THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The “prestige” of the international community will be lost if Colonel Gaddafi is allowed to cling to power in Libya, Sir John Major has warned.Unless Gaddafi is toppled, he will inflict “bloody reprisals” on the Libyan people, the former prime minister said. Other Middle Eastern leaders would also be encouraged to continue to repress their people.
He spoke as Western leaders continued to debate their response to the growing violence in Libya, where Col Gaddafi’s forces were yesterday making significant gains against opposition groups.
Sir John also backed William Hague as a “superb” foreign secretary, amid continued Conservative criticisms of his performance in the job.
Sir John speaks frequently to David Cameron, advising the Prime Minister on issues including the Middle East, where he travels frequently on business.
European Union and Nato leaders will meet today to continue discussing their response to the Libyan crisis, but there is still no sign of an international consensus on military action. >>> James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Thursday, March 10, 2011
If something isn’t done about Gaddafi soon, it will be too late. The opportunity to topple this despicable dictator will have been lost. President Barack Hussein Obama is showing no leadership in this thorny issue. Isn't he a typical academic? Quite unable to make up his mind because he is able to see the problem from each and every angle. So, he ends up dithering instead of taking decisive action. This, of course, is a very dangerous strategy (or lack of one). If Gaddafi is allowed to cling to power, and it looks as though he probably will cling to power given today’s advances, he will terrorize his own people and, as retribution, will probably resume terrorizing the world, too. We only have to think of Lockerbie for a graphic example of such a nightmare scenario. – © Mark
