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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Now It is Formal

I assumed that the deadline for welcome defection of Khaddafi loyalists ended when loyalist forces collapsed at Tripoli and alliance forces took control of the capital.

Now even the option of surrender for loyalists still resisting has a deadline:

The leader of Libya’s rebel National Transitional Council (NTC), Mustafa Abdel Jalil delivered the ultimatum on August 30 in a sign of the rebels’ increasing confidence as they solidified their hold on the capital, Tripoli.

"This window of opportunity closes with the end of the official holiday of Eid al-Fitr," he said.

"Beginning this Saturday [September 3], if there are no clear peaceful indications of implementing this [surrender by Qaddafi loyalists], we will act decisively to end this situation militarily. We do not wish to do it, but we cannot wait any longer."

I don't know who the loyalists think will ride to their rescue at this point. Is there a hope that Khaddafi can rally forces in the southwest and counter-attack north? I'm sure Russia and China are busy cutting deals with the new bosses and won't waste their time trying to save the old ones. Business is business. It helped Khaddafi back in the day but now it dooms them to defeat.