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Africa North
Ashton visits Benghazi
2011-05-23
Another version of the story below. I like this one because it demonstrates how clueless Ashton is.
BENGHAZI, Libya - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton pledged support for rebels in east Libya on Sunday, making the most senior visit to the area by a foreign official since the revolt against Muammar Gaddafi began.

"I saw the posters on the way from the airport to here saying 'We have a dream'," Ashton said in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. "This support is not just for now, but for the future and as long as the people of this country wish us here."

Several Libyans surrounded her in the city that was the epicentre of the revolt that erupted in mid-February, flashing "V-for-Victory" signs. One man nearby said: "Every Libyan is very happy."

Visiting to open a representative office for the EU, she said she discussed support for health, education, civil society, border management and security reform.
Perhaps you should be discussing logistics, training and a war strategy. Then discuss how the new rebel team is going to turn over the al-Qaeda boyz to us when it's mutually convenient. After that you can talk about a 'civil society'.
"The Libyan people appreciate this visit and appreciate the European Union for supporting the revolution since its beginning," the head of the Benghazi-based National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, said of Ashton.

In the rebel-held port city of Misrata in western Libya, residents also hailed the West for intervening, their city scarred and from weeks of street fighting and bombardment by shells and rockets and damaged shops spilling their meagre wares onto the streets.

Rebels say they have pushed Gaddafi's forces 25 km (15 miles) from the centre after weeks of street fighting and bombardment. Government forces shelled residential areas of Misrata on Saturday, according to rebels.

"If God hadn't brought us NATO, they would have burned us all," said Amran Zoufrey, 84. "Even in the Second World War, when I was young, we didn't have this destruction. Now I wonder when the next rocket will come and kill me."
Posted by:Steve White

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