</ref> In the eastern Mediterranean, US warships passed through the ] on their way to waters off Libya.<ref name=teleg22>{{citation | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8356329/Libya-US-warships-enter-Suez-Canal-on-way-to-Libyan-waters.html | title = Libya: US warships enter Suez Canal on way to Libya | publisher = The Telegraph | series = World | accessdate = 3 March 2011}}</ref> Forces loyal to Gaddafi again marched on opposition positions in coastal ], hitting Brega and Ajdabiya again from the air while advancing overland, although the strength and aggressiveness of the loyalist ground forces is unclear.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/aa2542cc-4428-11e0-931d-00144feab49a,Authorised=false.html|agency=Financial Times|title=Gaddafi forces resume attacks on east |date=3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011 | location = ENG, UK}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/2011336535465973.html|agency = Al Jazeera English | title = Libyan cities under renewed attack | date = 3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011 | location = Catar}}</ref> Gaddafi accepted in principle a proposal by ]n President ] to negotiate a settlement between the opposition and the Libyan government. On news of Gaddafi accepting the Chávez's proposal for international mediation, there was a worldwide decrease in oil and gold prices.<ref>{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/local-markets/gaddafi-accepts-peace-plan-to-end-crisis-market-recovers_527264.html |title=Gaddafi accepts peace plan to end crisis; markets recover |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |date=2008-03-05 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> The proposal is also under consideration by the Arab League, according to Chairman ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Gadaffi-accepts-Chavez-s-mediation-offer/Article1-668961.aspx|agency=The Hindustan Times|date=3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011|title=Gadaffi accepts Chavez's mediation offer}}</ref> The Libyan opposition rejected the proposal, and the US and French governments dismissed its prospects. They said any solution that would allow Gaddafi, a close friend and ally of Chávez, to remain in power was not viable.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201133231925866727.html|title=Chavez Libya talks offer rejected|date=3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011|agency=Al Jazeera English}}</ref> US President ] reiterated his administration's demands that Gaddafi leave power and go into voluntarily exile in a televised news conference.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178780260794662.html|date=3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011|agency=The Wall Street Journal|title=Obama Keeps Libya Options Open}}</ref>

On 4 March, protesters planned to march in force in Tripoli despite reports of violence, arrests, and kidnappings directed at activists by security forces loyal to Gaddafi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41893698/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/|agency=MSNBC|date=3 March 2011|accessdate=4 March 2011|title=Fear haunts Libyan capital as protest planned}}</ref>

==Anti-Gaddafi movement's situation==
In the opposition controlled area, several new media outlets have emerged. An opposition-controlled newspaper called ''Libya'' has appeared in Benghazi, as well as opposition-controlled radio stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12579451 |title=New media emerge in 'liberated' Libya |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-02-21 |accessdate=2011-02-26}}</ref>

The ] (Arabic: المجلس الوطني الانتقالي) was a body established by opposition forces on February 27 in an effort to consolidate the anti-Gaddafi forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalpost.com/news/Rebels+down+Libyan+aircraft+nations+pressure+Gaddafi/4358376/story.html |title=World raises pressure on Gaddafi |publisher=Nationalpost.com |date=2010-12-22 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref> The main objectives of the group do not include forming an interim government, but instead to coordinate resistance efforts between the different towns held in rebel control, and to give a political "face" to the opposition to present to the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011227175955221853.html# |title=Libya opposition launches council - Africa |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

Libyans now have access to many abandoned ]s and Al Jazeera has documented devices that have been used against anti-Gaddafi activists before.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/03/20113122102545671.html |title=Evidence of Libya torture emerges |date=2011-03-01 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

==Gaddafi's situation==
=== Arms traffic ===

Russia has billions of dollars worth of arms deals with Gaddafi and government officials were also late to condemn the massacres of civilians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/223772/russia-could-lose-4-bn-in-libya-arms-deals |title=Russia could lose Libya arms deals }}</ref> Boris Yakemenko, an ideological leader of ] and member of the Russian government accused the ] of involvement in the protests and praised how Gaddafi has killed "provocateurs".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/bric-yard/gaddafis-biggest-fan-0 |title=Gaddafi's biggest fan? |date=2011-02-25 |publisher=Global Post}}</ref>

The EU's arms trafficking watchdog organization has observed flights between Tripoli and ]. It has been concluded that Belarus is currently arming Gaddafi. Some of the planes have visited a military base in ], Belarus, which is a dedicated military base that only handles stockpiled weaponry and military equipment. Gaddafi's sons have attended Belarusian-Russian military exercises before.<ref name=autogenerated3 /><ref name=autogenerated1 />

===Mercenary activity===
Numerous eyewitnesses and identity documents of captured soldiers show that Gaddafi is employing foreign nationalities to attack Libyan civilians. None of the governments of these African mercenaries support Libya, and Chad has traditionally been at odds with Libya over the ].

"French-speaking" fighters apparently come from neighbouring African countries such as Chad and ]. However, some have urged caution, saying that Libya has a significant black population that could be mistaken for mercenaries but are actually serving in the regular army.<ref name="Guardian-mercenaries">{{cite web|url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/22/gaddafi-mercenary-force-libya | title = Has Gaddafi unleashed a mercenary force on Libya? | work = The Guardian | accessdate = 25 February 2011}}</ref> Also, many Chadian soldiers who fought for Gaddafi in past conflicts with Chad were given Libyan citizenship.<ref name = "Guardian-mercenaries" />

On 18 February, it was alleged that "armed forces with military members from Chad" were operating in Benghazi, having been "paid for 5,000 (Dinars) and the latest ] just to get rid of demonstrators."<ref name="wncnews1">{{cite news |title = Muammar al-Gaddafi is Accused of Hiring Soldiers from Chad, Dozens of People Dead in Benghazi |publisher=WNCNews |date=18 February 2011 |url = http://www.worldnewsco.com/3214/muammar-al-gaddafi-accused-hiring-soldiers-chad-dozens-people-dead-benghazi/ | accessdate = 23 February 2011}}</ref> Twelve people were killed on the ] in Benghazi when forces opened fire.<ref name="wncnews1"/>

On 19 February, several Chadian mercenaries were captured in eastern Libya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://feb17.info/latest-news/more-footage-of-mercenaries-from-chad-captured-in-eastern-libya/ |title=More footage of mercenaries from Chad captured in eastern Libya |publisher=Feb17.info |date=19 February 2011 |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref>

On 21 February a lawyer working in Benghazi said that a local ‘security committee’ formed by native civilians on the 21st took control of the city had arrested 36 “mercenaries” from Chad, Niger and ] who were hired by Gaddafi’s body guards or ‘Praetorian Guard’ to fight in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/February/international_February818.xml&section=international | title =Benghazi residents trash mercenaries’ barracks |publisher=Khaleej Times |date= |accessdate= 25 February 2011}}</ref>

On 22 February, there were reports of mercenaries from Chad, the ], Niger, ], Sudan, ], ], and possibly even Asia and Eastern Europe, fighting in Al Bayda. A 21-year-old university student called Saddam claimed mercenaries had killed 150 people in the previous two days in the city of Al Bayda.<ref>{{cite web|author=David Smith in Johannesburg |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/22/gaddafi-mercenary-force-libya |title=Has Gaddafi unleashed a mercenary force on Libya? &#124; World news |publisher=The Guardian |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> Various other accusations told of Chadians operating in Southern Libya, Benghazi and Tripoli.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://schema-root.org/military/mercenaries/ |title=mercenaries (soldiers of fortune, dogs of war), Schema-Root news |publisher=Schema-root.org |date=2009-07-01 |accessdate=2011-02-25}}</ref> Mercenaries from Chad, Mali and Niger were reportedly working in the rest of eastern Libya on suppressing the protests in Libya.<ref name="csmonitor-mercenaries">{{cite news |last=Baldauf |first=Scott |title=Qaddafi's ties to rebel groups scrutinized as 'African mercenaries' patrol Libya |publisher=] |date=2011-02-23 |url=
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0223/Qaddafi-s-ties-to-rebel-groups-scrutinized-as-African-mercenaries-patrol-Libya |accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

On 23 February, there was a report that Gaddafi had deployed French-speaking mercenaries from nearby countries such as Mali, Niger and Chad.<ref name="csmonitor-mercenaries"/> Hired killers from Chad and Niger were reported to be in Bengazi and other eastern cities<ref name="GaddafiSupport">{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12558066|title=BBC News – Libya: Who is propping up Gaddafi?|work=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> on the 23rd.

On 24 February, the ] in the coastal town of ] became the prison for almost 200 suspected pro-Gaddafi mercenaries from countries such as Niger and Chad.<ref name="Time-mercenaries">{{cite news|url= http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2045328_2045333_2053490,00.html|title=Libya's Alleged Foreign Mercenaries: More Gaddafi Victims? – The Middle East in Revolt – TIME|work=time.com|accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> They were reported to be part of Libya's "]", the well-equipped 32nd brigade led by ].<ref name="Time-mercenaries"/> It was confirmed on the 24th by Col Gaddafi's former ] ] in an interview with the Al Jazeera that Nigerian, Malian, Chadian and Kenyan mercenaries are among foreign soldiers helping the besieged Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi fight off an uprising.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201102250009.html |title=Kenya: 'Dogs of War' Fighting for Gaddafi |publisher=allAfrica.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref> He said that the mercenaries were jobless ex-soldiers and officers who were enticed to Libya's civil war by the offer of money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201102250009.html |title=Kenya: 'Dogs of War' Fighting for Gaddafi |publisher=allAfrica.com |date=2011-02-25 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

On 25 February, speculation that members of the ] were covertly fighting in Libya to help prop up cornered Colonel Muammar Gaddafi grew as Zimbabwe’s Defence Minister ] avoided giving a straight answer to a question posed in Parliament about it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=37590:zimbabwean-army-helping-gaddafi-in-libya-&catid=31:weekday-top-stories&Itemid=30 |title=Zimbabwean army helping Gaddafi in Libya |publisher=Thezimbabwean.co.uk |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> On the same day, the Foreign Ministry of Chad denied allegations that mercenaries were fighting for Gaddafi, although he admitted it was possible that individuals had joined such groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/24/live-blog-libya-feb-25 |title=Live Blog - Libya Feb&nbsp;25 |publisher=blogs.aljazeera.net |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref>

The Serbian ] denied rumors that of any of its active or retired personnel participating in the events in Libya as "total stupidity".<ref>{{cite web|author=Pedja Obradovic |url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/belgrade-denies-serbian-planes-bombed-libya-protesters |title=Belgrade Denies Serbian Planes Bombed Libya Protesters |publisher=Balkaninsight.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

Many eyewitnesses have documented how mercenaries have taken over ambulances to kill injured protesters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8300956-mercenaries-in-ambulances-killing-injured-libya | title=Mercenaries in Ambulances Killing Injured |publisher=All Voices}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/libya/mercenaries-in-ambulance-shot-at-my-libyan-associate-maltese-entrepreneur |title='Mercenaries in ambulance shot at my Libyan associate' - Maltese entrepreneur |date=2011-02-25 |publisher=Malta Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.building.co.uk/news/global/uk-surveyors-libyan-mercenaries-using-ambulances-to-murder-civilians/5013743.article |title=UK surveyors: 'Libyan mercenaries using ambulances to murder civilians' |date=2011-02-22 |publisher=Building.co.uk}}</ref>

===Gaddafi's supporters===
Gaddafi's supporters have three main motives in general. Some cities, such as Gaddafi's hometown of Sirt have been lavishly developed due to family relations and hence are loyal to the dictator. <ref>{{cite web|last=Youssef |first=Nancy A. |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/28/2090728/a-backwater-no-more-gadhafis-hometown.html |title=A backwater no more, Gadhafi's hometown becomes crossroads - World Wires |publisher=MiamiHerald.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> Control over Tripoli comes in large part from several elite security brigades, who were lavished with arms and training while the regular army was somewhat neglected in order to guard against potential coups. <ref>{{cite web|last=Levinson |first=Charles |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703559604576175792439403346.html |title=Rebels Seek Airstrikes by Foreign Forces - WSJ.com |publisher=Online.wsj.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> Southwestern Libya contains a large population of sub-Saharan Africans, primarily Chadian refugees who Gaddafi settled there in the 1970s-1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/37490 |title=afrol News - Libya, Chad row over "mercenaries" |publisher=Afrol.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> Gaddafi has also been recruiting soldiers from among the Tuareg tribe in southwestern Libya, although the tribe as a whole have announced their support<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onislam.net/english/culture-and-entertainment/media/451304-will-libyan-tribes-decide-qaddafi-fate.html |title=Will Libyan Tribes Decide Gaddafi Fate? - Media - Culture & Entertainment |publisher=OnIslam.net |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> for the protesters.

Internationally, several Latin American nations have released statements of supports for Gaddafi due to shared social revolutionary backgrounds and alliances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=101383 |title=From Latin America to the Arab World - What's going on in Libya? |publisher=VHeadline.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Olson |first=Alexandra |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5j7VTVM3LkprYzM7WCUTJiVPvGEuQ?docId=6030499 |title=The Canadian Press: Gadhafi's Latin American leftist allies mixed on Libya; Ortega supportive, Chavez silent |publisher=Google.com |date=2011-02-22 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> Gaddafi has also been hiring mercenaries from neighboring African states ; he had spent decades cultivating influence to create a pan-African union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/02/how-qaddafi-reshaped-africa/71861/ |title=How Qaddafi Reshaped Africa - Howard W. French - International |publisher=The Atlantic |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=McLure |first=Jason |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-02/qaddafi-s-african-dream-in-tatters-as-net-closes-in-around-king-of-kings-.html |title=Qaddafi's African Drive Fails as `King of Kings' Faces End |publisher=Bloomberg |date=2009-09-23 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> He had ] with rebel groups in neighboring Chad, where many of his mercenaries reportedly come from. However, it appears that many of the mercenaries were untrained peasants who were offered jobs, only to be flown into a war zone and asked to fight or else be killed. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8349414/African-mercenaries-in-Libya-nervously-await-their-fate.html |title=African mercenaries in Libya nervously await their fate |publisher=Telegraph |date=2011-02-27 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

=== Censorship ===
International journalists were banned<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/20/3143581.htm |title=Libya fights protesters with snipers, grenades |publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euronews.net/2011/02/23/libya-witness-its-time-for-revolt-we-are-free/ |title=Libya witness: ‘It’s time for revolt. We are free’ &#124; euronews, world news |publisher=Euronews.net |date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> by the Libyan authorities<ref>{{cite web|author=Jon Williams |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors/2011/02/reporting_from_libya.html |title=The Editors: The difficulty of reporting from inside Libya |publisher=BBC |date=19 February 2011 |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> from reporting from Libya except by invitation of the Gaddafi government, and ] officials have complained that Libya jammed the broadcasts of Lebanese television reporting on the crackdown.<ref name="AJBlog-17"/> Additionally, reports suggest that the Internet is widely disrupted.<ref name="auswaertiges-amt1">{{cite web|url=http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Aussenpolitik/Laender/Aktuelle_Artikel/Libyen/110221-Unruhen-in-Libyen-node.html |title=Auswärtiges Amt – Besorgnis über Gewalt in Libyen |language={{de icon}} |publisher=Auswaertiges-amt.de |date=21 February 2011 |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref>

Gaddafi on 13 February warned against the use of ], and security organisations arrested several prominent internet activists and bloggers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allfacebook.com/libyas-muammar-gaddafi-warns-against-facebook-2011-02 |title=Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi warns against Facebook |publisher=Allfacebook.com |date=14 February 2011 |accessdate=19 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anhri.net/en/?p=2101 |title=Libyan dictator warns against using Facebook, Activists arrested|publisher=Arabic Network For Human Rights Informations |date=13 February 2011 |accessdate=19 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifex.org/libya/2011/02/14/activists_arrested/ |title=Gaddafi warns against use of Facebook, activists arrested |publisher=IFEX |year= |accessdate=19 February 2011 }}</ref> The novelist ] was arrested hours after giving an interview with Al Jazeera about the police reaction to protests in Benghazi on 15 February.<ref name="aljaz_libya_erupts15Feb">{{cite news | title=Libyan police stations torched | date=16 February 2011 | publisher=Al Jazeera | url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112167051422444.html |accessdate=16 February 2011 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5wYDLZMdr |archivedate=16 February 2011 |deadurl=no }}</ref> Rolling ]<ref name="monkey1">{{cite web|url=http://www.monkey.org/~labovit/blog/ |title=Craig Labovitz's Blog |publisher=Monkey.org |date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> occurred mostly but not entirely<ref>{{cite web|last=Cowie |first=James |url=http://www.renesys.com/blog/2011/02/libyan-disconnect-1.shtml |title=Libyan Disconnect – Renesys Blog |publisher=Renesys.com |date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> at night; all Internet traffic was abruptly lost on February 18.<ref name="monkey1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/transparencyreport/traffic/?r=LY&l=WEBSEARCH&csd=129771826813 |title=Traffic – Google Transparency Report |publisher=Google.com |date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref> Furthermore, some ]s were jammed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE71N2CU20110224 |title=Thuraya satellite telecom says jammed by Libya|publisher=Af.reuters.com |date=2011-02-24 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref> Former aides have purportedly advised Gaddafi to resign via ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miller-mccune.com/politics/the-cascading-effects-of-the-arab-spring-28575/ |title=The Arab Uprising's Cascading Effects &#124; Smart Journalism. Real Solutions. Miller-McCune |publisher=Miller-mccune.com |date=2011-02-23 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

== Deaths and injuries ==
{{Main|Casualties of the 2011 Libyan uprising}}
Independent numbers of dead and injured in the conflict have still not been made available. However, some conservative estimates have put the death toll at 1,000. Still, the ] have stated that the death toll could be as high as 3,000 by March 2. At the same time the opposition claimed that 6,500 people had died.<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|url=http://www.sify.com/news/at-least-3-000-dead-in-libya-rights-group-news-international-ldcxkhgggdh.html|title=At least 3,000 dead in Libya: rights group|agency=Sify News|date=2 March 2011|accessdate=3 March 2011}}</ref> Among the dead, there have also been hundreds of members of both the rebel and government military forces.

The numbers of injured have ranged from around 4,000<ref name="aljazblog22feb">{{cite web|url = http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/22/live-blog-libya-feb-22 |title=Live Blog – Libya Feb&nbsp;22 | publisher =Al Jazeera | work = Blogs |date=22 February 2 011 | accessdate=22 February 2 011}}</ref> to 5,000.

==Other humanitarian concerns==
Medical supplies, fuel and food are running dangerously low in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/02/20112289513477110.html |title=Libya's humanitarian crisis |date=2011-02-28 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

On 25 February, the International Committee of the Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for $6.4 million USD to meet the emergency needs of people affected by the violent unrest in the country.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Libya: ICRC launches emergency appeal as humanitarian situation deteriorates |publisher=] |date=2011-02-25 |url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/news-release/2011/libya-news-2011-02-25.htm |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

The ICRC's director general reminded everyone taking part in the violence that health workers must be allowed to do their jobs safely.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Libya: poor access still hampers medical aid to west |publisher=] |date=2011-03-03 |url=http://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/film/f-1081w-libya-medical-aid-2011.htm |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

== Evacuations ==
Fleeing the violence of Tripoli by road, as many as 4,000 people have been crossing the Libya-Tunisia border daily. Among those escaping the violence are foreign nationals including Egyptians, Tunisians, and Turks, as well as Libyans.<ref>{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/live-update-thousands-flee-across-libya-tunisia-border/article1918670/ |title=Live update: Thousands flee across Libya-Tunisia border |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date= |accessdate=24 February 2011 }}</ref> Officials from the ] confirmed allegations of discrimination against sub-Saharan Africans who were held in dangerous conditions in the no-man's-land between Tunisia and Libya.<ref name=tgam>{{cite news | url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/at-a-tense-border-crossing-a-systematic-effort-to-keep-black-africans-out/article1925955/ | title = At a tense border crossing, a systematic effort to keep black Africans out | first = Doug | last = Saunders |date = March 1, 2011 | work = ] | accessdate = March 3, 2011}}</ref> During the uprising many countries evacuated their citizens.<ref>{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12552374 |title=Libya protests: Evacuation of foreigners continues |publisher=BBC News |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/grounded-flight-leaves-canadians-stranded-in-libya/article1918591/ |title=Grounded flight leaves Canadians stranded in Libya |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date= |accessdate=24 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=9642125&maindocimg=9641904&service=144 |title=Greeks evacuated from Libya return safely |publisher=Ana-mpa.gr |date= |accessdate=25 February 2011}}</ref> A number of international oil companies have decided to withdraw their employees from Libya to ensure their safety, including ], ], ] ], ] and ]. Other companies that decided to evacuate their employees include ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/foreigners-in-libya/article1916644/?from=1918591 |title=Foreigners in Libya |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date= |accessdate=24 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110227/local/maltese-catamarans-still-holed-up-in-tripoli-by-the-weather |title=Libya: Maltese wishing to stay urged to change their mind | publisher= Times of Malta |date=1997-07-26 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

===Western operations===
On 25 February 500 passengers, mostly Americans, sailed into ] after a rough eight-hour journey from Tripoli and two day wait for the seas to calm down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110225/local/first-catamaran-from-tripoli-enters-harbour |title= Evacuees arrive in Grand Harbour, speak of their experiences |publisher= Times of Malta |date=1997-07-26 |accessdate=2011-02-26}}</ref>

The ] deployed aircraft and naval vessels to assist in the evacuation of their citizens and other nationals.<ref>{{cite news |title=UK plans to fly Britons out of Libya amid unrest |author= |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12545147 |newspaper=BBC News |date=22 February 2011 |accessdate = 22 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12571376|title=Britons flee Libya on navy frigate bound for Malta|publisher=BBC News|date= 24 February 2011 |accessdate=24 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12588947|title=RAF Hercules planes rescue 150 from Libya desert|publisher=BBC News|date=27 February 2011 |accessdate=27 February 2011}}</ref>

] dispatched two ] planes to evacuate Irish citizens from Libya, but these returned on 24 February without passengers after Libyan security officials prevented them from evacuating passengers. The Irish ] assisted over 115 Irish nationals in leaving Libya.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0301/breaking39.html |title=Department defends Libyan evacuation - The Irish Times - Tue, Mar 01, 2011 |publisher=The Irish Times |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> An Irish Air Corps ] later flew seven Irish evacuees from ] to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2011/02/air-corps-flies-irish-evacuees-from-libya-to-baldonnel/ |title=Air Corps flies Irish evacuees from Libya to Baldonnel « MerrionStreet.ie Irish Government News Service |publisher=Merrionstreet.ie |date=2011-02-26 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

On the evening of 25 February, the ] and ] launched a joint evacuation operation, involving two ] transport planes with ] on board and two ] ] transport planes, with elite ]s on board. The planes evacuated 22 Germans and about 100 other Europeans, mostly British oil workers from the airport at Nafurah to ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/26/britons-rescued-libya-desert-raf |title=Libya: Daring SAS mission rescues Britons and others from desert |publisher=guardian.co.uk|accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,748020,00.html |title=Riskante Rettungsmission hinter feindlichen Linien |publisher=spiegel.de |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bild.de/BILD/politik/2011/02/27/libyen-aufstand-gegen-gaddafi-so-dramatisch-verlief-die-rettungs/aktion-der-deutschen-durch-die-bundeswehr.html |title=So verlief die spektakuläre Rettungs-Aktion in Libyen |publisher=bild.de |accessdate=2011-02-27}}</ref>

On 27 February two ] ] aircraft again with British Special Forces evacuated approximately 100 foreign nationals, mainly oil workers, to Malta from the desert south of Benghazi,<ref>{{cite news|author=|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12588947 |title=RAF Hercules planes rescue 150 from Libya desert |publisher=BBC News |date= |accessdate=27 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=|url = http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/02/27/libya-british-special-forces-rescue-more-civilians-from-desert-115875-22954780/ |title= Libya: British special forces rescue more civilians from desert |publisher=The Mirror |date= |accessdate=28 February 2011 }}</ref> one of which was shot at and suffered some damage, but no one was injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110227/local/raf-flies-in-more-workers-in-second-libya-military-operation |title=Update 4: RAF Hercules shot at in second Libya rescue mission |publisher=timesofmalta.com |date=1997-07-26 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

On the afternoon of 27 February a ] from the ] attempted to evacuate a Dutch civilian and another European from the coastal city of Sirt. The attempt failed and the helicopter and its crew of three was apprehended by Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi, while the two civilians were handed over to the Dutch embassy in Tripoli.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/world/africa/04netherlands.html |title=Qaddafi Forces Capture 3 Dutch Airmen |publisher=nytimes.com |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

On the 28th of February evacuations from Libya continued. Two vessels docked in ], ], ] bringing 3,200 workers, mostly Chinese. Till 1st March, there were 12,000 people evacuated from Libya to Malta, 3,000 of them by airplane to ] airport and the rest by ferries to ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110228/local/greek-ferry-brings-more-libya-workers-to-malta |title=Greek ferry brings more Libya workers to Malta |publisher= Times of Malta |date=1997-7-26 | accessdate = 2011-2-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=(8 hours, 37 minutes ago) |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110228/local/ferry |title=Another ferry, frigate arrive with more workers |publisher=timesofmalta.com |date=1997-07-26 |accessdate=2011-02-28}}</ref>

On Wednesday March 2, 2011, the Canadian Forces ] has left its home port of Halifax to be a part of a humanitarian relief operations in conjunction with an American carrier battle group led by the nuclear-powered ]. Their destination is to reach Libya to help restore peace, evacuate Canadian citizens in Libya and provide humanitarian relief.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110302/hmcs-charlottetown-110203/|title= HMCS Charlottetown | publisher = CTV | place = CA | section = News |date=2011-3-1}}</ref>

===Asian operations===

China set up its largest evacuation operation ever with over 30,000 Chinese nationals being evacuated, China also managed to evacuate an additional group of 2,100 citizens from 12 other countries.<ref name=china/><ref>{{cite web|title=Libya evacuation, a reflection of China’s growing military strength|date=2011-2-28 | publisher = The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article1497817.ece}}</ref> On 25 February 2011, the Chinese ] guided missile frigate ] was ordered to be the guardship to Chinese evacuation efforts.<ref name=china>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/03/c_13758221.htm |title=35,860 Chinese nationals in Libya evacuated: FM |publisher=news.xinhuanet.com |date=2011-03-03 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-03/03/c_13759456.htm|title=35,860 Chinese nationals evacuated from unrest-torned Libya}}</ref>

On March 1, the ]'s ] arrived of the coast of ] to evacuate ]n citizens from ].<ref>{{cite news |title=S. Korean warship changes Libyan destination to Tripoli |publisher=Yonhap |date=2011-03-02 |url=http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2011/03/02/0200000000AEN20110302005300315.HTML |accessdate=2011-03-02}}</ref>

The Indian population in Libya is estimated to be 18,000. The Indian government set up 3 special flights daily to evacuate its citizens. These operations are expected to continue until March 12th.<ref>{{citation|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/20-Indians-out-of-Libya-evacuation-time-extended-to-March-12/articleshow/7602420.cms|title=3600 Indians out of Libya, evacuation time extended to March 12 | publisher = Times of India |date=2011-3-1}}</ref><ref name="newsflavor1">{{cite web|url=http://newsflavor.com/world/middle-east/indians-to-be-evacuated-from-libya/|title=Indians to be Evacuated from Libya|publisher=Newsflavor |date= |accessdate=01 March 2011}}</ref>

== Domestic responses ==
{{See|List of officials who protested or resigned during the 2011 Libyan protests}}
]
Several officials resigned from their positions after 20 February in large part due to protests against the army's "excessive use of force," including justice minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil as well as Interior Minister and Major General, ]<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya justice minister resigns to protest 'excessive use of force' against protesters | newspaper = Haaretz Newspaper | date = 21 February 2011 | url =http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/libya-justice-minister-resigns-to-protest-excessive-use-of-force-against-protesters-1.344796 | accessdate =21 February 2011 }}</ref> whereas Oil Minister ] was reported to have fled the country.<ref name="AJBlog-17">{{cite web |url=
http://blogs.aljazeera.net/middle-east/2011/02/17/live-blog-libya |title=Live Blog – Libya |publisher=Al Jazeera Blogs |date=17 February 2011 |accessdate=19 February 2011 }}</ref> Citing "grave violations of human rights", Gaddafi's cousin and close aid, Ahmad Qadhaf al-Dam, announced his defection from the government when he arrived in Egypt on 24 February.<ref> ''BBC News''. 24 February 2011.</ref>

Several members of the diplomatic corps also resigned. Amongst these were the ambassadors to the ],<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya's ambassadors to India, Arab League resign in protest against government | newspaper = RIA Novosti | date = 21 February 2011 | url = http://en.rian.ru/world/20110221/162698818.html| accessdate =21 February 2011 }}</ref> ], the ],<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libyan diplomat in China resigns over unrest | newspaper = AFP | date = 21 February 2011 | url = http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gsfRzZOlaHX2n1PDDMG5pMt-5zyg?docId=CNG.6edc8c32f659a479171f46fdb59fcead.231 | accessdate =21 February 2011 }}</ref> the ] and ],<ref>{{Cite news | title =
Libyan Ambassador to Belgium, Head of Mission to EU Resigns = Global Arab Network | date = 21 February 2011 | url = http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/201102219940/Libya-Politics/libyan-ambassador-in-belgium-head-of-mission-to-eu-resigns.html| accessdate =21 February 2011 }}</ref> ],<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya's ambassador to India resigns in protest against violence: BBC | newspaper = Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. | date = 21 February 2011 | url =http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_libya-s-ambassador-to-india-resigns-in-protest-against-violence-bbc_1510954 | accessdate =21 February 2011 }}</ref> ],<ref name="AJBlog-17"/> ], ] and the United States. The deputy ambassador to the ] Ibrahim Omar Al Dabashi did not resign but distanced himself from the Libyan government's actions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lederer |first=Edith M. |url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g301v8CNJTJO9kOWuJGWyZBnHJpw?docId=6022291 |title=The Canadian Press: Libya's UN diplomats are calling for leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi to step down |publisher=Google.com |year= |accessdate=21 February 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=21 February 2011&nbsp;|&nbsp; 9:26&nbsp;am |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/libya-un-diplomats-resign-in-protest.html |title=LIBYA: UN diplomats resign in protest &#124; Babylon & Beyond &#124; Los Angeles Times |publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com |year= |accessdate=21 February 2011 }}</ref> The ambassador to the United States ] together with the embassy staff also distanced himself from the government, "condemned" the violence and urged the international community "to stop the killings."<ref name="AJBlog-17"/> The ambassador to the ] denied reports that he had resigned.<ref name="AJBlog-17"/>

Two Libyan Air Force pilots and a naval vessel fled to Malta, reportedly claiming to have refused orders to bomb protesters in Benghazi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/21/live-blogging-north-africa-middle-east-protests/?hpt=T1 |title=N. Africa, Mideast protests – Gadhafi: I'm still here – This Just In – CNN.com Blogs |publisher=News.blogs.cnn.com |year= |accessdate=22 February 2011 }}</ref><ref name="LA Times">{{cite web|author=|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/libya-warship-defects-to-malta.html |title=LIBYA: Warship defects to Malta &#124; Babylon & Beyond &#124; Los Angeles Times |publisher=Latimesblogs.latimes.com |date= |accessdate=23 February 2011 }}</ref>

Islamic leaders and clerics in Libya urged all Muslims to rebel against Gaddafi.<ref name="AJBlog-17"/><ref name="reuters-0221">{{cite web|url=http://af.reuters.com/article/libyaNews/idAFLDE71K1TQ20110221 |title=UPDATE 1-Libyan Islamic leaders urge Muslims to rebel |publisher=Af.reuters.com |date=9 February 2011 |accessdate=21 February 2011 }}</ref> The ], ] and ] tribes have announced their support of the protesters.<ref name=aljazeeradefiant/><ref>{{cite web|title=Libya crisis: what role do tribal loyalties play?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12528996}}</ref> The ] tribe, based in eastern Libya, have threatened to cut off oil exports from fields in their part of the country if Libyan security forces continued attacking demonstrators.<ref>Hussein, Mohammed. ''BBC News''. 22 February 2011.</ref>

Youssef Sawani, a senior aide to Muammer Gaddafi's son ], resigned from his post "to express dismay against violence".<ref name="aljazeeradefiant"/>

On 28 February, Muammar Gaddafi has reportedly appointed the head of Libya's foreign intelligence service to speak to the leadership of the anti-government protesters in the east of the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaddafi aide 'to talk to rivals' |author= |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011228153557564360.html |date=28 February 2011 |accessdate=28 February 2011}}</ref>

]
Claimant ] sent his condolences "for the heroes who have laid down their lives, killed by the brutal forces of Gaddafi" and called on the international community "to halt all support for the dictator with immediate effect."<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya’s Crown Prince Says Protesters Will Defy 'Brutal Forces'| newspaper = ] | date = 22 February 2011 | url = http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-22/libya-s-crown-prince-says-protesters-will-defy-brutal-forces-.html | accessdate =22 February 2011 }}</ref> Muhammad said that the protesters would be "victorious in the end" and calls for international support to end the violence.<ref name="Gaddafi nears his end, exiled Libyan prince says" >{{cite web
|url= http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20110222/twl-uk-libya-protests-prince-bd5ae06.html
|title=Gaddafi nears his end, exiled Libyan prince says
|work=uk.news.yahoo.com
|accessdate=24 February 2011
}}</ref> On 24 February 2011 Muhammad gave an interview to Al Jazeera English where he called upon the international community to help remove Gaddafi from power and stop the ongoing "massacre".<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya's 'crown prince' makes appeal| newspaper = ] | date = 24 February 2011 | url = http://english.aljazeera.net/video/africa/2011/02/201122416028655869.html | accessdate =24 February 2011 }}</ref> Muhammad has dismissed talk of a civil war saying "The Libyan people and the tribes have proven they are united". Questioned about what shape a new government could take, and whether the 1951 royal constitution could be revived Muhammad said that such questions are "premature and are issues that are to be decided by the Libyan people," adding that for now the priority is to stop the "killing of innocent people." On whether he desires to return to Libya he says "The Senussi family considers itself as in the service of the Libyan people."<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libya’s Prince Senussi Says Tribes Are United Against Qaddafi = ] | date = 25 February 2011 | url = http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-25/libya-s-prince-senussi-says-tribes-are-united-against-qaddafi.html | accessdate =25 February 2011 }}</ref> When asked about reestablishing the monarchy he has stated that he "is a servant to Libyan people, and they decide what they want".<ref name="Exiled Libyan Crown Prince says Kadhafi must step down" >{{cite web
|url= http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/16512
|title=Exiled Libyan Crown Prince says Kadhafi must step down
|work=newstimeafrica.com
|accessdate=26 February 2011
}}</ref> The White House says it will not specify which indivuals and groups it is working and reaching out with, when asked if the White House supports Muhammad as-Senussi's calls for international support.<ref name="U.S. hesitates to support Crown Prince and define post-Gaddafi Libya" >{{cite web
|url= http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90036798
|title=U.S. hesitates to support Crown Prince and define post-Gaddafi Libya
|work=allheadlinenews.com
|accessdate=3 March 2011
}}</ref> In an interview with ] he states that it is too early to answer if the monarchy in Libya could be restored and if he will be active in Libyan poltics. He also says the main objective is to end the violence on the streets in Libya.<ref name="Asharq Al-Awsat talks to the heir apparent of Libya's overthrown monarchy" >{{cite web
|url= http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=3&id=24349
|title=Asharq Al-Awsat talks to the heir apparent of Libya's overthrown monarchy
|work=aawsat.com
|accessdate=3 March 2011
}}</ref> On 3 March it was announced that he planned to return to Libya. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newcriterion.com/posts.cfm/The-Libyan-School-of-Economics-6480 |title=The Libyan School of Economics by Michael Weiss |publisher=The New Criterion |date=2011-01-14 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

In an interview with '']'', ], a ] to the Libyan throne, announced he was ready to return to the country once change had been initiated.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Libia, principe Idris: ''Gheddafi assecondi popolo o il Paese finirà in fiamme'' | newspaper = ] | date = 16 February 2011 | url =http://www.adnkronos.com/IGN/News/Esteri/Libia-principe-Idris-Gheddafi-assecondi-popolo-o-il-Paese-finira-in-fiamme_311690543443.html | accessdate =20 February 2011 }}</ref> On 21 February 2011 Idris made an appearance on '']'' to discuss the uprising.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Krakauer | first =Steve | title = Who is Moammer Gadhafi? Piers Morgan explores the man at the center of Libya's uprising | publisher = CNN | date = 21 February 2011 | url = http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/21/who-is-moammer-gadhafi-piers-morgan-explores-the-man-at-the-center-of-libya/ | accessdate = 22 February 2011}}</ref> On 24 February his brother Hashem called on Gaddafi “to have mercy” on the demonstrators, just as he did with members of the former Royal Family in 1969 when he allowed them to leave the country unharmed after the coup that overthrew the monarchy.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Alfano | first =Manila | title = Il nipote di re Idris: «Al colonnello chiedo pietà per i miei fratelli» | publisher = ] | date = 24 February 2011 | url = http://www.ilgiornale.it/interni/il_nipote_re_idris_al_colonnello_chiedo_pieta_miei_fratelli/24-02-2011/articolo-id=507914-page=0-comments=1 | accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref>

== International reactions ==
{{main|International reactions to the 2011 Libyan uprising}}
Most states and ] bodies have condemned Gaddafi's use of military and mercenaries against Libyan civilians. On the other hand, ] has expressed support for Gaddafi.<ref>Yahoo! News (22 February 2011) ''''</ref>
<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ecuadortimes.net/2011/02/25/chavez-joins-ortega-and-castro-to-support-gaddafi/ |title=Chavez Joins Ortega and Castro to Support Gaddafi |date=2011-02-25 |publication=The Ecudator Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/24/libyas_relationship_folly_with_latin_america |title=Libya's relationship folly with Latin America |publication=The Foreign Policy |date=2011-02-24}}</ref>
On 19 February, ] said he did not want to "disturb" Gaddafi,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/02/20/idINIndia-55029820110220 |title=Berlusconi under fire for not "disturbing" Gaddafi |date=2011-02-20 | publisher=Reuters}}</ref> but two days later he called the attacks on protesters "unacceptable".<ref>{{cite news |title=As it happened: Mid-East and North Africa protests |publisher=BBC News U.K. |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/9404118.stm |accessdate=2011-02-22}}</ref>

Many states issued either ] or attempted evacuations. Some evacuations were successful in either going to Malta or via land borders to Egypt or Tunisia. Other attempts were hindered by tarmac damage in Benghazi and refusals to land in Tripoli. There were also several solidarity protests in other countries that were mostly composed of Libyan ]. Financial markets around the world had adverse reactions to the instability with oil prices rising to a two-and-a-half year high.

After an emergency meeting on 22 February, the ] suspended Libya from taking part in council meetings and Moussa issued a statement condemning the "crimes against the current peaceful popular protests and demonstrations in several Libyan cities."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/21/libya-arabs-moussa-idUSLDE71K1W520110221 |title=Arab League deeply concerned by Libya violence |publisher=Reuters |year= |accessdate=2011-02-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-22/arab-league-bars-libya-from-meetings-citing-forces-crimes-.html|title=Arab League Bars Libya From Meetings, Citing Forces’ ‘Crimes’|date=2011-02-22|publisher=Bloomberg|accessdate=2011-02-22}}</ref> Libya was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council by a unanimous vote of the UN General Assembly, citing the Gaddafi government's use of violence against protesters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/03/201131202637185959.html |title=Libya suspended from rights body |date=2011-03-01 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> A number of governments, including Britain, Canada, Switzerland, the United States, Germany and Australia have taken action to freeze assets of Gaddafi and his associates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011228105035282376.html |title=Gaddafi sees global assets frozen |date=2011-02-28 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

On 26 February, the ] voted unanimously in ] to impose strict sanctions, including targeted travel bans, against Gaddafi's government, as well as to refer Gaddafi and other members of his regime to the ] for investigation into allegations of brutality against civilians, which could constitute ] in violation of international law.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41785849/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ |title=U.N. Security Council slaps sanctions on Libya |date=26 February 2011 |accessdate=27 February 2011 |agency=MSNBC}}</ref>

Prime Minister ] of the United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite news |url= http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704615504576172383796304482.html?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=Cameron Doesn't Rule Out Military Force for Libya|date=28 February 2011|accessdate=28 February 2011|agency=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> proposed the idea of ] that would prevent Gaddafi from airlifting mercenaries and using his military planes against civilians. However, this proposal was rejected by the leaders of other countries including Russia and China, with the notable exception of Italy's ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110301/ap_on_re_eu/libya_diplomacy_118 |title=Russian FM knocks down no-fly zone for Libya |publisher=News.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/russia-slams-nofly-zone-plan-as-cracks-appear-in-libya-strategy-2229621.html# |title=Russia slams 'no-fly zone' plan as cracks appear in Libya strategy by David Usborne |publisher=Independent.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/china-voices-misgivings-about-libya-no-fly-zone-plan/ |title=China voices misgivings about Libya "no-fly" zone plan |publisher=Trust.org |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Johnson|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/02/libya.no.fly/index.html# |title=Libyan no-fly zone would be risky, provocative |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |date= |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

The ] (JEM), a ] in Sudan, has been accused by the Sudanese government of supporting Gaddafi.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE71M0JG20110223 |title=Sudan says Darfur rebels involved in Libyan clashes |work=Reuters Africa |publisher=Thomson Reuters |date=2011-02-23 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Prier |first=Pierre |title=La garde tchadienne au secours du colonel Kadhafi |date=2011-02-24 |publisher=] |location=France |url= http://www.lefigaro.fr/international/2011/02/23/01003-20110223ARTFIG00747-la-garde-tchadienne-au-secours-du-colonel-kadhafi.php |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref> This statement was categorically rejected by the JEM<ref>{{cite news |title=Sudan Rebel Group Denies Role in Libya Anti-Protest Violence |publisher=] |date=2011-02-23 |url= http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Sudan-Rebel-Group-Denies-Role-in-Anti-Protest-Violence-in-Libya--116782433.html |accessdate=2011-03-03}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite journal |last=Pargeter |first=Alison |title=Libya: Reforming the impossible? |journal=] |volume=33 |issue=108|year=2006 |pages=219–235 |doi=10.1080/03056240600842685 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Sadikia |first=Larbi |year=2010 |title=Wither Arab 'Republicanism'? The Rise of Family Rule and the 'End of Democratization' in Egypt, Libya and Yemen |journal=Mediterranean Politics |volume=15 |issue=1 |pages=99–107 |doi=10.1080/13629391003644827 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|2011 Libyan protests}}
{{Wikinews category|2011 Libyan protests}}
* special report with at ''Al Jazeera English''
* live blog at '']''
* live blog at ''BBC News''
*{{Spiegeltopic|libya|Crisis in Libya}}
* at '']''
*
*{{cite news |last=Clark |first=Campbell |last2=Chase |first2=Steven |title=Canada girds for substantial military role in North Africa |format=]/]/] |publisher=] |date=2011-03-01 |url= http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/with-special-forces-on-ground-ottawa-sends-frigate-to-libyan-coast/article1925022/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Politics&utm_content=1925022 |accessdate=2011-03-03}}

{{2011 Libyan protests|state=uncollapsed}}
{{2010–2011 Middle East and North Africa protests|state=uncollapsed}}
{{Libya topics}}
{{Middle East conflict}}
{{Anti-government protests in the 21st century}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2011}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2011 Libyan Protests}}
]
]
]
]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 04:42, 23 July 2024

Redirect to:

This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
  • From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.