Gadhafi's Last, Desperate Stand

In an unjust world, sometimes even the hint of might can make right.

Forces loyal to Moammar Gadhahi and foreign mercenaries went on a killing spree in Libya as they advanced on poorly-equipped rebels. For days, Libyan freedom-fighters were asking the West to only level the fighting field. As the West dithered, Libyans children, women and men died by the hundreds. The murderous maniac of Libya was bent on killing his countrymen to preserve his power.

Finally, some action! The UN Security Council passed a resolution authorizing the use of Western military forces to halt the massacre of Libyans.

Immediately, Gadhafi's foreign minister announced a cease-fire.

But it has turned out to be a ruse. Gadhafi's troops are still killing Libyans on sight and in house-to-house searches in the rebel-held city of Misrata. They have attacked ambulances and hospitals and shelled mosques and schools. Nothing is off-limit to these psychopaths. Gadhafi's intention is to capture Benghazi with tanks and artillery, supported by aerial bombing.

The West, led by the United States, Britain and France, must not be deceived by Gadhafi's tricks. He must be stopped before he can advance any further and consolidate his gains. In his heart, he must know that his long reign of terror will soon be over. "I will take as many as I can with me" seems to be his mindset. Yet, when the prospect of death is imminent, don't be surprised if he slinks away like a thief into the night.

Countries that voted in favor of the UN resolution, mainly the U.S., Britain and France, must take military action immediately. (A beneficial consequence maybe that it will give the rulers of Yemen and Bahrain also the pause. Government forces and mercenaries are indiscriminately killing protesters there.) Once Gadhafi is convinced that the resolution has teeth behind it, he will plot his next move, which is to escape from Libya. Justice will eventually catch up with him but for now, the urgent course of action is to strengthen the confidence of the rebels with some decisive military action. They can take over after that.