Battle For Control Of Libyan Border
May 5, 2011 - SkyNews, by Sam Kiley:
Sam Kiley gives a report on Nalut, Nafusa and the Libyan border.
“The Berber population of this region have held out against Ghadaffi for 10 weeks on meager supplies smuggled in. Control of this crossing has given them new confidence.”
Live call from Misrata, May 5 2011
May 5, 2011, 1:40 am: live call from Misrata, Libya, recorded on Libya Alhurra (English translation below)
Part 1:
Part 2:
English transcription:
Part 1:
Part 2:
English transcription:
Perditta: Salam
Faraj and Mohammed: Salam
P: how are you both today?
M and F: Thank God, we’re well.
Perditta: Brothers Faraj and Mohammed, can you please talk to us about misrata?
A: This morning, there were NATO planes flying overhead from 12:30 until the middle of the afternoon, GRADs fell on Qasr Ahmed, that is, in the port region 5 were injured, all from 1 family was present, who were trying to leave to Benghazi, and affected, and a large number of Africans were also affected by these GRADs
F: a number of Africans were there, awaiting the docking of the ship
Mohammed: people going to Benghazi, and Africans 7 died
F: 800 boarded today
F: a few hundred remained
P: from last week, how many were left?
M: 1000 something remained
F: the # that were there were 3500 African, between 800-1000 in 1st group were evacuated
F: they discovered that some Africans that came did not have clothing, they come and say “We want to leave”
F: We don’t know how their numbers keep increasing, we ask ourselves, if these are Gaddafi’s people, to cause issues for us and prevent other people who need to leave, or are they workers in Misrata, which would be impossible for people here to know who is who, F but they were all in same place
F: there should be 2600
F: this has caused a lot of stress due to their large number in Misrata
F: because suddenly their numbers suddenly increased, they have no papers, nothing
P: most importantly, is that they got out.
F: Now the #s decreased dramatically, I don’t think there are that many,
F: with regard to Misrata, the areas that the freedom fighters reached, noone can get in Misrata
F: there r still foreign workers, they r still working, in bakeries, butcher stores, etc.
F: those who wanted to leave, left and others stayed
P: now, what about the Libyans
A: Libyans have their reasons,
F: like their home has been destroyed, or they have family in Benghazi
F: some workers (businessmen) have left to benghazi to continue there, to try to ensure the needs of Misrata are met,
F: they r trying to stand on their feet, on their own
P: u told us that there were attacks on port, 5 injured Libyans, 7 Africans died
P: as for the aid, did that reach you?
F: A: Red Star One entered Misrata
F: I wasn’t at the port, but I believe that they were carrying aid supplies, like those that are critically needed
P: Qasr Ahmed, and other areas, where there any attacks today?
F: Qasr Ahmed is next to the port, so when u hear both areas, yet they’re one large area
P: how many missiles
F: not more than 5
P: Were they GRADs?
A: Large type of GRAD, because the amount of damage that it caused was extensive
Perditta: Would you, Brother Mohammed like to add anything?
M: I discovered that G is using rocket, named “Luna (or Nuna) M” oily in consistency, very very expensive, its costs may reach about 1 million dollars
P: Do you know its name?
M: rocket when it falls, whatever area the oil falls on, it ignites causing a fire then ignites, in its destination,
M: the role of the oil is to ignite the area it targets
M: Within a second, they fell on the farm
M: There were birds, goats,
P: when did these fall on Misrata?
F: About 11 days ago but we didn’t actually get confirmation until yesterday
P: u said Luna M, yes?
M: yes, they also have another name:
M: its Baby scud missiles
P: i wanted to ask u about the state of misrata, r there any changes?
A: the changes that occurred today are due to two changes, first, the report by the terrorist Gaddafi that said that the Misrata people gave up their weapons, in response to this, people went out in protest to demand Gaddafi to leave, also in support of February 17th FFs,
F: lots of rumors
F: the other thing, the FFs roles aided people to go out, to meet, to buy supplies, some things they find, others are not available, but more important, they could go out,
F: to socialize
F: they saw the small freedom that they had today, the streets, people were out today, this makes a difference
F: We have sent the videos and pictures
P: Yes, thank you, all of those we have received, we will post
P: what about NATO’s airstrikes?
F: NATO, between 11:30-1:30, flying overhead
F: Between FFs and G’s men, in 3 areas
F: G’s men try to stay near trees to hide, but FFs try not to let them, to enable NATO to see them
F: the rockets that G’s men r using are extensive, they’re not using weapons with less damage, they don’t have anymore, all they’re using now, are those weapons, that cause extensive damage
F: They arr in areas, where they can hide from NATO eyes
F: although, the there is something funny that occurred today, an old man, when we were in the center of the city, he said “look at our planes, there they are, they came”, in other words, NATO’s planes have become “our” planes
(They all laugh)
F: they take advantage of the night
F: the bombardment is usually more extensive at night
P: Do u have anything else to add?
F: I think that I didn’t leave anything else for Mohammed to say (he chuckles)
F: I hope that all of Libya will be free from Gaddafi’s pressures (oppression).
P: God willing, we hope that we always hear good news, and this calmness remains in misrata and that people continue to be able to go out
P: we hope that we continue to hear good news from you, and God help Misrata to be victorious
P: Thank you
F and M: you’re welcome
