Calling It Quits
"We have fully complied with the historic mandate of the United Nations to protect the people of Libya." NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh RasmussenNext up? The people of Syria would dearly like NATO to likewise accommodate their equally-compelling desire to unseat their tyrant, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Their latest Friday protest rally was themed around the imposition of a no-fly zone to protect civilians. And just incidentally to help encourage more of the regime's soldiers to defect.
A UN-mandated no-fly zone very similar to the one that was imposed for Libya would satisfy their needs more than adequately, thank you very much. Pity, China and Russia will have none of it. Just as well, on reflection, for neither does the Arab League appear to have any enthusiasm for it. As for NATO itself, the Libyan intervention should perhaps not be seen as an imperialist template for intervention in intra-national disputes.
As for Libya, well, matters are progressing as they will in a society divided against bitter tribal lines. Which is par for the course in Africa and the Middle East.
The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant against Saif al-Islam, once the darling of the West, who promised ongoing 'progressive' regime changes that would continue to make his father's rule more palatable to those who continued to welcome him with honour in their capitals despite his terrorist-inspiring background.
NATO has decided it would decidedly not accept the latest appeal by the National Transitional Council to remain yet awhile. Citing potential ongoing attacks by Gadhafi loyalists, Libya's new regime asked for NATO to stay in place. The UN Security Council vote to cut off their mandate for foreign intervention has assisted the NATO mission in its desire to decamp.
The summary execution of the former dictator, rancid as he was, did not sit too well with most Western observers. The unfortunate videos of his harrowing humiliation, mutilation and death did nothing to endear the NTC militias to those who aided their aims. Nor does the fact, far less reported let alone discussed, of the ongoing executions of regime supporters.
NTC militias are continuing their vicious, reciprocal battles with diehard Gadhafi regime supporters; reports of dialogue leading to rapprochement and unification are understandably premature.
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, October 29, 2011
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