2011 Libya unrest March 2

2. Webnesday 2011 2 march Libya rebels halt Gaddafi attack Rebel forces have fought off an attempt by soldiers loyal to Col Muammar Gaddafi to retake the eastern oil town of Brega. Gaddafi forces had moved into eastern areas for the first time since towns there fell to protesters two weeks ago. In his speech broadcast on Libyan TV in a large hall in Tripoli, Col Gaddafi warned against any foreign intervention. "We will not accept [an] American intervention. This will lead to a bloody war and thousands of Libyans will die if America and Nato enter Libya." He said the UN had passed resolutions condemning Libya based on "false reports" and he challenged the UN to investigate. "We urge the world, the United Nations, to see where the people were killed, to send a fact-finding team." He condemned those countries that had frozen Libyan assets, saying: "The assets are the assets of the Libyan nation... I am the asset of Libya, not the American dollar." Col Gaddafi spoke as a crowd of supporters and officials chanted the slogan: "God, Muammar and Libya." The Libyan leader said he was "surprised" that his name had been mentioned abroad since he had handed over power "to the people" in 1977, eight years after taking power and there were no positions he could resign from. He said he had been told that "hostile radios" outside Libya were focusing on him. In an attempt to explain recent unrest, he said "shady members of al-Qaeda" had formed "dormant cells" in several cities. But he said there had been no violence at demonstrations in Libya. In two weeks of unrest, Col Gaddafi has lost control of large parts of Libya. The violence has led to a major humanitarian crisis on the Tunisian border, with tens of thousands of foreigners, most of them Egyptian, stranded and unable to get home. Some 75,000 people have fled to Tunisia since unrest began and 40,000 more are waiting to cross, the UN says. Britain, France, Spain and other countries on Wednesday launched emergency airlifts to evacuate those gathered at the border. The World Food Programme announced a $38.7m aid programme for the 2.7 million people it says are engulfed in the Libyan crisis. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he believes about 1,000 people have so far died in the violence. The UN has suspended Libya from its Human Rights Council, accusing it of committing gross and systematic violations of human rights. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Wednesday he was formally opening an investigation into crimes against humanity in Libya. Debate is also continuing in the international community over imposing a no-fly zone to curb the Libyan air force.

3. Getty Images - Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi (driving the car) arrives for a ceremony of loyalists to mark 34 years of 'people power' in Tripoli on March 2, 2011 during which he vowed to fight an uprising against his 41-year rule to 'the last man, the last woman', as rebels repulsed an attack by his forces on an eastern town. His speech came as the UN refugee agency made a plea for hundreds of planes to end a gridlock at the Tunisia border with Libya, where 'acres of people' fleeing the violence are still waiting to cross in freezing conditions.

4. Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi waves upon his arrival for a ceremony of loyalists to mark 34 years of "people power" in Tripoli on March 2. He vowed to fight an uprising to "the last man, the last woman." His speech came as the U.N. refugee agency made a plea for hundreds of planes to end a gridlock at the Tunisia border with Libya, where "acres of people" fleeing the violence were still waiting to cross. - Mahmud Turkia / AFP - Getty Image

5. Reuters Pictures - Supporters of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi chant as he arrives to make a speech in Tripoli March 2, 2011. Gaddafi, orchestrating a populist response to rebels threatening his rule, blamed al Qaeda on Wednesday for creating turmoil and told applauding supporters there was a conspiracy to control Libya and its oil.

6. Reuters Pictures - Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi gestures before making a speech to supporters in which he sought to defuse tensions after more than 10 days of anti-government protests, in Tripoli March 2, 2011. Gaddafi, orchestrating a populist response to rebels threatening his rule, blamed al Qaeda on Wednesday for creating turmoil and told applauding supporters there was a conspiracy to control Libya and its oil.

7. Reuters Pictures - Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi speaks to his supporters in Tripoli March 2, 2011. Gaddafi, orchestrating a populist response to rebels threatening his rule, blamed al Qaeda on Wednesday for creating turmoil and told applauding supporters there was a conspiracy to control Libya and its oil.

8. Reuters Pictures Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi gestures to his supporters before making a speech in which he sought to defuse tensions after more than 10 days of anti-government protests, in Tripoli March 2, 2011. Gaddafi, orchestrating a populist response to rebels threatening his rule, blamed al Qaeda on Wednesday for creating turmoil and told applauding supporters there was a conspiracy to control Libya and its oil.

9. AP Photo - Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi is offered flowers by a supporter as he drives away in an electric golf cart surrounded by bodyguards after speaking in Tripoli, Libya, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Gadhafi vowed "We will fight until the last man and woman" and lashed out against Europe and the United States for their pressure on him to step down, warning that thousands of Libyans will die if U.S. and NATO forces intervene in the conflict.

10. Libyan Leader Muammar Qaddafi smells flowers given to him by a supporter as he drives away in an electric golf cart after speaking in Tripoli, Libya, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Qaddafi spoke to supporters and the media at an event to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the declaration of transferring the "Power to the masses," and announcing the establishment of the "Republic of the Masses". (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

11. A man tries to climb over a wall to escape the crowd as thousands of people try and cross from Libya into Tunisia at the Ras Jedir border crossing near Ben Guerdane on March 2, 2011. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

12. Getty Images -A man, who fled from Libya, stands among tents of the Echoucha refugee camp on March 2, 2011, close to the Ras Jedir border post, near the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane. The World Food Programme on Wednesday announced a $38.7 million emergency aid programme for 2.7 million people caught up in the Libyan crisis. Emergency food had been shipped to the Tunisia-Libya border where tens of thousands of people trying to flee have massed and shipments of food assistance were being re-routed.

13. U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge sails through the Suez canal in Ismailia , Egypt, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. Egyptian officials say two U.S. warships have entered the Suez Canal on their way to the Mediterranean, moving closer to the Libyan coast after orders from Defense Secretary Robert Gates. (AP Photo)

14. Egyptian refugees wait for food after crossing the Libya-Tunisia border in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. (AP Photo/Giorgos Moutafis)

15. Zohra Bensemra / Reuters - Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers flee Libya Bangladeshi migrant workers wait near the Tunisian gate at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir after fleeing unrest in Libya on Wednesday, March 2. Thousands of Bangladheshi migrant workers, desperate to leave Libya, pressed up against the gates of the Tunisian border crossing on Wednesday, angry at their government for sending no help.

16. Pavel Rahman / AP Relatives of Bangladeshi workers in Libya wait outside the Dhaka international airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday. The United Nations says its migration agency has chartered flights to bring home nearly 400 Bangladeshis from Libya after they fled the violence there to the borders of Tunisia and Egypt.

17. Zohra Bensemra / Reuters A Bangladeshi migrant workers crosses the Tunisian gate at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir after fleeing unrest in Libya on Wednesday.

18. Zohra Bensemra / Reuters Bangladeshi migrant workers try to climb over the wall near the Tunisian gate at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir after fleeing unrest in Libya on Wednesday.

19. An Egyptian watches the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge as it sails at the Suez canal in Ismailia , Egypt, March 2. Egyptian officials say two U.S. warships have entered the Suez Canal on their way to the Mediterranean, moving closer to the Libyan coast. Str / AP

20. Reuters Pictures Egyptian naval personnel load belongings of their compatriots who fled the unrest in Libya onto an Egyptian naval vessel transporting them home in the eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis March 2, 2011.

21. Reuters Pictures Tunisian army soldiers stand guard as Egyptians who fled the unrest in Libya wait to board an Egyptian naval vessel transporting them home, in the eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis March 2, 2011.

22. Reuters Pictures Egyptians who fled the unrest in Libya wait to board an Egyptian naval vessel transporting them home, in the eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis March 2, 2011.

23. Reuters Pictures - A Bangladeshi migrant worker evacuated from Libya waits in a chartered bus after arriving at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka March 2, 2011. A total of 528 Bangladeshis, who crossed the Libyan border into neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia amid an anti-Gaddafi revolt, returned to the country Wednesday morning with the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) local news reported.

24. Reuters Pictures An Egyptian who fled Libya a few days ago, carries his belongings before leaving Tunisia to go back to Egypt by plane, at the Djerba airport March 2, 2011. About 3,000 people from Egypt and China went back to their countries by airlift with 33 flights.

25. Reuters Pictures - Egyptians who fled the unrest in Libya board an Egyptian naval vessel transporting them home, in the eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis March 2, 2011.

26. Reuters Pictures - Egyptians who fled the unrest in Libya walk to board an Egyptian naval vessel transporting them home, in the eastern Tunisian city of Zarzis March 2, 2011.

27. Reuters Pictures - Egyptians who fled Libya a few days ago queue to board plane before leaving Tunisia to go back to Egypt, at the Djerba airport March 2, 2011.

28. Getty Images - People who fled from Libya walk throught the Echoucha refugee camp on March 2, 2011, close to the Ras Jedir border post, near the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane. The World Food Programme on Wednesday announced a $38.7 million emergency aid programme for 2.7 million people caught up in the Libyan crisis. Emergency food had been shipped to the Tunisia-Libya border where tens of thousands of people trying to flee have massed and shipments of food assistance were being re-routed.

29. Reuters Pictures - Cleaners remove clothes left by evacuees who fled the unrest in Libya at the Libyan side of the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

30. AP Photo - General view of a UNHCR refugee camp set up near Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, near the Tunisia-Libya border, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. More than 140,000 refugees have already fled across the Libyan border into Tunisia and Egypt and thousands more were arriving by the day. As border crossings were overwhelmed with mostly young men, U.N. experts warned that fast action was needed to protect and feed them before the exodus turned into a humanitarian crisis.

31. AP Photo - Refugees who fled the unrest in Libya wait at a UNHCR refugee camp set up near Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, near the Tunisia-Libya border, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. More than 140,000 refugees have already fled across the Libyan border into Tunisia and Egypt and thousands more were arriving by the day. As border crossings were overwhelmed with mostly young men, U.N. experts warned that fast action was needed to protect and feed them before the exodus turned into a humanitarian crisis.

32. AP Photo - Refugees, carrying suitcases, arrive at a UNHCR refugee camp set up near Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, near the Tunisia-Libya border, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. More than 140,000 refugees have already fled across the Libyan border into Tunisia and Egypt and thousands more were arriving by the day. As border crossings were overwhelmed with mostly young men, U.N. experts warned that fast action was needed to protect and feed them before the exodus turned into a humanitarian crisis.

33. Reuters Pictures Foreign workers carry their belongings into Tunisia while fleeing violence in Libya, at the border crossing of Dehiba March 2, 2011.

34. Reuters Pictures - A Sudanese migrant who fled the unrest in Libya holds her child as she walks at the Libyan side of the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

35. Reuters Pictures Ghanaian migrant workers who fled the unrest in Libya wait at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

36. Reuters Pictures A Nigerian migrant worker who fled the unrest in Libya waits at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

37. Reuters Pictures A Ghanaian migrant worker who fled the unrest in Libya waits at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

38. Reuters Pictures Chinese nationals who were evacuated from Libya queue to check in for a flight to China, at Malta International Airport outside Valletta March 2, 2011. Some 13,000 people have been evacuated from Libya to Malta since the crisis broke out, according to local officials.

39. Reuters Pictures A Nigerian migrant worker who fled the unrest in Libya waits at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

40. Reuters Pictures - An Egyptian migrant worker who fled the unrest in Libya carries his suitcase as he lines up at Libyan side of the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir March 2, 2011.

41. AP Photo Refugees rest in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia, near the Tunisia-Libya border, Wednesday, March 2, 2011. More than 140,000 refugees have already fled across the Libyan border into Tunisia and Egypt and thousands more were arriving by the day. As border crossings were overwhelmed with mostly young men, U.N. experts warned that fast action was needed to protect and feed them before the exodus turned into a humanitarian crisis.

42. Benghazi, Libya — A mourner cups his hands to pray for the man who was buried. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

43. Civilians who have volunteered to join the rebel army register their names in a school in Benghazi on March 2. - Suhaib Salem / Reuters

44. Benghazi, Libya — Beside the grave, mourners chant, "There is one God and Allah is his name." PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

45. Benghazi, Libya — A revolutionary stands with his AK-47 outside a recruiting office Tuesday, hoping to head to Tripoli in coming days to battle the forces of Libyan dictator Moammar Kadafi. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

46. Benghazi, Libya — Fresh recruits pose for pictures before departing Tuesday. Rebel fighters have been trickling out of the city in recent days and making their way toward Tripoli. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

47. Benghazi, Libya — Volunteers sign up for the fight against Kadafi. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

48. Benghazi, Libya — A child gets into the revolutionary spirit at the recruiting office. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

49. Benghazi, Libya — A boy Tuesday passes a camp once occupied by militiamen loyal to Moammar Kadafi. The sprawling garrison in downtown Benghazi was ransacked and burned by people taking part in the uprising against the Libyan dictator. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times

50. Benghazi, Libya — Residents peer into a dungeon in a camp once occupied by militiamen loyal to Kadafi. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times