The end of Gaddafi

Mostly because the new Libyan government claims that Muammar Gaddafi died in a “cross-fire,” the news agencies have not yet come up with the definitive story of his last moments, but a look at mobile phone footage and various news reports allows us to piece together a reasonable and emotionally satisfying narrative.

It seems Gaddafi had been hiding in a fortified compound in his home city of Sirte. As his last stronghold was about to fall, yesterday morning, he and a few remaining loyalists tried to escape in a convoy, which was promptly bombed by a US predator drone and a French war plane. The former dictator’s car was not hit but the convoy was forced to stop and he ran away, hiding in a drain.

Discovered by rebel forces, he asked, “What is happening?” and begged, “show me mercy.” Although many both in the west and in Libya hoped Gaddafi would go on trial, it seems the temptation to kill him was too strong and he was executed at close range with a 9mm pistol. According to some reports, his last words were “Don’t shoot me.”

During his 42 years ruling Libya, Gaddafi was sustained by the belief that his people adored him. He claimed to be merely the “brother leader” of the revolution, asserting that it was the Libyan people who actually governed the nation through their people’s committees and people’s congresses. And yet, he raped the women in his bodyguard, treated Libya’s oil as his own, and killed anyone whose loyalty he questioned.

If you want to be loved, be loveable. If you want mercy, be merciful. Gaddafi was a murderous ogre and forgive me for thinking he died an appropriate death. He called the rebels “rats” and he died in a drainage ditch. The people of Libya are still celebrating.