EU arms exports to Libya: who armed Gaddafi?

The Guardian has done a bit of datamining at one of The European Union's sites and discovered some rather interesting facts revealing how much money various members of the European arms industry have earned by selling weapons to Gadaffi.

Below are some key revelations:

The EU granted export licenses for €834.5m worth of arms exports in the first five years after the arms embargo was lifted in October 2004

2009 is the highest amount ever: €343.7m

Italy is the top exporter, with €276.7m over the five years

The UK got off to a big start in 2005, with €58.9m of the €72.2m total.

UK licenses over the five years are worth €119.35m

Malta saw some €79.7m of guns go through the Island en route to Libya in 2009 - apparently sold via an Italian company.

The Guardian: "EU arms exports to Libya: who armed Gaddafi?"

Once Again An Excellent Commentary by Glenn Greenwald.

Below is a quote from Glenn Greenwald's latest blogpost on his very readable Salon.com blog. I generally recommend him for the simple reason, that he is usually a very informed and well argued observer and commentator. Read his blog!

"I'm genuinely astounded at the pervasive willingness to view what has happened in Libya as some sort of grand triumph even though virtually none of the information needed to make that assessment is known yet, including: how many civilians have died,how much more bloodshed will there be, what will be needed to stabilize that country and,most of all, what type of regime will replace Gadaffi? Does anyone know how many civilians have died in the NATO bombing of Tripoli and the ensuing battle? Does anyone know who will dominate the subsequent regime? Does it matter?"

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Libya, Syria and the Road to World War III - Paul Craig Roberts on The Corbett Report

Libya: The Plot Thickens!

The Telegraph: Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links.

Jerusalam Post: Al Qaida commander backs Libyan rebels in message.

The Telegraph: Libya: al-Qaeda among Libya rebels, Nato chief fears.

ICH: 2007 West Point Study Shows Benghazi-Darnah-Tobruk Area was a World Leader in Al Qaeda Suicide Bomber Recruitment.

McClatchy: Libyan Rebel Leader Spent Much of Past 20 Years in Langley Virginia

FDL: CIA, British Special Forces Swarm Through Libya.

Huffington Post: The CIA, the Libyan Rebellion, and the President.

ICH: The Euro-US War on Libya: Official Lies and Misconceptions of Critics

Gilbert Achcar: Obama and the Libyan Rebellion

Democracy and Hypocrisy in Libya.