MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

Way to go, Putin.  Calling it a “Crusade” will serve to do nothing but incite the Arab world, giving them yet another reason to hate the West.  Completely irresponsible.

“OTKINSK, Russia (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Monday likened the U.N. Security Council resolution supporting military action in Libya to medieval calls for crusades.

Putin, in the first major remarks from a Russian leader since a coalition of Western countries began air strikes in Libya, said that Muammar Gaddafi’s government fell short of democracy but added that did not justify military intervention.

‘The resolution is defective and flawed,’ Putin told workers at a Russian ballistic missile factory. ‘It allows everything. It resembles medieval calls for crusades.’

Putin said that interference in other countries’ internal affairs has become a trend in U.S. foreign policy and that the events in Libya indicated that Russia should strengthen its own defense capabilities.

Russia, a veto-wielding permanent Security Council member, abstained from the vote Thursday in which the council authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and ‘all necessary measures’ to protect civilians against Gaddafi’s forces.”  Source.

“The 4-story compound in downtown Tripoli that was home to Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi was demolished by missile attacks, according to reporters near the area.

There was no known injuries at it remains unclear where the leader has been living since the no-fly zone was ordered.

There were two circular holes in the roof, which is consistent with a missile strike, and rubble littered the street. It remains unclear when the strike occurred, reported Fox News’ Steve Harrigan.

Pentagon official had previously said Sunday that the coalition ‘will not be going after Qaddafi.'” Source.

“The Arab League chief said on Sunday that Arabs did not want military strikes by Western powers that hit civilians when the League called for a no-fly zone over Libya.

In comments carried by Egypt’s official state news agency, Secretary-General Amr Moussa also said he was calling for an emergency Arab League meeting to discuss the situation in the Arab world and particularly Libya.

‘What is happening in Libya differs from the aim of imposing a no-fly zone, and what we want is the protection of civilians and not the bombardment of more civilians,’ he said.

‘He requested official reports about what happened in Libya in terms of aerial and marine bombardment that led to the deaths and injuries of many Libyan civilians. He pointed out that he asked for the full data to know what actually happened,’ MENA said.

Western forces have unleashed their biggest military attack in the Arab world since the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, targeting Muammar Gadhafi’s air defenses and armored vehicles near the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in the east of the country.”  Read more.