Probably Congolese on loan to him from Mugabe's Zimbabwe in return for oil

Firstly, sorry to read about the loss of your brave son.

Completely agree that the West should steer well clear

Agree, this is always the catch 22. People who are already in a terrible position suffer more.

Thanks.

One of the many reasons we want to move to Oz for a resh start. Not to forget...that will never happen, but in honour of his memory, do the things he also wanted to do. It is no secret I have been trying to get to Oz for some time but things have not quite worked out. This time it will...it has to.

I'm sure it'll work out for you this time. Good luck to you and your family, mate.

Are you not a westerner living in a western country?

The only external intervention that would have any possibility of success would be Arab forces under a UN flag. However this is unlikely to happen as a lot of the Arab nations are dealing with their own civil rest, are too small, or are led by autocrats who would not want to rock the boat as they might be next.

Just out of interest, and this isn't directed at you in particular but any posters who think 'we' should 'do something'..... 'do something' against who exactly?

There seems to be an assumption that these events are all the people against all parts of government, which is pretty obviously nonsense.

Just for arguments sake, lets say that NATO managed to get large scale forces on the ground in Libya. They are then faced by a large demonstration in favour of the the Government, with attacks on anti-government supporters... what would you expect them to do?
Wade in on the side of the anti-government people.. or sit back and watch?

Shouldn't be directed at me at all. Just to clarify.

As well as carrying a high possibility of failure the legitimacy of external intervention is always suspect.

I guess one reason why some western governments might get involved is to try and prevent a scenario where tens of thousands of Libyans end up setting sail across the Mediterranean towards Europe. I don't think they will though.

Italy already has that problem with Tunisians and Libyans WILL start coming. Europe's reaction to this will be interesting.

I wrote that a bit poorly, I meant that the governments wont get involved. I do think the Libyans will start fleeing.

I knew what you meant.
Governments in France, Italy and Spain are about to face some tough decisions about what to do with thousands of migrants from North Africa. Italy already has some serious issues with economic migrants from Africa, breakdown of government in those countries will see a surge in that, potentially in the tens of thousands.

What nation would you prefer to be the world's dominant power? History shows us that there has always been one. 100 years ago it was the UK, before them it was Spain etc. Right now it is the US. Would you prefer China to be running the world, or maybe India?

I'm happy that the US are the only world power right now because the alternatives are not pretty.

Agree, very sad. Good luck Oz wannabe1 in your move.

Lets see what the outcomes could be, Status Quo, Islamic Republic, another "Strongman" or full democracy. The last one is the least likely IMO.

Not much the west could do, it would end up like Northern Ireland, or Iraq. Troops arriving to protect locals quickly seen as "occupying force" and the enemy.