The hotel where we and other foreign journalists are staying is still under the control of pro-Gaddafi guards, and we believe that they are now preparing to defend it from opposition forces.
Thereās been an awful lot of firing going on in recent hours in the area.
We believe there will some sort of rebel attempt to take the hotel because itās the place from which the Libyan information minister has been broadcasting his take on the conflict - itās also the place from where Libyan TV has recently been broadcasting its nightly shows.
So itās one of the targets of the opposition forces. Whatās happening here is in sharp contrast to whatās happening three miles - or 5km - down the road in Green Square, where there are jubilant scenes.
Looks like its over for oul Muammar alright. No one will come out of this looking good. Iād expect many years of tribal infighting before a glorious Islamic revolution leads to a utopian Shria state, just like Iran.
So long as some does over that cunt Assad in Syria however, Iāll be happy.
This is a dark day for democracy. The Libyans have their rightful leader deposed and a tinpot government led by Islamic fundamentalists imposed on them by NATO.
They may as well leave the planes nearby as theyāll be back to clear the rebels out in another couple if years.
I see the Colonel has made a tactical withdrawal from Tripoli (wherever that is :unsure: CNN, jesus H), His millitary genius has not deserted him obviously and no doubt a stunning blow will be struck against these rebel crusading dogs in the coming hours.
Interesting stuff on Newsnight about the prospect of āregime changeā in Syria. They have something along the lines of an eight thousand strong fleet of tanks which might complicate matters. An attack on Syria would have ramifications in Lebanon as well, and if it affects the balance of power in Lebanon it will affect Israel.
Didnāt see Newsnight. Who was on? What was the general feeling? Was reading this piece earlier though, quite interesting, itās a fairly downbeat assessment of the situation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14716678
Syria is vastly more important than Lybia for the general geopolitics of the region. Itās probably even more important than Egypt right now. Turkeyās stance on everything is becoming more and more important too.
The pundits were only alright, the usual British peacocking about intervention and such. They touched on the implications for Lebanon and in particular the Hezbollah and the Iranian connection. Some wild theories about Assad starting a war with Israel to divert attention, and in the main a discussion around the impact of military intervention. The Americans were suggesting there wonāt be any which seems accurate. The Israelis were extremely slow to give any support to the protesters and to criticise Assad, and Iām sure theyāre anxious at the possibility of a popular national movement gaining power.
As far as understanding the situation inside Syria goes, thereās no real point in listening to the mainstream western media because they havenāt a clue. Fisk has written some great articles about the Assads and the Alawite grip on power in Syria over the years and heās probably the best journalist to read on the whole situation. Good interview with him here from back in April:
