26.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Rom (Fidesdienst) – „Die Tatsache, dass; wie mir mitgeteilt wurde, die ersten Libyer wieder in ihre Heimat zurückkehren, ist ein gutes Zeichen, denn es bedeutet, dass sich in einigen Teilen des Landes die Sicherheitslage gebessert hat. Dies macht mir Mut und bald möglichst werde auch ich zurückkehren“, so der Apostolische Vikar von Tripolis, Bischof Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, der sich derzeit in Italien aufhält, zum Fidesdienst.

„Ich freue mich auf die Rückkehr nach Tripolis, denn ich möchte den Gläubigen und den Priestern nahe sein. Leider hat man mir bisher davon abgeraten, auch weil die gewöhnlichen Überfahrtsmöglichkeiten derzeit nicht nutzbar sind. Die Tatsache, dass die ersten Libyer in die Heimat zurückkehren lässt mich hoffen, dass auch für mich eine solche Rückkehr bald möglich sein wird“, so Bischof Martinelli.

 Zur Zukunft Libyens sagt der Apostolische Vikar von Tripolis: „So lange wir nicht wissen, wo sich Gaddafi aufhält ist es schwierig, Vorhersagen zu machen. Die Lage bleibt weiterhin gefährlich, weil es immer noch Gaddafi Anhänger gibt, die bereit sind für ihn zu sterben“. „In Libyen gibt es großartige, intelligente und gebildete Menschen, die in der Lage sind das Land zu führen“, so Bischof Martinelli abschließend, „Es gibt eine Elite, die die Geschicke des Landes in die Hand nehmen und die Zukunft des Landes mit Blick auf den Erhalt der Einheit planen kann“. (LM)  

Fidesdienst, 26/08/2011

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

26.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Rom (Fidesdienst) – Libyen gehörte mit seinen Währungsreserven (100 Milliarden Dollar im Jahr 2009) unter Gaddafi zu den größten Investoren in den afrikanischen Ländern südlich der Sahara. Wie aus einem von der Zeitschrift „Les Afriques“ veröffentlichten Artikel hervorgeht, galten die libyschen Investitionen insbesondere dem Tourismus- und dem Agrarsektor. Dies führte in den vergangenen Jahren zu einem beachtlichen Wachstum in Ländern wie Mali, Nigeria und Liberia.

In Mali kontrolliert Libyen zum Beispiel eine Gesellschaft, die über 100.000 Hektar Land verfügt. In Liberia hat „Libya Africa Portaolio (LAP)“ über eine lokale Nichrregierungsorganisation rund 30 Millionen Euro in die Entwicklung des Reisanbaus invertiert.

Die LAP verwaltet als Holding-Gesellschaft einen Großteil libyschen Investitionen in Afrika im Umfang von rund 5 Milliarden Dollar. Sie verfügt dabei über ein Kapital im Umfang von 8 Milliarden Dollar und umfasst die Libya Africa Financial Company (Lafico), die panafrikansiche Gesellschaft Afridiya, die Sahel-Bank für Industrie und Handel (BISC) und die Ölgesellschaft Oil Libya.

Neben den Investitionen im Hotel- und Landwirtschaftssektor wurden libysche Investitionen auch afrikanischen Telekommunikationsunternehmen getätigt, insbesondere im Tschad uns in Sambia. Die Zukunft Libyens betrifft also auch wichtige Sektoren der afrikanischen Volkswirtschaft und im allgemeinen Prozesse, die eine ausschließliche wirtschaftliche und finanzielle Kontrolle der westlichen (oder auch asiatischen) Länder bisher verhindert haben. (LM)

Fidesdienst, 25/08/2011

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

25.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Whoever delivers the Libyan leader is guaranteed amnesty. The NTC has also offered the Colonel safe exit from the country, if he surrenders. The capture or killing of Gaddafi is urgent for release of frozen Libyan government funds: at least 168 billion dollars. The U.S. to ask the UN to release 1.5 million dollars “for humanitarian needs.” But South Africa and the African Union cautious. Four Italian journalists kidnapped yesterday in Tripoli. Cautious optimism, but also some fear.

Benghazi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The National Transition Council (NTC) today announced it has put a bounty on Muammar Gaddafi: whoever captures him, dead or alive, will receive a reward of 1.7 million US dollars (two million dinars) and - if they are part of the leader’s entourage - an amnesty for their crimes.

Getting rid of Gaddafi and turning the page in Libyan history is of pressing urgency. Abdel Jalil Mustafa, head of the NTC declared that “the Gaddafi forces and his accomplices will never give up until Gaddafi is taken or killed.”

The rebels claim control of almost the entire country. In fact there are some pockets in Tripoli, in Sirte - Gaddafi’s home - and in the south where resistance is still strong and a bloodbath or a guerrilla war that could last months is feared.

Therefore, in addition to the bounty, the NTC is also promising the Colonel a safe exit from the country, if he surrenders his leadership. This possibility seems remote for now. Only yesterday, the Libyan leader gave a radio messages asking his followers to “clean Tripoli” and promised that he will stand “until victory or martyrdom.”

Killing or capturing Gaddafi is also vital to unblock all Libyan funds. Mahmoud Jibril, head of the interim government, said he needs at least 2 billion dollars to pay employees, cover unspecified “humanitarian costs” and repair oil infrastructure.

According to some diplomats, next week the United States will present a resolution to the UN Security Council to ask them to unlock 1.5 billion dollars of Libyan funds “for humanitarian needs.” The United States and other countries have blocked at least 165 billion dollars from the Libyan government.

South Africa, however, is reticent to agree to Washington’s demands and says it will wait for indications from the African Union which still does not recognize the authority of the rebels.

Gaddafi’s Libya, the African country with the richest oil resources, has always been well regarded by African leaders for the generosity of its donations and its investment in the continent, often in competition with international organizations led by Westerners.

Before the February-March riots, Libya produced 1.6 million barrels of oil a day. Because of the war, production fell to 100 thousand barrels per day.

Meanwhile, there is cautious optimism about the fate of four Italian journalists who were captured yesterday by a group of criminals and then delivered to pro-Gaddafi troops. These include two Corriere della Sera correspondents, Elizabeth Rosaspina and Joseph Sarcina, Avvenire’s correspondent Claudio Monici and La Stampa’s Domenico Quirico. Quirico and Monici were able to call abroad and confirm that they were well. According to the latest information, they are being held in custody in an unknown location in Tripoli.

The fear is, however, that in these days of confusion and rhetoric in Gaddafi’s struggle against NATO, these Western journalists could be seen as foreign spies.

AsiaNews-08/25/2011 09:41

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

25.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Tripolis (Fidesdienst) – „In den Krankenhäusern und Kliniken, mit denen wir heute Morgen Kontakt aufgenommen haben, sind derzeit nur noch ausländische Krankenpfleger, insbesondere aus den Philippinen, tätig. Sie übernehmen dort jede Art von Aufgabe: Aufnahme, Pflege, Zubereitung und Verteilung von Mahlzeiten, alles liegt in ihrer Hand“, so Beobachter aus Kreisen des Apostolischen Vikariats Tripolis. „Dabei werden sie jedoch auch von freiwilligen Helfern unterstützt, wenn es um die Pflege der Kranken geht“, so der Beobachter weiter. „Diese Menschen tun unter den schwierigen Umständen wirklich ihr bestes, auch weil die Arzneimittelvorräte und die anderen medizinischen Produkte bald aufgebraucht sein werden“, so der Beobachter abschließend.
Zur Lage in Tripolis teilt das Vikariat mit, dass „die Menschen größtenteils ihre Wohnungen noch nicht verlassen und Angst davor haben, auf die Straße zu gehen. Inzwischen wurde die Stromversorgung wieder hergestellt, und man wartet ab, wie sich die Situation entwickeln wird“.
Nach Agenturberichten sollen sich die Gaddafi-Anhänger vorwiegend in zwei Stadtvierteln der libyschen Hauptstadt aufhalten, während sich die anderen Stadteile in den Händen der Soldaten des Nationalen Übergangsrates befinden. Die Situation ist jedoch noch lange nicht stabil, was auch die Entführung von vier italienischen Journalisten unter Beweis stellt, die sich in den Händen von Gaddafi-Anhängern befinden sollen. (LM)

Fidesdienst, 25/08/2011

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

24.8.2011 von dragonX6.

An Italian businesswoman talks about the severity of the situation in the Libyan capital, media lies and the rebels’ atrocities. People are afraid, locked up in their homes without humanitarian aid and medicine because of NATO’s embargo.

Tripoli (AsiaNews) – Fighting between rebels and Libyan government forces continues in Tripoli. This morning explosions shook the city and gunfire can be heard in the streets. Following the fall of the Bab al Azizia compound, rebels are moving onto the Abu Slimi special prison, located near the Rixos Hotel, home to foreign journalists. After days of silence, Gaddafi released another radio message, in which he said he would resist until death and called on the people to rise up against the invaders. In order to end the war, Great Britain has call for UN peacekeepers to be sent to the country, but at present NATO has excluded any action by foreign troops on Libyan soil.

AsiaNews spoke to Tiziana Gamannossi, an Italian businesswoman in Tripoli. She stressed that civilians have been abandoned to their fate and are an easy target of both rebels and loyalist forces.

“It’s total chaos here,” she said. “We are locked up inside our home for fear of shootings and air strikes that continue non-stop.”

There is no humanitarian aid in the city. People are left to their own devices with residents helping each other, Gamannossi said.

NATO is not allowing the Libyan government to buy medicines and only the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders can operate in the field. However, they are few in numbers and badly organised. Their work consists of handing out basic drugs to some hospitals. All access points and ports in western Libya are blocked. Petrol and basic items are available only at black market prices.

The businesswoman slams the lies of Western media, which belittle the situation by spreading news that are sometimes false and mislead even Libyans.

“The rebels are divided,” she said. “Some believe in change and a democratic future for Libya; others are just murderers.” In her view, atrocities abound with people killed in cold blood and without a motive. “The impression,” she explained, “is that we have gone back 2,000 years.”

“There are two factions in Tripoli. Pro-rebel pr pro-Gaddafi supporters come out depending on the situation,” she said. “With such chaos, the danger of a bloodbath is quite real.”

Many of those killed are youngsters who went out into the streets to celebrate peacefully the end of the government after they read about Gaddafi’s fall on Facebook or the internet.

However, armed rebels were among them and during the celebrations engaged Gaddafi loyalists in gunfights. Kids, barely teenagers, have paid a heavy price.

The effects of open warfare in the capital are clear to everyone, the businesswoman said, especially to the Libyan regime, which had called for an end to air strikes to let the people, not bombs, determine the future of the country.

“It is scandalous that this war is still seen as a way to finding political solutions,” she said.

AsiaNews-08/24/2011 14:31

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | 1 Kommentar »

24.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Tripolis (Fidesdienst) – „Die Menschen gehen sehr zurückhaltend auf die Straßen, auf denen weiterhin Rebellen patrouillieren. Lebensmittel und Treibstoff sind knapp“, so Beobachter aus Tripolis zum Fidesdienst. In der libyschen Hauptstadt drangen die Kämpfer des Nationalen Übergangsrates in Bengasi zusammen mit Kämpfern aus den lokalen Berberstämmen (die, wie die das Internetportal ‚Debka’ berichtet und ein in der englischen Tagezeitung ‘The Guardian’ Artikel bestätigt, vermutlich von Sondereinheiten der NATO und aus verschiedenen arabischen Staaten unterstützt werden) die Festung ‚Bab al Aziziya’ überfallen, in der sich die Residenz Gaddafis befindet. Zuvor hatten Flugeinheiten der NATO die Festung bombardiert.
„Die Stunden während des Überfalls auf die Festung ‚Bab al Aziziya’ waren schrecklich. Die Flugzeuge der NATO warfen stundenlang Bomben auf die Festung ab“, so der Beobachter weiter.
„Nach der Einnahme der Festung durch die Soldaten des Übergangsrates wurden die Übertragungen des staatlichen Radio- und Fernsehsenders eingestellt. Derzeit sind nur noch arabische Satellitensender und Sender des Übergangsrats zu empfangen. Nachdem zuletzt vor zwei Tagen ein Appell Gaddafis ausgestrahlt wurde, als sich der Sender noch in seinen Händen befand, haben wir seither nichts mehr gehört“, so der Beobachter.
„Die Situation ist jedoch noch nicht stabil. Es sind immer noch überall Schüsse zu hören und die Flugzeuge der NATO fliegen weiter über der Stadt auch wenn sie die Bombenangriffe eingestellt zu haben scheinen, zumindest in dem Teil der Stadt, in dem wir uns befinden“, so der Beobachter abschließend. (LM)

Fidesdienst -24/08/2011

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

23.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Mgr Giovanni Martinelli expects strong resistance against the rebels. Dialogue is necessary for peace, even if it should come at the last moment. Boasting of bombing the civilian population for six months is horrible. Hundreds of Filipino women and a priest thought of fleeing by sea but were prevented by the prevailing insecurity and gunfire across the city. Tripoli’s main Catholic church is also closed because of security concerns.

Rome (AsiaNews) – Mgr Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli says he might be crazy but he is still convinced that reconciliation between Gaddafi and the rebels is possible “to bring peace to the country”. Otherwise, “there is no other solution. NATO air strikes are not a solution. Boasting of bombing the civilian population for six months is horrible.”

The bishop of Tripoli is sceptical about the possibility that rebels might take over the city. “Everything is confused but I don’t think Tripoli is in the hands of the rebels. Seif al Islam’s appearance, his self-assurance and enthusiasm, mean that rebels have taken over little or nothing.”

Yesterday, rebels announced that they had entered Tripoli amid festive crowds and that Seif al Islam had been arrested and charged before the International Criminal Court. Claims that two more of Gaddafi’s sons had been arrested had also been made. However, today a defiant Seif led a group of journalists to an area under the control of Gaddafi’s troops. Other reports indicate gunfights in other parts of the city.

“I think that a rebel victory in Tripoli will be difficult. They’ll meet strong resistance,” the bishop said.

Speaking about the situation of Christians, “they are afraid of air strikes,” Mgr Martinelli said.

A few days ago, their evacuation was still thought possible, but the level of insecurity is such now that it is impossible to walk the streets because of constant shooting.

A group of Filipino women and a priest thought to escape by sea with the help of the Philippines Embassy, but it all came to nought. “Christians can only wait now,” the prelate said.

Because of the lack of security, Tripoli’s Catholic church has been closed and no service has been performed in days.

“I am not losing hope,” the bishop said. “I think that reconciliation is still possible, perhaps at the last moment, to bring peace to the country. Bombs will not solve problems. I hope they can find ways to talk to each other.”

Bernardo Cervellera

AsiaNews-08/23/2011 14:09

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

23.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Yesterday the rebels demanded his arrest and that he be brought before the International Court in The Hague. Pro-Gaddafi groups and rebels claim to control almost all of the capital. The NATO bombing and killing of civilians continues. Some media forced to keep silent about the presence of Islamic fundamentalists among the rebels.

Tripoli (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader whom the rebels said they had captured and brought before the Hague international tribunal, appeared very early this morning at Rixos hotel in the capital - where are foreign journalists are based- and boasted of His father’s forces ability to win against the rebels, who yesterday claimed the possession of almost all of the city.

In defiance, Seif, 39, considered the heir of the colonel, led some journalists to show them around the pro-Gaddafi militia control of the city. Seif claimed control of 75% of Tripoli, the rebels claim to control 80%.

The appearance of Gaddafi’s son – whom the rebels claimed arrested - has confused most observers.

Overnight a different story spread: that the other son of Gaddafi, Muammar, whom the rebels say had spontaneously surrendered, has now “fled” and no one knows his whereabouts.

Some believe that the ease with which the rebels arrived in Tripoli is suspicious and that the pro-Gaddafi troops have laid a trap to annihilate them.

Yesterday leaders of the U.S., Europe, Australia and even China and Russia – so far resistant to NATO operations in Libya – called on Gaddafi to give up, to surrender and stop a possible “bloodbath”.

NATO has not stopped its bombing and for the past two days some areas of the city continue to be to hit the area of Bab al Aziziah, the Gaddafi fortress and where the Libyan leader, is believed to be hiding. Meanwhile, in various parts of the city there are gunbattles.

According to some journalists in Tripoli, the NATO bombings continue to kill civilians. Some of them have received threats not to mention or report the presence among the rebels, of fundamentalist groups linked to al-Qaeda (see here).

AsiaNews- 08/23/2011 10:09

Geschrieben in Libyen, Kirche, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

22.8.2011 von dragonX6.

by Simone Cantarini

Thousands of people loyal to Gaddafi could lose everything with his defeat. The sudden fall of Tripoli was due to growing weariness by the Libyan leader and the population. The country could fall in the hands of unscrupulous characters.

Rome (AsiaNews) – “Gaddafi is still alive and will certainly not flee. He wants to become a martyr and will resist until the end,” said Angelo Del Boca, an Italian journalist and historian who is an expert on Libya. Speaking to AsiaNews, he explained that a total war between Gaddafi loyalists and rebels might break out. Many towns and cities around the Gulf of Sirte and other parts of the country in fact remain in loyalist hands. Thousands of people are still pro-Gaddafi and could lose everything with his fall.

Months of air strikes took their toll on government forces around the capital, despite Gaddafi’s calls for resistance till death. For the historian, “a gap in the city’s defences allowed the rebels to enter Tripoli.”

Yesterday night, Libyan government spokesman Ibrahim Moussa warned of a possible “blood bath” if the National Transitional Council (NTC) goes after Gaddafi supporters.

Gaddafi’s fortified compound is still under siege, but there is no news about the Libyan leader whereabouts. Media reports indicate that rebels have met with little resistance. Their sudden appearance in the city broke a long deadlock.

The Italian scholar is particularly concerned about post-Gaddafi’s developments. Libya, in his view, might fall in the hands of unscrupulous characters, former regime members or people tied to Islamic extremism.

Following the announcement of Tripoli’s fall, the NTC told its NATO allies that oil production would be quickly resumed.

“It is hard to know when this war will end,” Del Boca said. “What is certain is that oil was the goal of NATO countries, especially France, and not only the defence of civilians. For sure, Italy will lose much of its expensive investments.”

However, for the historian, some hope comes from various exiled Libyan dissidents and intellectuals, who want real change.

Anwar Fekini, one of Gaddafi’s long-term opponents, is an internationally recognised lawyer who fled to the United States. He supported the resistance from the mountains to the south of Tripoli.

According to the dissident, once fighting is over, preparations for the elections will get underway, insisting that they should be free and without foreign interference.

AsiaNews-08/22/2011 13:52

Geschrieben in Libyen, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »

22.8.2011 von dragonX6.

Rebels meet little resistance in their advance. The whole city is now under their control, except for Gaddafi’s fortified compound. Right after his arrest, Saif al-Islam is charged with crimes against humanity. Another one of Gaddafi’s sons surrenders. The National Transitional Council pledges to restore oil production. NATO secretary-general says, “the regime is clearly crumbling.”

Tripoli (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Groups of Libyan rebels entered the city of Tripoli. According to some reports, they now control the city, except for Gaddafi’s compound. In Green Square, hundreds of people are celebrating the fall of the strongman’s dictatorship. Many more are doing the same in Benghazi. The National Transitional Council (NTC), the provisional rebel authority, has confirmed that Saif al-Islam, one of Gaddafi’s sons, was captured and his case referred to the International Criminal Court where he could be charged with torture and murdering civilians.

Other reports said that another one of Gaddafi’s sons surrendered, but nothing is known of Gaddafi’s fate. Until a few hours ago, Libya’s leader had appealed to the population of Tripoli to rise up against the rebels.

Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim had said earlier that the Libyan leader was ready to negotiate an immediate ceasefire with NTC Chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

The rebels’ entry in the city was quick. It came after months of stalemate, following the start of the civil war seven months ago. Daily NATO bombings downgraded Gaddafi’s military forces.

In a statement, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the “regime is clearly crumbling.”

The NTC announced it was ready to re-establish oil production. Some of the installations were damaged in the war. “We’ve been in talks with Gaz de France, Total, BP, Eni, Qatar Petroleum as well, to help us restore oil production as soon as possible,” an NTC adviser said.

According to the NTC, it will take a week to “clear out” pockets of Qaddafi defenders in the capital.

Some observers believe that thousands of armed pro-Gaddafi loyalists are still in the city. Various reports indicate however that many have already surrendered to the rebels. Others note that fighting is still going on in certain Tripoli neighbourhoods.

AsiaNews-08/22/2011 13:22

Geschrieben in Libyen, Sicherheitspolitik, Bewaffnete Konflikte | Keine Kommentare »