Wednesday 9 March 2011

Gaddafi's masterclass

Seems to me that ex-President Mubarak could have learned a few lessons from Col Gaddafi in the way that dictators deal with those who oppose them. Around 1,000 are now dead and something just short of 200,000 have fled Libya.

Yemen has seen almost 100 lose their lives and government forces are using tear gas, stun guns and live rounds to suppress yet another popular revolt.

Having seen the footage from Ras Lanuf and Zawiya it is obvious that the calls for a 'no fly zone' from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference has to be taken seriously. The problem comes in that to do so would not just save lives but would also give Gaddafi some credibility with tbe Libyan populace over his claims that some nations are intent on colonial occupation.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't! But something has to be done.

The situation before us raises many subsidiary questions:

1. Where did the aircraft, tanks, arms and munitions Gaddafi has, come from? He's a despotic dictator but those who supplied him supported him and maintained his reign.

2. Shouldn't Arab nations be the people to impose and maintain the 'no fly zone' - for those who supplied arms to do it would be to legitimise duplicity.

3. If he manages to suppress the popular revolt, will governments recognise him and his government and by doing so endorse his actions

4. Apart from a Sunday mention in the prayers, how many of us (and our churches and fellowships) are really praying for the Middle East?

Pax

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The weapons being used by Gaddafi against his own people come from both Soviet and Western sources and are sold to them, in the main part, legally.

I wonder where the weapons those opposing Gaddafi come from and who is funding them.

I do have an idea!