Muammar Gaddafi is what they are calling the President of Libya. I can remember back in the "oil embargo" days when this gentleman was known as Muammar Khadafi. Gaddafi led a coup against King Isidris in 1969. With the success of the coup, Gaddafi declared the MONARCHY of Libya a Republic, then promptly appointed himself as the Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, and as "Colonel" in the military. He was, of course, commander-in-chief of the military, as well. Khadaffi, or Gaddafi, has managed to remain in power since then. If I am not mistaken, only Fidel Castro of Cuba has been in charge longer, although Comrade Castro in only nominally in charge these days, due to his poor health.
Gaddafi no doubt observed the goings-on his neighboring Arab nations with some trepidation, as one after another iconic leaders were felled by citizens who were finished with the oppression and cruelty perpetrated on them by such as Gaddafi and his minions. Just as Hosni Mubarak and Zine Ben Ali (of Tunisia) were forced out of their respective nations, it is all but inevitable that Gaddafi's fate is sealed. Unlike Mubarak, who took the higher road (after a few days of unrest) President Ali ruthlessly sent his troops out to kill those who opposed him, even as he government crashed around him. I know it is futile to hope for, but I still hope that Gaddafi will sooner than later accept the inevitable. Blood has been shed, lives have been lost, and Gaddafi is day by day losing his stranglehold on the people of Libya. How many will be spared if Gaddafi, who is not known as a man of honor, should in the end decide to take the honorable course and step down, leaving his people in peace as they form a new and different kind of government?
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