Thursday, August 25, 2011

Mopping Up

Fighting continues in Libya, but nothing looks to be anything like a loyalist counter-attack. The "rebels" (we need a new name for them) are addressing pockets of resistance:

Rebel forces began to purge Tripoli's streets of diehard gunmen still loyal to fugitive Muammar Gaddafi Thursday in the final phase of the battle for the Libyan capital. ...

Gaddafi's home town of Sirte, on the coast between Tripoli and Benghazi, was still not in the hands of the new leadership who have dispatched forces there.

"Talks have been ongoing for two days now between NTC and tribal leaders from Sirte to liberate the city and ensure its inhabitants lay down arms and allow access to administrative buildings," Echtiwi said.

Rebels also reported fighting in the southern city of Sabha.

And rebels alliance (let me try that term for a while) forces are on the trail of Khaddafi.

Khaddafi's embassies abroad will not be bastions of regime loyalty (take note, Dear Leader):

Libyan diplomats and students smashed portraits of Moammar Gadhafi, shouted "Game over!" and raised the rebel flag at their Manila embassy Wednesday as part of defections at missions worldwide underscoring the leader's rapid fall.

Yes, the game is over. Although picking up the pieces to put them away in the box could lead to some ugly casualties before it is done.