NATO launches offensive against Gaddafi

Special Report

Last modification: 11/05/11

Since Feb. 15 Libya has been rocked by an unprecedented movement to overthrow the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. At the helm of the oil-rich North African nation for 42 years, the strongman is now struggling to retain his grip on power. NATO has agreed to take command of military operations aimed at protecting civilians and providing cover for a rebel advance.

LIBYA

Rebels claim gains against Gaddafi forces in Misrata

Libyan rebels say they have made gains against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in the key port city of Misrata as overnight NATO air strikes targeted parts of the capital, Tripoli. Misrata remains the only rebel-held city in western Libya.

LIBYA

Libya contact group agrees to fund rebels in Rome

Officials from 22 countries and six international organisations backing Libya’s opposition have agreed in Rome to set up a financial mechanism that would help the embattled rebel administration cover its running costs.

Netherlands

ICC pursues Libyan chiefs for crimes against humanity

The International Criminal Court prosecutor said Wednesday he will request three arrest warrants in relation to crimes against humanity committed in Libya since February 15.

LIBYA

NATO air strike kills Gaddafi's son, Libyan officials say

The Libyan government has claimed that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was the target of an assassination attempt after an overnight NATO air strike reportedly killed his youngest son.

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LIBYA

Salesmen, students get fast-track rebel training

Every day, hundreds of volunteers looking to take up arms against Muammar Gaddafi turn up at a fast-track military camp in the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi, ready to join the ragtag army. FRANCE 24 visited the rebel camp.

Reporter's notebook in Libya

A rap song for the revolution

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Reporter's notebook in Libya

Benghazi: The long, loud road to revolution

LIBYA

Ionian Spirit ship is final hope for wounded Libyan rebels

A twenty-hour sea crossing between the western Libyan city of Misrata and the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in the east of the country represents a last chance for recovery for wounded fighters.

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LIBYA

Journalists killed in Misrata immortalised realities of war

British journalist Tim Hetherington (right) and American Chris Hondros (left) were killed on Wednesday covering the battle for Misrata in western Libya. Both photographers had covered conflict zones extensively in their careers.

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LIBYA

McCain urges Washington to recognise Libyan rebels

US Senator John McCain, a former presidential candidate and a senior Republican leader on foreign policy, has called on Washington to recognise the rebel-led Transitional National Council "as the legitimate voice of the Libyan people".

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LIBYA

France, UK, Italy to send military advisers to Libya

As French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Libyan rebel leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil (right) on Wednesday, France joined Britain and Italy in announcing it will send military advisers to help Libyan rebel leaders fighting Muammar Gaddafi's army.

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LIBYA

US to give $25 million in aid to struggling Libyan rebels

After weeks of deliberation, the US administration has unveiled plans to send $25 million in nonlethal supplies to rebels fighting Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya, the first direct US aid to the anti-regime rebels.

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LIBYA

Libya rebels hijack Gaddafi’s mobile phone network

Telecoms engineer Ousama Abushagur believed he could restore Libya’s mobile phone network after the Gaddafi regime pulled the plug to undermine rebel communications. The trick worked – and the rebels are grateful.

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LIBYA

France formally recognises Libyan rebels' authority

In a major diplomatic victory for the Libyan opposition, France has become the first country to formally recognise Libya’s rebel leadership, pledging to exchange ambassadors between Paris and the Libyan opposition stronghold of Benghazi.

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