Slowly but relentlessly the dreams of the people of Libya to remove a tyrant and usher in a new way of life are fading. Enthusiastic amateurs are facing the heavy weapons of a well trained and disciplined army - and they are being pushed back with only their base at Benghazi the remaining stronghold.
It all looked so promising. Tunisia and Egypt had succeeded in expelling dictators by sheer people power and the public unrest in Libya soon spread to over half the country. It seemed that Gadaffi's exit was imminent - but then he unleashed his army on his own people.
And what of the rest of the world ? And what of that supposed " world policeman " - the United Nations ?
Endless jaw boning at endless meetings - and absolutely no action. Talk of imposing a no-fly zone to ground the Libyan airforce and stop them bombing civilians. Demands that there must be uniform approval by all parties before intervention is even considered.
Self interest by many countries condemned Libyan freedom fighters to defeat - and the inevitable repression and revenge that will follow.
People power in places like Tunisia and Egypt and Libya frighten hell out of leaders of countries that suppress freedom of speech and political plurality on their own people. If it can happen there - it could arise to try and topple their hold on power.
Sadly, a movement likely to spread light and freedom throughout the entire Middle East will be short lived - because the world was timid when bold action was needed !
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