Recent weeks have shown a marked level of revolution in Arab nations, the chief targets being the corrupt, dictatorships that rule such states.

Anti-government protests inspired by popular revolts that toppled rulers in Tunisia and Egypt are gaining pace around West Asia and North Africa despite political and economic concessions by nervous governments. Aside from Libya, new protests erupted in Bahrain, Yemen, Iran and Iraq.

With globalisation the world is now a small place. Downtrodden people the world over can see how "others" live in more democratic countries, by using satellite TV and the internet. They too want a part of this better life, but as usual a lot of blood will be shed in the future months.

Meanwhile, world powers sit back and do or say nothing. But, as we talk about unrest in Arab states, inevitably that much prized commodity "oil" is bound to enter into the equation. When it's supply starts to be affected or limited, then the shit will really hit the fan.

The position in Libya is particularly danerous at the momen. That infamous dictator, President Gaddafi must be worried that his 41 year grip ogf steel on the country may come to an end. But, he will not go down without a fight and certain carnage.

Residents reported gunfire in parts of Tripoli and one political activist said warplanes had bombed the city. But state television showed government supporters rallying in Tripoli.

Forces loyal to Gaddafi had killed dozens of people across the country, human rights groups and witnesses said, prompting widespread condemnation from foreign governments.
No independent verification of the reports was available and communications with Libya from outside were difficult.

But a picture emerged of a leader who has loomed large on the world stage for decades and controls vast reserves of oil fighting for survival. Brent crude prices hit $108 a barrel on fears the violence could disrupt supplies from Libya.

"What we are witnessing today is unimaginable. Warplanes and helicopters are indiscriminately bombing one area after another. There are many, many dead," Adel Mohamed Saleh said in a live broadcast on al Jazeera television. "Anyone who moves, even if they are in their car they will hit you."

Looks like the price of oil is going to rise, I'm afraid.

My inner socialist was actually a fan of qaddafi for a while, then I read more and more into how he runs the country and after this.... well, this is about as despicable as it gets. I had not heard any of these reports before being here, but this is the most extreme counter-populist action I've ever heard of, at least in my generation (post 2000). It's.... tragic. Absolutely tragic. I can't even express a reaction to that report from Al Jazeera.... Yet instead of doing something to protect these people your government and mine will completely ignore it except sending out a token press release........

miguel, forgive me from saying it, but I am not surprised that you "had not heard of these reports" as in my experience the USA media (and people in general) remain aloof from what goes on in the rest of the world, unless what is happening elsewhere has some direct bearing on US affairs.

So, the populist risings will probably only get a mention in the USA when the price of oil goes up, which is bound to happen if the trouble continues to escalate.

PS I made a stupid error with regard to Gadaffi; his title should have been "Colonel", not President.

I have no trust in the US media, for sure. Which is why I've actually shut it off entirely from my life. So that's why, it's getting intense coverage over here actually, I only know this from a TV playing while I was waiting in line to buy groceries.

Yes his title is colonel, but I think he has another title that's like "supreme guide of the revolution" which I guess should tell you right away he's nothing good.

Also, I thought of this yesterday too, I wonder if these random bombing runs are what every US war starting with and after Vietnam (not a war historian, however) has looked like. Carpet bombing? sounds kind of like the same thing. Which makes this no less tragic. For me it only intensifies my pacifism and rationalizes how my government can continually ignore this.

We hear about things on the macro level of international politics and governments, but we don't know anything about the PEOPLE who live in these countries. We don't know a damn thing and they're just pawns, manipulated by everything around them for some the twisted power fetish of guys like Qaddafi and Cheney and... and... etc etc etc etc

The people have internet which is why it was shut down in eGYPT

Things have got worse in Libya.

Gadaffi reputedly said that he would rather die than give up power.

So far 1000 - 2000 people have died.

I fear that worse is to come.

But alot of the country has already been liberated , military forces have allied with the protesters so they now have in their hands stuff such as
MI 24 Hind gunships and tanks. Quaddafi has called in mercenaries and is arming anyone who supports him , That reeks of desperation to me , althought it is a bloody desperation. As always though the UN just sits on its fucking hands and does nothing might as well rename it the league of nations

I live in the USA and I've been reading reports here since the 1st day of uprising. It's in the local news stations, newspapers and internet. Anyone here who says that that information isn't available simply isn't reading any news sources.

"liberated"

This is nice to think about, but it doesn't exist. Their lives may temporarily not be in danger, but what you are describing is civil war. So these people aren't liberated, they are just behind friendly lines instead of enemy lines. And the enemy is there and has mobile firepower. Yes, this is no less than a civil war if pieces of the military have broken off from Qaddafi.