The United Nations have authorised the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya. This means that all aircraft who are flying over the country without prior authority are liable to be shot down. All air defences in Libya will be disabled first - i.e., bombing raids will be carried out to that effect.
Gaddafi has issued a series of threats, when it became clear over recent days that this was in the offing. He has said that no mercy would be shown to the rebels in Benghazi. Retaliatory strikes would be carried out against military and civilian targets in the Mediterranean, with shipping in the basin being rendered unsafe in the medium and long term.
It is pretty clear to see what has happened over the past 4 weeks. From being in a state of denial, Gaddafi has actually moved to acknowledge the presence of the rebels and will exterminate them. I am deliberately using that term. We have seen what he was like against unarmed civilians, who dared to demonstrate against him - heavy weaponry, normally only used against armoured vehicles or fighter jets, was deployed. I remember a man being brought into a hospital, with an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade sticking out of his leg.
Since 2003, Gaddafi had portrayed himself as the bad boy turned good, after he saw what had happened to Saddam Hussein in Iraq. British Prime Minister (at the time) Tony Blair went to Libya to seal deals with the country's leader - but Blair had forgotten the old adage that a fox never loses its true character. Gaddafi has, so far, survived the insurrection in his own country, but in suppressing it has completely lost all credibility.
I am quite apprehensive about the outcome of the imposition of the no-fly zone, coming as it does rather late in the day. Gaddafi feels he is back in the ascendency, and being in a position of total isolation, will stick at nought to maintain his position.
For reference, Gaddafi is not really a colonel. He has promoted himself to that rank.
EDIT: Did I say that this means we've got another war on our hands?
It's all very worrying Guido. I personally think it's a bit late as he has had these few weeks to think up other dastardly deeds..would it not be possible in this day and age to have got someone in to "take him out"...or is that just me and wishful thinking..
ReplyDeleteSybil x
I cannot understand why we ever entertained ths despot in the first place! Having siad that I can. Oil!
ReplyDeleteWhen will people come top of the list for humanitarian reasons instead of oil? When?
I fear we will become involved in another war in the middle east ..again! Why we don't ask the well equipped Saudi's to intervene instead, I do not know.
Jeanie
I think it is amazing that he is still insisting that the "protesters" are actually Al Queda!
ReplyDelete