Libya: The real war starts now

[Jefferson23]

By Pepe Escobar

Enough about The Big G's downfall. Now comes the real nitty-gritty; Afghanistan 2.0, Iraq 2.0, or a mix of both.

The "NATO rebels" have always made sure they don't want foreign occupation. But the North Atlantic Treaty Organization - which made the victory possible - can't control Libya without boots on the ground. So multiple scenarios are now being gamed in NATO's headquarters in Mons, Belgium - under a United Nations velvet cushion.

According to already leaked plans, sooner or later there may be troops from Persian Gulf monarchies and friendly allies such as Jordan and especially NATO member Turkey, also very keen to bag large commercial contracts. Hardly any African nations will be part of it - Libya now having being "relocated" to Arabia.

The Transitional National Council (TNC) will go for it - or forced to go for it - if, or when, Libya spirals into chaos. Still it will be an extremely hard sell - as the wildly disparate factions of "NATO rebels" are frantically consolidating their fiefdoms, and getting ready to turn on each other.

There's no evidence so far the TNC - apart from genuflecting in the altar of NATO member nations - has any clue about managing a complex political landscape inside Libya.

Guns and no roses
Everyone in Libya is now virtually armed to its teeth. The economy is paralyzed. A nasty catfight over who will control Libya's unfrozen billions of dollars is already on.

remainder: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MI07Ak01.html

[tabatha]

1. Garbage

"NATO's "humanitarian" operation has unleashed at least 30,000 bombs over Libya over these past few months. It's safe to say that many thousands of Libyans have been killed by the bombing. The bombing never stops; soon NATO may be targeting some of those - civilians or not - it was in theory "protecting" until a few days ago. "

If many thousands of Libyans had been killed by NATO bombing, the Gaddafi regime would have paraded the fact on a daily basis. However, they were forced to "stage" NATO killed civilians - conversations about these were recorded on tape.

Gaddafi has killed over 15,000 people --- there are 30,000 missing who were detained by Gaddafi.

The TNC is collecting weapons from civilians.

"There's no evidence so far the TNC - apart from genuflecting in the altar of NATO member nations - has any clue about managing a complex political landscape inside Libya."

What is the evidence. The TNC is doing remarkably well so far in getting services up and running.

And there will be no boots on the ground from other countries. Period.

Gaddafi will be captured and jailed. His location is known and he has very little chance of escape.

It is really upsetting to see an article full of filth like this one is, especially as so many Libyans have given their lives for their freedom. The ridiculing of this effort which drips throughout the article - without any hard data - is disgusting.

[Jefferson23]

3. Yea , Escobar has a reputation for fabrication and "filth".... lol. n/t

[tcaudilllg]

2. Each of these factions is loyal to a district of Libya. So treat the cities as states.

It doesn't look like most Libyans are concerned about Gadhafi: he was an obstacle they had to work around, a kind of thorn in their side, and now that he's gone they are relieved.