Main focus of Friday, April 1, 2011

Gaddafi's power crumbles

Libya's Foreign Minister and former head of the secret service Moussa Koussa fled to London on Wednesday. The press sees Koussa's departure as evidence that the regime is collapsing and argues that he should not be tried for possible involvement in Gaddafi's crimes.

Aamulehti - Finland

The flight of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is a sign that Gaddafi is losing the support of his government, the liberal daily Aamulehti writes: "The safest way to survive in politics is to side with the winner. The Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa's defection to the West makes him the highest-ranking Libyan leader so far to assume that the dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi won't wind up winning this war. ... Air strikes alone won't resolve the Libyan power struggle. Because sending ground troops to Libya isn't feasible for many reasons the alliance could support the rebels with for example weapons instead and hope that Gaddafi's government crumbles from within. Koussa's change of sides is an encouraging sign that Gaddafi's supporters are dwindling in number. He, too, will have to realise at some point that a leader without troops has no future." (01/04/2011)

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Die Welt - Germany

The defection of Libya's Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa is clear evidence of the gradual erosion of the system that bolsters the anti-Gaddafi coalition: "As the last few days have shown, the rebels are still weaker than Gaddafi's troops in terms of firing power and the number of trained fighters. They must therefore pin their hopes on the psychological impact, and that those loyal to Gaddafi will realise that fighting for him is a lost cause not worth risking their lives or health for. ... The best scenario would of course be for Gaddafi himself to throw in the towel and go into exile. Judging however by his appearances so far and his personality, this is not very likely. ... But now that someone like Moussa Koussa has defected many others within the circle of power around Gaddafi will be asking themselves whether it's not high time for them to do the same." (01/04/2011)

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The Daily Telegraph - United Kingdom

Commenting on the departure of Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa for the UK, the conservative paper The Daily Telegraph argues he should be spared from standing trial: "Should he be greeted as an enlightened turncoat whose example will encourage other Gaddafi lieutenants to follow suit; or should he be investigated and, if necessary, prosecuted for his alleged role in the regime's crimes? ... Mr Cameron said yesterday he hoped that Mr Koussa's desertion would encourage others of Gaddafi's entourage to abandon him - but that is hardly likely if they think they will end up in prison. So far, the Prime Minister has scrupulously set out his case for intervention in Libya on grounds of high principle. But where Mr Koussa is concerned, his desire to do what is right is about to collide with the requirements of a foreign policy in which it might be more important to do what is necessary." (01/04/2011)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » United Kingdom, » Libya

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