Libyan pilots land in Malta after being ordere to bomb crowd

[james84]

The pilots of two Libyan military jets that landed in Malta on Monday are "senior colonels" who were ordered to bomb protesters, Al Jazeera satellite network reports.

The colonels say they refused to bomb protesters demonstrating against Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi and instead defected to Malta, according to Al Jazeera reporter Karl Stagno-Novarra in Malta.

The pilots reportedly told Maltese officials they were based in Tripoli and ordered to attack protesters in Benghazi. After seeing fellow pilots begin bombing, the colonels changed course and headed for Malta, according to Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera has been relaying eyewitness reports of airstrikes Monday, but cautioned that the bombings could not be verified.

Clashes in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Monday left 160 dead, Al Arabiya network quoted eyewitnesses as saying Monday.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylon ... sters.html


The Italian AF alerted its bases at Trapani (F-16) and Gioia del Colle (Typhoon) as other defections are expected.

[tango234]

Those pilots certainly have my respect for being brave enough to defect.

[MIKE JG]

And mine for having the courage to disobey orders and not bomb their own people.......

The world is changing right before our eyes.

[james84]

Please allow me to join the choir.
Video here
http://tv.repubblica.it/copertina/a-mal ... ref=HREA-1

[MIKE JG]

A pair of Mirage F1's and a pair of Puma helicopters. Looks like the F1's are loaded with rocket pods.

[tango234]

On another note, the Libyan UN team have defected as well.
Something tells me someone hasn't got long left, but this is going to be very bloody.

[james84]

On another note, the Libyan UN team have defected as well.
Something tells me someone hasn't got long left, but this is going to be very bloody.

Al Jazeera (in English) are reporting that somebody has the intention to require the UN the istitution of a no-fly zone.

[james84]

Al Jazeera English streaming here
http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/libia-r ... ref=HREA-1

[james84]

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Libya--- ... 1871075/L/

[Kurosaki]

Libyan roundels leave a lot to be desired.

[shaggy22]

Just like their flag then i suppose

[Victory103]

Agree, but those F1's look pretty good considering where they are from.

[petebramley]

Agree, but those F1's look pretty good considering where they are from.

A Dictator who does not keep his hardware in good order will not last long !


Although this one looks like he may topple fairly soon
(not soon enough for many tho)

[Kurosaki]

Pretty sure hes going the way of the Dodo-dictator. Not enough public support, and protests are too wide spread. Fascinating times we're living in. Not that my bottom line matters, but being one working in the oil industry, its really interesting that just a little unrest in the north of Africa, where 2% of the worlds reserves are found, prices fluctuate so much. I suppose however theres a lot of speculation built into whats going on in Yemen as well since their rising up. Hope it all works out peacefully and people get their deserved rights.