Heavy fighting and NATO air-strikes continue in Tripoli, and two Qaddafi sons earlier reported as captured by rebels are now apparently free. China meanwhile expressed concerns that its oil investments in Libya will be honored by the new regime.
In a land and sea offensive closely coordinated with NATO, Libyan rebels advanced into the heart of Tripoli. Thousands of jubilant citizens filled the Green Square to cheer their convoys of armed pick-up trucks, with fighters firing in the air.
Mounting reports indicate that Moammar Qaddafi has dispatched an envoy to Tunisia to meet with British and French officials and negotiate his exile from Libya. The reports come as rebels seized the strategic refinery city of Zawiya.
Tunisian police fired tear-gas as a rally called by the General Workers’ Union (UGTT) was joined by some 2,000 protesting the lack of political reform since the overthrow of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January.
The Tripoli regime accused NATO of killing 85 of civilians, including children, in an air attack on a village in western Libya. NATO responds that the regime was using farm buildings for military purposes, and said the casualties were likely “mercenaries.”
Organizations that monitor attacks on the media are demanding a UN investigation of a NATO air-strike on Tripoli’s TV station. The Tripoli regime meanwhile denies rebel claims that Qaddafi’s youngest son Khamis was killed in an air-strike.
Saif Qaddafi, the dictator’s son, announced an alliance with Libya’s Islamists to defeat the rebels—after the regime had for months portrayed the rebels as Islamist extremists. Hugo Chávez hailed Qaddafi in a speech: “Live and be victorious. We’re with you.”
The latest round of UN-brokered Western Sahara negotiations between Morocco and the Polisario Front ended without agreement—as Rabat signed contracts with foreign oil companies to explore in the occupied territory.
A UN fact-finding team finds fuel, food and medicine shortages in Tripoli. Qaddafi meanwhile accuses NATO of bombing civilian targets, while NATO accuses Qaddafi of using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
The NATO powers hope a compliant post-Qaddafi regime in Libya will counter-balance the OPEC price hawks. This doubtless means little at the moment to Libya’s Berbers, who have won cultural freedom in their rebel zone, and face a massacre if Qaddafi prevails.
As a desperate Qaddafi threatens suicide attacks on European capitals, signs of a split emerge in the rebel National Transitional Council—raising fears of a widening of the civil war even after the dictator falls.
In another contradictory message, the US House of Representatives voted down a measure to defund US military operations in Libya but approved an amendment barring aid to the Libyan rebels.
