Violence continues to rage in Libya

By Chris Beddow

Of all dictators in the Middle East — or worldwide for that matter — Moammar Qadhafi may more than any fit the description of thug, tyrant, and pimp all at once.

Sporting designer sunglasses and a manicured look paired with his extravagant outfits, the Libyan ruler is also known for his all-female bodyguard team as well as his iron fist.

His country has developed a reputation for being a dark, tightly regulated police state with a steady cash flow from its oil wells.

But another following in the media has called Libya a center of reform, as if it contrasts from Mubarak's oppressive regime in Egypt and the other not-so-free governments run by Libya's North African neighbors. The truth is, in fact, quite to the contrary.

Middle East commentator Michael Totten sets it straight, saying that "Libya's tyrant Moammar Qadhafi has killed more demonstrators than all other Middle Eastern dictators combined since the international Arab revolt began in Tunisia."

About a week ago, uprisings began in Benghazi, a major Libian city, and violent exchanges between the rebels and pro-Qadhafi forces ensued. Two hundred and twenty people were killed last week, but the revolt was at that time perhaps only an isolated event.

The conflict quickly spilled over into Tripoli, the capital, where as of Monday mercenaries and soldiers were firing at protestors in the streets with little or no restraint.

Violence of this magnitude is more resonant of the Iraq war than of the more tranquil uprisings in Egypt or even Iran.

It's safe to say that Qadhafi is no reformer, and is indeed one of the most violent dictators of his region.

Early this week, one of Qadhafi's sons appeared on Libyan television giving angry tirades and offering a laughable plan of reform.

Qadhafi himself appeared on Tuesday, vowing to stay in Libya and saying that it is not possible for him to leave — he event went so far as to insist that he will die a martyr in Libya. The fire looks to be spreading across Libya, with protesters and loyalists continue to clash.

Military officers have defected to the liberation movement, and most of the eastern part of the country has fallen out of Qadhafi's grip.

Tight control by loyalist forces foreshadows a bloody struggle to depose the regime in Tripoli.

Qadhafi's people are holding out in the capital with the guns and the money, but the dictator deserves to fall just as hard as the last guy — let's see if justice wins out.

Christopher Beddow is a senior political science major.