Forces loyal to Muammar al-Qaddafi appear to have launched a major counterattack against rebel forces in the east of the country, taking control of the oil town of Brega, around 500 miles east of Tripoli. However, rebel forces also claim to have retaken the town. Pro-Qaddafi jets also bombed a nearby arms dump.
In his latest televised appearance, Qaddafi denied that any violence had taken place at demonstrations in Libya. He also claimed to have handed power over "to the people" in 1977, meaning there was no position he could step down from. Qaddafi again blamed the unrest on al Qaeda.
More than 75,000 people have fled Libya since the violence began with 40,000 more waiting to cross the country's borders.
In the rebel-held stronghold of Benghazi, opposition leaders are debating whether to ask the international community for intervention, which could involve the imposition of a no-fly zone or even U.N.-sanctioned airstrike. Many worry that such an action could bolster Qaddafi's argument that the demonstrations are a foreign plot.
Two U.S. Navy ships have entered the Suez canal, taking position in the Mediterranean in preperation for possible military action. However, there appears to be little appetite in the U.N. Security Council for imposing a no-fly zone, and U.S. military leaders have warned of the logisitical challenges involved at a time when resources are stretched thin by the war in Afghanistan.
Yemen: As protests in Yemen continued, President Ali Abdullah Saleh blamed the U.S. and Israel for the growing unrest in the Arab world. "There is a control room working for the media and you know where it is -- in Tel Aviv," Saleh said. "These events are managed by the White House."
Al Qaeda-linked cleric Abdul Majed al-Zindani has joined the protesters.
Source: FP - Foreign Policy
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