By David Fennell
As NATO launched its final air bombardment and military assault on Tripoli (because of course the entire coordination of the attack was done with total NATO involvement) every major imperialist of the world cheered. The Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC), having already been feted in Washington, London, Paris and other imperialist capitals, was then summoned for a new round of ‘consultations’ – that is to work out with the imperialists how their joint interests might be further advanced. In short imperialism was victorious in the war in Libya. Regrettably the British political organisations Counterfire and the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) had been on the same side in this war as the imperialists despite it being clear what was occurring.
By Tom O’Donnell
By Andrew Williams
Despite almost four months of bombing Libya, NATO has still not succeeded in installing the regime it backs in Tripoli. Although the aerial campaign initially helped opposition forces maintain control of towns in the east of Libya, and Misrata, the capital Tripoli in the west of the country remains under Libyan government control – with NATO backed forces unable to significantly advance towards it for weeks. Whilst its lack of progress leads to some frustration and tensions within imperialism’s ranks, it remains determined to break the stalemate, so NATO has ramped up the air raids on western Libya since the beginning of July.
Britain has been bombing Libya for more than 16 weeks
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By Andrew Williams
The immense firepower of imperialism, aided by Russia’s capitulation to Western demands that it call for Gaddafi to go, is beginning to drive back the Libyan government. After eleven weeks of bombardment and ten thousand sorties opposition forces have made some advances into the areas held by the Libyan government. Although not currently advancing on the capital Tripoli, the opposition have managed to shift the front line. Their progress has been slow so NATO last week prepared public opinion for a long war, announcing a 90 day extension to its campaign and then sent in attack helicopters to participate more directly in the combat on the ground.
called by Stop the War Coalition and CND
By Andrew Williams
Despite the overwhelming military superiority of the alliance of states participating in the assault on Libya, three weeks into the intervention it has become bogged down. Clearly the Gaddafi regime has a base of support that has allowed it to retain control of the west of the country. At the same time, the imperialist-backed opposition have held on to their base in the east but have not been able to extend beyond that. The situation on the ground has become an extended stalemate, with each side making advances followed by equivalent retreats.
By Jane West
Twelve days into its bombing campaign on Libya, imperialism’s air offensive has intensified, military coordination tightened and the US and Britain are openly discussing greater involvement in the ground offensive.
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