March 4, 2011 By James Kimer

Huda Seif: Shaken Regimes Get Desperate

libyaegypt.jpgIn the current surge of pro-democracy movements against the dictators of the Arab world, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime appears determined to stay in power at any cost. Using a full range of lethal force and no hesitation in violating international laws, he maintains a strong grip on Tripoli and some Western enclaves. At the same time anti-Gaddafi forces are proving themselves more determined in their effort to topple the regime by equally engaging in full armed conflict. Libya’s case is quite different from what has happened in Tunisia and Egypt. First, Gaddafi has for years built up a mythic cult of personality, and is surrounded by loyal armed followers ready to kill for him. Second, many of Gaddafi’s national armed forces have actually defected to join and defend the opposition movement. This last point made the fight for freedom from Gadhafi deadlier than others in the region. Additionally, Gadhafi’s open refusal of journalist to enter Libya has allowed most of his crimes to become unrecorded except through amateur venues. The UNSC has now unanimously approved an array of sanctions against Libya and has voted to refer Libya to the ICC. The US, the UK and the French have been very vocal of their disapproval of Gadhafi’s crimes and the former is on the verge of imposing a No Fly Zone despite the hefty cost such drastic measure may involve. The EU as a unit has yet to come up with a sold position suggesting that the EU may not yet be a viable political body but an economic one.