October 5, 2011 by nsnbc

After the all out assault on Sirte was ground to a halt yesterday, Libya is relatively calm. Is it the calm before the next storm or will NATO leaders have difficulties explaining Generals to continue a war that can earn them life imprisonment in any nation with international jurisdiction.

Sirte: After the last days assault on Sirte today it is relatively calm. Though artillery duels between TNC fighters and Libyan Defense Forces in Sirte continue, it is calm enough to become aware of the destruction. What was impossible to do before, evacuating the dead and wounded from the ruins will add to the realization of the enormity of the massacre committed on the residents and defenders of Sirte.

Today NATO and TNC evacuated more than 200 wounded “rebels” from Sirte, which had been triaged outside the cities southern suburbs.

Tripoli: In Tripoli the population is defiant with regards to Abdelhakim Belhadj´s appeal to surrender the weapons that have been passed to them. When it became obvious for the Libyan Government that it was facing an all out assault, 1.2 million weapons were provided to the population to defend the country, and so they do. After the appeal to surrender weapons, yesterday was the first day in Tripoli where road blocks had been erected in an attempt to control the flow of weapons in the areas under TNC control. During the evening the troops manning those roadblocks came under sniper fire from silenced rifles resulting in heavy casualties.

Bengazi: In Bengazi fighting has lost intensity, and there is a stand off between the heavily entrenched TNC fighters in the city center and Libyan Forces surrounding them. Fighting was also reported from the western mountain ranges, and around Saba, but non of the clashes have the intensity of the last weeks battles.

Is it the calm before the next storm. If so, how many more reserves can or will be flown in, from where, in the attempt to break the seemingly unbreakable will of the Libyan population to defend their countries independence. Libya was the pearl of Africa, they know it is worth fighting for.

Tomorrow NATO leaders will meet to make the decision that will determine that fate of hundreds of thousands of people. Whispers about secret diplomatic talks? I have heard about them but nothing is confirmed. What is confirmed, even though NATO denies it, is that an increasing amount of officers has gravest concerns what consequences a continuation of the war crimes in Libya will have for them and their troops. Will reason prevail or will a clique of conquistadors decide to continue their plunder. We will know more tomorrow.

Dr. Christof Lehmann, 05.10.2011

Source: NSNBC