BREAKING - Gaddafi says Benghaz next
Ras Lanuf falling into the hands of Khadafi
BREAKING - Gaddafi says Benghaz next
Demoralized, the rebels withdrew towards Benghazi, Gaddafi declared next target. The attack was opened by naval artillery, followed by an air before the entry of tanks and mobile rocket batteries in the city.
By Kim Sengupta *The bombing began 18 minutes after Friday prayers. One blast after another hitting the coast. Yesterday's was the first time that the navy was used in this conflict, which represents a further sign of how prepared they are the forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi for the upcoming battles to regain the territory lost to the revolution. Supporters of the ousted regime's opponents Ras Lanuf and advance toward the bastion of Benghazi.
The attack from the sea was followed by an air. A warplane flew over the rebel forces while trying to respond with what came to hand, while throwing screaming: "Allah is great." A little later two missiles fell. The flashes and shades of black smoke spread like a blast from the blue sky. One of the missiles hit a full control of fighters, the other in a petrochemical refinery. The consequences of the second missile might have been terrible. Fuel reserves will be needed for tanks and vehicles are moving forward.
Ras Lanuf control and other oil facilities in the nearby city of Brega could pave the way for Tripoli to cut off power supply to Benghazi and the rest of the territory managed by the opposition. To reinforce the message, state television ran a video and again Saif Islam Gaddafi's son, saying: "This is a message to our enemies. We are coming to this. " After the announcement, you could hear the applause of his followers.
The third assault was on the ground. The tank formations approached slowly through the streets, stopping to fire mortars, machine guns and the gun are most concerned about Libyan rebels, the "Jarad" Russian rockets are relatively old to modern warfare, but that cost many lives in this conflict hardly technology.
The artillery rounds had a direct effect on the morale of the rebel forces. The return fire was small and the air defense was a pile of burning tires to blind pilots. Were fired into the air with a variety of weapons, from Kalashnikovs to anti-aircraft artillery, but most of the rebels withdrew in trucks or on foot.
Earlier, The Independent had joined a rebel patrol that went to the center of Ras Lanuf, occupied during Thursday night by troops of the regime, but where the rebels claim control of some neighborhoods. The mood was calm at first, while the fighters promised to release a cappuccino machine in the hotel El Adil, where they and the international press were shoulder to shoulder. But it was a short trip. A rebel commander was adamant that "we could not continue." The rebels, who until then used to carry foreign correspondents, are irritable and blame television to reveal their positions to the enemy.
You could understand the mood. Three days ago, the same band of fighters was convinced they were about to take Sirte, the hometown of Colonel Qaddafi and his stronghold, before moving to the capital, Tripoli. A series of misperceptions, especially the failure to attempt a landing in bin Jawad, a strategic point on the coastal road, changed his luck. "We were very confident, but look what this is," said Ahmed Janidi, a bank employee of 26 years. "We're nervous. We do not know what will happen next. We have no firepower and we can not stop them, "he added.
There was also anger at what they think is inertia on the part of opposition leaders and the indifference of the international community. "All we see are conversations," complained Samir El-Fawkli, an unemployed technician."They are talking in Europe, the United States in Benghazi. Nobody cares what's really going on here, on the ground, "he said.
That reality was all too evident in a medical center in Brega. Tarbus Mohammed was sitting with his left hand crushed. He had been shot a large caliber weapon and the doctor said they were going to have to amputate the hand. Tarbus never again work as a carpenter. Did he blame you for joining the fight? "I worry about feeding my family, I worry what will happen," he shrugged. "I hope that everything we make Khadafi go. If he succeeds, then we are going to need the help of Allah because he and his sons will take care of that many people suffer, "he said.
Since the scheme perpetuated for 42 years in power caution that anything can be worse. While the troops recovered and Zawiya (west) and proceed to Benghazi, the capital of Libya Free text messages to the authorities dealt with sending residents do not presage any money. "Masses of unhappy Benghazi: be prepared for happiness for the day of liberation is near", read on cell phones who live in the opposition stronghold.
In Tripoli, the government security forces fired tear gas and bullets into the air to disperse the protests of the faithful at a mosque in the neighborhood of Tajoura tumultuous, as published in The New York Times. According to the American newspaper, the Libyan government made another attempt yesterday a move similar to that made weeks ago, when he invited reporters to tour the capital to show that everything was in order. This time the fate of the journalists was Zawiya. According to the story of the American publication, the Plaza of the Martyrs of the city, which is only 50 kilometers from the capital, was filled with hundreds of people dressed in green cheered Khadafi. But despite the regime's attempts to show calm and adherence, reporters saw a city destroyed, with buildings and the mosque in ruins.
