The Good The Bad and The Ugly of Muammar Gaddafi

“Toppled down Gaddafi”, “Bring the Butcher to justice” and many more protest could be heard all across Arab desert nation of Libya. Since 15^th February there has been uprising to oppose Gaddafi dictatorship hence a concentrated effort has been disperse to eliminate any opposition towards the Gaddafi regimes. Speaking of the rule, it is interesting facts that now Libya is in turmoil due to Gaddafi eagerness to stayed in the presidential post. It is interesting fact to look back at the past on how Gaddafi achievements contribute to his presents. Muammar Gaddafi who was born on 7^th June 1942 during the peak of World War 2 in Africa and currently one of the most long reign ruler in the world.

            As his political and career is on the verge due to be overthrown by his own people, many should remembered that Gaddafi came across to power also from the overthrown of the previous ruler, King Idris of Libya. Another disturb fact is when he make the coup he is only a colonel in the army! Now many have seen that getting power by coup will only stimulate the same reactions in the future. Gaddafi doesn’t see this, he see the protestant is being manipulated by the oppositions and Al-Qaeda. 

Cute version of Gaddafi

Inspecting his favourite rifle

              During the early of his reign most of the Libyan support his policies which include war with Chad and Egypt as what he see as the “necessary war” that needed to stabilize Africa. The creation of Islamic Legion in which a tool to unify and Arabization the Northern Africa and his willingness to dispose any weapon of mass destructions in Libya arsenal being considered by many observer and critiques as Gaddafi attempts to gain spotlight in the international arena.

            It is also an interesting fact that he has a squad of commando to be assigned as his personal bodyguard.  The fascinating thing about this is that his personal bodyguard which compromised of 40 members is entirely female. More than that, for those women who wish is included in this elite squad must be virgins! An interesting or disturbance fact? They are trained to use modern firearms and martial arts which made them equivalence and danger from their opposite sex. Gaddafi bodyguards create a sensation and sometimes steal the headlines from the Gaddafi as this unit is perceived as unique.   

            For most of the time one should not remembered Gaddafi contributions in the international arena. Besides being accused as conspirators in West Berlin nightclub bombing which killed three people and injured more than 200 he also bring Libya to the direct confrontation with the United States (US). Before the bombing of the night club, he has claim the Gulf of Sindra as part of Libya territorial water and any intrusion as an act of violation against Libya sovereign. This ultimately created a conflict with US and was continued with Operation El Dorado Canyon as retaliation for the Berlin bombing. The objective of this air strike campaign is to remove Gaddafi and others top senior members of his regime thus allowing for new and less hostile regime against the US to surface.

 Most of the military infrastructures include the military air base, army base and airfields in Benghazi and Tripoli been bombed to rubble. This surgical air strike ordered by Reagan failed to accomplish its main objective but yet still success in term of tactical whereby Libya defenses is now reduce to nothings. The air campaign which intended upon military facilities also claimed the innocent civilian life which includes Gaddafi adopted daughter.  Western media portrayal against the Libyan causalities as part of Gaddafi propaganda as he is very specialized in exaggerating stories. 

            Believes that Gaddafi need to settle score with the US, a bombing of civilian air flight Pan Am Flight 103 which take a death toll more than 200 occurred in the Lockerbie air space. This with any others act of terrorism in the name of Arab and Islam has been use by the Gaddafi to gain the public and its remaining allies support. 

            However major political protest occurred in the Arab world which was inspired first in the Tunisia to remove the president Ben Ali. This as being stated by Malaysian ex prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir as a ‘Domino Effects’ which will contributed to other uprising in the regions. Followed by Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen and not least the Libya many civilians mainly the young protester came out to protest the dictatorship in their country. Libya which is a Socialist country has the most significant impact upon uprising. Lived in undemocratic society, poverty and with economic and diplomatic sanctions, Libyan people think the time has come for Gaddafi to be put out of his ‘throne’. 

            Most of the major eastern cities include Benghazi has fallen to the oppositions hands as many of the soldiers has renounce their oath to help the people to toppled down Gaddafi regimes. Out of cards to played, Gaddafi in his speeches yesterday announced that he will not hesitate to use violence against his oppositions even though they are unarmed protestants. He pledged that Libya will be bath in blood as any attempt to remove him from office is futile. Yet another disturbance news came that Gaddafi will not hesitate to use his remaining chemical weapon at his disposal to neutralize any of his opponents if the crackdown by his loyal armies is failed, thus will increase the number of casualties for both sides. 

Even Obama denounce him

            Many believe removing Gaddafi will cost dearly for the Libyan people as it is something that is quite impossible to be done. Many of Gaddafi pro-guerillas have been well equipped and armed to protect Tripoli from fall. On the other hand as being mentioned before, this a ‘Domino Effects’ in which countries like Tunisia and Egypt, where popular perception that removing their leader seems impossible could be done.  In due course this event will bring Gaddafi and his regime down or continued to stayed in power while oppressed the Libyans as time will tell its own tale.   

** Picture courtesy to http://edge-cache.gawker.com/gawker/mg/muammarfashion.html