INTERNET: Microsoft launches assault against Google in Europe

AFP - The U.S. computer group Microsoft has openly declared war in Europe with his compatriot and great rival Google on Internet, by filing Thursday for the first time in its history, a complaint with the European Commission for abusing its dominant position.

Brad Smith, vice president of Microsoft, announced the complaint in a blog published on the website of the group in Redmond.

It has been confirmed by the services of EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, who already have a formal investigation against Google open since November.

Brad Smith accuses Google of using "an increasing number of technical measures" to "build walls" preventing proper access to certain content to Internet search engines online competitor of his.

It "blocks of content and data that competitors need to provide search results to consumers and to attract advertisers," source of income for the free services on the Internet, he acknowledges, with several examples support.

Brad Smith evokes including restrictions on access to online video site YouTube to search engines other than Google Search or the multifunction phones using Microsoft software.

Ultimately, Google and reinforces the dominance of Google Search, whose market share in Europe is estimated at 95%, against 5% for Bing, the search engine from Microsoft.

The Commission had already received several complaints in the past against Google.His investigation is focused for now on two markets where the giant internet hyperdominant in Europe, research and online advertising.

It seeks to verify if it promotes its own services and penalizes those of competitors in the results provided by its search engine, or if it imposes exclusivity to advertising partners.

In the immediate future, its services have "taken note" of the new complaint, saying they would like the procedure provided, request a response to Google.

They will then assess whether or not to include it in the file, allowing Microsoft to be more involved in the investigation.

For its part, Google is "not surprised," he assured his spokesman in Brussels, Al Verney, recalling that one of the subsidiaries of Microsoft had been "one of the first plaintiffs in Brussels.

The group suggested all along that Microsoft is behind his troubles in Europe.

Upon revelation of the first complaints, he noted that two of them were related to the group from Redmond: the Internet portal Ciao, acquired by Microsoft in 2008, and that of Foundem compare prices, part of him as association lobbying ICOMP.

From this point of view, the complaint of Microsoft clarifies the debate.

She is also a backlash, because a few years ago, the positions were exactly reversed: it's Microsoft that was in the sights of Brussels for abuse of dominant position, at the time because of its Internet Explorer browser, and Google on the side of plaintiffs.

The standoff lasted for years, and Microsoft had to pay heavy fines.

Brad Smith acknowledged Thursday "irony" of the situation, but assured that Microsoft had not taken his decision lightly. Google "should not be allowed to continue practices that restrict innovation and offer competing services," he stressed, saying "hope" that Brussels' decision to stop. "

LIBYA: NATO takes command, the coalition strikes Sirte and Tripoli, the insurgents argue

AFP - The inhabitants fled in Sirte on Sunday hometown of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in fear of air raids of the coalition and the arrival of the rebels advancing rapidly toward the west taking advantage of the disarray of the government forces.

NATO has announced to take "immediate" command of all military operations in Libya, which were hitherto were conducted by a coalition led by the United States, France and Great Britain.

"We do not stop until you have freed Misrata, Tripoli and then!"

Sunday morning, the rebels took over the oil terminal at Ras Lanuf (east), according to AFP journalists.This town is located 210 km west of Ajdabiya, strategic crossroads recovered Saturday by the rebels.

The pro-Gaddafi "fled last night after the air strike," said an insurgent, Mohsen Omar, 30. "They fled, and now we are pursuing.It does not stop until you have freed Misrata, Tripoli and then! "

Pro-government forces retreated towards Gaddafi in Sirte, 200 km further west, along a flat coast and desert difficult to defend without heavy artillery or aircraft.

The rebels were in the late afternoon Nofilia, a small town between sea and desert, 110 km of Sirte, and more than 400 km from their stronghold, Benghazi.

They expect the bombing to Sirte international venture, while dozens of families fleeing the city towards Tripoli in fear of air raids and the international arrival of the rebels, said a journalist from AFP .

In the evening, a coalition air raid took place in Sirte, where armed men in military uniform and some in civilian clothes, were traveling in dozens of pick-up bearing pictures of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The day before, the city had already been the target of intense airstrikes.

Raids to facilitate the advance of rebel troops

Explosions and gunfire were also heard DCA in Tripoli around 18.30 GMT Sunday, according to an AFP journalist.Libyan television confirmed the raids on Tripoli and Sirte coalition.

To the west, the French fighter planes led Sunday air strikes against Libyan armored vehicles and "a major ammunition depot" in the regions and Misrata Zentena, announced the French army.

Saturday, resuming and Ajdabiya Site Brega Petroleum neighbor had set up the first victory of the rebels since the start of international intervention on March 19, reversing the trend after a long week of retreat and stagnation.

Since Thursday, the raids have "prepared the battlefield" and the officers and soldiers who joined the rebellion played a major role, coordinating their attacks with the coalition, according to a rebel spokesman in Benghazi, Chamseddine Abdoulmolah.

According to the insurgents, the oil fields they control areas currently produce 100,000 to 130,000 barrels per day.The opposition plans to export oil by "less than a week," said a rebel spokesman, Ali Tarhoni, adding that the rebellion has delegated to the Qatar market.

NATO runs military operations in Libya

Accused of having launched a war without an exit strategy in Libya, U.S. President Barack Obama welcomed the developments, stating that the intervention was "targeted and being successful."

NATO, already responsible for enforcing the arms embargo and the no-fly zone over Libya, decided to take command of all military operations in Libya.

"We asked the senior operational command of NATO to implement the execution of this operation immediately," said Sunday night the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

With the approach of the contact group meeting in London on Tuesday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a Franco-British initiative for a political solution.

Italy, the former colonial power, has announced that it is also a plan, which provides an exile of Colonel Gaddafi."Even within the regime, there are people working on this solution," the foreign minister, Franco Frattini.

Benedict XVI has called for opening "an immediate dialogue" to reach a cease-fire in Libya.

A first boat carrying African migrants from Libya, with on board nearly 300 people, arrived Sunday in southern Italy and was followed by three others, according to the coastguard and humanitarian organizations.

Rome said he feared a wave of at least 200,000 to 300,000 immigrants from tip of Muammar Gaddafi has warned that thousands of migrants could reach Europe.

LIBYA: Several loud explosions heard in Tripoli

Firing of the air defense and several loud bangs were heard Thursday morning in Tripoli, the sixth day of the offensive of the international coalition, according to an AFP journalist.

The DCA went into action at 4:30 GMT and several loud explosions resounded then, according to an AFP journalist who was unable to identify the origin of the blasts.

The coalition had conducted air raids on Wednesday night in Tripoli.Of flak and fighter aircraft noise had been heard above the city, according to AFP journalists.

By early evening, a loud explosion occurred on a basis of the Libyan army in the region Tajoura, 32 km east of Tripoli, witnesses said AFP.

These witnesses saw flames rising over the military base after the explosion.

The Libyan news agency Jana said last year that the international coalition raids on the eastern outskirts of Tripoli on Wednesday night had "targeted a residential area," making a "significant number of civilian deaths".

LIBYA: The international coalition bombed Tripoli, civilians are afraid of abuses

Reuters - A coalition of five Western armies began Saturday to bomb targets in Libya to try to compel the forces of Muammar Qadhafi to cease fire and stop attacks against civilians.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who bloodily suppressed the rebellion in eastern part of the country a month ago, called it aggression "colonial", comparing it to a crusade.

Libyan state television has reported 48 dead and 150 wounded in air raids and firing of these missiles launched several ships and submarines in the Mediterranean, it is not possible to verify the information.

France, Great Britain, the United States, Italy and Canada to participate now in operation dubbed "Dawn of the Odyssey," the biggest military intervention in the Arab world since the invasion Iraq in 2003.Qatar has pledged to get involved and several other European and Arab countries are also ready to participate in this action.

Its objective is, under resolution 1973 adopted on Thursday by the Security Council of the UN to introduce a no-fly zone and to impose a cease-fire.

In a televised address shortly after the first strikes, Muammar Gaddafi said that the Mediterranean and North Africa was now a "battlefield" and that air and sea targets, military or civilian, were now exposed to a real danger in the region.

"It is now necessary to open all deposits and arm the masses with any type of weapon to defend the independence, unity and honor of Libya," he added.

Meanwhile, state television said that Libya was ending its efforts to block illegal immigrants en route to Europe.

More than 110 missiles

The French Air Force struck first in the wake of the Paris summit, which gathered Saturday at the Elysee leaders from 22 countries and organizations, including UN, EU and Arab League.

Twenty French planes took part in the operation over a wide area around Benghazi, destroying several tanks and armored vehicles of the loyalist forces, said the MoD.

Starting at 19:00 GMT, warships and submarines, British and American fired over 110 Tomahawk missiles against more than 20 sites in Libya, and Qaddafi's air defenses were severely damaged, an official of the Security Council National American.

China and Russia, who abstained without veto in the vote on Resolution 1973, deplored the military action.

Explosions and gunfire were heard fed air defense in the early hours Sunday in Tripoli.

Libyan television showed images of a hospital that she did not identify where she was admitted as victims of "the colonial enemy." You could see ten bodies wrapped in blue and white sheets and several wounded, one seriously.

Relief and fear

Residents of Tripoli reported an explosion near the neighborhood of Tadjoura, where the opposition has on several occasions last month.A Misrata, 200 km east of Tripoli, residents have said that air base outside the city had been hit by strikes in the West.

In Benghazi, the second largest city, a Reuters reporter heard an explosion and fire air defense without being able to determine their origin.

In the stronghold of the insurgency threatened by loyalist forces, the people welcomed the first international hits with a mixture of relief and apprehension.

"We welcome France, Great Britain, the United States and Arab countries that sided with Libya. But Gaddafi will unleash his wrath against civilians.The West needs to hit hard, "said Khalid Ghourfali an every officer of 38 years.

Libyan officials say the media that targets civilians, including a hospital, were bombed in Tripoli, Sirte and Benghazi, and Zouarah Misrata and there are civilian casualties in the capital.

In the southern suburbs of Tripoli, thousands of supporters converged on the colonel army camp in Bab al Azizia, forming a human shield in the base of Gaddafi.

The international operation has led Germany's reserves - which is not involved in the operation but requires the implementation of resolution 1973 - and many military analysts, who fear a protracted civil war.

Phase

In conclusion of the Paris summit, Western leaders have said that Muammar Gaddafi they had not left the choice of intervention by not complying with the ultimatum of the international community for a cease-fire.

The objective of the coalition is not taking control of Libya, but to help a people in "mortal danger" facing "the madness of a regime that has lost all (...) legitimacy, "said Nicolas Sarkozy.

"The door of diplomacy will reopen when the attacks cease," added the French president, but his foreign minister Alain Juppe, there is "little hope" that Colonel pandering to the UN .

On a visit to Brazil, President Barack Obama stressed the limited nature of U.S. intervention and reiterated that no ground troops would be deployed.

Washington admitted that he took command of the first intervention phase, hoping to quickly transfer the command to other countries.

LIBYA: The G8 failed to agree on the establishment of a no-fly zone

The foreign ministers of the G8 in Paris on Tuesday called for new measures to the UN to "further pressure" on Muammar Gaddafi, Alain Juppe announced at the end of their work.

"We agree to ask the Security Council to increase its pressure on Colonel Gaddafi," said Alain Juppe to the press.

But the written conclusions of the meeting did not mention the option of a no-fly zone, in which several countries, including Germany, were opposed.

"The ministers have asked Muammar Gaddafi to respect the legitimate claims of the Libyan people for their fundamental rights, freedom of expression and a representative form of government.They warned against the tragic consequences of his refusal, "these findings indicate.

"The Ministers welcomed the fact that the Security Council of the United Nations urgently examine a wide range of measures to protect people against attacks by Libyan forces of Muammar Gaddafi," said the text also.

"They also agreed that the Security Council should increase the pressure to encourage Muammar Gaddafi to leave, including economic measures," he adds.

Alain Juppe had announced on Tuesday morning that the G8 countries were unable to agree on the principle of military intervention in Libya, desired by France.Paris and London last week evoked the possibility of targeted air strikes, carried out with the approval of the Security Council, or a no-fly zone.

LIBYA: Tripoli suspends diplomatic relations with Paris

Libya on Friday decided to "suspend" its diplomatic relations with France, said the Libyan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khaled Kaaim, during a press conference in Tripoli.

"We decided today (Friday) to suspend diplomatic relations with France. We will later load a country to represent our interests in France," saidKaaim.

"The aim of France is only to divide Libya," he further said.

The decision comes after that of Paris on Thursday to recognize the Libyan opponents of the National Transitional Council (CNT) as "the legitimate representative of the Libyan people."

"This council represents only himself. He was not elected. Do not represent the regions of Libya, even in the East" the stronghold of the opposition, still hammered Friday, Vice-Minister.

LIBYA: Fighting continues around the oil terminal at Ras Lanuf

AFP - The regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has conducted several air raids on Monday and accused Paris, London and Washington of conspiring to divide Libya, while the international community considers the possibility of military operations.

The Libyan foreign minister Musa Kusa was accused Monday of France, Great Britain and the United States to "contact with those who have defected" and moved into opposition."This means that there is a conspiracy to divide Libya," he said at a news conference in Tripoli.

More isolated than ever on the international stage after three weeks of insurrection, Colonel Gaddafi had already accused France of "interference" after the support from Paris to the National Council set up by the opposition in Benghazi, the second city countries to prepare for the transition.

On the diplomatic front, the UN has appointed former Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdel Ilah Khatib to undertake "urgent consultations" with Tripoli on the humanitarian crisis caused by fighting.

On the ground, the violence continues.Three air raids targeted by loyalist forces Monday strategic oil port of Ras Lanuf, taken Friday by the insurgency, where insurgents have responded with antiaircraft artillery, according to an AFP journalist. A shot struck the car of a family fleeing the fighting, wounding a 13 years old and his father told him to AFP.

At daybreak, the inhabitants had fled Ras Lanuf, outpost of the rebellion in the east, 300 km south-west of Benghazi for fear of the fighting that had driven the insurgents from Ben Jawad, about forty kilometers to the west.

On the road, a vehicle equipped with loudspeakers spitting instructions to insurgents. "Do not go to the front before the army.Oil is in our hands, "shouted the voice in the loudspeaker, suggesting that the village of Ben Jawad, where fighting Sunday killed at least 12 dead and over 50 injured, was not worth such a sacrifice.

A Misrata, 3rd largest city, held by the opposition to 150 km east of Tripoli, fighting Sunday have killed 21 people, mostly civilians, including a boy, according to a doctor. The forces pro-Gaddafi stormed the city with heavy weapons throughout the day, told the doctor: "They fired on civilians and buildings.The rebels fought back and managed to push Gaddafi's forces outside the city. "

Not far away, in Zentena, an offensive by loyalist forces in the night from Sunday to Monday was rejected by the people who have seized weapons and food, according to a witness who saw at least five bodies.

The UN on Monday launched an appeal for 160 million dollars to help the victims, while the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was already marching on February 25 the figure of more than 1,000 dead.

In Washington, the pressure was rising around the president Barack Obama to provide military assistance to insurgents and neutralize Libyan aviation, either by a no-fly zone, either by destruction of runways. Mr.Obama has warned employees that they should Muammar Gaddafi "accountable" to the violence.

The White House said Monday that the idea of arming the insurgency was an option, said it was "premature" to engage in such an operation now. French and British diplomats, working on a draft UN resolution establishing a no-fly zone, want to present it within a week.

The Secretary General of NATO stated in response that attacks against civilians could be considered crimes against humanity and the international community could not remain passive if continued.He however reiterated that NATO had "no intention to intervene" without UN mandate.

Gulf Arab monarchies have favored the establishment of a UN-fly zone "to protect civilians," while Russia was opposed to any foreign military interference.

After an initial series of sanctions including an assets freeze and a visa ban for 26 Libyan officials, the European Union is now the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), Government's sovereign wealth fund.

Japan announced the implementation of sanctions imposed by the UN against Libya - which include the freezing of assets of Colonel Gaddafi and his family - and the entry ban on Japanese territory for 16 members of the regime.

Italy said it had established contacts "discreet" with the National Council of the opposition. In contrast, a "British diplomatic team" came to establish contacts in Benghazi had to leave the country after being detained for several days by the opposition, which accused him of having entered the country "without prior approval.

More than 191,000 people have fled the violence so far and about 10,000 displaced people heading towards the Egyptian border, the UN says.Tensions in Libya, which holds the largest oil reserves in Africa, have continued to affect markets and oil prices.

BENIN: The UN, African Union and ECOWAS called for a postponement of the presidential

The UN, AU and ECOWAS called on Thursday for a second postponement of the presidential election scheduled for Sunday in Benin, including claimed by the opposition who claimed that more than one million voters were not registered .

A high level delegation of these three organizations, arrived Thursday in Cotonou to "inquire into the state of preparations for elections," made the announcement after talks with outgoing President Boni Yayi candidate and his main opponents and election officials.

"The delegation expressed its support for a postponement of a few days of the presidential election," said the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations West Africa, Said Djinnit, who read a joint declaration at a briefing.

The panel suggests that the vote be postponed until "a date that is consistent with the deadlines prescribed by the Constitution, including one on the inauguration of President of the Republic set for April 6, 2011.

With the approach of the vote, opposition, unions and civil society organizations have stepped up calls for a postponement, arguing that more than one million voters were not registered in the new electronic electoral register, with about 3.5 million enrolled.

Several demonstrations have taken place and many voters also said they did not always be in possession of their card.

A postponement would, according to the panel UN-AU-ECOWAS, "the finalization of the process of distributing electoral cards, completion of necessary measures by the (electoral commission), the appointment and training of all officers of polling stations' .

In addition to Mr.Djinnit, the delegation includes the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, Ramtane Lamamra and Chairman of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Victor Gbeho.

The first round of presidential elections in the former French colony, originally scheduled on Feb. 27, has already been delayed one week due to delays in compiling the file.

The government has warned that a further postponement could cause a constitutional crisis.

The five-year term expires Boni Yayi on April 6 and the Basic Law provides that his successor is sworn by that date.If no candidate obtains an absolute majority, a sencond round must take place 15 days after the first, a very likely scenario according to observers.

The law also provides that the first round takes place 30 days before the end of the current presidential term, but ways to circumvent these requirements were already being examined Thursday at the parliament in particular.

Fourteen candidates are running for election, to be played mainly between the opponent and Yayi Adrien Houngbedji, who covets the presidency for twenty years. A third man, Abdoulaye Bio Tchane economist, could find themselves kingmaker.