Libya
NATO facing military stalemate in Libya
By Peter Symonds, 4 August 2011
The unexplained killing last week of the Libyan “rebel” military commander, General Abdel Fatah Younis, has highlighted the divided and unstable character of the NATO-backed Transitional National Council.
General's killing sparks crisis in Western-backed Libyan TNC
By Bill Van Auken, 30 July 2011
The assassination of a former Gaddafi official who became military chief of the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council has raised the specter of a civil war within the Western-backed Libyan "rebels."
Imperialist powers seek exit from Libyan war
By James Cogan, 28 July 2011
After five months of raining death and destruction on the people of Libya, the major powers are now offering a settlement with Gaddafi and his regime.
WikiLeaks documents shed light on US-backed intervention in Libya
By Robert Morgan, 27 July 2011
Washington has had only one objective—the installation of a regime that better serves the interests of the US and international oil and gas companies.
The US recognises Libya’s Transitional National Council
By Patrick O’Connor, 20 July 2011
The Obama administration’s decision to recognise the so-called Transitional National Council as Libya’s “legitimate governing authority” is an unlawful act of political banditry.
As military operations stall, US recognises Libyan rebels
By James Cogan, 16 July 2011
The four-month air war and numerous assassination attempts have failed to remove Muammar Gaddafi from power in the oil and gas-rich North African country.
In bipartisan vote French parliament continues war in Libya
By Antoine Lerougetel, 14 July 2011
On Tuesday the French parliament voted overwhelmingly to continue France’s imperialist war in Libya.
French government manoeuvres for resolution to Libyan war
By Patrick O’Connor, 13 July 2011
The diplomatic moves reflect the growing crisis confronting the US, France and Britain as their illegal military campaign enters its fifth month without succeeding in forcing regime change in Tripoli.
Why is the New Anti-Capitalist Party silent on the Libyan war?
By Kumaran Ira, 12 July 2011
If the NPA does not criticise the illegal militarist policies of the French government, it is because the government is doing exactly what the NPA is asking it to do.
Germany offers bombs and military technology for war against Libya
By Sven Heymanns, 8 July 2011
As NATO runs out of ammunition, Germany is offering bombs and technology for the war against Libya.
Canada’s foreign affairs minister meets with Libyan rebels
By Graham Beverley, 6 July 2011
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird secretly flew to Libya last week to meet with leaders of the Transitional National Council to justify waging war on Libya.
Military stalemate in Libya heightens US-NATO crisis
By Patrick O’Connor, 5 July 2011
Despite nearly four months of daily US-NATO bombing raids over Libya, so-called rebel fighters have failed to make any significant advance beyond the areas they controlled in March.
France arms anti-Gaddafi forces
By Julie Hyland, 2 July 2011
France acknowledged this week that it had supplied weapons to oppositionists fighting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s forces in Libya.
The US policy of assassination
By Joseph Kishore, 1 July 2011
More than one hundred days into the Libya war, the US-NATO strategy is ever more nakedly aimed at the political assassination of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
ICC prosecutor clarifies purpose behind charges against Libya’s Gaddafi
By James Cogan, 30 June 2011
The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor’s statement is a mafia-style ultimatum to the Libyan political elite—abandon Gaddafi, or share his fate of death or imprisonment.
ICC orders arrest of Gaddafi as NATO bombings reach 100th day
By Bill Van Auken, 28 June 2011
The arrest warrant against Gaddafi only underscores the role of the International Criminal Court as an instrument of the US and the other major imperialist powers.
Britain and France insist bombing of Libya must continue
By Peter Symonds, 25 June 2011
Britain and France have dismissed a call by Italy for a ceasefire in Libya, underscoring mounting tensions within NATO over its bid to install a compliant regime in the oil-rich country.
US House defeats measure to reduce funding for Libya war
By Patrick Martin, 25 June 2011
The House of Representatives voted against a resolution authorizing the war in Libya, but then refused to cut back funding for its continuation.
Kerry, McCain push Senate resolution to sanction war in Libya
By Joseph Kishore and Barry Grey, 22 June 2011
Democrat John Kerry and Republican John McCain have introduced a Senate resolution that would retroactively authorize the Obama administration’s war in Libya
NATO attack kills 19, including women and children
By Chris Marsden, 22 June 2011
Monday night’s air strike on a compound west of Tripoli that killed 19, including women and children, puts an end to any pretence that NATO is not deliberately targeting civilians in its ongoing bombardment of Libya.
Obama flouts legal deadline on Libya war
By Patrick Martin, 20 June 2011
June 19 marked the 90-day limit on the use of US military forces in Libya under the War Powers Act
NATO bombs kill Libyan civilians in Tripoli
By Peter Symonds, 20 June 2011
Contrary to NATO claims, it is inconceivable that this was the only strike out of more than 11,000 to have killed civilians.
Oil companies prepare for post-Gaddafi Libya
By Patrick O’Connor, 17 June 2011
The major US and European oil conglomerates previously active in Libya are preparing to resume business in the event that the illegal NATO-led war achieves its objective of “regime change”.
French lawyers sue Sarkozy over crimes against humanity in Libya
By Antoine Lerougetel, 17 June 2011
The lawsuit was filed May 30 on behalf of Libyans who have lost family members in the NATO bombings.
Obama defends Libya war, rejects need for Congress vote
By Bill Van Auken, 16 June 2011
The Obama administration argued Wednesday that the War Powers Act, requiring congressional approval for undeclared US wars, does not apply to the nearly three-month-old war against Libya.
France’s New Anti-Capitalist Party continues support for war on Libya
By Kumaran Ira, 16 June 2011
The NPA has finally broken its month-long silence on the NATO war of aggression against Libya, which it vocally supported when it was launched in March.
Germany recognises Libyan opposition after US ultimatum
By Chris Marsden, 15 June 2011
The demand by outgoing US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates for Europe to take a greater share of the military load bore its first fruit with Germany’s recognition of the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council.
Hands off Libya!
Behind NATO’s war drive
13 June 2011
SEP (UK) Public Meetings
Western powers fashion a puppet regime for Libya
By Peter Symonds, 10 June 2011
For all the Western propaganda about establishing democracy in Libya, there are clearly fears that the country will descend into chaos if Gaddafi finally goes.
NATO’s terror bombing of Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 9 June 2011
The relentless bombardment of Tripoli over the past 48 hours represents a new stage in one of the most naked acts of imperialist aggression since the wars of conquest launched by Hitler and Mussolini in the 1930s.
Obama’s illegal war against Libya
By Patrick Martin, 8 June 2011
The Obama administration is flouting both the US Constitution and the War Powers Act by waging a war without congressional authorization.
Canada to expand its role in imperialist assault on Libya
By Keith Jones, 8 June 2011
Canada’s Conservative government has announced that the Canadian Armed Forces will play a leading role in the imperialist assault on Libya for weeks, possibly months, to come.
Hands off Libya!
Behind NATO’s war drive
Sheffield SEP Public Meeting
7 June 2011
The SEP and WSWS is holding this meeting to discuss the real reasons for the NATO war on Libya.
Helicopter attacks mark further escalation of US-NATO war in Libya
By Patrick O’Connor, 6 June 2011
British and French assault helicopters began operations over key Libyan cities on Saturday, marking a significant escalation of NATO’s war of aggression in the North African state.
US House leaders block resolution against Libya war
By Patrick Martin, 6 June 2011
The top House Republican, Speaker John Boehner, and the top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, joined forces in support of Obama’s war in Libya.
NATO extends authorisation for Libya bombardment to September
By Patrick O’Connor, 2 June 2011
Washington and its NATO allies are readying an intensified campaign aimed at ousting the Gaddafi government and installing a client regime in Tripoli.
The war in Libya and the crisis of the European Union
Part 3
By Peter Schwarz, 1 June 2011
The following article is based on a report, given by Peter Schwarz, secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International, at a seminar of the German section of the Socialist Equality Party during the Easter holidays in 2011. We are publishing it in three parts.
The war in Libya and the crisis of the European Union
Part 2
By Peter Schwarz, 31 May 2011
The following article is based on a report, given by Peter Schwarz, secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International, at a seminar of the German section of the Socialist Equality Party during the Easter holidays in 2011. We are publishing it in three parts.
The war in Libya and the crisis of the European Union
Part 1
By Peter Schwarz, 30 May 2011
The following article is based on a report given by Peter Schwarz, secretary of the International Committee of the Fourth International, at a seminar of the German section of the Socialist Equality Party during the Easter holidays in 2011. We are publishing it in three parts.
Amidst divisions, G8 meeting pledges austerity and war
By Stefan Steinberg, 28 May 2011
At the end of their two day summit, G8 leaders demanded an intensification of austerity programs across the globe and reiterated their resolve to secure the change of uncooperative regimes by military force.
NATO bombing of Tripoli kills 19 civilians, wounds 150
By Bill Van Auken, 25 May 2011
With the most intense bombing raid yet against Tripoli and a threat to deploy attack helicopters, the US and NATO are sharply escalating the war in Libya.
The Libyan war and American democracy
By Patrick Martin, 24 May 2011
President Obama is defying the War Powers Act restrictions on presidential war-making.
Death squad attacks in Libyan “rebel” capital
By Patrick Martin, 23 May 2011
While the protection of civilian lives is the nominal justification for the NATO attack on Libya, the NATO-backed opposition forces are engaged in their own campaign of murder.
NATO warplanes step up attacks on Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 18 May 2011
NATO has escalated its war against Libya, widening air strikes to hit civilian government buildings and economic infrastructure.
The International Criminal Court and Gaddafi
By Chris Marsden, 18 May 2011
The request by chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo for arrest warrants against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and two others confirms the role of the International Criminal Court as a tool of the imperialist powers.
ICC prosecutor demands arrest warrant against Gaddafi
By Patrick O’Connor, 17 May 2011
In proceeding as it has against Gaddafi, the International Criminal Court has revealed itself to be a pliant tool of US and European imperialism.
As opposition leader meets Obama officials at White House
NATO air raid kills Libyan civilians in Brega
By Bill Van Auken, 14 May 2011
A representative of the Benghazi-based Transitional National Council met with officials at the White House Friday as the US and NATO moved to escalate their intervention in Libya.
Italy’s role in the war on Libya
By Marianne Arens, 14 May 2011
Italian fighter jets take off regularly from the Birgi Trapani air force base in Sicily and from the aircraft carrier Garibaldi, to drop their deadly cargo over the former Italian colony.
Death squads reportedly assassinating Libyan regime figures in Benghazi
By Patrick O’Connor, 12 May 2011
The New York Times yesterday reported on a wave of execution-style murders of former Libyan government internal security personnel in Benghazi.
NATO ships, planes left African refugees stranded in Mediterranean to die
By Barry Grey, 10 May 2011
The British Guardian newspaper published an investigative report Monday documenting the case of African refugees who were left to die by NATO and European authorities in the early days of the war against Libya.
Threat of war crimes charges levelled against Gaddafi and son
By Chris Marsden, 9 May 2011
The threat of war crimes charges against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, his son and other officials is a weapon fashioned and wielded by the major powers now waging war on Libya.
The war against Libya and the German Left Party
By Lucas Adler, 7 May 2011
The Left Party is using the war against Libya to move closer to the German government and shield it against popular opposition.
Washington funnels confiscated Libyan assets to “rebel” leadership
By Patrick O’Connor, 6 May 2011
The illegality of the Obama administration’s moves to use Libya’s national wealth to keep the so-called rebel leadership afloat underscores the colonial character of the US-NATO war to oust Muammar Gaddafi.
Rome meeting to consider further military action against Libya
By Susan Garth, 4 May 2011
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Rome today for a two-day meeting of the Libya Contact Group.
US, NATO defend air strike that murdered Gaddafi family members
By Barry Grey, 3 May 2011
US and NATO officials have brushed aside charges by the Libyan government that the air strike Saturday night that killed the youngest son and three grandchildren of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was a targeted assassination intended to murder Gaddafi.
Gaddafi family members murdered by US and NATO
By James Cogan, 2 May 2011
The killing of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren are political assassinations for which US and NATO leaders are directly responsible.
NATO bomb attack on Libya kills Misrata “rebel” fighters
By Patrick O’Connor, 29 April 2011
The “friendly fire” incident underscores the bogus character of the claims by Washington and Brussels that their “precision” bombing raids are aimed at protecting the Libyan people.
US, NATO defend policy of targeting Gaddafi
By Patrick Martin, 28 April 2011
Assassination of the Libyan ruler is now the barely disguised policy of the Western powers.
25 years ago—The first US attempt to murder Gaddafi
By Patrick Martin, 28 April 2011
The Obama administration is reprising the methods of the Reagan administration.
US, UK plot Libya war escalation
By Bill Van Auken, 27 April 2011
The civilian and uniformed chiefs of the US and British military machines met in Washington Tuesday to plot a further escalation of the imperialist intervention in Libya.
US, NATO attempt assassination of Gaddafi
By Bill Van Auken, 26 April 2011
With the attack Monday morning on the Bab al-Azizyah complex in Tripoli, the US-NATO war on Libya has entered a criminal new phase that incorporates the policy of assassination.
US senators call for Gaddafi’s assassination
By James Cogan, 25 April 2011
Senior leaders of the US Congress yesterday called for the assassination of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a major escalation of air strikes.
Mounting Libyan death toll from US-NATO bombings
By Barry Grey, 23 April 2011
The death toll in Libya from US, French and British air strikes continues to mount and promises to rise sharply as the imperialist powers escalate their attacks on both military and civilian targets.
Obama sends drones to Libya as Britain readies troops
By Bill Van Auken, 22 April 2011
The Obama administration has joined Britain and France in a major escalation of the war against Libya that entails the deployment of US drones, intensified bombing and the preparation of an invasion force.
Former colonial powers send military “advisers” to Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 21 April 2011
Following Britain’s lead, France and Italy announced Wednesday that they too will be sending military “advisers” to anti-Gaddafi forces in Libya, bringing the three former colonial powers back into the region they once ruled.
Intensified bombing, military “advisers” on the ground
Britain and France escalate war in Libya
By Patrick Martin, 20 April 2011
British military officers are going to Benghazi to direct ground operations, while France is deploying additional airstrike capability.
Italy plans to step up its participation in the war against Libya
By Marianne Arens, 20 April 2011
As the bombing of Libya enters its fourth week, Italy is looking for ways to participate more actively in the war.
Libyan war accelerates Chinese debate over “non-intervention”
By John Chan, 19 April 2011
The increasingly blatant use of military force by the US and European powers to further their interests is causing Beijing to rethink its foreign policy.
France, Britain step up drive for deployment of ground troops in Libya
By Patrick O’Connor, 19 April 2011
In a televised interview yesterday, British Prime Minister David Cameron repeatedly refused to rule out launching operations involving ground troops.
Spain: Catalan Greens vote for war with Libya
By Alejandro Lopéz and Paul Mitchell, 19 April 2011
The Catalan Greens, Iniciativa per CatalunyaVerds (ICV), voted in favour of the war in Libya supported by the ruling Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) in Congress last month.
European Union divided over refugee question
By Martin Kreickenbaum, 18 April 2011
The landing of North African refugees landing on the Italian island of Lampedusa and on Malta has unleashed a series of violent disputes within the EU.
UK government pledges increased funds for Libya war
By Julie Hyland, 18 April 2011
The coalition government has agreed to hand over millions in emergency “back door” funding for operations in Libya, amid signs that it is back pedaling on planned military spending cuts.
Imperialist powers prepare escalation of Libyan war
By Patrick Martin, 18 April 2011
Once again, “humanitarian” pretexts are being given for a colonial-style war of plunder.
BRICS summit denounces “use of force” against Libya
By John Chan, 18 April 2011
Global economic shifts are behind the push by the BRICS grouping for the Western powers to make room for the “emerging economies”.
Obama demands regime change in Libya
By Stefan Steinberg, 16 April 2011
In an open letter published Friday, the Obama administration, together with the heads of government in France and Great Britain, openly acknowledged that the purpose of the NATO bombing of Libya was regime change.
The Libyan war and the deepening inter-imperialist conflict
By Alex Lantier and David North, 16 April 2011
The joint statement issued by US President Barack Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, and British Prime Minister David Cameron on Libya intensifies the political divisions in Europe underlying the neo-colonial operation in North Africa.
Divisions deepen as NATO digs in for a prolonged war against Libya
By Stefan Steinberg, 15 April 2011
Following the first day of the NATO summit in Berlin, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen was forced to concede that, despite his plea for increased participation in the NATO operation against Libya, no firm pledges had been made.
Contact Group meeting in Doha plans imperialist carve-up of Libya
By Alex Lantier, 14 April 2011
The Doha meeting highlighted the role of the opposition Interim Transitional National Council as a stooge of the major powers seeking to advance their imperialist interests in Libya.
Divisions at European Union summit on Libyan intervention
By Chris Marsden, 13 April 2011
The European Union’s Luxembourg summit on Libya was dogged by conflicting great power interests even before it officially met.
African Union’s Libya ceasefire rejected by opposition and NATO powers
By Chris Marsden, 12 April 2011
Libya’s rebels formally rejected the ceasefire proposed by the African Union Monday, following talks in Benghazi.
Scandinavian and other “neutral” states support assault on Libya
By Steve James, 12 April 2011
Eight Swedish fighter aircraft joined the NATO operation against Libyan government forces last week.
European Union prepares to send ground troops to Libya
By Chris Marsden, 11 April 2011
The European Union is seeking to utilise the humanitarian cover of the fate of the besieged city of Misrata to send ground troops to Libya under its command.
Germany does an about-face on Libya war
By Dietmar Henning and Peter Schwarz, 11 April 2011
Three weeks after rejecting any German military involvement in the war in Libya, the German government has done a complete about-face.
US Senate discusses sending troops to Libya
By Chris Marsden, 9 April 2011
Gen. Carter Ham told the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that US troops may have to be sent to Libya because there is little chance of the opposition Transitional National Council defeating the forces loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
New York Times demands escalation of killing in Libya
By Bill Van Auken, 9 April 2011
Having endorsed the Obama administration’s war in Libya on the pretext of “protecting civilians,” the editors of the New York Times are now demanding a sharp escalation in the killing through the reintroduction of the US military’s flying gunships.
Obama makes clear US opposition to ceasefire, insists on regime change in Libya
By Julie Hyland, 8 April 2011
US President Barack Obama’s rejection of Muammar Gaddafi’s plea for a ceasefire again underscores that NATO’s intervention into Libya’s civil war has nothing to do with protecting civilians.
Canadian elections: Deafening silence on Libyan and Afghan wars exemplifies all-party support
By Keith Jones, 7 April 2011
Canada’s federal election campaign is now almost two weeks old, yet the fact that the country is involved in two wars has merited no substantive comment from the party leaders, let alone given rise to any debate between them.
One hundred and fifty feared dead in Mediterranean boat tragedy
By Stefan Steinberg, 7 April 2011
Coast guards reported that the straits between the island of Lampedusa and the North African coast were the scene of yet another tragedy, after a boat capsized in stormy seas with many lives lost.
US, NATO allies join scramble for Libya’s oil
By Bill Van Auken, 6 April 2011
A US delegation arrived in Benghazi Tuesday for talks with the Transitional National Council, the political arm of the so-called rebels fighting Gaddafi.
Meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Libya and the myth of humanitarian interventionism: A reply to the pro-war “left”
6 April 2011
David North, Chairman of the World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board, will respond to the arguments of the “human rights” advocates of the US-NATO bombing of Libya.
The war against Libya and the eruption of European imperialism
By Chris Marsden, 5 April 2011
The readiness of the European powers to line up almost unanimously behind the imperialist war against Libya is a defining moment in the political life of the continent.
US and allies gear up for protracted war in Libya
By Barry Grey, 5 April 2011
The US-led war coalition rejected ceasefire offers by the Libyan government on Monday and reiterated its demand that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family leave the country as the precondition for any resolution to the crisis.
Mounting evidence of CIA ties to Libyan rebels
By Patrick Martin, 4 April 2011
The US and British media now speak openly of the CIA connections of the top commander of the Libyan rebels.
The war on Libya: a new eruption of imperialist rivalry
By Nick Beams, 2 April 2011
Not since the 1930s, in the lead-up to World War II, have the conflicting economic and strategic interests of the rival imperialist powers been so openly pursued as they are in the war on Libya.
Signs of crisis and internal conflict in US-NATO war on Libya
By Patrick Martin, 2 April 2011
The US is withdrawing its jets from the air war while the US-backed rebels have offered a ceasefire to Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
The agents of Washington and Britain within Libya’s opposition leadership
By Julie Hyland, 2 April 2011
The Interim Transitional National Council was not officially able to participate in the conference held on Libya at London’s Lancaster House on Tuesday due to differences within the war coalition over support for the anti-Gaddafi leadership.
US, Britain press two-track policy in Libya war
By Patrick Martin, 1 April 2011
Washington and London are combining efforts to destabilize the Gaddafi regime from within and to bolster the flagging rebel military campaign.
Libya, imperialism and the prostration of the “left” intellectuals:
The case of Professor Juan Cole
By David North, 1 April 2011
Among the most striking features of the US-NATO onslaught against Libya has been the widespread support that this “war of choice” has evoked among left-liberal parties and the affluent middle-class milieu that comprise an important part of their constituency.
US-NATO bombings kill civilians in Tripoli
By Bill Van Auken, 1 April 2011
US-NATO air strikes on Tripoli have claimed growing numbers of civilian victims, according to the Vatican’s top representative in the Libyan capital.
London School of Economics was hub of relations between British elite and Gaddafi regime
By Simon Whelan, 1 April 2011
In late February, damaging revelations emerged concerning the London School of Economics (LSE) award of a PhD to an allegedly plagiarised paper by Colonel Gaddafi’s son, Saif.
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