Gaddafi Regime Admits Attempts to Talk to West
THE GUARDIAN: Former prime minister says Libyan officials trying to negotiate with UK, France and US, as rebels outline ceasefire conditions

The regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has initiated a concerted effort to open lines of communication with western governments in an attempt to bring the conflict in the country to an end.

As fighting continues in Libya, the country's former prime minister Abdul Ati al-Obeidi told Channel 4: "We are trying to talk to the British, the French and the Americans to stop the killing of people. We are trying to find a mutual solution."

Obeidi's indication of the increased effort to make contact with western governments came as opposition leaders in the rebels' de facto capital of Benghazi laid out their own conditions for a ceasefire.

The initiatives on both sides appear to reflect an emerging stalemate between the forces and a growing war-weariness.

Obeidi's comments followed his confirmation that a meeting had taken place between a senior aide to Gaddafi's influential son Saif al-Islam and British officials on Wednesday in London, as revealed by the Guardian. » | Peter Beaumont | Friday, April 01, 2011

Afghanistan: Mob köpft UN-Mitarbeiter in Masar-i-Scharif
WELT ONLINE: Chaos im Einsatzgebiet der Bundeswehr: Ein fanatischer Mob hat ein UN-Büro in Masar-i-Scharif gestürmt, es gab viele Tote. Zwei Ausländer wurden enthauptet.

Bei einem Angriff wütender Demonstranten auf das UN-Hauptquartier im nordafghanischen Masar-i-Scharif sind am Freitag elf Menschen getötet worden. Unter den Opfern seien acht ausländische UN-Mitarbeiter, unter ihnen fünf Wachmänner aus Nepal, sagte der regionale Polizeichef.

Die Demonstranten protestierten gegen die Verbrennung eines Korans in einer Kirche in Florida vor knapp zwei Wochen. Nach Angaben des örtlichen Polizeichefs sollen zwei UN-Mitarbeiter geköpft worden sein. Das berichtet die "New York Times" auf ihrer Website. » | AFP/pku | Freitag, 01. April 2011

Libyan Defections Continue
With Moussa Koussa, Libya's former foreign minister, now in London being questioned by UK authorities, questions have been raised regarding more possible defections from Muammar Gaddafi's inner circles. Many of Libya's ambassadors, and some members of Gaddafi's cabinet, defected in the early days of the revolution, and Koussa, a former Libyan intelligence chief, is the latest in a string of such officials.
Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports from London

Libyan Opposition Offers Ceasefire
On the battlefields of Libya, it appears the fighting has reached something of an impasse. Pro-Gaddafi forces are again reported to be attacking pro-democracy positions in the third city of Misurata, while the two sides are also engaged in a struggle for territory near the key port of Brega.
In a new development, the opposition today offered a conditional ceasefire.

 Al Jazeera's Laurence Lee reports from Benghazi

Schweizerin in Syrien: «Knaben spielen keinen Fussball mehr»
SCHWEIZER FERNSEHEN: Eine Schweizerin, die seit seit rund sieben Jahren in der syrischen Stadt Latakia lebt, hat «tagesschau.sf.tv» am Telefon ihre Eindrücke aus Syrien geschildert. Im Moment verlässt sie ihre Wohnung nur selten. Sie hat vor allem Angst, dass Blut fliesst.

Das letzte Mal verliess die 40-jährige Frau aus der Region Zürichsee ihre Wohnung vor drei Tagen. Sie besuchte ihre Schwägerin. «An vielen strategisch wichtigen Punkten sind Militärs zu sehen», erzählt sie «tagesschau.sf.tv».

Auf dem Heimweg von ihrer Schwägerin kam es zu einer brenzligen Situation. Junge Männer rannten über die Strasse – «ich habe beinahe einen überfahren», so die Schweizerin. Sie habe den Eindruck gehabt, dass sich die Lage zuspitze.

Müllabfuhr muss zweimal anrücken

Die Stimmung sei allgemein angespannt. Die Schulen sind geschlossen und auf dem Spielplatz, den die Schweizerin von ihrer Wohnung aus sehen kann, toben keine Kinder mehr. Oft würden dort Knaben in Schuluniform Fussball spielen. «Die fussballspielenden Kinder sind weg.» » | Sibylle Katja Bossart | Freitag, 01. April 2011

Libyen: Rückschläge für die Aufständischen
Gaddafi scheint den Aufständischen militärisch überlegen zu sein. Trotz der Nato-Luftwaffenangriffe geraten die Aufständischen zunehmend unter Druck

Voices of Tripoli: Part One
In Tripoli, speaking out against Libya's longterm leader Muammar Gaddafi is a dangerous business, with reports of horrific violence meted out to those who have told media operatives of their support for the opposition.
With the movement of journalists in Libya's capital city heavily restricted, these voices often go unheard.
 In the first of three special reports, Al Jazeera meets those willing to talk about the hopes and frustrations of life in Tripoli

Viewpoint from Russia: War Crimes Wash Off with West’s Help

Foreign Office Travel Advisory – Yemen Protests: Britons Urged to Leave Country
THE GUARDIAN: Foreign Office says people should get out of Yemen while commercial airlines are still flying

All British nationals have been urged to leave Yemen in the run-up to protests planned for Friday which could result in violent clashes.

The Foreign Office said that, "in light of the rapid deterioration in the security situation", people should get out while commercial airlines were still flying.

It said it was highly unlikely that it would be able to evacuate British nationals in the event of increased disorder.

A statement read: "In light of the rapid deterioration in the security situation in Yemen and likely protests on Friday 1 April which might result in violent clashes, we strongly urge all British nationals to leave the country now while commercial airlines are still flying. » | Press Association | Friday, April 01, 2011

Exposed: The US-Saudi Libya Deal
ASIA TIMES ONLINE: You invade Bahrain. We take out Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. This, in short, is the essence of a deal struck between the Barack Obama administration and the House of Saud. Two diplomatic sources at the United Nations independently confirmed that Washington, via Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, gave the go-ahead for Saudi Arabia to invade Bahrain and crush the pro-democracy movement in their neighbor in exchange for a "yes" vote by the Arab League for a no-fly zone over Libya - the main rationale that led to United Nations Security Council resolution 1973.

The revelation came from two different diplomats, a European and a member of the BRIC group, and was made separately to a US scholar and Asia Times Online. According to diplomatic protocol, their names cannot be disclosed. One of the diplomats said, "This is the reason why we could not support resolution 1973. We were arguing that Libya, Bahrain and Yemen were similar cases, and calling for a fact-finding mission. We maintain our official position that the resolution is not clear, and may be interpreted in a belligerent manner." » | Pepe Escobar | Saturday, April 02, 2011

Bahrain Steps Up Detentions, Releases Prominent Blogger
REUTERS AFRICA: DUBAI - Bahrain released a prominent blogger but detained several people, including a pro-opposition doctor, the latest in a series of arrests since the kingdom's crackdown on street protests, opposition sources said on Friday.

The tiny island's Sunni rulers have stepped up arrests of cyber activists and Shi'ites, with more than 300 detained and dozens missing since the crackdown on pro-democracy protests earlier this month.

It imposed martial law and called in troops from fellow Sunni-ruled neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, to quell the protest movement led mostly by the state's Shi'ite majority.

More than 60 percent of Bahrainis are Shi'ites and most want a constitutional monarchy.

Mattar Ibrahim Mattar, a member of Bahrain's largest Shi'ite opposition group, Wefaq, said the party's official arrest count was 329 by Thursday, but that the real number was likely to be over 400.

He said at least 20 people had been detained on Thursday and 31 were missing. It was unclear if those people were in hiding or had been abducted. » | Writing by Erika Solomon; Editing by Nick Macfie | Friday, April 01, 2011

PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE: Bahrain's blogfather released: Bahrain's blogfather Mahmood Al Yousif was released Thursday night after he was arrested by Bahraini authorities a day earlier. » | Source: Xinhua | Friday, April 01, 2011

Iran Calls on Saudi Arabia to Pull Forces Out of Bahrain
PEOPLE’S DAILY ONLINE: Iran's Majlis (Parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Thursday called on Saudi Arabia to pull its forces out of Bahrain, the official IRNA News agency reported.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the lawmakers warned Saudi Arabia "not to play with fire" in the Persian Gulf and asked Saudis to pull their forces out of Bahrain, the report said.

The statement urged Saudi Arabia not to follow "the wrong polices of the U.S. in the region," consider its own interests as well as the interests of the Muslim world and help restore tranquility and security to the region, according to the report. » | Source: Xinhua | Friday, April 01, 2011

Libya: Dilemma over Defector's 'Electrifying' Lockerbie Information
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: David Cameron was under pressure last night to ensure that the Libyan defector who arrived in Britain earlier this week co-operates with authorities investigating the Lockerbie bombing, the murder of Pc Yvonne Fletcher and potential war crimes.

Moussa Koussa, the Libyan foreign minister, who fled to Britain on Wednesday, is described as having "electrifying" information on Col Muammar Gaddafi's role in terrorist atrocities across Europe.

Yesterday the Prime Minister said he would not block any attempts by the police to question Mr Koussa.

Mr Cameron stressed that Mr Koussa had not been offered a deal in return for fleeing to Britain and had not been granted immunity from prosecution. But if the defector is arrested and charged with crimes, it may undermine attempts by Western governments to encourage others in Col Gaddafi's inner circle to flee from Libya, a key aim of current diplomatic efforts.

Mr Koussa may also be reluctant to co-operate fully with British officials if he is not given guarantees about his future.

Last night, the Scottish prosecuting authorities investigating the Lockerbie bombing formally requested access to Mr Koussa, a right-hand man to Col Gaddafi for more than 30 years.

International prosecutors investigating war crimes in Libya are also expected to seek interviews with the defector. Yesterday, the Libyan rebel leadership demanded he be returned to the country to face war-crime charges.

Mr Koussa, who was likened yesterday to Rudolf Hess by a Conservative MP, is being interrogated by MI6 at an unknown location.

It is not clear whether information obtained by MI6 will be made public.

Senior Whitehall sources indicated that Scotland Yard was unlikely to get involved "at the moment". » | Robert Winnett, Andrew Porter and Damien McElroy in Tripoli | Thursday, March 31, 2011

'Military Means' Not the Answer in Libya: Germany
THE AUSTRALIAN: GERMANY'S foreign minister today said the situation in war-torn Libya could not be resolved through "military means" and called for a ceasefire.

Guido Westerwelle made the comments after meeting his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi in Beijing.

"There can only be a political resolution and we must get the political process underway. That should begin with a ceasefire that Gaddafi must heed to allow the peace process to begin," Westerwelle told reporters.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi struck a defiant stance after two high-profile defections from his regime, saying he's not the one who should go - it's the Western leaders who have decimated his military with airstrikes who should resign immediately.

Gaddafi's message last night was undercut by its delivery - a scroll across the bottom of state television as he remained out of sight. The White House said Gaddafi's inner circle was clearly crumbling with the loss of Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who flew from Tunisia to England on Wednesday.

Ali Abdessalam Treki, a former foreign minister and UN General Assembly president, announced his departure on several opposition websites yesterday, saying: "It is our nation's right to live in freedom and democracy and enjoy a good life." » | AFP / AP | Friday, April 01, 2011

Konflikt um Gaddafi: Westerwelle fordert Waffenstillstand in Libyen
STERN.DE: Guido Westerwelle setzt sich für einen Waffenstillstand zwischen den libyschen Truppe und den Rebellen ein. Der Bundesaußenminister betonte, dass in Libyen nur eine politische Lösung möglich sei.

Bundesaußenminister Guido Westerwelle (FDP) hat einen Waffenstillstand zwischen den Truppen des libyschen Machthabers Muammar el Gaddafi und den gegen ihn kämpfenden Rebellen gefordert. "Es wird keine militärische Lösung in Libyen geben, nur eine politische", sagte Westerwelle am Freitag nach einem Gespräch mit seinem chinesischen Kollegen Yang Jiechi vor Journalisten in Peking. … » | vim/AFP | Freitag, 01. April 2011

Libya Sends Envoy To UK 'For Talks'

SKY NEWS: Libya has sent a senior aide of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's son to London for talks with British officials, according to the Guardian newspaper. » | Friday, April 01, 2011

THE GUARDIAN: Revealed: Gaddafi envoy in Britain for secret talks – Exclusive: Contact with senior aide believed to be one of a number between Libyan officials and west amid signs regime may be looking for exit strategy » | Peter Beaumont , Nicholas Watt and Severin Carrell | Friday, April 01, 2011

Disease Fears for Japan Tsunami Survivors
Concerns are growing for the health of many of the thousands of people now facing weeks or months out of their homes following Japan's earthquake and tsunami.
Sanitation is becoming a major problem in the crowded evacuation centres and the homeless are suffering from diarrhoea and other illnesses.
Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay reports from Higashi Matsushima on the dire conditions many of the displaced are now living in

Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa 'Could Be First of Many Defections'
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: William Hague has hailed the defection of Col Gaddafi’s foreign minister as a major blow to the Libyan leader and claimed he could be the first of many to desert the regime.


The Foreign Secretary, giving the Government’s first official reaction to the arrival in London of Moussa Koussa, said his departure from Gaddafi’s side showed the regime was fragmenting and “crumbling from within.”

Mr Hague said that Koussa, who he described as “one of the most senior members of the Gaddafi regime", was not subject to any immunity, but confirmed that he was being debriefed by government officials.

At a press conference in the Foreign Office, Mr Hague said: “He travelled here under his own free will. He said he is resigning his post. We’re discussing this with him and we will release further details.

"We encourage those around Gaddafi to abandon him and embrace the better future for Libya that allows political transition and real reform that meets the aspirations of the Libyan people."

He added: "Moussa Koussa is one of the most senior members of the Gaddafi regime, he has been my channel of communication to the regime in recent weeks ... His resignation shows that Gaddafi’s regime – which has already seen significant defections to the opposition – it is fragmented, under pressure and crumbling from within." » | Andrew Porter, Thomas Harding and Robert Winnett | Thursday, March 31, 2011

Britons Need to See Themselves as a Single Nation, Says Security Minister
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: It is not enough for Muslims to “rub along” without breaking the law, they must be persuaded that their long-term future lies in Britain, the Security Minister has said.

Baroness Neville-Jones told the Daily Telegraph that that at the same time the government need to persuade the majority of the population that the UK is a single nation.

The minister said there needed to be a new approach in which people did not simply “rub along together and as long as people obey the law that’s quite sufficient.”

“I think it’s a common experience now that we know less about each other than we used to and I think there’s a very strong feeling that we need to understand each other and we need to be working together as a nation,” Lady Neville-Jones added.

“[We are] trying to convince minorities in this country that they actually do have a long term future here and that it’s their country as much as anybody else’s,” she said in an interview.

It is also important to “convince the majority population we are a single nation,” she added.

The security minister, who is in charge of re-drawing Britain’s counter-terrorism strategy, added: “We do need to have a much more conscious framework in which to transmit that message and it isn’t something you can just assume people understand.”

The security minister was speaking ahead of a visit to Washington today in which she is expected to outline a “unity strategy” for integration in Britain which emulates the “American dream” and creates a “palpable sense of national identity.” » | Duncan Gardham, Security Correspondent | Thursday, March 31, 2011

More gobbledygook from the political class! Lady Neville-Jones clearly has no understanding of the problems we face with Islam. She needs to do some serious studying. She seems to think that one has to be a “right-wing extremist” to believe that Islam and the West are immiscible. How wrong can anyone be? To know the facts about Islam, and to understand the religion is in no way akin to being an Islamic extremist. What kind of ridiculous logic can one use to come to that conclusion?

The big mistake was to bring all these Muslims into the West, for the powers that be should have known the nature of Islam. Prophet Muhammad instructed his followers NOT TO INTEGRATE INTO THE CULTURE OF THE INFIDEL. No lady or lord can change that fact. For a fact it is indeed.

But now that the mistake has been made to allow all these people to immigrate to the West, we need to foster a Leitkultur, our culture. Because they came to us – remember? Not the other way around! And by the way, who created this fractured nation in the first place? Wasn't it the politicians? – © Mark

Libya Govt. Thought Defected Mussa Kussa Went to Tunisia for Medical Treatment
THE TRIPOLI POST: Talking for the first time to the press about the defection of former Libyan Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa, to the UK, Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said he understood that Mr Kussa had resigned.

Initially, the Libyan government denied that Mr Kussa had defected, claiming he was merely on a "diplomatic mission", but now, after adnitting [sic] to Mr Kussa's resignation, the Libyan spokesman said the former FM had needed some medical treatment for a few days in Tunisia. He was given permission to do so, and he was expected back.

Moussa Ibrahim: "He (Mr Mussa) asked for sick leave because he had diabetes and high blood pressure. The government gave him permission to leave the country, because he needed to look after himself and he was in bad need of medical care. We understand now he has resigned from his position," he said.

Then he added: "He is an old man. He has serious health problems - his heart, his body, could not take the pressure and we hope that he will recover mentally, psychologically and physically and rest.

Ibrahim Moussa said: "We are expecting him to come back. This is his homeland. We are his family," adding that if Mr Kussa did decide to return to Libya, he would be welcomed with "open arms".

The Libyan leader Muammar Al Qathafi, meanwhile, has issued a warning to the West about their actions, reportedly telling the Libyan news agency, JANA: "They have started something dangerous, something they cannot control. It will be out of their control no matter what methods of destruction they have at their disposal. Continue reading and comment » | Thursday, March 31, 2011

Question Marks Over Reported Libyan Defections
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces may have put rebel fighters on a backfoot but cracks are widening inside his government. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught reports from Tripoli on the Libyan government's response to the reported defection of several of its diplomats