As is frequently the life cycle of personality cults, Gaddafi entered as a revolutionary and will be booted as a dictator. The Libyan Revolution did not happen when Colonel Muammar Gaddafi overthrew King Idris in 1969. That was rebellion, but this will be Revolution. Libya is substantively different from Tunisia and Egypt, even if geography might seem to imply otherwise. The Libyan people, overwhelmingly rural by tradition, are not inclined to revolution, but they do have a history of confronting repressors, most notably Mussolini before the Axis initiated a full out campaign of world conquest. Gaddafi now falls into the same category as Mussolini. Libya is also intimate to me, as I called it home for 4 years of my early childhood, both in Tripoli and in the east of the huge North African country (Derna). The Libyan people did not propel Gaddafi to lead. He installed himself through a coup to replace a genteel king with historic ties to Libya’s resistance to Mussolini’s imperialism. Perhaps Gaddafi thought his eccentric behavior and wandering anti-western tactics, (it would be giving too much credit to term such as policies or strategy), could substitute for the old king’s anti-colonial struggle and regal line. The Spell is Broken Gaddafi was never a very good, not even a close approximation of the character and personality of Libyans. They are neither boastful nor turbulent, but rather accustomed to the humility and assiduous character of a nation accustomed to working and living close to nature. Maybe some of this or much may have changed due to easy oil wealth and an indolent “revolution” over the last almost half century. However, whatever reserve the citizens of Libya held within from the period before Qaddafi is now pouring out with energy and determination upon the streets of its relatively young cities and towns. Gaddafi seems to believe that he can overcome the will of the people through his own concoction of patronization and fear packaged ever more curiously. It may have worked in the past, as a snake oil salesman’s brew may have a psychosomatic contagion. However, the spell is broken. Gaddafi's apparent resort to mercenaries and air power against his population goes well beyond any methods deployed by flailing despots in Egypt and Tunisia. It is still impossible to quantify the numbers of Libyans murdered by their ruler, but the quality of Gaddafi’s excesses has already caught the attention of global institutions. What were once loyal servants of his state – diplomats, military officers and his own Minister of Interior have turned against him. “Internationalization” of Libya’s Crisis Libya’s own Embassy to the United Nations (“UN Mission") has been almost unanimous in turning Libya’s turmoil into an issue for UN Security Council consideration, (something that did not happen with Egypt or Tunisia - as a potential “threat to international peace and security,” the key terminology opening up the door under the UN Charter to international measures). The Arab League has also abandoned its long-standing culture of caution and to long time observer this institution has leaped beyond its traditional neutrality. It’s not only about the oil, although the future of Libya’s reserves and capacity/willingness to keep pumping will play a crucial role as to how quickly the oil consuming economies press for closure, (probably only possible with Gaddafi’s departure). Along with the UN Security Council, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the Human Rights Commissioner’s Office have already joined the condemnation of attacks on the press and brutality inflicted upon Libya’s people. Sovereignty or “Threat to International Peace & Security” The UN Security Council issued today, February 22, 2011,a rather cautious “Presidential Statement” (which requires broad unanimity among the 15 Members and thus may explain the modest start to the Security Council’s involvement). A Security Council Resolution is probably soon forthcoming, as I foresee no solution to the crisis in the near term. Such UN Security Council Resolution is likely to go further, and even super-sovereignty sensitive China is unlikely to block. After all, China is not inclined to be painted into the corner of protecting a far-off despot who belongs to no one’s club, (except for maybe Hugo Chavez's and Robert Mugabe's). Lets not forget that China is also an ever more voracious oil importer. China will not be sentimental but totally pragmatic even in the application of its dogmatic ideology in this instance. International Criminal Court & UN Human Rights Commissioner The initial UN Security Council “Presidential Statement” in the end was watered down to omit a reference to an international investigation. Nonetheless, as the crisis develops, the potential role of the International Criminal Court ("ICC") could prove over time to be ever more decisive in at least forcing an outcome. Libya is not a state party to the Rome Statute and the ICC. However, the matter can still be referred to the ICC as can the UN Security Council block for the moment. (The US, China and Russia may lack enthusiasm for the ICC, each for its own self-focused reasons. Nonetheless, the standards of “grave violations of international humanitarian law” are largely universal in legal definition, and it is not likely that a member state of the UN Security Council would take the “rule of law” bullet on behalf of Gaddafi. Without his oil and his state, Gaddafi is likely to have few speaking on behalf of his defense and even fewer friends). Gaddafi has lost his people. He is losing control of his state. He is losing his oil too, although his momentary leverage is that he can deprive the rest of the world to Libya’s oil exports. The outcome appears uncertain, but the Libyan people will have to be for once heeded, including by the global community. Gaddafi’s veneer of absolute control is pierced. The question is who and how long the hemorrhaging of blood and oil until Libya’s first revolution is realized. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey For more related articles & film reports: “Libya/International Criminal Court? (& UN Human Rights Commissioner)”: diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/libya-international-criminal-court/24913 Libyan Diplomats Accuse Their Own Government of War Crimes & Call for UN Security Council to Act, by Ambassador mo US Government - Is it Perceived as Force for Democracy in Arab World? by Ambassador mo