The Briefing Room

General Category => World News => Topic started by: EC on October 10, 2013, 04:53:30 am

Title: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: EC on October 10, 2013, 04:53:30 am

Via CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/10/world/africa/libya-pm-escorted-away/index.html

Quote

(CNN) -- Rebels have kidnapped Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan and taken him to an undisclosed location, his spokeswoman told CNN early Thursday.

Armed rebels escorted the prime minister from the Corinthian Hotel in Tripoli into a convoy of waiting cars, said a hotel clerk who was not authorized to speak to the media.

The witness reported no gunfire during the incident, and said the gunmen was respectful and "caused no trouble."

Zidan's office initially called the abduction a "rumor" on its official Facebook page. Then it posted a note that said it was "coerced by kidnappers to deny the report."

Libya militias have run rampant since the revolution that ousted Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Militias in the east of the country are demanding more autonomy from the central government, and have severely constrained Libya's oil output, which is central to its export revenue.

More at link.

Typical. Zidan has - from what I have seen - been focusing on getting the country back on it's feet. I guess that makes him unpopular with the bearded ones.

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: famousdayandyear on October 10, 2013, 05:05:25 am

This seems to me to be very big news--given the little knowledge I have of what's actually going on there.  Another Brotherhood conquest?  Say it isn't so. 

Soon they may have all North Africa and the bordering coastal Med.  Not such as great scenario.  Thank God for the Egyptian military at this point--losing the Suez is not a reassuring situation.

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: Lando Lincoln on October 10, 2013, 05:10:07 am

That leading from behind thing is still paying dividends...

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: EC on October 10, 2013, 05:20:21 am

The whole Sinai is a powder keg right now. Various MB factions are fighting the Egyptian Army there and they are winning. Israel is watching and getting ready, but won't interfere without being asked - unless the Suez Canal falls into the wrong hands.

As far as this kidnapping goes - the problem is who. The MB is not a single organization. Not that any of them are particularly pleasant - jihadis, fundies and AQ puppets, most of them.

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: DCPatriot on October 10, 2013, 12:11:10 pm

Inexplicably.....the Libyan Prime Minister was released today.

A warning?

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: EC on October 10, 2013, 12:37:06 pm

No - making a point.

We used to do it all the time. Make the point that we can and will pick you up any time. It is a standard terror technique.

Title: Re: Armed rebels kidnap Libyan PM, take him to undisclosed location
Post by: alicewonders on October 10, 2013, 01:09:57 pm

I wonder if we'll hear much about this in the media today.