africa
libya
Finishing off Gaddafi: What’s taking the rebels so long? Gaddafi’s last stands have been standing for quite a while now. It’s been four weeks since Tripoli fell to the rebels, but the towns of Bani Walid and Sirte remain under the control of pro-Gaddafi forces, with Brother Leader himself suspected to be holed up in one or the other of them. According to rebel commanders, it’s just a “matter of days” before the towns fall, but it’s not the first time we’ve heard these claims. Just how long can the old regime hold out? By SIMON ALLISON Let it never be said that the Libyan rebels lack confidence. Saturday was a prime example. “Sirte will be completely cleared today,” said a spokesman. It wasn’t. Nearly three weeks ago, another spokesman was even more confident, telling reporters that Bani Walid, the other major town held by Gaddafi forces, would fall “within a matter of hours”. It didn’t. Just yesterday, yet another spokesman – there are a proliferation of them – claimed that it would be a a “matter of days” before the two towns are cleared. We’re not holding our breath. But what’s taking them so long? The Libyan revolution took months to make the major breakthrough, but the fall of the regime, when it came, was precipitous; Tripoli was in
rebel hands within days of their first attack, and few expected them to still be fighting four weeks on. That, perhaps, is part of the problem. Regardless of their hold on a couple of minor towns, Gaddafi’s regime has been comprehensively ejected from power, and the rebels are already getting on with the serious business of governing. They’ve arranged for sanctioned international funds to be released, they’ve opened the Tripoli port for business and they’re about to announce an interim Cabinet to govern the country. For the men who find themselves still on the frontline, it might be a little dispiriting to still be dodging bullets Photo: REUTERS
Tuesday - 20 september 2011