By Douglas V. Gibbs
As protests spread throughout the Muslim World in the Middle East and North Africa, it seems that no nation is safe from the rising unrest. In Libya, earlier in the week, to work on quelling the unrest, Libyan forces opened fire on mourners leaving a funeral for protesters. Fifteen people were killed, pushing the death toll from protests against the 42-year reign of Moammar Gadhafi to over one hundred.
Government forces in Libya also wiped out a protest encampment and clamped down on Internet service as Iran deals with protests as well. In Bahrain, the push by protesters for political reforms have led to tanks and armored personnel carriers rumbling out of the capital following an order by the crown prince for the military to withdraw.
Libyan forces working to put down opposition to Gaddafi have included a mixture of special commandos, foreign mercenaries and Gaddafi loyalists armed with knives, Kalashnikovs and even anti-aircraft missiles.
The problem for the Libyan dictator is such actions creates martyrs, and the blood of martyrs is a difficult thing to overcome.
As Libya guns down protesters, it is important to remind everyone that Libya is also a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Hospitals literally are running low on medical supplies as bodies shot in the chest and head continues to pour in.
Though information is tightly controlled in Libya, accounts of what is happening is leaking out through independent sources.
Gaddafi, in an attempt to allegedly try to bring his country out of isolation, denounced weapons of mass destruction, and terrorism in 2003. Taqiyya came to mind, when Gaddafi made those announcements, which is the practice of concealing one's faith (including aspects of one's faith, such as jihad) in dangerous circumstances, or lying while enabling future opportunity for Islam to advance. The idea of Taqiyya originates in the Koran, making blameless those who disguise their beliefs in such cases. Taqiyya accompanies the practice of taking the company of unbelievers as a means of safeguarding themselves.
Gaddafi has been criticized by some Islamists for having warmer relations with the West and the lifting of U.N. and U.S. sanctions.
Gaddafi's responses to the recent protests are revealing, showing that in the end, Gaddafi is the same old bloody dictator we have always seen him to be.
As the protests grow with the increase of bloodshed and attempts by authorities to silence the opposition, the opportunity for hardline Islamists to grab the helm also increases. A textbook case of jumping out of the frying pan, and into the fire is emerging.
The current protests are larger than any in recent history in Libya, and it is believed that these protests are inspired by the revolts that have ousted the Tunisian and Egyptian leaders.
"There's no turning back," said Mohammed Abdullah, a Dubai-based member of the Libyan Salvation Front. "It is over for Gaddafi."
It is also over for "moderate" Islam in the Muslim World.
The next puzzle piece for the formation of a new caliphate, a new Ottoman Empire, is falling into place.
People have been tearing down the posters of Gaddafi, for a while leaving Tripoli as the final stronghold of support for Gaddafi, with security forces swiftly curbing any protests erupting in the area. With secret police heavily deployed on the streets, residents kept their opinions and emotions secret. Supporters of Gaddafi believed at that time that Gaddafi's administration would be able to ride out the storm.
Despite Gaddafi's iron fist control, and the state-run media showing only footage of Gaddafi waving to hundreds of cheering loyalists, the Libya leader, it has been reported, has fled the region.
Since gunning down protesters at the funeral earlier in the week, protesters have responded by taking control of Benghazi. Overnight, the death toll has risen dramatically, reaching possibly 400, after dozens were killed in overnight clashes.
The Libyan justice minister has resigned amidst accusations of an "excessive use of violence," and it has been reported that two Libyan fighter jets have landed in Malta.
Gaddafi's son has indicated that the government will continue to strike down protests, saying that "We will fight to the last minute, until the last bullet."
The capital of Tripoli has now erupted into riots, and demonstrators have breached the state television building and have set government property on fire. The anti-regime protesters are believed to have gained a foothold in Tripoli as banks and government buildings were looted.
A coalition of Libyan Islamic leaders have issued a fatwa telling all Muslims it is their duty to rebel against the Libyan leadership and demanding the release of all jailed protesters.
As a result, Gaddafi has fled Libya in one of the three planes leaving Libya early this morning. The planes were heading down south - to Sebha.
Al Jazeera television quoted medical sources as saying 61 people had been killed in the latest protests in Tripoli.
Islamism is on the rise, in the name of democracy. Islam proclaims, as it orchestrates the rise of a new Muslim Empire, that it is the Religion of Peace.
Daniel 8:25: "By peace he will destroy many."
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Nearly 100 killed in Libyan crackdown on unrest - Associated Press/Yahoo News
Bahrain demonstrators return to protest site in capital after military withdraws - Washington Post
On the run: Gaddafi flees Tripoli as protesters set the Libyan parliament building alight and crowds celebrate victory in Benghazi - U.K. Daily Mail
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