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Libya Adrift

(Jerusalem Post) Zvi Mazel - Gaddafi's forces are holding their own with courage and tenacity while the rebels forces - which have benefited from massive NATO aerial strikes as well as the discreet support of a limited number of European special units - are still largely disorganized and lack heavy artillery and ammunition. The National Transition Council owes a heavy debt of gratitude to European countries, and especially to France, which pushed for their intervention. Gaddafi himself is still free, while heavy bombardments from NATO's planes are killing civilians in areas controlled by his forces. Unfortunately, 40 years of authoritarian rule have left the country with no political parties. The only organized groups which managed to survive were the Islamists. The leader of the rebel forces that took Tripoli is Abd el Hakim Belhaj, an extremist Islamist who fought in Afghanistan against the Russians.
2011-09-28 00:00:00
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