All quiet on the Libya Front (daily report) ((update))

Hi all fellow ATS'ers.

I intend to give a day to day update about the state of play in Libya as I'm currently working in Tripoli.

Today is very quiet in town, and police are everywhere, Checkpoints have been set up along all major roads into Tripoli. None of the local population are openly speaking about events in Benghazi, but whispers are everywhere. And with a march planned in Tripoli on Friday after midday prayer, who knows. I will keep updating this thread as events unfold and have an internet connection.

I will try to get some pictures but will have to be careful not to antagonize security forces.


until tomorrow, unless circumstances change....

Peace

Rock Ape.

I never really cared for Qaddafi personally. I always thought the guy was a nut. Would be great to see him put in check, although the last thing the world needs nowdays is more anger and violence. But I feel one by one many of these leaders are going to be loosing support and their regimes will crumble.

Recent event in Libya

I've just been told by one of my work colleagues that FACEBOOK is now blocked, and rumours are spreading that the government in Libya may pull the plug on the internet completely. if that happens I'll try to use my mobile to contact friends in Europe that can update this thread for me.


Peace

Rock Ape

reply to post by Rock Ape


Hey thanks for keeping us updated on this front. I was wondering when/if Libya would be jumping into the frey over there. I have subscribed to the thread so I can easily keep up to date on your postings. Be safe!

reply to post by Rock Ape


I appreciate that you are in the "midst" of possible situations there, and are offering to update us here on ATS...

It has been my impression (and based from travels there) that Khadaffi learned a lesson back in the Reagan era quickly, but I may be wrong? I have seen a more moderate Libya in the past decade, with trading relations, whatnot, am I off-base?

He sure "PR's" himself as one who is willing to live in a tent, among the people in Libya, but this may be propaganda that is always fed? It seems that he has "taken care" of the Libyans' needs, in many ways, in comparison to other many other N. African/Middle Eastern countries...

What are your overall thoughts on the situation; I couldn't really detect them in your OP?

And if you don't feel safe to comment, I totally understand...do what is best for your immediate security...

Peace! Thank you....s/f

Great to see an ATSer on the ground, fighting back against the media machine.

S&F for you!

Hello my fellow ATS'ers.

Well first of all sorry that I've been unable to update this thread daily, but I got shipped off to a desert town called Sebha during the week and had no Internet connection. I got back into Tripoli last night and have been chatting to all my friends and colleagues spread throughout Libya.

Tripoli itself is open for business as usual, with no trouble at all, lots of pro Gadaffi supporters in cars with pictures of the Colonel and Libyan flags driving around and beeping horns.

Outside Tripoli is another story altogether. First off, don't believe everything your hearing on CNN/BBC, for the best news reports try AL Jazeera (spelling)..

friends in Benghazi tell me the people are now in control there, barracks have been over-run and alot of local soldiers have joined with them, as Colonel G has been using Mercenaries to fight the population, as his own troops refuse to. Also in Benghazi all commercial flights have now stopped from the airport. this may change as time goes on.

The same is said in Tobrouk and Al Bieda. there were Protests also in Misurrata, but they were human right protests not regime change protests.

I also heard that there was trouble in Zawia, 50km to the west of Tripoli and there were a few deaths there.

I'll add more news as I hear it.

Anyone in Libya reading this stay safe.


Peace

Found this on youtube .... is very very sad, i feel for the people there

Hello Fellow ATS'ers

We've been hearing that there are clashes between Pro and Anti Gadaffi demonstators in Green Square, which is in the centre of Tripoli and that gunfire has been heard near his palace too.

more news as it happens and as long as I have a connection..

All foriegn TV news channels are down and so are all social and news websites.

will update as and when I can..


Peace

Rock Ape

reply to post by Rock Ape


On CNN...have been listening to Gaddafi's son speaking.

He accused the protesters of being hired guns, the army going off half cocked and that the people had 48 hours to come under control.

He has admitted to protests in Tripoli. He stated certain concessions such as amendments to the constitution, renewing municipalities and their contributions to the government.

Qaddafi's son warns the people they will return to colonialism, threat, promise or eventuality? Your thoughts?

Of great interest is to understand how very tribal Libya still is. Do you think that is how Qaddafi has maintained control?

Now looking at pro-Qaddafi rally on CNN. Commentary from a specialist there is schism in the Qaddafi family as to how this should be handled. This sounds like the Hussein family in Iraq. Could end badly.

Stay safe and prayers, -aw

Greetings to all ATS'ers

Well had a sleepless night, listening to the rattle of small arms fire for most of the night broken occassionally with heavier calibre machine guns.

Went into the city centre this morning and it seemed quite normal, shops were open and people were going about their business. there were signs of barricades and burning but it had all been cleaned up by mid-morning.

Chatted to some Libyan friends who were out last night and they said 'that protesters were targetting only regime assets and mostly everything else was left alone.


Will update as I hear more, but tomorrow will probably be my last day as I get Evac'd out to Malta Tomorrow.



Peace

Rock Ape

Where is Qudaffi at? Hes the guy they are after and his death will end the chaos.

reply to post by Rock Ape


Rock Ape,

Thank you for keeping us updated. The news that is being reported here in the US is that about 250 people have been killed. Saif Al-Islam Gadahfi is saying there will be more bloodshed and they will not give up. I hope you are safe. Peace.

you guys arent getting any news on this

www.bbc.co.uk...


Civilians marching from #Mesrata toward #Tripoli are being fired upon from Apache helicopters.

Hi ATS'ers

I've found BBC news to be inaccurate the last couple of days so would take anything they say with a pinch of salt.

The Libyans don't have much American tech, it's all old russian and french stuff.

A friend of mine reported that pro Gadaffi paramilitaries were setting up road blocks on all the main roads into the city centre.

Darkness has fallen here on the outskirts of Tripoli and a large group of protestors just passed our compound moving towards the city centre along the coast road. No sounds of any gunfire here, but we are about 14km from Green Square.

will update as I can thru the night here, but Being taken to the Airport at 8am fro my taxi outta here.


peace

Rock Ape

reply to post by Rock Ape


You are in the middle of history in the making.

Qaddafi's son, as reported by MSNBC, via Dad, is ordering air strikes on the protesters in Tripoli. Other news sources out of Canada and India reporting same. Two Libyan fighters took off and sought asylum elsewhere along with many military personnel from other branches, as they will not fire on their people.

Keep us posted, very concerned for your safety.

Prayers, -aw

Cenk reports from MSNBC a group of Libyan army officers has asked the military to put their guns down and join the Libyan people in removing Qaddafi from leadership.

We are all in the middle of history in the making

Hi to All ATS'ers

It rained heavy all night here in Tripoli, and that seemed to dampen the trouble last night (pardon the pun)

we did hear some small arms fire, but nothing like on Sunday night. The airport has just re-opened and I'm off to get my fight outta here.. with luck.

Tripoli is very quiet this morning and hopefully for those remaining it will be.



This Rock Ape, last survivor of the Nostromo Signing off.




Peace

Libyan Blog

Just received this from a friend.

Glad you are well, thought you were leaving?

Prayers, -aw

Hope you make it out ok...with his recent comments, Qaddafi seems to be in it for the long haul, so this could get a lot uglier, real quick...get your butt outta there man!