LIBYA: UN calls for end to hostilities in Misrata

The international community mobilized Thursday to help the people of Misrata, Libyan city besieged by the forces of Colonel Gaddafi that Washington once again called upon to relinquish power.

While the front line between rebel and loyalist forces has stabilized over the last week in the region of Brega (east), the town of Misrata, shelled relentlessly for a month and a half by the regular army, is now the object of attention.

Following in the footsteps of NATO, which has made Misrata his "number one priority," the UN has called for a cessation of hostilities around the city.

"The situation on the ground is critical for a large number of people who are in immediate need of food, water and emergency medical assistance," said assistant general secretary of the UN Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos. "The ability to leave the city is now a matter of life or death."

Rebels and humanitarian alert for weeks the international community to the plight of some 300,000 inhabitants of this city, several hundred were killed or wounded by fighting in their view.

The rebel military commander, Gen. Abdel Fattah Younes, was charged Tuesday in very harsh terms the Atlantic Alliance to "let people die of Misrata.More generally, he expressed his disappointment at the action of NATO, which took control of military operations last Thursday.

Piqued, NATO had promised to "do everything possible to protect civilians in Misrata," according to a UN mandate, but stressed that the Gaddafi regime was using human shields, making air strikes delicate.

To relieve the population will be replenished Misrata by the Sea by insurgents from Benghazi, 260 nautical miles (480 km) further east, had said Wednesday the French Minister of Defence Gerard Longuet.

"Previously, the reading of the embargo was that no boat could not supply any city," he said.

In the military port of Benghazi two fishing vessels and a tug waiting on Thursday that the swell to head back to Misrata calm, despite the firing forces of Tripoli, according to an AFP journalist on the spot.

"We sent the first ships a month ago. We are in contact with Misrata by satellite phone. They tell us what they need, if we find we can and organized convoys of ships," explains the AFP Captain Mustapha Omar.

"The first trips, we have not had any problems. Then we have repeatedly had to turn back because of the warships of Gaddafi.But the French navy has escorted two weeks ago, one of our boats, "said Capt. Omar." That we will never forget. "

The U.S. has meanwhile rejected curtly demands of Colonel Gaddafi, who in a long letter urged Washington to end the allied air strikes by the U.S. media.

"There is no mystery about what is expected to present Mr.Gaddafi, "retorted the chief diplomat Hillary Clinton at a press conference:" Earlier the bloodshed cease, and the better for everybody. "

Gaddafi should opt for a cease-fire, withdrawal of his troops, and "a decision must be made for its departure from power and (...) leaving Libya," she insisted.

The U.S. military had withdrawn Monday that fighter jets were involved in the international operation in Libya.It should now provide more than had intended to conduct air refueling missions as well as jamming and surveillance.

The next meeting of the Contact Group on Libya-established to ensure "political leadership" from the international civilian and military action in Libya, with Nato for "arm" - will be held April 13 in Doha, said Thursday the head of French diplomacy, Alain Juppe.

The Libyan regime, target since February 15 of a popular uprising that turned into a civil war, said he was ready for dialogue provided that the rebels disarm.

On Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim, accused British forces of bombing oil installations in the field of Al-Sarir (southeast). These strikes have killed three and wounded and material damage on the pipeline leading to the oil port of Tobruk controlled by the rebels, he said.

The previous day, a tanker had left the region of Tobruk with the first shipment of oil under rebel control since the airstrikes began mid-March.

In three days, three Boeing aircraft makes emergency landing in the U.S.

The United States experienced in the space of three days, three emergency landings of Boeing aircraft including the cabin atmosphere was no longer breathing without an oxygen mask, the latest being the one Sunday in New York of American Airlines aircraft.

A Boeing 757 that connected Boston (Massachusetts, North-East) to the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, had to land at JFK airport in New York in mid-day, told the AFP a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (FAA), Jim Peters.

"The crew reported a loss of cabin pressure," said the spokesman, adding that the reason was unknown.

No passenger or crew member was injured, he added.

American Airlines could not be reached Sunday to give his version.

Friday afternoon, another spectacular incident had hit a Boeing 737 operated by Southwest Airlines, part of the roof was torn off after shortly after takeoff from Phoenix (Arizona, Southwest).

The plane, headed for Sacramento, California (West) had landed on an air base in Yuma (Arizona). A member of the crew and a passenger were slightly injured.

The incident has led Southwest to inspect 79 Boeing 737s.Sunday, the company said in a statement it had found "small cracks below the surface" on two planes.

Friday morning, another American Airlines plane, a Boeing 737 between Washington to Chicago, landed in the airport emergency Dayton (Ohio Northern) after the disappearance of four passengers, while many others felt sick.The origin of the problem was not disclosed.

These incidents come one month after the deactivation by the United States, imitated by Canada and France, systems that supply oxygen in the toilets of some models of aircraft, for fear that they are terrorists.

The FAA then estimated that the depressurization event was "extremely rare" in aircraft.

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: 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.

EGYPT: Negotiations begin between the regime and opposition

AFP - The Muslim Brotherhood, one of the main components of the Egyptian opposition, announced in a statement on the night from Saturday to Sunday to have decided to "initiate dialogue" with the heads of power "to find out how they are willing to accept the demands of the people. "

A Hizbullah official told AFP on condition of anonymity that "a meeting is scheduled between officials of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Vice-President Omar Suleiman," without specifying the date.

"Desiring to preserve the interests of the nation and its institutions and concerned with preserving the country's independence and their rejection of any international or regional interference in our internal affairs, we decided to start a dialogue session to see how they are willing to accept the demands of the people. "

Brothers and want to distance itself from Iran in particular has called for the establishment of an Islamic regime in Egypt.

Leaders of the movement have repeatedly said this week that the Muslim Brotherhood "will not" present a candidate in upcoming presidential elections scheduled for September.

Mr. Sulaiman announced Thursday that the Muslim Brothers were invited to the dialogue that began with representatives of various political forces on democratic reforms.He said that "it is a valuable opportunity" for the Islamist movement.

This is the first time that the Egyptian regime called the Brothers, his nemesis, the dialogue to find a solution to the unprecedented popular protest that has continued for 12 days demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Mr.Suleiman met in recent days several prominent independent and opposition to discuss ways to end the political crisis facing the country.

The most prominent opponent in Egypt, the former director general of the International Agency for Atomic Energy Mohamed ElBaradei, was not invited to the dialogue so far.

He demanded a resignation of President Mubarak before any dialogue on the country's political future.

ALGERIA: Algiers Violent clashes outside the headquarters of the RCD

The streets of Algiers were the scene of violent clashes on Saturday between riot police and protesters from defying the authority to call for an opposition party.

Outside the headquarters of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), some 300 people including recovered blocked by hundreds of policemen. According to Said Saadi, leader of the RCD, 42 of them were injured and transferred to city hospitals. Among them would be Amazouz Othman, the parliamentary leader of the RCD. Official sources have reported wounded seven policemen, including two in serious condition.The independent newspaper El Watan also reported that a dozen arrests were made.

The newspaper always, clashes also erupted on the outskirts of Algiers between security forces and protesters who tried to reach the capital. AFP reports that the local leader of the RCD, Reda Boudraa was beaten with sticks to Bejaia, 260 km east of the capital. The head was bleeding, he was evacuated by ambulance.

The police, present en masse in the Algerian capital, trying to prevent a planned rally by the RCD to demand democratization."The police prevented the protesters to meet, shows Tazir Ahmed, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Algiers. Any group of people over 10 is dispersed."

An impressive police presence was deployed in the early hours of the day, crisscrossing the entire town. "The atmosphere is tense currently in Algiers," said Faisal Métaoui by phone, a political reporter for the independent daily El Watan. " "There are police everywhere, the main entrances of the city are blocked, rail traffic is stopped, the buses are controlled.Some are forced to turn back, mainly those from Kabylie [region traditionally opposed the regime of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Ed], "he says.

"Historical Impasse"

RCD called for the release of political prisoners, lifting the state of emergency in force since 1992, respect for individual and collective freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the dissolution of elected assemblies, "the source of all the political instability since they were imposed by electoral fraud, according to Said Saadi. It is a catchword very consensual, "says the leader of the RCD.

"We're not just in a state of political crisis, we are in a historical dead end, says the latter.There is no longer any bridge between the authorities and society.If we fail to initiate a process towards a peaceful transition, violence will be much more devastating in Algeria than it was in Tunisia. "

Friday, local authorities have, meanwhile, called on residents of Algiers to ignore calls to the event scheduled for Saturday before the Parliament at 11am.

"He asked citizens to exercise wisdom and vigilance, and not respond to any provocation intended to undermine their peace, their peace and their serenity," said a statement from the prefecture Algiers.

Demonstrations are banned in Algeria since 1992, when the state of emergency was declared.

For now, popular protest has not led to a shift of the Algerian government. "It is too early to tell whether this movement has the same consequences as that which takes place in Tunisia, said Faisal Métaoui. The Algerian police are more experienced in Tunisia concerning the riots, said the journalist. But indeed, if nothing changes, if the government does not give a little ground, things may get tougher. "