What will the unravelling of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule expose? Bunkers, tunnels, espionage and probably more.
The Rixos Hotel in Tripoli has been home for a steady flow of international journalists since the Libyan conflict began.
Over the months it has become almost as infamous as Saigon’s Caravelle, Sarajevo’s Holiday Inn and Baghdad’s Al Rashed.
The atrium of the Rixos hotel, home to many foreign journalists in Tripoli
Until two days ago, the only way to cover the Libyan conflict from Tripoli was to apply for a visa from Col Gaddafi’s government, hope it is granted and then succumb to a virtual house arrest at the Rixos.
Without the visa, it was impossible to get to Tripoli. With the visa, you’ll get there, but be unable to report anything without being monitored and ‘guided’ by government minders.
Most international news organisations took the decision that it was worth having a presence in Tripoli but to supplement it with another presence in the rebel held territories.
I spent five weeks in the Rixos. It was hard work. We were only allowed out with minders. Some of them were very friendly, but all monitored everything we did.
We could only go where they wanted to take us. We repeatedly asked to be taken to places that interested us. Answer: no.
At times it was intimidating. Many of the minders were genuine and passionate in their support for the Colonel. They never saw us as impartial. They were convinced we were spies.
We were convinced of a number of things too. We knew our emails and phones were being tapped, but we couldn’t prove it.
Rebels wave their flag in Tripoli
And we believed there was a series of bunkers under or near the hotel – a series of oddly placed air vents in the grounds and plenty of raised grass was enough to get the more imaginative minds going.
There is even a suggestion that a tunnel leads from the hotel north-east for a kilometre, popping up inside Col Gaddafi’s compound.
Well we now know – our emails were monitored. The three dozen journalists now stuck in the Rixos (the minders have fled) have discovered our emails printed out and labelled in handwriting.
The tunnels? We will find out I guess – but it will be fascinating to know how the Colonel managed to get to the Rixos (and away again) back in May without any of us knowing. We were oblivious and having dinner 30 yards from him.
The pressing question is where is he now? If he is still in Tripoli – and there’s no reason to suggest that he has left – then he is almost certainly in one of the many bunkers which are believed to lie beneath his sprawling compound.
Col Gaddafi gestures as he enters the Rixos in March
Nato has spent months bombing the compound. Sources there have told me repeatedly that they know the leader has bunkers underneath the compound.
The bunkers were built by western companies (when the Colonel was on better terms with us) and it’s thought Nato has access to at least some of the blueprints for those bunkers.
Soon we may see the bunkers and the rest of it for ourselves.
Source: Sky News
KILL QADDAFI HE IS A PIECE OF SHIT. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WHEN HE IS FOUND TO CUT OFF HIS BALLS AND SHOVE THEM IN HIS MOUTH AFTER YOU SLIT HIS THROAT FROM EAR TO EAR. QADDAFI IS A RAPIST AND A MURDERER OF HIS OWN FLESH AND BLOOD DO NOT SHOW ANY MERCY ON THIS BASTARD HE DESERVES TO DIE ………PERIOD END OF STORY………….
FF (REBELS) BLOW UP ALL THE BUNKERS THEN YOU WILL KNOW IF QADDAFI IS IN ONE OF THEM WHEN HIS HEAD BLOWS OFF HIS BODY AND ROLLS ON THE GROUND THEN KICK IT LIKE A SOCCER BALL. THEN JUSTICE WILL HAVE BEEN SERVED.
QADDAFI’S END DAY HAS COME MAKE THIS HAPPEN ASAP………..KILL THE PRICK UPON SIGHT>>>>>
TO SHOW MERCY ON QADDAFI SHOWS WEAKNESS SO BLOW HIS ASS UP ONCE AND FOR ALL> FOREVER HE WILL NOT BE MISSED>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BY ANYONE PERIOD END OF STORY>>>>
18:30 Reuters Libyan rebels claimed to be close to capturing Muammar Gaddafi on Friday. They were surrounding an area where Gaddafi and his entourage are reportedly hiding. “The area where he is now is under siege,” Justice Minister Mohammed al-Alagi told Reuters. “The rebels are monitoring the area and they are dealing with it.”
We are close to capturing King Rat. I agree Matt but that job must be performed slowly so Amnesty International doesn’t accuse us of crimes against sub-humanity.
The little shit must be shaking in fear . His days of power and joy are over. The light is shinning upon the rebels. Blind that bastard with your light. Punch that pimp Champions. Remove his testicles. Then hang em where he used to hang innocent Libyan students.
It’s not revenge like you call it Amenity International is justice ,is fairness ,is the rule of islam a testicle for a testicle.
We don’t need Subhuman Crimes Watch.
Knock Gadaffi’s teeth out with a surgical hammer. Put him in jail with sex offenders . Rape him. Shoot close to his ears. Burry him all the way to his neck and play soccer with his head. Urinate his head. But don’t defecate it. That’s not fair. Then lock him up, feed his a piece of bread and a glass of water.
Why not ?
Why do these individuals have rights when they raped humanity ?
This only perpetuates crime.
The Human Rights Groups defend the rights of Sub-humans like Gadaffi and his thugs.
Gadaffi does not have a right to live because all he has done is unforgivable. Why should we give to these people something when they ordered and applauded their crimes?Where were you Amenity International ? Why don’t you have fun elsewhere ?
Besides there is a reward on his head. You can’t save that bastard Amenity International or you Sub human Crimes Watch. The joke is on you. Jokers.
Idiots like you 2 that have commented show what a complete joke war monger america,nato,britain and france are and why they will always be a joke with people like you as its citizens .People like you 2 are the reason abortion is legal.