Refugees Flee to Tunisia; Britain Freezes Gadhafi's Assets

40,000 Libyans have fled to Tunisia
-Tunisia has called for help from UN to deal with the humanitarian crisis.
-Tunisian civilians are gathering in support for their Libyan neighbors, waving the Libyan flag from before Gadhafi's 1969 military coup.
-Tunisians are working to provide refugees with food and shelter

It is estimated that a total of 100,000 people have fled Libya, most of the refugees entering either Egypt or Tunisia.

Britain has frozen Gadhafi's assets in that country.  The Foreign Secretary has echoed US President Obama's remarks that it is time for Gadhafi to step down.

Also, security forces in a major town near Tripoli have deserted Gadhafi to join the opposition.

Link: A blog from a citizen of Tripoli

When the Libyan government began censoring social media websites, one citizen of Tripoli found an unlikely source to get news out on the internet: gaming and video production website roosterteeth.com.  User madmanmoe discovered that the website had slipped past the government blocks and began to blog on the forums about the situations unfolding in Tripoli.

I am including the link to his user page.  Check out his "journal" entries for his first hand account of what has been transpiring.

http://roosterteeth.com/madmanmoe

Libya: More Violence, Gadhafi's Scapegoats

The city of Benghazi in the eastern part of Libya is completely in the hands of the opposition, where bands of young volunteers have secured the borders of the city.  One by one, cities throughout the country are being wrested from the government's control.

Tripoli is on lock down.  Throughout the western part of the country, there are still reports of mercenaries indiscriminately killing civilians.  People are afraid to leave their homes in Tripoli.

Moammar Gadhafi came on state television today, claiming that the disturbance has been caused by hallucinogenic drugs slipped into the coffee at mosques by the United States and that al-Qaeda is actively involved in the violence.  His son Saif claimed that life is normal in Tripoli and that there is no disturbance.  He said that the foreign media was making up the reports of unrest.

More from Libya; Obama Responds

Gadhafi has threatened international reporters in Libya, saying that they are now considered outlaws.

Tunisia has opened its borders with Libya, welcoming refugees with open arms and food.

American President Obama made a tense speech regarding Libya.  He said that his administration was doing everything it could to protect American citizens in Libya and is evacuating them as expediently as possible.

He said that the US Foreign Service officers deserve the thanks of the nation for doing their duties in this time of crisis, despite it putting them in harm’s way.

Obama said that the US has maintained a set of core principles for dealing with the region.  HE strongly condemned the use of violence in Libya, calling the suffering and bloodshed “outrageous and unacceptable” and saying that it must stop.

He said that the United States supports the universal rights of assembly, free speech, and the “ability to determine their own destiny.”  He said that these are universal rights and that all the people of the world possess them.

He spoke of the unanimous UN Security Council decision condemning the Libyan government and calling for sanctions against the country.  He cited similar documents coming from the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League, and governments around the world.

Obama called the situation volatile and said that he asked the State Department to consider all options available that could potentially aid the people of Libya, both unilaterally and multilaterally with the international community and allies such as NATO.

Closing, Obama said that the Libyan government must be held accountable for their failures to the people.  He reminded them that the entire world is watching and that the US will coordinate relief for the suffering people.

Obama said that he has asked key administration personnel to make several stops in Europe to talk with allies there.  He said that Secretary of State Clinton is to go to Geneva, Switzerland to speak with world leaders on human rights violations in Libya.

Finally, Obama reiterated that he still stands with Egypt and Tunisia and is committed to supporting the new efforts for democracy there.  He said that the change in the region is being driven by the people: not by the US or any foreign power.

Many fear that if Gadhafi goes, then Libya will Balkanize- splitting into several states based on region or tribe.  Tribal violence could become a major issue.

There are some who advocate, if the opportunity presents itself, to eliminate Gadhafi with a precision air or drone-missile strike.

Americans Being Evacuated from Tripoli

The American State Department is undertaking efforts to evacuate American citizens and their families from the embassy in Tripoli.  They were told to be at the docks by 10:00 AM, local time, which is in about 5 hours from this posting. 

Gadhafi has appeared on state television, saying that he plans on doing to his people what the Chinese did to their protesters in Tienanmen Square in 1989: massacre.  The fear of the increasing threat of mass bloodshed is the primary motivator for the rapid US evacuation.

Libya's Gadhafi Losing Support, Still Clings to Power

As violence escalates in Libya, many foreign powers are wondering whether or not to intervene to prevent further bloodshed.  The UN Security Council issued a statement today regarding Libya, but it is not a resolution of any kind and will essentially have no effect of any kind.

The United States is weighing its options, wondering whether or not to intervene.  The last thing that the Obama administration wants is to stand by and watch this devolve into another Rwanda, in which ethnic cleansing broke out in the 90s while the Clinton administration and the world looked on.  The Obama administration has condemned the bloodshed.

Gadhafi has been condemned by many world leaders, including British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.  Admiral Mullen, head of the American Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the Libyan military for firing upon its own people, calling this unacceptable.

Among the options being considered by certain western powers include declaring a no-fly zone over Libya.  Any war planes taking off would be shot down by NATO or UN Peacekeeping forces.  While drastic, supporters of this plan point out that it would level the playing field just a little more for the protesters.

Libya is losing support by more of its ministers.  The ambassador to the United States has now explicitly said that Mubarak must step down.  Several key, high-ranking army figures have defected to the opposition.

Gadhafi still remains defiant, saying that he will not step down and he will not flee to exile.  He says that he will die in Libya and is more than willing to take the dissidents down with him.

Former American Defense Secretary Cohen warned that if the violence continues to spread throughout the Middle East, then it could destabilize oil prices.  This may in turn cause political turmoil to spread beyond the region to places such as Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, or Sub-Saharan Africa.

A Lighter Note from Libya

There are reports that some fighter jet pilots refused to target their countrymen.  Instead, the left the country in their fighters and landed on the island of Malta and other foreign nations.

Estimates put the death toll anywhere from 200 to 800.

Escalating Violence in Libya

Today was even more violent in Libya today.  Violence flared up in the capital city of Tripoli in the western part of the country.

US intelligence says that the Libyan government used "aviation assets" including aircraft and helicopter gunships to attack protesters on the outskirts of Tripoli.  Air strikes were also carried out in the Eastern part of Libya against those rebelling against the regime.  150 mercenaries have been captured by forces loyal to the protesters.  People in Tripoli report gunfire and explosions.  Mercenaries and military personnel still loyal to the government fire indiscriminately into the crowd.  There are reports of traditional funeral processions being seen throughout the city, a visible reminder of civilian deaths.

Those sympathetic to the opposition possess a belief that an overwhelming majority of the people support the protesters in their struggle against the Gadhafi family.

Demonstrators are calling on the UN to send in peacekeepers to protect them from the government's efforts to eradicate them. The Security Council is to meet to discuss the situation in Libya

CNN's Wolf Blitzer compares the situation here to Rwanda, saying that there is a risk of the situation devolving into slaughter if there is no foreign intervention.

According to CNN's Ben Wedeman, the only western journalist currently in Libya, the eastern part of Libya appears to be fully under the control of the anti-government forces.

"Popular committees" of young men with shotguns and assault rifles are the only visible authority figures in the east of Libya.  

Says an army official in eastern Libya: by large, most of the army in the east has joined the demonstrators, although there is a major fear that aircraft may be used against the anti-government forces in the east.  There is also a concern for the mercenaries hired from sub-Saharan Africa.

The internet is down; cell phone service has been severely dampened.  Cell phones are more popular among the youth than the internet.  Libya was one of the first nations in Africa to gain nearly universal cell phone coverage.  Thus, it has been viewed as more of a threat by the government.

Gadhafi appeared briefly on Libyan TV, saying that he was in Tripoli and not in France or Venezuela as had been suggested by foreign intelligence experts.

Libya's Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations has denounced Gadhafi, saying that he refuses to represent the regime of a mass murderer.  Libya's ambassador to the United States of America has stated that he "stands with the people."  He will not, however, explicitly call on Gadhafi to step down.

The 2 to 3 million Egyptians working in Libya are beginning an exodus, 15,000 have left just today.

Libya is a major exporter of oil, so world oil prices are expected to rise.

Other countries throughout the region:

Yemen: thousands are protesting peacefully for the eleven consecutive day of demonstrations, despite violence a few days ago with pro-government demonstrators.  There are reports that anti-government rebels have joined the protests.  Yemen's leader likens the protesters to an influenza that is being spread around the region.

Morocco: five bodies were found after large scale protests in six major cities yesterday.

Bahrain: relatively peaceful after thousands of protesters retook the main demonstration site from the police over the weekend.

Civil Turmoil in Libya

Intense violence has broken out in Libya over the weekend.  Protestors have overtaken an army base in the eastern city of Benghazi.

Moammar Gadhafi has ruled for over 40 years.  He used Libya’s oil wealth to develop the nation, creating stability by sharing that wealth with key leaders in the state’s western half.  Many in the eastern half, led by the city of Benghazi, are discontent that the oil wealth has not been evenly shared with them.

A protester in Benghazi spoke to CNN Sunday evening saying, "The Eastern section of Libya is free from the tyrant.  We have taken his military compound.  We have captured his mercenaries."           

He reported that there is chaos and anarchy in the streets.  Tanks and protestors block roads.  Tires have been burnt to create smoke in the air. A significant amount of weapons were looted from the army barracks.

The protestor says that the military in the eastern part of Libya has joined the people, but Gadhafi has brought in mercenaries. There are Bangladeshi and Egyptian elements in these mercenaries.  A hundred of these mercenaries were captured by commandos.  They are to be interrogated

There are reports that protestors are passing out food, weapons, and ammunition in the streets of Benghazi.

The protests were initiated by a spontaneous demonstration following the arrest of a popular human rights activist who was investigating rumors of a massacre at a prison.

 

Libya's envoy to the Arab League resigned this afternoon, saying that he refuses to represent a nation that murders its own people.

Gadhafi's son came on Libyan state television claiming that the protests are the work of foreign imperialist governments that are poised to take over the country and return it to colonial rule after the Libyans kill themselves off.  He says that Libya is different from Tunisia and Egypt because of the tribal structure.  He warns that tribal violence could flare up without a stable government.

He warns of civil war, economic collapse, and famine.  He warns that it will scare off foreign investment.

He asked for 48 hours to sit down and talk about change before making any drastic decisions.  He offered to raise wages in many work sectors.  He promises social change with local municipal governments if the people agree to end the protests.

There are also reports of disagreement within the family.  The son that spoke is more liberal and reform minded than his other brothers, who are much more conservative.

Moammar Gadhafi does not allow journalists into the country and usually cracks down on any sign of protest or opposition, making this a groundbreaking effort in Libya.

The success of the protesters depends on whether or not the unrest spreads to Tripoli in the western half of Libya.  Another matter of concern is whether or not the tribes get involved.  If a major tribe opposes the demonstrators, it could lead to tribal violence.  However, there is at least one tribal leader who is urging Moammar Gadhafi to step down.

The United States has "multiple, credible reports of hundreds of casualties in Libya."  The US has begun evacuating embassy staffers and their families as a precaution against the unrest.

The death toll for the five days of unrest is at 209.

Bahrain Update

Some of the violence in Bahrain has abated.  Police have allowed protesters to reclaim their staging area in the Manama traffic circle. More details to follow.

Day of Violence in Bahrain

There has been violence all day in Bahrain, ever since the beginning of a police crack down beginning at 3:00 A.M. local time.

Bahrain's New Special Envoy to the US from defended gov crackdown
"the force used was proportional... and necessary" and that the demonstrations were disrupting the economy and "scaring the people."
He said that the crowd was armed and violent.

This stands in contrast with eyewitness reports from international reporters on the scene, which have consistently been saying that the protesters had been peaceful and unarmed.

Women, children, and doctors are counted among the injured.   There have been four reported deaths.

Police Crack Down on Bahrain Protestors

Hundreds of police, at about 3:30 AM local time, swept down on the protesters with tear gas and riot gear.  They are attempting to disperse the crowd.  Updates to come.

Protests in Bahrain

Thousands of protesters were in the streets of Manama, capital of Bahrain.  There was outrage today over the death of two demonstrators.  The government assured the crowds that those involved in the deaths are in custody.  The police has also been withdrawn to prevent clashes with demonstrators.  The government assures the people that change has started, but it takes time to be fully effective.

The demonstrators claim to be inspired by the events in Tunisia and Egypt.  There is a very large percentage of people in Bahrain who are connected to the internet, and a large portion of the protesters are a frustrated, educated middle-class.  There is also a remarkably high proportion of women among the demonstrators.

The United States Fifth Fleet has it's home station in Bahrain, so many are worried about the American military responding to the protests.  As of yet, the United States has not commented on these events.

The government calls for US support, saying that the crowd is fueled by religious fundamentalism and extremism.  Reporters in the street remark that there is little evidence in these claims.

Protests in Bahrain

Thousands have gathered in Manama, capital city of Bahrain, in protests reminiscent of those in Egypt.  They've gathered in a traffic circle, which they have turned into their own version of Cairo's Tahrir Square.  So far, the protests have been peaceful.

In efforts to stave off demonstrations, Bahrain's government has given every citizen the equivalent of US $3,000.

Check out the BBC's fact-book page on Bahrain:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/790690.stm

Iran Protests and the US Promises Funding to Circumvent Internet Censorship

American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today that the United States is committed to providing funds to tech-savvy protesters to find ways to circumvent internet censorship.  She warned "dictators" that attempts to block internet access to prevent online demonstrations and protest organizing will not work.

This speech was likely directed at Iran, who is currently prevent ongoing protests by cutting off internet access.

The Iranian Parliament has called for the death of opposition leaders.  Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in protest to the current regime.

Protests Spread Across the Region

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Iran today, but faced opposition from the police, who retaliated with tear gas.  There has been one reported death in the capitol of Tehran.  These demonstrations were endorsed by American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The nations of Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, and Algeria are also experiencing protests.  There are demonstrations planned for the coming week in Morocco and Libya.

China Upsets World Economy Ranking

At the end of 2010, China officially overtook Japan as the world's second largest economy.  China earned $5.8 trillion, whereas Japan brought in only $5.474 trillion.  There are some who say that China's economy may be on par with that of the United States in a decade, but it is important to remember that these projections leave out the chaos of world events.

Post-Mubarak Egypt: Day 2

Egyptian military officials have announced that they have dissolved parliament, suspended the constitution, and that the transition period will last six months.

Thus far, the civilian population of Egypt are still trusting of the military.

Meanwhile, regional neighbor Algeria has experienced turmoil.  Protesters clashed with police as the government tried to crack down on demonstrations.

Day After Mubarak's Resignation

As Egyptians celebrated in the streets all through the night and well into the morning, there were ramifications in other nations.

I mentioned the responses of the United States, the EU, Ban Ki-moon of the UN, China, and Iran yesterday, but there have been some developments in other states.

Palestinians are set to hold free elections "no later than September."  Furthermore, their chief diplomat to Israel has resigned.

On Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he welcomes the temporary transfer of power to the Egyptian military and looks to the new government to uphold their peace agreements with Israel.  The Egyptian military has said that it is committed to its treaties and to democracy.

Admiral Mike Mullen, United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is set to travel to the region for negotiations with Israel and Egypt.

White House Press Conferance Friday Afternoon

Shortly after American President Obama addressed his nation and the world regarding Mubarak’s resignation, there was a press conference at the White House.  By coincidence, it was Press Secretary Gibbs’s last press conference, as he is stepping down.  Here are some notes taken from the questions and Gibbs’s answers.

Regarding instability factors in Egypt, Gibbs said that it is “important that the next government of Egypt respect the accords that have been signed with Israel.”

When asked whether the White House thought that it would spread, Gibbs responded by telling those assembled to watch to see how Iran deals with this.  “They are arresting people in Iran.  They are blocking foreign news outlets, turning off the internet.”  He said that Iran publicly supports Egypt’s revolution, but is trying to stop the images from coming in.  The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said, “Seditionists are no more than a corpse… We will crush [them]…”

Gibbs also said that American Vice-President Joseph Biden played a large role in American diplomacy over the past two weeks.  Apparently, he had a close working relationship with Egyptian Vice-President Suleiman since his appointment two weeks ago.  Gibbs said that Biden was in near constant phone contact with him, reiterating America’s message of the need for a peaceful transition and reminded Suleiman of key steps that needed to be taken to address the demonstrators in Tahrir Square.  Also, Biden’s foreign policy experience was crucial in shaping US policy during these few weeks.

Finally, Wael Ghonim, the Google Executive who became a hero to the demonstrators spoke to CNN.  Regarding Facebook, Wael said, “Those guys are the real heroes.  The real heroes are the people on the street.  There is no leader.  If someone tells you that he was one of the leaders, then he is a liar.  This is the people’s movement.”

He also praised CNN, saying, “You guys did a great job telling our story.  You deserve a commission by all of the Egyptian people.”

I for one agree with his assessment of CNN’s devotion to the events in Egyptian, having been constantly watching the channel since two Friday’s past.  It is thanks in part to CNN, and also the BBC and other sources, that I have been able to create this blog.

World Responses to Mubarak's Resignation

-Switzerland has frozen Mubarak’s assets in Swiss Banks.

-US Treasury has made no comment on Mubarak’s assets in United States banks.

-The Egyptian Prime Minister said that the Suez Canal is operating normally.

-Oil prices have been falling since Mubarak’s announcement.

-Mubarak is staying at Sharm ash Shaykh, a resort on the Red Sea.

-Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, calls for a peaceful transition in Egypt and said that he respects Mubarak’s difficult decision.

-The EU has announced that it supports Egypt and is a willing partner.

-China calls for no foreign intervention in Egypt.

US Response to Mubarak's Resignation

“This is not the end of Egypt’s transition, it is the beginning,” President Obama praised the people of Egypt in their victory today.  He admired their commitment to nonviolence.  He particularly mentioned his admiration of Muslims and Christians demonstrating side-by-side their common goal of democracy.

Obama also praised the military, saying that they “served patriotically and responsibly.”  He called on the Egyptian military continue to serve the people by aiding the transition to democracy and laying down a clear path to elections in September.

Once again, President Obama reiterated that the U.S. will continue to be a friend and partner to Egypt and would be ready to offer any assistance to aid their flowering democracy if called upon.