For months, Muammar Gaddafi was the target of NATO bombs. Many people wanted him gone, and the least concern by anti- Gaddafi contingent around the world was how he went out. One may argue that the past few months and the Arab Spring gave him ample opportunity to make amends and to walk away from a fragile country, on the verge of crumbling at his feet. For some strange reason, the question in some circles of international press agencies is how Gaddafi died. Seriously? I have to agree [as I did after Bin laden’s death] that there is certain decorum and basic respect to be given to the dead; and that is a personal opinion, based on nothing. In that same vein however, I do not pass judgment at people who do not share this opinion, and especially when the dead person in question didn’t have any mercy or decorum for those he massacred while he lived. Of course there is a fine line between civility and graciousness, and no one is suggesting that OBL, and now Gaddafi deserved a 21-gun salute.
Ask anyone in Tripoli today and they will be quick to let you know that no one cares. But should the care? Whether or not rebel fighters executed Gaddafi or he died from injury when his convoy was attacked, my best guess will be that, such a debate may be an almost pointless exercise. Oddly enough, that might be a graphic memo that other ambitious politicians and military leaders in Libya can remember, and know that their fate might very well be the same if they dared to pursue a similar course. [But I digressed]
If indeed the world is a better place with Muammar Gaddafi’s exit, any talk of violating international rules of war may be a non-issue to Libyans. Of course, the country’s new leadership has their work cut out for them, and their first act in power [as seen by many] was how they handed over Gaddafi as democratic institutions usually do, or if they executed him as they see fit [as is the case in most lawless societies].
The logic here is that such an act may be setting the stage for the rule of law and human rights in the “new” Libya.
Fair point, but if I had any energy to invest in the new Libya at this juncture, it will be urging the leadership to move with deliberate speed to reconstruct their country before the momentum disintegrates into chaos. Furthermore, while the world is watching, the National Transitional Council (NTC) may want to focus its attention to viable political and economic infrastructures upon which the country’s survival will rest. The sympathy and spotlight won’t last; and if they want proof, see Haiti.
My point? There is more work to be done in Libya, less bandwidth to achieve every critical milestone over the all-important next three months, all of which are more pressing and more vital than an investigation into how Muammar Gaddafi died.
But what do I know?
