Fabian's Blog

Libya post Ghadaffi

Wednesday 7th September 2011 10:33 AM

When the United Nations authorised action to protect the citizens of Libya from being massacred by the government forces controlled by the tyrant Ghadaffi, I abstained in the Parliamentary vote. I feared for the possible level of collateral damage and the probable risk of UK forces being drawn into another civil war type of conflict. In retrospect it seems that some of my fears were unfounded and I think governments around the world have been surprised at the speed at which the revolution has occurred. Ghadaffi has been routed from Tripoli; most of the country is now under the direction of the National Transitional Council and, by all accounts, Libyans are very pleased to be in that position. Important strongholds of Ghadaffi loyalists remain and some more bloodshed appears inevitable before the situation becomes stable. I do, however, concede that the NATO air and sea support for the rebellion has undoubtedly shortened the conflict and prevented massacres of civilians by enraged Ghadaffi troops who were deprived of their heavy weapons and air power.

During this conflict it has been uplifting to see that the desire of people for freedom, just laws, democracy, educational and career opportunities and prosperity are truly universal and just not some western 'infidel' fad as tyrants like Ghadaffi would have their subjects believe. Now that Ghadaffi is no longer in power the UK must play its full part in helping Libya establish competent and impartial institutions of government and help with the rebuilding of the country. Yes, Libya is rich in oil but I would challenge cynics who might accuse NATO of only being interested in Libya because of that. Yes - the world needs to buy Libyan oil. But - the Libyan people need the profits from its sale. Before the revolution, when Ghadaffi controlled everything, the profits no doubt went straight to him to pay for his private jumbo jet with its jacuzzi and to bankroll his profligate family and hangers on. I hope he is found and captured alive. In the past, he supplied the IRA with Semtex explosives and weapons costing many UK lives. He has propped up cronies in other 'failed state' regions of Africa. He has financed terrorism around the world. His time has come to face justice and I hope it will be at the International Court at The Hague.

I also hope that events in Libya keep the Syrian leadership fearful in their beds at night. In this day and age it's hard to understand how people like Assad and his family can believe that they have an inalienable right to govern and to tyranise a whole nation and to cream off the nation's wealth for themselves. I really hope that the revolution in Syria succeeds and I also hope to see change in Iran. The universal desire for democracy, justice and prosperity reminds me that sins too are universal. The desire for wealth and power is still widespread and it is alive and well in Burma and North Korea to name but two more countries where oppression still reigns. I hope that I live long enough to see change for the better. And it may come sooner than I think! No-one predicted the Arab Spring starting in Tunisia spreading so quickly to Egypt and then to Libya. There have also been some good examples of despotic regimes seeing the writing on the wall and relinquishing power to give way to democracies - Albania, East Germany and some of the countries of the former USSR spring to mind - so maybe it could happen when we least expect, and quickly.

And long live Facebook for spreading good news and confidence among oppressed peoples. History has been made.