US, UK, French Forces Land in Libya
NEWS, 7 Mar 2011
Akhtar Jamal – Pakistan Observer
India sending 3 warships in support, Gadhafi vows to ‘triumph over enemy’
The United States, Britain and France have sent several hundred “defence advisors” to train and support the anti-Gadhafi forces in oil-rich Eastern Libya where “rebels armed groups” have apparently taken over.
According to an exclusive report confirmed by a Libyan diplomat in the region “the three Western states have landed their “special forces troops in Cyrinacia and are now setting up their bases and training centres” to reinforce the rebel forces who are resisting pro-Qaddafi forces in several adjoining areas.
A Libyan official who requested not to be identified said that the U.S. and British military gurus were sent on February 23 and 24 night through American and French warships and small naval boats off Libyan ports of Benghazi and Tobruk.
The Western forces are reportedly preparing to set-up training bases for local militias set-up by the rebel forces for an effective control of the oil-rich region and counter any push by pro- Qaddafi forces from Tripoli.
Other reports claim that efforts to “neutralize” the Libyan Air Force were also underway to limit Qaddafi’s rule in Tripoli if not fully uprooted from the country.
Meanwhile, three Indian Navy warships, are also being dispatched to be deployed in the rebel-held areas of Libya.
According to reports the Indian Navy has already sent two warships plus one its largest amphibious vessel INS Jalashwa. According to defence experts “Jalshwa” is the largest ship of Indian Navy which was delivered by the U.S. four years ago. Jalashwa, formaly the USS Trenton, has the capability to embark, transport & land various elements of an amphibious force & its equipped with mechanised landing craft, Sea King helicopters & armed with raders, ship to air missiles & rapid firing guns.
Experts say that Indian ship Jalashwa has a Landing Platform Dock with a capability 1000 fully armed troops. The warship is also used for maritime surveillance, special operations, search & rescue and to undertake other tasks.
Gadhafi vows to ‘triumph over enemy’
Tripoli—Muammar Gadhafi vowed defiantly on Friday to triumph over his enemies, vigorously urging supporters in Tripoli’s Green Square to protect the Libyan nation and its petroleum interests.
Addressing cheering supporters from the old city ramparts looking over Green Square, Gadhafi, wearing a winter jacket and a hunter’s cap that covered his ears, said when necessary he would open Libya’s arsenals of guns to the tribes.
“We can crush any enemy. We can crush it with the people’s will. The people are armed and when necessary, we will open arsenals to arm all the Libyan people and all Libyan tribes,” said Gadhafi, who has lost swathes of his country to rebels.—Reuters
Go to Original – pakobserver.net
DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions expressed in pieces republished here are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of TMS. In accordance with title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. TMS has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is TMS endorsed or sponsored by the originator. “GO TO ORIGINAL” links are provided as a convenience to our readers and allow for verification of authenticity. However, as originating pages are often updated by their originating host sites, the versions posted may not match the versions our readers view when clicking the “GO TO ORIGINAL” links. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
What kind of intervention (by US UK and Frence) is it? Is it the so-called “humanitarian intervention” that foreign forces intervene in certain situation of a soveregn state for humanitarian ends?
In the Kosovo crisis, NATO stopped the ethnic cleansing against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, by the Yugoslav/Serbian Army and militias. Nothing more. But, this time, it seems that the Western powers intend to involve in the civil war to overthrow Gaddahi’s regime. Does the so-called “humanitarian intervention” include the regime change (for protection of human rights of the local population for and the promotion of democracy)?
Please recall that when the Serb-led Yugoslav Army intervened in the civil war in Croatia in 1991, their justification was “to protect ethnic Serbs in Croatia.” Was that the so-called “humanitarian intervention”? But, at that time, the international community accused the Serb-led Yugoslav Army of their intervention.
In the Kashmir conflict, for example, both Indian and Pakisntan Armies could justify themselves that their interventions are for the protection of their own citizens.
Who determines which intervention is the so-called “humanitarian intervention to be justified” or which is not? What criteria?