Is NATO sensing the impending collapse of the Qaddafi regime or of support for the air campaign from a Libya-skeptical Congress? Whatever the cause it appears to have decided to dramatically escalate the air campaign over the capital city of Tripoli. Western reporters counted 27 air strikes today, throwing the city into panic.
"Instead of talking to us, they are bombing us," charged Libyan spokesperson Moussa Ibrahim. "They are going mad. They are losing their heads," said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim told reporters that the daylight strikes were particularly terrifying because families were separated during the day as Libyan schoolchildren are taking end-of-the-year final exams. "Tens of thousands of children are in Tripoli. You can imagine the shock and horror of the children. You can imagine the horror of parents who can't check on their children who are far away," Ibrahim said.
Fides, the Vatican news service, had its own eyewitness reports from Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, the Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli: "Already this morning at 5 there was a heavy bombing. The bombings are becoming more aggressive and intense," he said.
"This morning, around 11, I was in the middle of a meeting with about ten journalists when 4-5 bombs exploded at close range. The hotel in downtown Tripoli, where we were, is close to the target of the bombing. We all rushed to see what had happened. I do not know the details, but it is likely they hit the whole complex of Bab-Al Ziziya [Qaddafi's residence], where air strikes appear to be concentrated."
The vicar added that "the meeting with the international press was positive to try to understand what the prospects are. Someone did not hide the concern that something could happen in Tripoli in the coming days." He said, "I do not know what will happen, but anything is possible. However, the situation is not calm. I just hope that something happens on the diplomatic front to offset at least what is happening on the military front."
You got to admit, it takes a certain amount of chutzpah to do that.
NATO attacked Tripoli, most likely no US planes . no US casualties since Libya crisis,but Obama attackers' tiresome posts still persist . GOP posters Why not spend your time and resources finding a candidate that will keep the 2012 election from not being a GOP joke.
Prediction.... Qaddafi goes two days before the House vote on debt limit ... GOP/TP cries foul....
There will be no legtingling moments from here on in.
Maybe in a speech, but America ,Obama and the rest of the civilized world is dependent upon those "bumbling Americans" as Rick so eloquently termed them in Casablanca.
I wait with baited breath for the comments by Sean Penn and the docu-film from Micheal Moorer....Hippo-c-c-c-ccrites!
The options are clear ,bombing of Tripoli or genocide in Benghazi.
Those who make the perfect the enemy of the good need not come to the casino.
The Nobel commitee?They got what they deserved, thinking that by handing over a prize they could emotionally handcuff the most powerful man in the world means they have not read their Augustine.
The Adamic vision is for people who spent too long in academia and it seems that Obama has had a serious meeting with reality.Every morning they say that the Potus meets with the security services for a briefing.Obama has come to the same conclusion as Clinton and Bush. A little to the West of Tripoli lie the remains of St Augustine ,who died while those other Vandals were at the gates ..
I will be near Pavia in September and so can visit the third greatest Saint in Catholic history. I suppose it beats going to Algeria.
Relics,Oil and Gas !All leaves north Africa for European shores.
The unique aspect is that this time it is a child of Africa who represents the greatest product of the Anglo-saxon Culture who is pushing the red button.
In a world of Chaos it is re-assuring to know once again that everybody has their price.
Nato??Stop the commies right??What a joke....
It is wonderful to see Obama raise his blood-drenched hands and be met with a thousand liberal towels of cleansing." Oh but it is NATO" ROTFLMFAO.
To think I used to marvel at Krauthammer and ilk perform mental gymnastics in defending their guy.
Obama is doing the job that the Gipper left over. He is ,he is ,he is.