Gaddafi defiance

Today, this region is again in tumult with claims of genocide in Libya as defiant Colonel Gaddafi likens himself to a warrior while promising to die as a martyr, and Iran casting a long nuclear shadow across the Middle East.

As David Cameron told Kuwaitis, the “history sweeping through your neighbourhood” offers an opportunity to encourage – rather than impose – democracy on the Arab world. His optimism reflected the mood of the oppressed as they finally find their voices.

The difficulty is that the Prime Minister’s voice will not be heard in Tehran or Tripoli. Iran’s hardline president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, continues to treat his people – and the West – with contempt. Meanwhile Gaddafi, accused of ordering the execution of his own people, further embarrassed all those Western leaders who mistakenly ingratiated themselves with his odious dictatorship as he used yet another televised tirade to mask the bloodshed taking place in his own country.

As the United Nations finally discussed the Gaddafi regime’s crimes against humanity, Mr Cameron was encouraging Libyans and others to embrace the revolutionary spirit – while these brave citizens found themselves armed with little more than their personal courage as they defend themselves against the merciless violence and thuggery still being meted out by the firing squads. Unless the UN and others back their words with decisive action, there remains the appalling prospect of Gaddafi defying the wishes of his people – and the world – as he blocks oil exports. As Britain prepares to evacuate its nationals from Libya, can the UN afford, or allow, Gaddafi to remain in power for much longer?