The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Libya : Gaddafi forces strike rebels..[ 2159 ]

Gaddafi force strike rebels in west and east Libya
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A rebel fighters reacts during an air strike in Ras Lanuf March 7, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic
Warplanes attack Libyan rebels (02:09) Report
By Alexander Dziadosz+
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RAS LANUF, Libya | Tue Mar 8, 2011 7:58am EST
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RAS LANUF, Libya (Reuters) - Libyan warplanes struck at rebel forces behind the war's eastern frontlines on Tuesday, stepping up the government offensive to roll back their early gains in the insurrection against Muammar Gaddafi.
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Reuters correspondents reported at least four air strikes near rebel positions in and around the oil town of Ras Lanuf on the Mediterranean coast. One hit a civilian home.
In the west, government artillery and tanks pounded Zawiyah, the closest rebel-held city to the capital Tripoli, destroying many houses and trapping residents.
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Earlier, the rebels said they had rejected an offer from the Libyan leader to negotiate his surrender of power. But the government denied any such talks had taken place and appeared to be making a robust military effort to crush the uprising.
On the international front, Britain and France led a drive at the United Nations for a no-fly zone over Libya, a move that would prevent Gaddafi from unleashing air raids on rebel fighters and towns or from flying in reinforcements.
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But the U.S. government resisted pressure from some U.S. lawmakers for direct intervention, saying it first wanted to figure out what military options could achieve in the oil-producing desert state.
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Tuesday's airstrikes hit at rebels behind the no-man's land between the coastal towns of Ras Lanuf and Bin Jawad, about 550 km (340 miles) east of Tripoli and the site of oil terminals.
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One strike smashed a house in a residential area of Ras Lanuf, gouging a big hole in the ground floor. Many homes, including the one hit, appeared to be evacuated and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Other attacks targeted rebel positions on the outskirts of the Ras Lanuf oil terminal.
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Mustafa Askat, an oil worker, said one bomb had wrecked a water line and this would affect water supplies to the city.
"We have a hospital inside, we have sick people and they need water urgently," he said.
The rebel army -- a rag-tag outfit largely made up of young volunteers and military defectors -- had made swift gains in the first week of the uprising which saw them take control of the east and challenge the government near Tripoli.
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But their momentum appears to have stalled as Gaddafi's troops pushed back using war planes, tanks and heavy weapons.
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Rebels said government forces had dug in their tanks near Bin Jawad while rebels retreated to Ras Lanuf. The two towns are about 60 km (40 miles) apart on the strategic coastal road along the Mediterranean sea that leads to Tripoli.
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