The End of Muammar Gaddafi

“Your armed forces have overthrown the reactionary regime, which was corrupt and backward... Libya is henceforth free and sovereign… There will be no more oppression, abuse or justice, no more masters and slaves; rather there shall be free brotherhood and equality… Then we shall build our glory, revive our heritage and reclaim our dignity…Its time to begin our work, let us go forward!”

This sounds like a statement issued by the National Transitional Council following Gaddafi’s capture and death yesterday. But it isn’t!

Muammar Gaddafi in 1969

This is actually a broadcast by Radio Benghazi in the early hours of  1 September 1969, when a 27 year old Colonel Muammar Gaddafi having just overthrown the regime of King Idris took the leadership of the new Arab Republic of Libya.

In the four decade long Gaddafi rule, all these ideals disappeared and what emerged was a monster government that fed on it own people. The rise and fall of Col. Muammar Gaddafi shows how a young soldier with hopes of creating a better Libya turned into a tyrant and led to the destruction of his country.

But when the Arab Spring hit Libya, unlike his counter parts in Egypt and Tunisia, Gaddafi refused to step down. He fought and fought hard even though each passing day brought his end nearer, he did not give up.

Muammar Gaddafi in 2011

I distinctly remember Gaddafi’s last speech on state television in February which I called Ramblings of a Frightened Man where Gaddafi vowed to fight on and die a "martyr" in a highly dramatic way shouting and pounding his fist calling on his supporters to take back the streets from protesters who wanted his ouster.

Today the photographs of Gaddafi drenched in his blood and lying limp with the rebels around rejoicing his capture flashed on the front pages of every newspaper. Many call the gruesome images poetic justice.

Yesterday in Libya the NTC’s Abdel Hafez Ghoga said:

“We announce to the world that Gaddafi has died in the custody of the revolution. It is an historic moment. It is the end of tyranny and dictatorship. Gaddafi has met his fate."

The NTC will soon come up with a statement on the visions of the new Libya post Gaddafi in Benghazi on Sunday. I fear it may perhaps sound similar to Radio Benghazi’s broadcast of 1961.

But I just hope for the sake of the millions of Libyans this time a good intention is followed by good action.

Ramblings of a Frightened Man

Muammar Gaddafi's media appearances are turning into a laughing matter. But little does the Libyan dictator of 42 years realize that the iron fist with which he ruled Libya is not generating fear anymore.

Yesterday, a Swiss radio station aired a human right watch spokesperson saying that Gaddafi has left Libya. Soon afterwards Gaddafi made a 6 second apprearance on state TV announcing his presence in Tripoli. Gaddafi is reported to have said: “I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela.”

He blamed the rain for his brief appearance. Last week too he showed up briefly at a staged Gaddafi supporter demonstration in Tripoli, waving to his supporters from the sun roof of his car.

The International pressure on Gaddafi prompts him to make brief appearances on TV in a desperate attempt at putting on a 'power' show. 

Gaddafi has appeared on state TV as I'm writing this blog. Through twitter my friends from Libya translate his speech.

Since Tripoli is no longer safe for him with violent clashes on the street and state massacres pro democracy protesters, his speech on state TV seems to be shot in two locations with him a 'safe' place and his supporters crowd chanting his name from another place, says a tweet. The handshakes were allegedly staged too.

In his speech, Gaddafi says he has no intention of stepping down and he will 'die in Libya as a martyr'. He said 'he built Benghazi brick by brick'. He called his supporters to take to the street and shout, 'We sacrifice our blood and soul to you Gaddafi'.

He has called protesters 'rats' and 'cockroaches taking Libya back to the 50s'. He has promised death penalty to protesters and laughed at today's revolution saying that 'he makes revolutions and not these diseased rats!'

He has also called the pro democracy protests as 'armed seperatist rebellion'. His speech is a desperate attempt of power show but is failing miserably. While I read the tweets, I cannot help but feel that Gaddafi's is rambling like a 'mad man' that he is so often called by the protesters. My friends agree.

Here are some of his ramblings. I'm going to reproduce the tweets from Libya that literally translate his words.

"How are you diseased rats who take pills to begin a revolution! I make revolutions!" #gaddafi 'He's also being very generous, inviting the protesters to submit themselves and he will treat them from the pills.'

#Gaddafi just said a man on a motorbike, who got away, caused all the problems in #Benghazi! #Libya'

#Gaddafi is complaining that electricity and all forms of communications have been cut! #libya

#Gaddafi: Go ahead and protest peacefully, support Nasser! Support Gaza, support Iraq

'Gaddafi now says Al Qaeda is establishing bases in #Libya thru Egyptian & Tunisian infiltrators selling drugs?'

'Gaddafi: I have the millions of people and I have God by my side, who helped me win over ALL super power'

'Gaddafi: I will "cleanse #Libya house by house" if protesters do not surrender'

Gaddafi's speech lasted for an hour and quarter and we have had some hilarious moments. He is today no doubt a shadow of the man he once was. His speech will unfortunately not have the desired effect he hoped for and nothing sums its better than these tweets from two of the proud Libyan pro democracy protestors. 

Libyan 1: 'He is trying to divide the country, but thats not going to happen. The unity is scaring him...'

Libyan 2: 'Ha Ha Ha... he is so scared, the sigh was enough proof. He has totally lost it. His end is near!'