Libya

Liberation Close at Hand

The National Transitional Council (NTC) is currently committing forces to the task of liberating the city of Sirte, one of the last bastions for Gaddafi support in Libya. Earlier this month, forces from the NTC began an assault on the city in an effort to oust the Gaddafi forces. However, the fighting has taken its toll. While the NTC forces have taken so key areas in the city, such as the hospital, the university and the Ouagadougou conference center, sniper fire, and mortar fire continue to pound the revolutionary forces. NTC forces were hoping to capture one of Gaddafi’s sons, who was reportedly located in the hospital, but he has yet to turn up. The city of Bani Walid is also under siege from NTC forces. These two centers for Gaddafi loyalists hold significance because they are the last main strongholds left, and after their capture, the NTC is expected to declare full Libyan liberation from Gaddafi.

The cities of Sirte and Bani Walid represent the last two serious centers for Gaddafi support in Libya. While most have considered Libya liberated since the fall of Tripoli and Gaddafi’s flight from Libya, the NTC will announce full liberation of the country hopefully by the end of the week. However, the conflict will not be over with until Gaddafi has been captured or killed. It is suspected that forces outside Libya have been sending supplies to the Gaddafi Loyalists still fighting in Libya. With Gaddafi’s whereabouts still unknown, there is the potential risk that he could still rally forces from sympathetic neighbors and Libyans that fled the country. The NTC and whatever government that arises out of Libya need to make the finding of Gaddafi their main priority.

Realist

http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=7072

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15232870

October 11, 2011 at 6:11 pm