Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Last Gasp of a Dictator?

Amidst the protests and brutal violence in Libya, Qaddafi appeared on state TV.  It was not to urge protesters to go home or to assert his power over the country, or anything one might expect from a dictator about to be toppled.   Instead, it was this:


Translation:  "I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe the channels belonging to stray dogs....I wanted to say something to the youths at the Green Square (in Tripoli) and stay up late with them but it started raining. Thank God, it's a good thing."


There has been great violence and bloodshed as forces loyal to Qaddafi and mercenaries have hit hard at protesters.  At the same time, two Libyan Air Force officers have defected to Malta instead of carrying out orders to bomb their own people and Libyan ambassadors around the world are resigning.  Could this clip be the last glimpse of Qaddafi? 

Andrew Sullivan has strong coverage of this story.   

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