Rebels “Trapped”: Gadhafi Loyalists Fightback, Now Control 75% Of Tripoli
Government Spokesman, Ibrahim Tells Al Jazeera–Reports
http://www.republicreport.com/rebels-trapped-gadhafi-loyalists-using-anti-aircraft-weapons-now-control-75-of-tripoli-government-spokesman-ibrahim-tells-al-jazeera%E2%80%93reports/23 August 2011 written by Republic Report New York No Comment
New York [RR] TRIPOLI–RepublicReport New York gathered minutes ago, that Moussa Ibrahim, the government spokesperson, claimed Gaddafi forces had control of at least 75 per cent of Tripoli. But rebels said Gaddafi supporters only held about 20 per cent of the city. But Gaddafi loyalists claimed rebels “Trapped” Al Jazeera reported today.
Al-Jazeera said, the tenuous nature of the rebel’s grip on Tripoli has dampened rebel hopes of a swift victory and raised concerns that the city of two million people could be the stage for a protracted armed struggle. Purported capture of Al-Islam was quickly debunked.
[PHOTO: Al-Islam Gaddafi re-merge in Tripoli, claimed Rebels "Trapped" in Tripoli, said capture story was NATO-propaganda]
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reporting from Tripoli said: “While Gaddafi’s forces have withdrawn from most areas of Tripoli, sleeper cells haven’t.” Gaddafi supporters also remained in control of the Rixos hotel, where foreign correspondents have been based throughout the six-month conflict. RepublicReport gathered that Snipers scattered across the city continued to wage resistance while a rebel convoy was ambushed by Gaddafi loyalists using anti-aircraft weapons.
Al-Islam Gaddafi allegedly that NATO blocked Libya internet capability and spread rumors that were untrue. He told Al-Jazeera that rebels were lured into a trap, “we have broken their backbone”, Al-Islam added with confidence. When told about ICCJ, he said, “rubbish”.
An opposition fighter told Al Jazeera, “We haven’t been able to launch an attack we are waiting for more men and heavy weapons.” Elsewhere in the country, the US military said that its warplanes had shot down a scud missile fired from Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown, indicating that remnants of Gaddafi’s forces were continuing to resist.
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Gaddafi’s son says rebels ‘trapped’
Questions over extent of opposition forces’ grip as Saif al-Islam re-emerges to rally loyalists in battle for Tripoli.
Saif al-Islam, one of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s most influential sons, who was earlier reported to have been captured by opposition forces, has appeared with supporters on the streets of Tripoli, raising questions over rebel claims about the extent of their control over the Libyan capital.
The head of Libya’s opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) on Monday announced the end of Gaddafi’s decades-long rule after rebel fighters had swept into the heart of Tripoli on Sunday night, prompting scenes of jubiliation.
But Saif’s appearance, hours after the opposition had said he was in its custody, and bouts of fierce fighting in Tripoli on Monday threw doubt on opposition claims that the city had fallen.
“This is our country. We live here and we die here and we are going to win,” Said said.
Television footage showed him waving his fists in the air, smiling and shaking hands with supporters, as well as holding his arms aloft with each hand making the “V” for victory sign.
Saif also spoke to foreign journalists at the Rixos Hotel, telling them that Tripoli was in government hands and that his father, whose whereabouts is still unknown, was safe.
“I am here to refute the lies,” Saif al-Islam said, referring reports of his arrest. “We broke the back of the rebels. It was a trap. We gave them a hard time, so we are winning.”
When asked if his father was safe in Tripoli, Saif responded: “Of course”.
Saif said he did not care about an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, seeking him and his father for crimes against humanity.
Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the ICC prosecutor, had earlier said the 39-year-old was arrested and in detention, yet it was not clear if he was ever held by rebel forces at all.
Waheed Burshan, an NTC member, told Al Jazeera: “We had confirmation Saif al-Islam was arrested, but we have no idea how he escaped.”
Gaddafi’s eldest son, Mohammad, who was also detained by rebels on Sunday night, is reported to have escaped.
Meanwhile, rebel forces said they arrested Saadi Gaddafi, the beleaguered Libyan leader’s third son. The claim was made even as the whereabouts of other relatives and senior officials remained unknown.
The celebrations that followed the rebels push into central Tripoli on Sunday night, when opposition force took control of the Green Square and claimed victory, gave way to confusion on Monday as they were met by pockets of resistance.
Throughout Monday there was gunfire near Bab al-Azizia, Gaddafi’s sprawling compound, in western Tripoli.
Rebels set up checkpoints throughout the neighbourhoods in an attempt to maintain law and order.
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reporting from Tripoli said: “While Gaddafi’s forces have withdrawn from most areas of Tripoli, sleeper cells haven’t.”
Gaddafi supporters also remained in control of the Rixos hotel, where foreign correspondents have been based throughout the six-month conflict.
Snipers scattered across the city continued to wage resistance while a rebel convoy was ambushed by Gaddafi loyalists using anti-aircraft weapons.
An opposition fighter told Al Jazeera, “We haven’t been able to launch an attack we are waiting for more men and heavy weapons.”
Elsewhere in the country, the US military said that its warplanes had shot down a scud missile fired from Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown, indicating that remnants of Gaddafi’s forces were continuing to resist.
Moussa Ibrahim, the government spokesperson, claimed Gaddafi forces had control of at least 75 per cent of Tripoli. But rebels said Gaddafi supporters only held about 20 per cent of the city.
The tenuous nature of the rebel’s grip on Tripoli has dampened rebel hopes of a swift victory and raised concerns that the city of two million people could be the stage for a protracted armed struggle.
