US ramps up pressure on Gaddafi with summit

By Oliver Wright in Washington
Monday February 28 2011
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last night flew to Geneva for talks with European foreign ministers and diplomats from the Middle East and Africa in an attempt to further coordinate the international response to the crisis in Libya.
The UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously imposed what Washington claimed were "biting sanctions" including travel bans and asset freezes on Col Gaddafi and his family.
The resolution adopted by the 15-nation council also called for the immediate referral of the crackdown to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for investigation and possible prosecution.
Washington is also considering including a "no-fly" zone to try to stop Gaddafi's suppression of anti-government protests.
Yesterday both Mrs Clinton and President Barack Obama toughened their rhetoric, saying Gaddafi must depart now.
In London, Foreign Secretary William Hague, who will also attend the Geneva talks, said the international community was not prepared to negotiate. He said: "Clearly we're not going to get into a negotiation with Colonel Gaddafi... he must go."
He added: "Throughout these crises in Egypt and Tunisia we've been careful to say it's the people of these countries who must own the solution. But the people of Libya have risen up against Colonel Gaddafi."
He also added: "Last night, I signed a directive revoking his diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom but also the diplomatic immunity of his son, his family, his household. So it's very clear where we stand on his status."
US officials said Mrs Clinton's trip is aimed at coordinating the international response, insisting that the world "speak with one voice" on stemming the violence and bringing Col Gaddafi to justice.
The Obama administration had been criticised by human rights groups for moving too slowly on Libya. But White House officials said fears for the safety of Americans in the country had tempered Washington's response to the turmoil.
In a statement on Saturday, Mrs Clinton said the US was working to mobilise a strong and unified response from the international community, and echoed Mr Obama's demand for Col Gaddafi to step down.
"We are also working with partners to determine how to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need," she said.
- Oliver Wright in WashingtonIrish Independent
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Gaddafi air raid increases pressure to intervene

By Adrian Blomfield in Benghazi
Tuesday March 01 2011
Col Muammar Gaddafi showed he still retained some air capacity after war planes bombed rebel-held eastern Libya yesterday.
Despite the defections of several of his fighter pilots, at least one target -- an ammunitions depot that has fallen into opposition hands -- came under attack near the town of Adjabiya, 100 miles south of Benghazi, headquarters of the insurrection.
There were contradictory reports of what actually happened. Residents claimed the depot was struck by fixed-wing fighter jets.
But revolutionary officials said the attack was carried out by two helicopters, whose pilots deliberately fired at open ground near the camp and then defected.
"They were supposed to hit a military camp, that was their goal," said Hana el-Gallal, a spokeswoman for the new civilian administration in Benghazi. "But they refused and have now defected."
Residents of Benghazi said military aircraft flew close to the city later in the day but made no attempt to bomb it.
Col Gaddafi's efforts to win back eastern Libya, which he lost over a week ago, have suffered repeated blows after the defections of some of his top pilots, who have either flown to Malta or ejected from their cockpits after being ordered to bomb rebel positions.
The development will raise pressure on the West to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.
Mrs Gallal said yesterday's bombing raids were meant both to deplete the uprising's ammunition supply and spread fear.
"We are supposed to be scared, but we are not," she said.
Leaders of the insurrection say they have as many as 15 war planes in their possession, ready to bomb Col Gaddafi's main base in Tripoli if called on by their supporters in the city. (? Daily Telegraph, London)
- Adrian Blomfield in BenghaziIrish Independent
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