Libya latest: Rebels closing in on Gaddafi?
| 09:44 UK time, Monday, 28 March 2011
ÌýIf true, it could be a significant turning point in the conflict in Libya: a rebel spokesman claims they have , the home of Colonel Gaddafi.
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Government forces dispute this. As I write this it is impossible to verify who is in control.
But what is certain is that rebel forces, bolstered by coalition air strikes, have made a quick advance westwards. Over the weekend they have taken control of the key towns of Bin Jawad, Ras Lanuf, Uqayla, Brega and Ajdabiya. But the Libyan government says the allied bombing is going beyond the UN mandate. It comes as Nato has agreed to take charge of military operations from the US...
said there were no decisions on arming the rebels. She also said Syria would not be treated the same way as Libya, as things were on a different scale there,
"Many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he (President Bashar al-Assad) is a reformer,"
Meanwhile US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in the same interview that the US has concerns about what is happening in Yemen,
"....the most active and, at this point, perhaps the most aggressive branch of al Qaeda -- al Qaeda and the Arabian Peninsula operates out of Yemen. And we have had a lot of counterterrorism cooperation from President Saleh and Yemeni Security Services. So if that government collapses or is replaced by one that is dramatically more weak, then I think we'll face some additional challenges out of Yemen. There's no question about it. It's a real problem"
So is the US moving the goalposts? Supporting action in Libya that could lead to the overthrow of Colonel Gadaffi, but not listening to the Yemeni people's call or democracy because it doesn't suit their agenda?
Meanwhile it's being reported that Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has by the end of the year. Opponents rejected his initial offer calling for his immediate departure. If true, could the President's move be linked to statements coming from Washington?
After a weekend of violence in Syria, security forces entered the coastal city of Latakia. Officials claim that 15 people died, with 30 deaths in total since pro-demonstrations began. Protestors put the figure at 126.
The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stands by it's claims that it seeking to create instability.
The President was expected to make a TV address on Sunday night, but failed to appear.
says there is a clear argument for intervention in Syria.
We'll be speaking to people in Libya, Syria and Yemen in the first of our new half-hour editions of World Have Your Say at 1100GMT
