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| Africa North |
| Libyan Shifts From Detainee to Rebel, and U.S. Ally of Sorts |
| 2011-04-25 |
| For more than five years, Abu Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed Hamuda bin Qumu was a prisoner at the Guantánamo Bay prison, judged “a probable member of Al Qaeda” by the analysts there. They concluded in a newly disclosed 2005 assessment that his release would represent a “medium to high risk, as he is likely to pose a threat to the U.S., its interests and allies.” Today, Mr. Qumu, 51, is a notable figure in the Libyan rebels’ fight to oust Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, reportedly a leader of a ragtag band of fighters known as the Darnah Brigade for his birthplace, this shabby port town of 100,000 people in northeast Libya. The former enemy and prisoner of the United States is now an ally of sorts, a remarkable turnabout resulting from shifting American policies rather than any obvious change in Mr. Qumu. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #4 The notorious sponsor of terror attacks Gaddafi shifted to a 'U.S. Ally of Sorts' and that was a tremendous success of diplomacy(tm) wasn't it? Forgive and forget! The lives of Western civilians are expendable after all. /sarc On a serious note, what is it with western politicians being so eager to forgive and embrace unrepentant mortal enemies. These are enemies who are willing to attack us again if they regain the ability. It's the same story with the Taliban, Gaddafi, and now AQ in North Africa. Nuts! |
| Posted by: Neville Elmith8300 2011-04-25 10:44 |
| #3 It's a Monday morning, I'll be kind... Well, what about war hero John McCain? He says he saw no sign of al-Qaeda presence among the rebels. Are you saying he's stupid? Never mind. |
| Posted by: Emily Litella 2011-04-25 10:11 |
| #2 Are the journalists at the NY Times really this stupid? It's a Monday morning, I'll be kind... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2011-04-25 09:53 |
| #1 Are the journalists at the NY Times really this stupid? Sure, an Islamist will make nice when you give him weapons and money, but your throat will still be slit open at the first convenient opportunity. |
| Posted by: Zebulon Thranter9685 2011-04-25 08:46 |