starting this thread, which i hope will be short-lived, to keep the board up to date with latest reports gleaned from the net

1040 GMT Kadhafi's forces enter the rebel-held eastern town of Brega, sparking fierce clashes, witnesses and opposition sources say.
A resident of Brega -- 200 kilometres (125 miles) west of the main eastern city of Benghazi -- tells AFP by phone that Kadhafi's forces stormed the town with tanks and heavy artillery, and describes violent fighting at the port.


1100 GMT Kadhafi's forces have launched air strikes on the rebel-controlled town of Ajdabiya in the east of the country, witnesses tell AFP.


1115 GMT More on the situation in Brega: Witnesses say Kadhafi forces which stormed the strategic eastern town were repulsed after heavy fighting. Two people were killed in the attacks, they add.
Residents said earlier that Kadhafi's men had raided the town with tanks and heavy artillery and that violent fighting had erupted at the port. But Kadhafi's troops have since withdrawn, rebel leaders in nearby Ajdabiya tell AFP.
"Brega is now under the full control of the revolution," a police general in Ajdabiya says on condition of anonymity.
Mehdi Suleiman Hussein, a fighter from Ajdabiya, confirms that Kadhafi's forces are "pulling back," but says some "mercenaries" are still battling the rebels.

Libya Live.

thanks skinny .... my stuff is gleaned from the live yahoo site

1207 GMT
"The Arab League council will issue a resolution stressing Arab rejection of any foreign military intervention in Libya," said Hesham Youssef (Arab League chief)

cynic says -
quite right, and a good clear message to any intended interfering country .... of course that does not mean that AL will not itself intervene and perhaps ask for help from outside, but that is different

Interesting debate on Radio 2 atm.

BBC slide show.

France has said the Arab League supports imposing a no-fly zone over Libya to prevent Moamer Kadhafi's government forces attacking rebels.

if the above is true, and it may well be, then the question arises as to who (will be asked to) enforce this

Arab league ?....must be the new version of "The Human League"....Don't ...don't you want me ....?..don't you want me gaddafi baby ?...

It must be a bit like the ad for hamilton cigars out there.....carlos...carlos.......el presidente...el presidente....

Where next. Brixton, Birmingham, Manchester, or maybe a gay revolution in Brighton.

despite the mockery, i think you'll find AL is an important confederation of 20+ countries for both economic and political alignment and cooperation ..... i suspect saudi as the richest member calls a lot of shots, even if it is technically "one nation = one vote" ..... it is certainly important in this instance if the arab nations can be seen as talking with a single and unified voice

i think this is an interesting development ......

Rebel forces controlling much of eastern Libya say they have rejected an offer of negotiations with the regime of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. Skip related content
A spokesman for the so-called National Libyan Council said the proposal had been made by a representative "seeking to negotiate Gaddafi's exit".

Mustafa Gheriani, the group's media officer, said: "We are not negotiating with someone who spilled Libyan blood and continues to do so. Why would we trust the guy today?"

Gadaffe and his sons day's are numbered.

now this is encouraging to see .....

1839 GMT: Moamer Kadhafi's regime is illegitimate and contacts should be initiated with the Libyan rebels, the Arab Gulf states say a meeting in Riyadh.

First post on this ..

I think Gaddafi will last another 9 months before getting the boot but meantime its going to get very nasty with a chance of foreign intervention.

if you're right, though i don't think you are, then seriously consider selling virtually all, especially minnows

|You would be right on that pineapple bonce. But cant see them lassting long. Bush would havwe had it over by now. Its these new liberal chiefs who are fing things up for everyone on the markets.

The US have now finally realized that they are not very good at winning the end game in war's , that's why they are not in a hurry in get involved in Liberia

confess was unaware of any great disturbances there!