Gadhafi: Crackdown on Libya revolt is like Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza
Speaking to France 24, long-time Libyan Leader says estimated figures of rebel, civilian casualties are exaggerated, adding that at most '150 to 200 people were killed.'
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Libya Hamas GazaLong-time Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi said Monday in an interview with TV network France 24 that his violent crackdown on opposition protesters is akin to Israel's efforts to defend itself from extremism during its 2009 Gaza war against Hamas.
Libya has come under international scrutiny in recent weeks, in response to violent clashes between the Libyan military and anti-Gadhafi rebels, confrontations which caused what are estimated to be hundreds of deaths.
 |
Muammar Gadhafi, seen in Rome, 2009. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
On Monday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon dispatched a team to Tripoli to assess the humanitarian situation in the wake of the Libyan crisis, criticizing the Libya military's "disproportionate use of force."
Speaking with France 24 later Monday, however, Gadhafi defended his military's right to oppress rebel activity, comparing his crackdown to Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2009, saying that "even the Israelis in Gaza, when they moved into the Gaza strip, they moved in with tanks to fight such extremists."
"It’s the same thing here! We have small armed groups who are fighting us. We did not use force from the outset… Armed units of the Libyan army have had to fight small armed al Qaida bands. That is what’s happened,” Gadhafi said.
Referring to the purported number of casualties in wake of fighting in Libya, the long-time leader claimed "there have been at most 150 to 200 people killed."
View Libya in a larger map
"People should come here and see how many people have been killed. They can come and check among the population, and among the police and the army," Gadhafi said.
Gadhafi also dismissed the assessment that recent events injured the Libya's links with the West, saying that the country had "very good relations with the United States, with the European Union and with African countries," adding that "Libya plays a crucial role in regional and world peace.”
The interview came as earlier Sunday, a top official in Gadhafi ruling establishment made an unprecedented appeal to dialogue between the warring factions, in attempt to end the conflict.
Jadallah Azous Al-Talhi, a Libyan prime minister in the 1980s who is originally from eastern Libya, appeared on state television reading an address to elders in Benghazi, the main base of the anti-Gadhafi rebels.
He asked them to "give a chance to national dialogue to resolve this crisis, to help stop the bloodshed, and not give a chance to foreigners to come and capture our country again."
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
These rebels are armed to the teeth. These ain't your ordinary salt-of-the-earth rebels, folks. Be leery of what's to come and of the future Libyan government.
As long as there are Jews there can be no peace
his words mean that.
At the very least, he has to let go of Benghazi and allow it to become a Democratic Republic. They don't want him and those people appear to be normal. Obama needs to verify this.
What is happening is Libya is only what the region has been doing for a thousand years: Tribes doing battle to see which one gets to carry the flag. It is this culture's way of doing what the West has done up to Renaissance, and now does with ballots. In a way, it is a much more honest expression, since ballot boxes can be stuffed, if not literally, by media manipulation. No need for intervention, wait until smoke clears, pow-wow with the winner and buy his oil. They can't drink it, remember. If you intervene, you won't be on the bidder's list.
Yes, Hamas is extremist. What else is new? This is a government that lobs or permits groups in Gaza to lob rockets into civilian areas!
They are the same in the sense that both the Palestinians and the Libyans are fighting oppression. Agreed Israel=Ghadafi
Gadhafi is not as stupid as he looks. He is using the language that Israel and the US have been using for decades of describing freedom fighters as terrorists, crediting Al Qaeda with more influence that it has and citing defence against extremism as justification for the atrocities he is committing against civilians. He is also denying the democratic will of the people that he intends to oppress forever. Sounds familiar? The US and Israel will abuse and condemn him, but no one believes that it is anything to do with supporting the push for democracy in the Middle East. Where is the condemnation of the kleptocratic regime in Saudi Arabia or acknowledgement for the will of the Palestinian people when they elected Hamas? And before you say terrorists remember that it is the denial of justice and human rights that creates terrorism. But of course they can be deliberately created and funded as as the US did Al Qaeda and Israel Hamas. Gadhafi may be his own creation, but he is a good student of Western hypocrisy and double standards.
then he has a point
must take place to stop the killing, the suffering, the refugee-crisis, the uprooting of millions people... Qadhafi and his sons have understood the need for democratic reforms. All would lose if they destroy their country.
today's Israel deserves it, see who's cheering Israel
Theres a problem in the boardroom....the junior partner has over extended itself to appease its zionist master. The peoples of the countries of islam are awakening
The Libyan "Cast Lead"? Oh, this is a good one. But what about the previous analogy that talks about Gaza as a "concentration camp", and that "israelis are doing to the palestinians what the nazis did to the jews"? So now Ghadaffi does to the revolt what Eichman orchestrated in Europe? Same same but different. Time to send Goldstone to Libya. And then "Mavi Marmara" should sail to LIbya in order to assist the revolution against Ghadaffi. Finally, I would like to recommend Erdogan to attack Ghadaffi. And Obama should veto a resolution against Ghadaffi.
sister countries
Now show me how the Lybian civilian population was being attacked by rockets before those lobbing them were attacked. You can say ridiculous things as much as you want but it won't diminish how ridiculous they are and it will diminish you credibility and decency.
If Gadhafi had thought to erect a building in Washington DC as an HQ for the Libya Lobby, in which money and influence was dispensed to American politicians, he might have a point. Having skilpped this crucial step he has no argument.
In every military engagement in recent years many many civilians have been killed - Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Africa. Everybody gets away with it. That's the nature of modern warefare
which is right in terms of Israel and a complete fabrication in terms of Libya.
and their lobby! yeah! and another thing, mosquitos! i hate mosquitos!!!!
There's no comparison.
For surprising me all the time. Anyway, the new generations will build the new ME.
inshallah
the man is a clown
Gadhafi is extremly right when he compare his atroceties with occupation.Ther is no difference between the dictators and occupation.Both are oppressing people and cofisicating thier rights
Criminals are friends, no matter what is their religion, race or colour or sexual preferences.
How stupid can Gaddafi be? and with an imagination that runs riot. 'At most 150 to 200 people dead' how? did Gaddafi count them when he was not even there?
One giant oil producing country,versus tiny Israel. The Israel bashers are having a FIELD day. They can compare CAST LEAD ISRAEL DEFENDING ITSELF with Gaddafi who is A BIG politician... Sad if wasn't LAUGHABLE.. True enough..I mean the boddy counts..was the Haaretz fellow who wtote the article there ..Idiotic article that GIVES vent to the HATERS OF ISRAEL
You're a typical Western hypocrit who publicly claims to support democracy while deep in their heart they really support vicious dictatorships! Shame on you! You're probably a little "dictator" inside your own home.
Apt analogy that proves the old adage it takes one to know one. We are of course referring to war criminals. Gaddafi and his accomplices will soon enough be making an appearance at The Hague. Israel’s war criminals will be joining that illustrious group in the not too distant future.
Next time Israel bombs Palestinian civilians it'll have to find a better propaganda line than "we're fighting terrorists". You don't want te be in the same league as Gadhafi.
7 years of war crimes against Israelis when firing missiles against a population is not a sufficient Casus belli to some. Thank you for the brief comic relief.
Well, stop occupying the palestinians then, because that also is causus belli
You be the judge..BUT JUDGE well,and HONESTLY Israel does...NOT need any excuses..it fights terrorists To protect and defend the country. Find yourselves another sacrificial lamb i.e ISRAEL Once and for all (israeli hating bashers) Stop making comparisons... Oh I know it was in the article but Gaddafi must be desperate to think Israel is on a par to his REGIME.. Damn impudence by him.. lamb ..Leave Israel OUT OF IT..
This comparison is right if we take in consideration the property of foolishness characterizing both leaders of israeli and libyan states. Concerning the battles and backgrounds, of course there are fundamental differences and eed many books to write about.
Please don't tell me that Al Jazeera is a "Zionist's puppet".
Ghaddafi should be locked up in a mental hospital.....
By comparing to Israel in Cast Lead he is just describing himself as a war criminal. He won't make many friends like that.
This just puts Gadhafi in an even more negative light.
Why? because it suits Gaddafi and unfortunately hoping to drag Israel into the Confrontation......
Since Cast Lead is considered to be an operation where human life of the enemy was number one priority, even at the cost of fulfilling objectives,(as NATO commander stated) Gadaphi thinks that this comparison would benefit him.