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Topic: Browser

Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

Summary: The bloodshed increases and Gadhafi's government turns off the Internet.

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

By for Networking |

Two weeks ago, as unrest grew in Libya, the Libyan government turned off the Internet, and began to kill off its rebellious citizens. Afterwards, the Internet slowly came back on, but now, according to Arbor Networks, Libya’s Internet has been shut down as if a switch has been flipped.

Which, all things considered, might have been exactly what happened. You see Libya’s Internet is owned and controlled by the government through a telecommunication company Libya Telecom & Technology. Even its site is down now.

The company’s chairman is the dictator’s Moammar Gadhafi’s eldest son, Muhammad al-Gaddafi. He recently has been appearing as a leader in his father’s name.

At the same time, the Internet went down, fighting in what is now the de facto civil war escalated.

For now, Libya’s Internet closing down simply means that it will be even harder to get news in and out of the embattled country. Eventually, in up to 28 days, if Libya’s Internet continues to be cut off, it’s possible that Web sites that use .ly domain names, such as the popular Web URL shortening site, bit.ly, and links that use it, will fail.

That’s a minor matter though as Libya’s people continue to bleed in the struggle between its aging dictator, his mercenaries, and loyalists and its young citizens yearning for a better life and freedom.

Topic: Browser

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29 comments
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  • My heart goes out to all Libyans, this does not look good. Not sure what

    the US can do though.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

    • Radio transmitters

      Give out radio transmitters to the rebels, show them how to convince the army to defect.

      Keep Gadafii short of money. When you find a bank account with his private fortune in it, tell the Libyans about it.

      Set up defection programs, so pilots sent to bomb rebels can fly their planes to neighboring countries and be welcomed as heroes instead of killing their own.

      When they defect, put them on radio to convince their fellow solders its good for Libya if they switch sides too.

      Try to take a TV transmitter, build on it. The sense of the inevitable change.

      Keep a muzzle on Clinton. She thinks she's being a leader when she talks 'smooth transition' etc. (i.e. Bahrain), but she's propping up dictators with those words. Ejecting a dictator is never smooth.

      All just my opinion.
      guihombre
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

        @guihombre This proves that whenever we run out of internet if anyone wants it. <a href="http://www.papa-johnscoupons.net">Papa Johns Coupons</a>
        kuntakinte77
        Reply Vote

  • We must invade at once

    and hang the tyrant as we did with Saddam Hussein.<br>The Libyan people will greet as as liberators and will reward us with rich oil fields.<br>Does Obama have any balls?
    Linux Geek
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

      @Linux Geek

      Sure. With what resources? Do you volunteer yourself?
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

        @Cylon Centurion 0005 <br>You only need 100 brave marines and a few bobs dropped to make Gadaffi surrender or flee the country.<br>I'm too old for wars but a 'Cylon Centurion' like you is just right to serve the country!
        Linux Geek
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

        @Cylon Centurion 0005

        That's what we thought for Iraq too....
        The one and only, Cylon Centurion
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

      @Linux Geek

      Doesn't matter in the long run of things anyway. Once my plan is complete, no humans will be left alive, let alone the ones in Libya :)
      The one and only, Cylon Centurion
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

        @Cylon Centurion 0005
        Rather than wasting your time wattchin lame shows like 'battle star galactica' you should inform yourself by watching some fair and balanced news.
        Linux Geek
        Reply Vote

    • We tried knocking him out once before

      @Linux Geek ...and with all our superior technology, we could only hit where he had been, much like our shots at Saddam Hussein. If we move in as we did in Iraq, we will find ourselves embroiled in yet another quasi-religious war we can't win, Obama's balls not withstanding. Aren't we deep enough in debt? Are our assets unlimited? We need to consider our own welfare and let these backwards countries fend for themselves. They will still sell us oil, we're their biggest customer!
      _Papa_
      Reply Vote

    • i hope that dont mean USA

      @Linux Geek
      Because your hand are full with irak and Afghanistan....
      But you are right on one thing Gadhafi must go now....


      ONU and nato should maybe make a smart move ....
      Quebec-french
      Reply Vote

      • Let the UN handle it...

        After all, they're the peacemakers and the peacekeepers who have kept the world safe from all terrorists and all ruthless dictators. They've done a wonderful job in the past, and I'm pretty sure, they can do it again. If it wasn't for the UN, the USSR would've taken over the world, and Iraq's Hussein would've been allowed to occupy and "own" Kuwait.

        So, the U.S. should butt out of an area where they have no business, and, either let the UN take care of any world crisis, or just let the people take care of their internal problems. After all Gadhafi knows what's best for his people and the U.S. has no business interfering.
        adornoe
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

      @Linux Geek

      WHY? Who made us the POLICE of the world. It is their country, let them fight. It not USA business.
      davidmpaul
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

      @Linux Geek Yeah, look where George Bush's shriveled grapes got us. Worked real well there didn't it?
      Spiff1
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

        @Spiff1
        USA is not the police of the world, and USA does not represent the LIbya people.

        The question should have clear answer is that WHO represent the Libya people? Do the rebellians represent Libya?
        mlwan
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

      @Linux Geek
      The libyan rebels/revolutionaries/freedom-fighters/etc. have specifically asked that NO FOREIGN MILITARY SET FOOT ON LIBYAN SOIL. They clearly understand that this is their battle to win or lose. Seeing as they've asked everyone else to stay out of it, I think we would show them the most respect by staying out of it.
      mheartwood
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

    I read somewhere that Nostradamus already predicted WW3 and it will start around mediterranean. seriously

    Humans will destroy itself with very few people left and they'll start anew. I think I'm quite old for war too. These days only teens wants to carry rifles and even carry inside their school campus.

    sorry out of topic
    Martmarty
    Reply Vote

  • Stop spreading your stupid propaganda

    ... as if no one knows why the Pindostan are working so hard to export their democracy
    linuxoid
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Things grow worse in Libya and the Internet is switched off

    @ Pindostan = the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. ? Us The u.S.a ? When we wanted our democracy a civil war was fought.Gun barrels to gun barrels our people fought , no cowards allowed .Democracy is a system that people have to believe in and fight for if necessary .Not a simple word
    iguanaware
    Reply Vote

  • No Easy Answer

    The fate of Libya lies in the hands of its people. Ghadafy should step down now; he has attacked his own people with foreign soldiers and has lost credibility to remain in charge.

    The west should monitor the situation and provide humanitarian aid when requested. There are other hot spots that may have more impact than what is happening in Libya.
    sboverie
    Reply Vote
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