JIHAN HAFIZ, BENGHAZI, LIBYA: There is already talk of US military
intervention in Libya. Here in Benghazi, Libyans overwhelmingly reject
this possibility.
On the streets of liberated Benghazi people say no to McCain, Lieberman and any US intervention
UNIDENTIFIED (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION):
You need to understand there are political issues going on in Libya
now. The entire Libyan population is insisting against US intervention
or any involvement of foreign powers within Libya.HAFIZ:
Rebels in Benghazi are also rejecting calls from US senators John McCain
and Joe Lieberman to send the liberated territory weapons to fight
Gaddafi's forces. They insist they defeated the security forces of
Muammar al-Gaddafi in Benghazi without the use of weapons and without
the support of a foreign government. Their victory in the bloody battle
for Benghazi has engendered a strong sense of unity and nationhood in a
country known for tribal divisions.UNIDENTIFIED (SUBTITLED
TRANSLATION): Neither a European nor an American military should
intervene in the country, but we want to put pressure on Gaddafi's
regime to fall. The free Libyan youth will, God willing, oust this
criminal dictator from Libya. We only want them to stand strong with us
and prevent Gaddafi from bringing mercenaries from other African
countries.HAFIZ: The residents of Benghazi criticized
leaders who have maintained good relations with Gaddafi even after the
bloodshed, from Europe to Latin America.TEXT ON SCREEN: Berlusconi, your friend is a tyrant dictator.UNIDENTIFIED:
South America actually know probably even more than the Middle East and
North Africa what dictatorship is, so we advised them to really be
cautious about what they hear from their leader.HAFIZ:
Meanwhile, the rebels celebrated a new-found unity with Arab nations.
They raised the flags of Egypt, Tunisia, and Palestine.UNIDENTIFIED
(SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): It makes me proud. I am proud to be Egyptian,
and I'm proud to be an Arab. Lift your head up high! We are Arabs!TEXT ON SCREEN: We support the Libyan people and the 17th of February Revolution. Long live a free and independent Libya!HAFIZ:
This truck coming from Egypt is loaded with donated food, 16 tons of
pasta, rice, oil, and sugar. Inspired by Arab revolts in neighboring
Egypt and Tunisia, the Libyan people here are welcoming this food convoy
from Egypt.CROWD: The Egyptians have arrived!HAFIZ:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern over food
shortages, but food is still being given out for free in these streets
as donations keep pouring in from Libya's neighbors. Jihan Hafiz for The
Real News in Benghazi, Libya.
End of Transcript
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