Libya rebels cheer in Tripoli, Gadhafi’s sons held

TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan rebels waved opposition flags and shot into the air in jubilation after reaching Tripoli’s central Green Square, Sky news live footage from the scene showed in the early hours of Monday.

The vast square, reserved until now for carefully orchestrated rallies praising Moammar Gadhafi, erupted in celebration after rebel troops pushed into the center of the Libyan capital overnight.

The rebel leadership said Gadhafi’s son and one-time heir apparent Seif al-Islam had been arrested.Rebel leaders later said a second Gadhafi son, Mohammed, and the top military unit in charge of protecting the Libyan leader surrendered.

Associated Press reporters with the rebels said they met little resistance as they moved from the western outskirts into the capital in a dramatic turning of the tides in the 6-month-old Libyan civil war. The rebels took control of one neighborhood, Ghot Shaal, on the western edge of the city. They set up checkpoints as rebel trucks rolled into Tripoli.

One of the rebels, Mohammed al-Zawi, 30, said he was in a convoy of more than 10 trucks that entered Ghot Shaal. He said they progressed as far as the neighborhood of Girgash, about a mile and a half from Green Square, where Gadhafi supporters have gathered nightly throughout the uprising to rally for their leader of more than 40 years.

He said the rebels came under fire from a sniper on a rooftop in the neighborhood.

“They will enter Green Square tonight, God willing,” al-Zawi said.

Sidiq al-Kibir, the rebel leadership council’s representative for the capital Tripoli, confirmed the arrest of Seif al-Islam to the AP but did not give any further details.

Earlier, Gadhafi said he will stay in Tripoli “until the end” and called on his supporters around the country to help liberate the capital from a rebel offensive.

He said in an audio message played over state television he was “afraid that Tripoli will burn” and he said he would provide weapons to supporters to fight off the rebels.

U.S. close to decision on 9/11 trial for Mohammed

WASHINGTON: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday said the administration is close to a decision on how to prosecute the self-professed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks Khalid Sheikh Mohammed but declined to provide specifics.

His initial plan to try Mohammed and four other accused plotters in a Manhattan federal court was put on hold after New York officials and lawmakers said he should be tried in a military court. AGENCIES

U.S. close to decision on 9/11 trial for Mohammed

WASHINGTON: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday said the administration is close to a decision on how to prosecute the self-professed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks Khalid Sheikh Mohammed but declined to provide specifics.

His initial plan to try Mohammed and four other accused plotters in a Manhattan federal court was put on hold after New York officials and lawmakers said he should be tried in a military court. AGENCIES

Car bomb targets Iranian pilgrims in Iraq holy city

BAGHDAD: A car bomb killed five people and wounded 28 after targeting Iranian pilgrims in Iraq’s holy Shi’ite city of Kerbala on Monday, a provincial official said.

“It was a car bomb. There were Iranian pilgrims in the area.

They were targeted,” said Mohammed al Moussawi, head of the Kerbala provincial council.

Political tensions in Iraq have been stoked by the failure of its leaders to agree on a new government eight months after an inconclusive election. AGENCIES

Pak HC critic of ICC over suspension of trio

LONDON: Pakistani High Commissioner in London Wajid Shamsul Hassan has strongly criticized ICC following its ruling of suspension of Pakistani cricket trio: Salman Butt, Mohammed Aamer and Mohammed Asif, alleged cricketer of spot-fixing allegations, Geo News reported Friday.

In his statement, he said ICC Chief Haroon Logart has betrayed Pakistani High Commission (PHC), by telling a lie.

He said: “Logart visited PHC at 5:30pm and stayed there for an hour.” “In the meantime, he hinted at avoiding to unnecessarily pressurize Pakistani players besides assuring not to dismiss or suspend trio from playing International Cricket”, he noted.

Subsequently, he left PHC excusing that he had some personal work to do but he issued orders of suspension of three players after a little while, he maintained.

Nation won’t tolerate any ultra-constitutional change: Kaira

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday said that the network of terrorist organizations has been smashed in the country adding that we have to join hands to fight collectively against such elements.

Talking to media persons here at the Parliament House, he said that it is not a time to indulge in blame game but is a time to create unity among our rank and file and to fight the mindset which wants to destabilize the country. “The Punjab government should not be blamed for Lahore tragedy. No one is safe from them and the terrorists attack whenever they find any opportunity,” he observed.

The minister said the government operation against the terrorists in Swat, Malakand and tribal areas remained successful and the whole network of terrorist organizations has been broken. The whole nation including security forces, media and the civil society played key role in eradicating the menace of terrorism from Swat and Malakand division, he said.

The security forces remained successful in the operation against the terrorists in Malakand division and it was the results of consensus which was built against such elements, he added. The Minister said that some splinter elements belonging to smashed terrorists groups are acting in desperation but the government would not allow them to play with lives of innocent people.

Replying to a question, Kaira said that it was not made public that how many people were arrested in connection with terrorism on the basis of intelligence. “Wherever we deem necessary, we will take action and we need no dictation from any quarter,” he added.

In response to another question, he said that democracy has been restored after long struggle and the nation would not tolerate any ultra-constitutional change in the system.

The National Assembly session was convened to discuss relief and rehabilitation of flood victims but it has been adjourned for one day owing to the death of Minister for Local Government AbdulRazzaq Thahim and now the matter would be discussed on Friday.

No efforts to be spared for victims rehabilitation: Nawaz

MUZAFFARBAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif Thursday said no efforts will be spared for the service and rehabilitation of the flood-stricken people.

Addressing the flood affectees in Baseera area of Muzaffargarh, Nawaz Sharif paid tributes to the people hit by the unprecedented floods for their resilience and courage.

“There can be no compensation for loss of life but those who suffered monetary losses will be given at least Rs100,000 each,” he promised.

Later, talking to media, the PML-N Chief said rehabilitation of the flood victims is a colossal task and will take time, as even the assessment of the losses remains to be carried out.

Referring to the yesterday’s deadly bombings in Lahore, he said problems of Pakistan are being compounded. Some elements want to see Pakistan unstable, he added.

President calls meetings over victims rehabilitation, targeted killings

ISLAMABAD: Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar Thursday said President Asif Ali Zardari has convened two important meetings in connection with the rehabilitation and putting a curb on targeted killings in Karachi.

He said this while talking to media men after attending the funeral prayers on federal minister Abdul Razzaq Thaheem.

Farhatullah Babar said the President has issued directives to Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza in regard to maintenance of law and order besides putting a check on targeted killings in Karachi.

In order for rehabilitation of the victims, Babar said, settlements like Benazirabad will be established.

He refrained from commenting on the statement of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain.

The presidential spokesman said each flood affected family will be given Rs20,000 and the first installment of Rs5,000 will be disbursed before Eid-ul-Fitr.

Raza Haider”s alleged killers identified

KARACHI: The killers of MQM MPA Raza Haider have been identified by two witnesses in a local court here, Geo News reported Thursday.

CID police produced Mohammed Waseem alias Barodi, Abdullah alias Taimoor and Iklaq in court of Judicial Magistrate Central and West for identification parade.

The two witnesses identified the alleged men who have been accused of sectarian killings as well as their involvement in the murder of the MPA Raza Haider, along with the killings of Dr Junaid Haidri and Khadim Hussain, among others.

A police party led by SSP Operations Mohammed Fayaz Khan and SSP Chaudhry Aslam arrested Mohammed Waseem alias Barodi, and Abdullah alias Taimoor, during an encounter in Orangi Town.

Salman, Aamir, Asif meet PCB officials

LONDON: Facing the match-fixing allegations, three Pakistani players, Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamir met PCB officials including Chairman Ijaz Butt on Thursday, Geo News reported.

However, players’ scheduled meeting with Pakistani High Commission in London Wajid Shamsul Hassan was delayed for a day due to anonymous reasons.

Now, this meeting will be held on Friday, featuring presence of PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, PCB sources said.

It was decided during the meeting with PCB officials that three players will join ODI squad in Taunton on Friday.

Shocking news for Pakistani fast bowler Mohammed Aamir appeared that a garment manufacturing company has called off ad agreement with bowler owing to spot-fixing charges.

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