[Libya Herald] A major build-up of Libyan National Army (LNA) forces is taking place at Traghen, the Libya Herald has learned.
A local source reports the arrival at the military base there of large numbers of fighters and vehicles from the region and from eastern Libyan. "They are from both the south and east [of Libya]" the local resident said. He could not give numbers but said they were "very high".
He said he had spoken to a number of soldiers who told him that so far they had not been given instructions as to where they were to go.
Traghen is some 125 kilometres south of Sebha.
Currently at Tamenhint airbase, 30 kilometres north-east of Sebha, there is a standoff between the LNA and troops belonging to Misrata’s Third Force. It is the last bastion in the Fezzan held by the Third Force.
The local community has called on both sides to resolve matter through negotiation rather than force of arms, although Third Force commander Jamal Treiki has insisted that his men will not withdraw unless ordered to do so by the Presidency Council and its defence minister.
Efforts to ensure a peaceful resolution, nonetheless, continued today with a meeting of elders and tribal representatives from Fezzan. They agreed to set up committee to mediate between the two sides.
Despite the standoff, the area remains peaceful with life continuing normally although on Sunday a local resident was reported to have been shot at near the airbase gate by a member of the Third Force.
Last December, civil society organizations and local elders from Buwanis municipality which includes the airbase demanded the demilitarisation of the area. They also called on the Third Force to withdraw.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[Libya Observer] 6 women from Benghazi’s Ganfouda were released from prison on Tuesday in a prisoner exchange deal between Benghazi Defense Brigades and Dignity Operation.
Boshra News Agency said the 6 women, including 2 girls, were tossed in the calaboose Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! by Dignity Operation forces during the final offensive on Ganfouda.
3 Dignity Operation fighters, who were arrested during oil crescent festivities, were also released in exchange for the 6 women.
The deal was mediated by the Libyan Red Islamic Thingy and some tribal leaders.
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[Libya Observer] The Presidential Council's Head, Fayez al-Sirraj, urged for building a united Libyan army under a civilian command, adding that he is exerting efforts t build the state of law, institution and democracy that will guarantee that the dictatorship rule will never return to Libya.
In his speech at the 28th Arab Summit in Jordan, al-Sirraj called on the House of Representatives to stop abusing its powers and to commit to democratic meeting sessions.
"What made the Libyan crisis be prolonged is nothing more than the HoR's non-approval of the cabinet."
He also denounced the incident of digging up graves and mutilating the bodies as well as undermining personal freedoms by the ones who call themselves Libyan military forces.
Al-Sirraj praised the achievements of Bunyan Marsous ...(al-Bunyan al-Marsous, Solid Base) An operation carried out by Misratan forces loyal to the Libyan Goverenment of National Accord to dislodge ISIS forces from Sirte. 2,500 turbans were reported killed in the operation, which lasted from May through December.GNA's Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj officially announced the end of military operations on 18 December 2016... in Sirte against IS gunnies in what he described as winning in a record time in a historical epic.
"I call on the Arab Summit to adopt the proposal I suggested about uniting the Petroleum Facilities Guard under one command with the National Oil Corporation in Tripoli ...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... being the boss and the supervisor." al-Sirraj said in his speech, adding that a military gain won't be in sight any time soon and any battle in there will have no winners, but only losers.
"I call on the international community to take action in that regard and not only focus on illegal immigration and terrorism." He indicated.
Al-Sirraj also reaffirmed that his government will provide the necessary basic needs for the Libyan citizens across the country and will respect human rights ...not to be confused with individual rights, mind you... .
"Living conditions in Tripoli are normal despite the security violations that intermittently took place recently." al-Sirraj concluded.
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[Ynet] In a poll conducted among French respondents concerning Islam and French society as a whole, numbers showed an unsurprising rise in negative attitudes towards Islam and its relationship with La Belle France.
According to a poll published by the Ipsos survey institute, 61% of French respondents believe that Islam is not compatible with French society. In contrast, according to the same survey, only 17% of respondents believe that Judaism is not compatible with French society, while 6% believe that Catholicism is not as well.
According to the poll, these numbers mark an increase in sentiments that Islam and French society are not compatible with one another from 2013 to the present.
However, by candlelight every wench is handsome... it is also worth noting that the number of respondents who do believe the two can coexist have increased from 26% to 39% over the same time period.
Additionally, according to the same survey, 79% support the ban on wearing veils in French universities and 77% support the ban on wearing the burqini--the Moslem female bathing suit that covers the body almost completely.
Last summer saw a firestorm of controversy arise over the issue, with some towns sending coppers to beaches to ensure the prohibition was being enforced.
Given the aforementioned information, it is no surprise that 90% of respondents believed that secularism is vital to La Belle France.
In the last two years, close to 200 people were murdered by Islamic bandidoshard boyz in La Belle France. Since the Charlie Hedbo attacks, there has been a steady rise in the amount of French who believe that Islam and French society are not compatible.
[DAWN] Ahmed Ludhianvi, leader of the proscribed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... (ASWJ), on Tuesday expressed confidence that his party would be taken off the list of banned ...the word banned seems to have a different meaning in Pakistain than it does in most other places. Or maybe it simply lacks any meaning at all...
organizations.
Continued on Page 49
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] The Punjab 1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard
2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers
3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots.... University (PU) administration has issued orders banning the entrance of political, religious and social personalities in the university premises.
After receiving a preliminary report and recommendations on the matter, Punjab University issued a code of conduct stating that at the time of admission students' parents will be asked to submit a written testimony that their children will not get involved in any political activity.
Furthermore, the university administration has also decided to ban all forms of student programmes within the institution while also prohibiting the entrance of students' guests inside the university hostels.
The ban also encompasses any form of sloganeering by the university students.
At least ten people were maimed as students from the Islami Jamaat Taleba (IJT) allegedly gatecrashed a Pakhtun cultural event being held at Punjab University on March 21.
IJT members allegedly tried to halt the proceedings, which resulted in a clash between students at the university, DawnNews reported.
Police had to be called to the scene, where they had to use tear gas to disperse the violent crowd.
On Monday, police claimed to have jugged ... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not... four students, allegedly belonging to IJT from the Punjab University Islamic Centre Hostel. IJT claims that 12 of their members were picked up.
The arrests were made as a result of the First Investigation Report filed against 200 unknown persons after IJT allegedly clashed with students hosting a Pakhtun cultural event and tried to halt the proceedings.
Classes resumed on campus, even with thin attendance, four days after the festivities.
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[IsraelTimes] Israel announced Wednesday it is reducing its required payment to the United Nations ...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks... by $2 million following recent "anti-Israel" votes.
Foreign Ministry front man Emmanuel Nahshon said the decision to reduce the annual payment was taken following votes critical of Israel at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, and condemned the "obsessional discrimination against Israel on the part of the United Nations and its agencies."
The General Assembly requires all 193 UN member states to pay a percentage of the United Nations’ regular budget, based on their GDP. According to the UN Secretariat, Israel is expected to pay about $11 million this year, or 0.43 percent of the regular budget.
Under Article 19 of the UN Charter, any country in arrears of its dues payments in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly. As of March 15, three countries were banned from voting because of arrears -- Libya, Sudan and Venezuela.
Israel’s refusal to pay $2 million of its dues will put the country in arrears, but it won’t immediately lose its vote in the world body.
Nahshon said the money held back from the United Nations will be used for development projects in countries that support Israel in international organizations.
The highest percentage that a country can pay to the UN regular budget was cut from 25 percent to 22 percent in response to demands by the United States, the world organization’s largest contributor. It pays 22 percent of the $2.6 billion regular budget, with Japan second at about 9.7 percent.
The United States is seeking unspecified cuts in payments to the United Nations, especially for the 16 far-flung UN peacekeeping operations that are financed through a separate budget.
The Jewish state had already cut $6 million from its contribution of $11.7 million following a UN Security Council resolution passed in December condemning Israel’s settlement building in the occupied Paleostinian territories, a foreign ministry front man said.
Last week, a United Nations rights expert issued a blistering criticism of Israel’s policies, deepening a row over alleged anti-Israel bias within the UN following US pressure.
In a report, the UN special rapporteur on the Paleostinian territories, Michael Lynk, charged Israel with "the subjugation of (Paleostinians’) humanity" and intensifying a crackdown on human rights ...which are often intentionally defined so widely as to be meaningless... campaigners.
Lynk made the claims in a report presented to the UN rights council during the Geneva-based body’s mandated session on Israel, known as Agenda Item Seven.
Israel is the only country targeted with a dedicated rights council agenda item.
That does seem to suggest a rather strong bias.
Israel and the United States decry what they see as an entrenched UN bias against the Jewish state and an obsession with the Paleostinian issue at the expense of other crises and human rights issues around the globe. But Israel is especially critical of the makeup of the Human Rights Council whose members include Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... , Egypt, China and Cuba.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has publicly threatened to withdraw from the council over its "biased agenda item against Israel."
[ALMASDARNEWS] The U.S. envoy to the United Nations ...boodling on the grand scale... condemned the global body in an address to a pro-Israel lobby group on Monday, pledging to end its perceived "Israel-bashing."
Speaking at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference for the first time as President Donald Trump ...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States... ’s U.N. envoy, Nikki Haley ...first woman to serve as Governor of South Carolina, and the second Indian-American governor in the country, after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. At the age of 39, Haley is the youngest current governor in the U.S., a distinction formerly held by Jindal. She is a Republican, which really grates on the Dems... called a December resolution criticizing Israeli settlement construction--allowed to pass by the Obama’s administration’s abstention--as a "kick in the gut" to Americans.
"For anyone who says you can’t get anything done at the U.N., they need to know there is a new sheriff in town," she continued. "I’m not there to play games and what I wanted to make sure of is that the United States started leading again."
Haley has embarked on her role at the U.N. criticizing the body for its "bias against our close ally Israel" in light of complaints from Netanyahu’s government that it is unfairly treated in the global arena.
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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[Hurriyet Daily News] The time has come for the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad to start discussing an "amicable divorce," according to a spokesperson for the Kurdish autonomous region.
"We should enter a serious dialogue with Baghdad to reach an amicable solution ‐ an amicable solution for divorce," KRG spokesperson Safeen Dizayee recently told daily Hurriyet.
"We can be two good neighbors. This is something we want as the only way," he added.
"The principle of consensus was something all sides agreed on [in 2003], but now that principle is no longer there. It is a majority-minority vote. So even if Kurds have 65 seats in Baghdad, we will always be the minority," he said.
The central administration has also been blocking the KRG’s share in the budget, Dizayee said.
"We are always at the mercy of Baghdad and this is why we are looking to find another formula. Our budget has been cut; there is no assistance for the military. These show that we cannot work together. There is an Iraq before djinn-infested Mosul ... the home of a particularly ferocious and hairy djinn... and post-Mosul. This is why we have to seek a solution for stability. The only way forward is to go for an independent entity in Iraqi Kurdistan," the spokesperson said.
According to Dizayee, the only way to achieve that target is through dialogue.
"We need to enter serious conversations first with Baghdad before anybody else," he said.
"Then hopefully with our other neighbors so that they do not see this newborn entity as a threat to their security and stability. We are talking about the borders of Iraqi Kurdistan alone. We have no ambitions of a territory in Iran, Syria and The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... ," he said.
Ankara has always opposed any sort of independent Kurdistan, highlighting Iraq’s territorial integrity. Dizayee said the issue was never raised officially with Turkey, and a talk may be possible after the April 16 referendum.
"The referendum is only a couple of weeks away," he said. "I don’t think it is too much of a time in a nation’s history. We are ready to wait. For sure we have to talk with Turkey."
The United States has not endorsed Iraqi Kurds’ independence ambitions either, but according to Dizayee, the real concern for the U.S. is to have a strong Iraq in the region.
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03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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#1
Turkey will certainly have something to say about that.
I assume that Iran and Syria will as well.
I have this picture of a sovereign Kurdistan turning into a sort of Israel or Switzerland type Island.
[ALMASDARNEWS] The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... on Wednesday voiced its opposition to a vote in the disputed oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk to fly the Kurdish flag over government buildings, warning against "unilateral steps".
Provincial councilors in Kirkuk province voted Tuesday to fly the Kurdish regional flag, a move likely to escalate tension between Baghdad and Ankara.
Iraqi Kurds are close to Ankara, but Turkey said it opposed flying the flag because it does not want to encourage any change in the composition of Kirkuk, ... a thick stew of Arabs, Turkmen, Kurds, and probably Antarcticans, all of them mutually hostile most of the time... which is also home to Turkmens.
Kirkuk is at the centre of a long-running dispute over northern territory that Kurdish authorities want to incorporate into their autonomous region, a move the federal government in Baghdad opposes.
"We don’t find correct the vote held by the regional administration", Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the state-run TRT television.
"First of all it would not be correct to change that region’s ethnic composition," he said, adding that "faits accomplis" or "unilateral steps" would bring no benefit.
"We are supporting Iraq’s and Syria’s territorial integrity."
Posted by: Fred ||
03/30/2017 00:00 ||
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#1
even better
raise the Kurkish flag in Sirnak (SE Turkey)
Posted by: lord garth ||
03/30/2017 9:34 Comments ||
Top||
[Dhaka Tribune] Harakah al-Yaqeen, a guerrilla group fighting the subjugation of and potential genocide against the Rohingyas, have claimed they are not bandidosforces of Evil in their very first blurb issued on March 29.
"We do not associate with any terrorist group across the world," began the statement, which has already been circulated widely among the Rohingya people via social networks.
"We do not commit any form of terrorism against any civilian regardless of their religious and ethnic origin as we do not subscribe to the notion of committing terrorism for our legitimate cause," the release continues.
According to the group, which now identifies itself as Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Rohingyas have been subjected since the 1970s to genocide and crimes against humanity in an effort on the part of several Burmese regimes and governments to "exterminate" them from their native Rakhine.
"It becomes clear that the Aung San Su Kyi-led government is not in any position to change the situation while they are themselves being held as political hostages by the brutal Burmese junta."
"Therefore, in the current Burmese political landscape, it is also essential to deal with Commander-in-Chief Ming Aung Hlaing (incumbent Myanmar army chief), who is the criminal mastermind of ongoing atrocities faced by Rohingyas."
Signed by the group’s chief, Ata Ullah, the release also mentions the October 9, 2016 assault by Harakah al-Yaqeen on the Myanmar Border Guard outposts which killed nine coppers and triggered the latest crackdown by the military, culminating in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from the Rakhine State.
It says the "defensive attack" was launched to "salvage and protect" the Arakan Rohingya community; a defence which according to them is their legitimate right under international law.
Expressing a hope that the international community would fulfil its moral responsibility by sending peacekeeping forces into the Arakan State (Rakhine State), the group also sought political, financial, technical and logistic assistance to strengthen their "legitimate" cause.
Stating their dedication toward continuing their "defensive" attack against the Myanmar regime, the group has also put forward a 20-point plan "in accordance with international human rights ...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions... norms and principles" which they demand that the Myanmar Junta regime and government should be made to comply with.
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[Rappler] On the eve of his birthday, President Rodrigo Duterte met with Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari. Misuari brought along his wife, Madam Tarhata, and son Abdulkarim, to his private audience with Duterte on the night of March 27.
Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella described it as a "closed-door meeting" and did not elaborate when the media asked about any agreements reached or decisions made. But he said he expected their talk to have been about the Mindanao peace process. Abella said, "They talked about strengthening relationships, they talked about peace, they talked about the development of the area."
Duterte previously said he had been discussing with the Muslim leader a "preparatory document" about a proposed federal system for Mindanao.
"I have been talking to Misuari, I already talked with him yesterday.... We are talking, we are crafting a sort of a preparatory document so that we can go into the process of proposing the federal structure," said the President last Friday.
Misuari has agreed to participate in the crafting of a law that will create a new Bangsamoro region. The Philippine government plans to create a panel that will engage Nur's MNLF faction, separate from the panel engaging the rival Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Misuari is facing charges of rebellion and crimes against humanity over his role in the 2013 Zamboanga siege. But he was given temporary freedom when Duterte ordered the suspension of arrest warrants against him to allow him to participate in the Mindanao peace negotiations.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
...(al-Bunyan al-Marsous, 
