This from today's Financial Times.
Muammer Gaddafi, Libyan leader, seems to have the military and economic ability to defend his 41-year rule, raising the prospect of the political revolt against him developing into civil war.
Analysts said the colonel could call on a ragtag collection of forces – including mercenaries, fighters trained since youth, and a militia run by his son Khamis – to fight for control of enough of his country and its oilfields to keep a grip on power.
The assessment suggests that, while the leader’s sudden overthrow cannot be ruled out, deposing him may require an even bigger effort than the weeks of protest that have this year forced the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents from office.
Libya experts said the colonel also had citizens’ militias and African mercenaries, which have long been a plank of his security strategy.
He has been closely involved with the politics of a number of conflict-ridden sub-Saharan African nations over the years; Libya has served as a training ground for rebels such as Charles Taylor, the Liberian warlord and former president now being tried for war crimes.
So, he's got troops, weapons, cash, an absolute commitment to power, and absolutely no conscience.
Guess he's not planning on using that Gulfstream, after all...
HT Financial Times, ya'll:
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