End of the line

[sidogar]

24 August 2011 Is it tenacity or simply stubbornness not to read the writing on the Tripoli walls? The reappearance of his son Saif has caused some confusion in the global acceptance that the end was in sight and it was only hours to having the former leader in custody.
Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of urban conflict will know that it is very difficult to engage in this sort of combat since the risks to civilian casualties are heightened. Not just that but the entrenched force, even if it is smaller in size, is not easy to dislodge in a constructed area. The progress by the rebel forces, now very close to changing that nomenclature to ‘liberators’ will probably still be slow and they might need to regroup against the loyalists.

But against the backdrop of the fighting as Libyan pits himself against his fellow countryman it is also moral issue. Gaddafi loved the country he liberated at the tender age of 27. Now, that same country wants to be liberated from his rule and if he does truly love the land he has ruled for nearly four decades he should call it quits. Not because the US says so or because the UN calls for it but because it is the right thing to do. To stand by and allow Libyan blood to spill, lives be lost, families broken, brother fight brother because power has become non-negotiable is not an acceptable premise. That moral right has vanished and the right thing to do now would be to spike the guns and surrender to the public will.

Will he do it? The answer echoes in the wind because even if the rebel forces are temporarily held up they are not going to let go and finally but inexorably they will reach the compound gate and breach it. Over that stretch of time be it a day, a week or even longer Gaddafi has to face the reality of being isolated as the inner circle understands there is no way out. Not only will the political advisors make their moves but military commanders will also now seriously be considering other options that save the lives of the troops and their future in the country. No soldier likes to kill his own people and that could well be the reason for the eerie silence in Tripoli today…a chance for the loyalists to disband and call it a day.