Libya: Options Running Out for Gaddafi

By George Okore

TRIPOLI---His surname can be spelled in many different ways and no man can exactly find the correct name for the Libyan despot who’s been in power for the last 42 years.

And the world attention turns on Libyan leader Muammar Muammar Muhammad al-Gaddafi, whose last name can also be written as Qaddafi, Qazzafi, Qadhadhafi, Qaththafi, Khadafy and Gath-thafi among others.

He is under siege from popular protests that have also been witnessed across North Africa and the Middle East since the start of the year, leading to the toppling of long-standing regimes in Tunisia and Egypt. In Libya, pro-government forces have engaged in deadly and fierce clashes with rebels, leading to a growing humanitarian crisis as thousands of people attempt to flee the violence.

The 69-year old, who prefers to be called Leader than President, has refused to step down, claiming that his resignation would lead to civil war.  Not even the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya by Arab Summit and other Western powers could shake him. But following the US-led attacks on some targets, it remains to be seen how long he will hang on.

As if he enjoys the grave and deteriorating situation in Libya, Qadhafi is isolated, but has flatly ignored calls from international community to resign. Analysts argue that because of many enemies he has made, he would commit suicide rather than leave power and let others kill him.

Last month, United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions against the Libyan authorities, placing an arms embargo against the country and freezing the assets of its leaders, while referring the ongoing violent repression of civilian demonstrators to the International Criminal Court, in The Hague, Netherlands.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo subsequently announced that he is opening an investigation into Mr. Al-Qadhafi, some of his sons and members of his inner circle for crimes against humanity in repressing peaceful protesters in violence that has claimed hundreds or even thousands of lives, according to media reports. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said Mr. Qadhafi lost his legitimacy when he declared war on his people.

 Last week, Ghadaffi signaled willingness to step down, sending an envoy to negotiate on his behalf with the Interim National Transitional Council in Benghazi. However, Gaddafi had a long list of conditions including guarantee of his personal safety, and that of his entire family, along with their wealth, and a safe exodus from Libya.

He asked that all international warrants for his arrest or trial be waivered, and that he be informed what countries would be willing to grant him political asylum. Most analysts expect him to head either to Cuba or Venezuela where he enjoys excellent relations with President Hugo Chavez and the Castro brothers, Fidel and Raul.

Moreover, he wants to step down in style – insisting that he would present his resignation to the General Assembly of the People’s Council rather than to the Libyan rebels. Like others before him, Ghadafis resignation or forceful handover would be a welcome relief to the suffering masses.

Last Friday, USA President Barack Obama asked the international community was tightening the noose on Gaddafi, the same day European Union leaders meeting in Brussels said they would consider all options to force  Gaddafi to step down but stopped short of endorsing air strikes, a no-fly zone or other military-backed means.

And United Nations yesterday sent an envoy to Libya humanitarian and political talks amid growing concern at the death toll from fighting between Qadhafi’s forces and opponents seeking his ouster. The envoy, former Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib arrived amidst intense air, land and sea attacks against Ghadafi’s opponents, who have captured several cities in the east. More than 230,000 refugees have fled to Egypt, Tunisia and other neighbouring states.

One needs only to listen to any of Gaddafi’s recent speeches to understand how detached from reality the Libyan leader is. He sincerely cannot understand why the people are overthrowing him, having transformed into a grand legend in his own mind. Had Italy’s Benito Mussolini or Saddam Hussein ever imagined that they would one day suffer such miserable fates (executed by gun shots and hung, respectively), they would have likely pursued different policies during their long years in power.