Libya Update Thread - 48 hours for Libyan Freedom ??

[Hurn]

Cameron also not ruling out arming rebels. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... byans.html

Mr Cameron was asked by Labour leader Ed Miliband whether the terms of resolution 1973, which authorised "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians, override the arms embargo imposed by the earlier resolution 1970.

The Prime Minister answered: "I have said before in the House that we must do everything to comply with both the Security Council resolutions.

"The arms embargo applies to the whole of the territory of Libya, but at the same time UN Security Council resolution 1973 allows all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas.

"Our view is that this would not necessarily rule out the provision of assistance to those protecting civilians in certain circumstances.

"We do not rule it out but we have not taken the decision to do so."

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton suggested yesterday that it would be legal to arm the rebels.

Seriously who are they trying to kid? They want Gadaffi out, it's not happening so they are groping about looking for so called 'legal' ways of arming rebels under the premise of 'protecting civilians'.

Not taking sides, my !!!

[benyboy]

Air America 2, coming to cinema near you soon

[Rainbow 6]

Call me wrong me wrong, but isn't arming of one side whilst attacking the other taking sides?

This going to be another war we aren't going to get involved with then.

This another government we don't like and we are going to change it, what happens if we don't like the next government, we going to change that one till we get one we like?

rainbow

[Blackcat1]

Sorry if it has been said before but my net connection is as good as Gadaffi's air force!! but if we arm the rebels, how does anyone know for sure if some of them maybe Al Qaeda???, i see this morning on the news that Hague says Gadaffi could take Exile in the UK! didnt give Saddam that option lol

[T_J]

An amazing series of images from Libya. Looks like a GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) fitted with a BLU-109 penetrator warhead? That variant of JDAM has quite a distinct shape.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/5548/x800.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/8178/800xne.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/6116/800xoe.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/615/x800c.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://photoblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20 ... -residence" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusr ... #_Variants" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Video of BLU-109 being tested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMTcViSApgI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[Hurn]

On the subject of the press especially BBC, it seems to be the norm to talk down the anti Gaddafi fighters, "Ramshackle bunch" "disorganised and undisciplined" , seemingly forgetting that they are a cross section from labourers to doctors, lawyers and so on who just want their freedom, . So come on media , lets have some credit where due, anyway with the means available and without outside assistance except for the air strikes, I for one admire their guts , when artillery and grads rain down on them, sure theyre going to retreat! what do you expect, Rambo ??!!

sep

No doubt there are genuinely many ordinary people who just want their freedom, but also remember it's never just as straight forward as that and there are others that have their own agendas.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... cean/libya

[Craig]

Rant if you like, but I and also I presume the moderators object to language such as "bombed the sh* t out of us?" There is just no need for it on this forum or any other

Please teacher he just swore If it offended you so much really no need to quote it and repeat it surely...

US President Barack Obama has said he does not rule out arming the rebels seeking to overthrow Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Well, well, well http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12902450

I've been waiting to hear something like this tbh.

It's been clear from the outset the West wants Gadaffi OUT and I've felt since the start that it would take more than just a no fly zone and a few rebels to oust him.

What a complete crock of this all is, but frankly I'm not in the least surprised how it's panning out.

Nor am I. When will we learn, these middle east dictator led countries are only stable because they have a dictator in power, when there is a power vacuum they revert to their tribal loyalties. In Iraq and Afghanistan we are undertaking (hugely expensive) occupations to save face and make sure that our puppet governers stay in power. Without an occupying force, even if we do topple Gadaffi by arming the rebels then what happens next, do you think they will invite the country to go to the ballot box and live happily ever after? Or use their newly accquired arms to wreak havoc of their own when they don't now how to handle the resposibilty of being the new top dog in Libya?

[T_J]

Belgian F-16s in action. Destruction of Fitter and Hardened Aircraft Shelter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltV-PjvWZYA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv6xgB7Xz7M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[T_J]

RAF WSO on exchange with the French Air Force.

Links to images.

http://i53.tinypic.com/2mfjb6r.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://i55.tinypic.com/b8l6px.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

French technician checking a Mirage 2000.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5143/x800z.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[alchemist2001]

French technician checking a Mirage 2000.

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5143/x800z.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

This makes me EXTRA gutted I didn't make it into the RAF...

[John Cooper]

This no fly zone thing in Libya is nothing new, 5 years before the Colonel came to power we tied down their aircraft to stop them taking off illegally

[T_J]

MoD released footage of the results of Storm Shadow against a bunkered ammunition storage facility at Sabha, Central Libya. Other Coalition aircraft were also involved in the destruction of this complex.



http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... unkers.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Google Map link to bunkered storage area in Libya.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=s ... 5&t=h&z=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/stormshadow.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[Arthur Tee]

How did they get rid of the roads?

Arthur

[BOLLO]

http://news.aol.co.uk/world-news/story/ ... s/1702767/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This possibly why the 2 AC 130's and the first 2 F15's arrived back from Aviano today?

[T_J]

How did they get rid of the roads?

Arthur

If you zoom into the 'roads' you will see that they are just dirt tracks.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=s ... 5&t=h&z=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[T_J]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ ... 23/1/.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BRUSSELS: NATO warplanes intercepted a MiG-23 fighter jet operated by a Libyan rebel pilot on Saturday and forced him to land after he violated a UN-mandated no-fly zone, a NATO official told AFP.

The jet had taken off from a rebel-controlled airfield near the eastern city of Benghazi in the morning and was intercepted within minutes, the official said on condition of anonymity. No weapons were fired by either side.

"No aggressive action was displayed by the MiG-23 and the NATO fighters proceeded to force it to land back at the Benina airfield," the official said.

The official added that the rebels had not warned NATO that one of their jets was going to take off.

It was the first time that any aircraft violated the no-fly zone since NATO took command of the mission from a US-led coalition on March 31.

"A request to fly by anybody in the no-fly zone would be scrutinised and there would have to be very compelling reason for an aircraft to be flown," the official said.

The UN Security Council put in place last month a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent Muammar Gaddafi from using his air force to kill civilians after the Libyan leader violently cracked down on pro-democracy protests.

NATO has also conducted air strikes against Gaddafi's ground forces under the UN mandate to use "all necessary measures" to protect the population.

Following normal procedure, NATO jets were scrambled to intercept the MiG-23 after it was detected by an AWAC surveillance aircraft, the NATO official said.

Two NATO planes flew alongside the MiG and made visual contact with the Libyan pilot, using international signals to indicate that he should land. The signals are usually made by hand or by tipping the plane's wing.

"He complied and the aircraft landed very quickly after take off," the official said. "It was only in the air a few minutes."

"In this case there was no aggressive behaviour, which meant no lethal force was required," the official said.


A rebel Hind was also active today. A Sky News team filmed it as it passed overhead. A still of the Hind.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/sites/defaul ... er_afp.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TJ

[T_J]

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/News ... 05032.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

BAE Systems Responds to An Urgent Operational Requirement For Frontline UK Tornados

Warton, UK. BAE Systems is responding to an urgent operational requirement to equip the UK Tornado fleet with a Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS). Work starts immediately on the £8m contract to integrate the system on to the aircraft.

Tornado crews in-theatre currently provide close air support, tactical reconnaissance and convoy support to land forces. The Helmet Mounted Cueing System will project visual targeting symbols on to the visor of the pilot’s helmet, in front of one eye.

TJ

[POL]

A capability the Harrier had for a while I believe?

[benyboy]

A trainer aircraft is destroyed even after it has landed but the rebels put up a combat aircraft and it is politely asked to land

[seven]

The Galeb had just attacked rebel positions in Misrata mind...