Libya, "Slipping from the Grasp of a Tyrant"

Alyssa Stressing

Libya has spent more than forty years under the power of Muammar el-Qaddafi. In February 2011 conflict began in many cities. The conflict began with an organized group of anti-government rebels. The war is between Qaddafi’s loyalists and the rebels who want to overthrow the government. On August 21, 2011 rebel forces rushed Tripoli, the capital of Libya, and arrested two of Qaddafi’s sons, while they and the residents celebrated the potential end of his rule. The rebels had announced that the guards protecting Qaddafi had surrendered and they had also gained control of many parts of the city, except Qaddafi’s compound. President Obama stated, “Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant and his regime is showing signs of collapsing. The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.”  Qaddafi’s hold on power was decreasing as the rebels had taken over his compound on August 23, 2011 and gained control after days of fighting.

On August 30, 2011, the rebels offered a four-day deadline for the loyalists to surrender. The ultimatum signaled a rebel movement, which was encouraged by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. The Rebel’s chairman Mustafa Abdel-Jalil recently stated.  Peaceful acknowledgement of the deadline must be indicated or “the matter will be decided militarily.” The ultimatum is targeted at Qaddafi’s loyalists in Sirte, his hometown, and other towns. The rebel forces gave the ultimatum after news broke that Qaddafi’s wife and three of his children fled to Algeria. The reason for refuge as given by Algeria’s ambassador to the UN, Mourad Benmehidi, said that he was abiding by his country’s “holy rule of hospitality.” Although Algeria has taken in Qaddafi’s family, officials say that they are remaining neutral as they have been for the past six months. The announcement was the first confirmation on the whereabouts of Qaddafi’s family since rebel forces moved the Qaddafi unit a week ago. This event is a major turn in the Libyan conflict.  The Libyan rebels are determined to handle the conflict without the intervention of UN Peacekeeping forces however, Qaddafi’s whereabouts are still unknown, and the rebel forces claim that they will not consider themselves victorious until Qaddafi is captured or killed.