Juan Cole was a hero of the left when he slapped down mainstream media jive on the Iraq war just a few short years ago. But now he takes on idiot-left jive on Libya—which has at times deteriorated into shameless cheerleading for Qaddafi.
AlJazeera uncovers evidence of “mass executions” of opposition activists by Qaddafi-loyalists in Tripoli, while AP finds rebels may have executed captive Qaddafi-loyalists. South Africa’s Jacob Zuma calls for an International Criminal Court probe of NATO.
Representatives of Libya’s rebel council flew to Doha, Qatar, to meet with international officials, seeking $2.5 billion in emergency financing. Ahmad Shabani, founder of the new Democratic Party of Libya, especially appealed for support from Israel.
As Libyan rebels continue to hunt Tripoli for Moammar Qaddafi—and to battle the remnants of his forces—the elusive strongman again delivered two broadcast messages during the night, urging residents to “cleanse Tripoli of rats.”
Rebels have overrun Moammar Qaddafi’s fortress-like compound in Tripoli, the Bab al-Aziziya, but the state TV station remains in pro-Qaddafi hands and continues to broadcast messages from the missing strongman.
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.”
