Tag: Libya
Libya no-fly zone calls mount as air force strikes again
BENGHAZI - Libya's air force carried out new raids on Tuesday on a rebel-held town as the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi's regime entered its third week amid mounting calls for a no-fly zone over the country. As the violence escalated, the Arab League said foreign ministers of its member states would meet on Friday for crisis talks on the situation at the headquarters of the league in Cairo.
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) also stepped up the pressure for the
The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) also stepped up the pressure for the
UK, France, Gulf states seek no-fly zone over Libya
RAS LANUF - Britain, France and Gulf states on Monday said they were seeking UN authority for a no-fly zone over Libya, as Muammar Gaddafi's warplanes counter-attacked against rebels and aid officials said a million people were in need.
Rebels swiftly rejected an olive branch offered by an associate of Gaddafi, and fighting escalated around one of the country's key oil ports. The ageing autocrat warned that if he fell thousands of refugees would "invade Europe". With civilians
Rebels swiftly rejected an olive branch offered by an associate of Gaddafi, and fighting escalated around one of the country's key oil ports. The ageing autocrat warned that if he fell thousands of refugees would "invade Europe". With civilians
Fierce fighting in Libya leaves 18 dead
TRIPOLI - At least 18 people, including a baby, were killed in the fighting in the Libyan town of Misrata on Sunday, a doctor in the embattled country said. "We have 18 martyrs but the figure is not final. We also have many people wounded, I cannot even count them," said the doctor, who worked at Misrata main hospital, adding that the dead included rebels and civilians. Troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, meanwhile, launched counter-offensives against rebel-held towns, increasing fears
Pope voices ‘great concern’ over tensions in Libya, Pakistan
VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed "great concern" over the crises in several African and Asian countries, mentioning Pakistan and Libya in particular.
"I follow with great concern the tensions in several countries in Africa and Asia in these days," the pope said in Italian after the weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church urged that the "moving sacrifice" of Pakistan's murdered Catholic minorities'
"I follow with great concern the tensions in several countries in Africa and Asia in these days," the pope said in Italian after the weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church urged that the "moving sacrifice" of Pakistan's murdered Catholic minorities'
London ship insurers add Libya to high-risk list
LONDON - London's marine insurance market has added Libya to a list of areas deemed high risk as violence escalates in Africa's third-largest oil producer, a senior market official said. Heavily armed rebels clashed with forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi on the outskirts of the key oil terminal of Ras Lanuf as the head of Libya's rebel council vowed "victory or death". "The emerging risk had reached a level where as a matter of prudence insurers will require notification from vessels
Britain confirms troops on standby for Libya
LONDON - Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed Saturday that troops have been placed on standby to help with evacuation and humanitarian operations in Libya. The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, is on standby for deployment at 24 hours' notice, an MoD spokeswoman said.
"Troops from 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been on short notice to move to provide assistance to the evacuation and humanitarian efforts as required," she told
"Troops from 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland have been on short notice to move to provide assistance to the evacuation and humanitarian efforts as required," she told
Libya clashes intensify, Interpol issues Gaddafi alert
TRIPOLI - Muammar Gaddafi's forces battled rebels on several fronts in Libya on Friday and unrest erupted in the capital when gunmen fired to break up crowds shouting "Gaddafi is the enemy of God" while 17 protesters were killed in Benghazi.
Vowing "victory or death", eastern-based rebels pressed home a westwards push with an attack on the oil town of Ras Lanuf, which lies on a strategic coastal road, claiming to have taken its airport. In the west, security forces loyal to
Vowing "victory or death", eastern-based rebels pressed home a westwards push with an attack on the oil town of Ras Lanuf, which lies on a strategic coastal road, claiming to have taken its airport. In the west, security forces loyal to
India opposes no-fly zone, use of force in Libya
NEW DELHI - India is opposed to a no-fly zone or the use of force in Libya, and other major developing nations have "reservations", a top Indian foreign ministry official said in remarks published on Friday. "As of now we are not in favour of a no-fly zone. We are opposed to use of force," foreign secretary Nirupama Rao told The Hindu newspaper. "Among BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries, questions have been raised and reservations expressed," she said. India is a temporary
US examining ‘full range of options’ for Libya: Obama
WASHINGTON/AL-UQAYLA/CARACAS - The United States is examining the "full range of options" in dealing with Libya, President Barack Obama said on Thursday, saying he did not want to be "hamstrung."
"In addition to the nonmilitary actions that we've taken, I want to make sure that those full range of options are available to me," he said. Asked whether that included the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya, he said, "That is one of the options that we would be looking at."
"In addition to the nonmilitary actions that we've taken, I want to make sure that those full range of options are available to me," he said. Asked whether that included the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya, he said, "That is one of the options that we would be looking at."
PIA rescues 195 stranded Pakistanis from Libya unrest
KARACHI - The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has always played a pivotal role in relief efforts during difficult times faced by Pakistani nationals, and this time too the national carrier provided facilitation and assistance in bringing back the stranded Pakistanis from Turkey due to unrest in Libya. On the instructions of PIA Managing Director Nadeem Khan Yousufzai, the PIA arranged a relief flight to Marmaris (Turkey) to bring back the stranded Pakistanis who had arrived in
UN throws Libya off human rights council
UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations on Tuesday suspended Libya from its main human rights body over Moamer Kadhafi's crackdown on protests amid warnings of new Security Council action against the regime. With growing western calls for a no-fly zone over Libya, Britain's UN envoy said the council would take "whatever measures we consider necessary to respond to events on the ground."
The 192-member assembly passed a suspension resolution by consensus, without a vote, after UN
The 192-member assembly passed a suspension resolution by consensus, without a vote, after UN
West edges closer to army action in Libya
TRIPOLI - The West edged closer on Tuesday to military action against Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi as the US said airstrikes would be needed to secure a no-fly zone over Libya, as Libyan regime forces tried to retake a key city.
US and European leaders weighed the use of NATO air power to impose a no-fly zone, with the aim of stopping Gaddafi using air power against his own people to crush the insurrection against his four decades of iron rule. Meanwhile, Gaddafi loyalists, who
US and European leaders weighed the use of NATO air power to impose a no-fly zone, with the aim of stopping Gaddafi using air power against his own people to crush the insurrection against his four decades of iron rule. Meanwhile, Gaddafi loyalists, who
Pakistanis in Libya being evacuated: Hina
ISLAMABAD - The embassy in Tripoli and other foreign missions in the neighbouring countries had been directed to provide all possible assistance to the Pakistanis stranded in Libya and facilitate their evacuation on emergency basis, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar told the National Assembly Tuesday.
"Pakistan's embassy in Tripoli and Pakistani foreign mission in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey have been directed that passports or other necessary
"Pakistan's embassy in Tripoli and Pakistani foreign mission in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Turkey have been directed that passports or other necessary
US repositions forces near Libya
WASHINGTON/GENEVA - The US military is moving naval and air forces into position around Libya, the Pentagon said on Monday, as Western countries weigh possible intervention against Moamer Gaddafi's regime. "We have planners working various contingency plans, and I think it's safe to say as part of that we're repositioning forces to provide for that flexibility once decisions are made," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters.
The redeployment of "naval and air
The redeployment of "naval and air
Pakistan evacuating citizens from Libya
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Monday said it was evacuating its citizens from Libya where protests were being held against the rule of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and chartered flights have been arranged for the purpose. "Two special chartered flights carrying 354 Pakistani expatriates evacuated from Libya will arrive in Lahore. The first special Turkish Airlines chartered flight carrying 180 Pakistanis will reach Lahore later tonight. The second special chartered flight is due on Tuesday
Women join uprising in conservative Libya
BENGHAZI - In a whirlpool of paint, Najah Kablan is busy making banners for the uprising against Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi's four-decade rule in the traditionally conservative nation.
"I have come to make my contribution," said Kablan, a school inspector of English-language teaching who wears the veil like the majority of women in the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim country.
Many women chip in to create artistic ammunition for the revolt against the Gaddafi regime without,
"I have come to make my contribution," said Kablan, a school inspector of English-language teaching who wears the veil like the majority of women in the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim country.
Many women chip in to create artistic ammunition for the revolt against the Gaddafi regime without,
ICC prosecutor announces preliminary Libya probe
THE HAGUE - The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court on Monday announced a preliminary probe of possible crimes against humanity committed in Lib
