Benghazi activist: “we’re holding mercenaries”
It is extremely difficult to get information out of Libya, but Euronews managed to speak to Mohamed Nabous of Radio Free Libya. He is in the city of Benghazi and and was able to tell us what’s happening on the ground.
Mohamed Nabous:
There’s no sign whatsoever of the government forces. Today is our hour of revolution….we’re free now…we’re completely free of the government of Gaddafi.
Euronews:
Colonel Gaddafi gave a speech to the Libyan people today..what was the reaction of the people in Benghazi to what he had to say?
Mohamed Nabous:
Everybody here was scornful of Gaddafi and his speech, that was the reaction of the people in Benghazi. It’s clear that he was scared..it was obvious that he’s lost control of the situation. We’ve prepared a core of 5000 well-armed people in Benghazi to head towards the capital and help our brothers in Tripoli to liberate themselves from the Gaddafi regime… we are a unified people in a unified Libya.
Euronews:
Everyone’s talking about mercenaries in Libya and in Benghazi spreading fear throughout the city and its inhabitants – are you able to confirm that?
Mohamed Nabous:
Yes, it’s a hundred per cent true. I can send you photos and videos to prove it. At the moment we’re holding four mercenaries in the court building but when we try to speak with them we can’t understand what they’re saying.
Euronews:
And do you have any idea on the number of deaths in Benghazi since the start of the clashes?
Mohamed Nabous:
We’re in the process of counting the number of victims…and tomorrow we should have an exact figure of deaths from the hospital and I’ll pass it on to you?
Euronews:
You’ve spoken of the absence of government forces of law and order in the city..how will you run the city safely without them?
Mohamed Nabous:
Popular committees have been formed after the last three days of chaos in the city. These committees are in the process of ensuring the the safety of the inhabitants. Today everyone is following the directives of the committee, which has taken up office in the court building. I should say that the committee has taken the decision to gather up all the arms that it finds in the hands of young people in order to avoid any kind of banditry.
We’ve done this despite the fact there is solidarity among the people here and the young are very well organised. They themselves took this initiative before the committee took the decision.
Obama attacks Iran over protest crackdown
US President Barack Obama on Tuesday condemned Iran’s crackdown on opposition protesters, urging Tehran to allow peaceful demonstrations.
Obama told reporters in Washington that he supported the protesters’ push for democratic reforms and “their yearning for greater freedoms.”
“(The Iranian) people should be able to express their opinions and their grievances and seek a more responsive government,” he said.
“My hope and expectation is that we are going to continue to see the people of Iran have the courage to be able to express their yearning for greater freedoms and a more representative government.”
But Obama, who has led international efforts to impose sanctions on Tehran because of its nuclear program, insisted the United States “cannot ultimately dictate what happens inside of Iran.”
Gattuso argues with Tottenham’s Joe Jordan
AC Milan’s Gennaro Gattuso argues with Tottenham Hotspur’s first team coach Joe Jordan during the Champions League football match at the San Siro stadium in Milan February 15, 2011. Stefano Rellandini / REUTERS
German press mocks “Cut and Paste Baron”
The latest chapter in German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg’s bible of bloopers may be the final straw for his public image.
He is now accused of plagiarism in his doctoral thesis, obtained in 2007 and published in book form in 2009. Entire passages, including spelling mistakes, appear to have been lifted from newspaper and magazine articles, academic journals and speeches, think tanks, universities, and even works from the US embassy, without citations. At least 15 authors have allegedly had their work stolen.
“He has the chance to say: ‘OK, bad things happen! I made a mistake, I did not deliver an academically rigorous work.’ But in any case, he will have a problem regaining his credibility and the sympathy and support he’s had in the polls until now”, said political counsellor Klaus-Peter Schmidt-Deguelle.
The 39 year-old Baron enjoys a straight-talking reputation, and has a glamorous image. Many have tipped him as a future Chancellor. Credibility has seen him through armed forces scandals in Afghanistan and on the training ship Gorch Fock. Observers say the only elegant escape may be for him to surrender his Beyreuth University diploma.
British court to rule on Assange case
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will find out today whether he is to be extradited to Sweden on alleged sex crimes
A British judge is expected to give his ruling after considering Assange’s legal defence against the move.
The 39-year-old former computer hacker is wanted for questioning and is not, as yet, to stand trial. His lawyer maintains that is not enough reason to send him to Stockholm.
Assange is resisting the Swedish authorities as he believes their real intention is eventually to send him to the US where he says he could face execution for leaking sensitive secrets.
Last year Assange and his controversial website infuriated Washington by publishing top level diplomatic cables – something the US claims threatened its national security.
Unilateral ceasefire declared by Tripoli
The government of Muammer Gadaffi has declared a unilateral ceasefire just hours after the UN announced a no-fly zone over Libya, a decision that gives the green light for air strikes on Gadaffi’s forces.
Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa addressed the world’s media in the capital Tripoli. He said: “We decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations across the country. Libya was surprised about the resolution, which permits military action against the Libyan people.”
To read : Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy how-international-reaction-to-libya-evolved/
Still, the British, French, Arab League and others will hold meetings on Saturday to discuss the implementation of the no-fly zone.
“It is legal and right”: leaders justify attacks
Leaders of the forces assembled to stop Colonel Ghaddafi killing his own people in defiance of a UN resolution have spoken out about the military action which began on Saturday.
Speaking from South America, President Obama said:
“So we must be clear. Actions have consequences and the writ of the international community must be enforced. That is the cause of this coalition.”
The coalition was brought together in Paris for an emergency summit on Saturday, and includes the US, European states, Canada, members of the Arab League, and a representative of the African Union.
To read – Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy
After French aircraft led the way in the afternoon, British planes flew sorties as night fell.
“Tonight British forces are in action over Libya,” said British Prime Minister David Cameron. “They are part of an international coalition that has come together to enforce the will of the UN and to protect the Libyan people. So what we are doing is necessary. It is legal and it is right.”
European court approves Italian school crucifixes
The European Court of Human Rights has overturned a ruling that said Italian schools had no right to hang crucifixes in classrooms.
Its decision is final.
Judges in Strasbourg said they did not breach the rights of non-Catholics. The Vatican hailed the decision as “history making”.
An earlier ruling against crucifixes caused outrage in the mainly Catholic country.
EasyJet hit by fuel price rise
Rising fuel prices and tough economic conditions caused low-cost airline easyJet losses to almost double in the six months up to the end of March.
Its pretax loss widened to the equivalent of 174 million euros as revenues rose 8.1 percent to 1.4 billion euros.
The British budget carrier said seat sales indicate revenue through the summer will be slightly ahead of the same period last year.
Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said: “The past six months has been tough with sharply rising fuel costs combined with cautious behaviour by consumers and an adverse impact from taxes on passengers.”
The airline said the rising price of fuel cost it 43 million pounds (49 million euros) in the period, while increased passenger taxes accounted for 21 million pounds (24 million euros) of its losses.
Rising oil prices — coupled with unrest in the Arab world — could wipe out airline profitability in 2011 and hinder the industry’s recovery, airline body IATA said earlier this month.
Warren Christopher dies
US negotiator Warren Christopher has died at his home in Los Angeles of cancer, at the age of 85.
The former US Secretary of State is credited, amongst other achievements, with helping bring peace to Bosnia, and negotiating the release of hostages from Iran.
His personal style was so self-effacing that he became affectionate known as “the stealth diplomat”. This was somewhate belied by his elegant dress sense which once earned him the title of People Magazne’s Best Dressed Man in America.
He famously remarked that “careful listening may be the secret weapon”, telling the New York Times “I observed some time ago that I was better at listening than at talking.”
“Talkng is often tedious,” he said. “It can be excruciating and exhausting. But talkng can tame conflict, lift the human condition and move us closer to the ideal of peace.”
