Gaddafi's Inner Circle Thinning

Libya’s regime took more hits, with at least two senior Gaddafi officials close to the long-time ruler defecting amid renewed airstrikes in Tripoli. Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, dubbed the “envoy of death” for killing previous Gaddafi defectors, fled to London Wednesday despite no promises of immunity, and began spilling to British officials. Shortly after, senior official Ali Abdussalam el-Treki took off for Egypt; he had been in Gaddafi’s inner circle for decades. Rumors have swirled of even more defections, but the regime has steadfastly denied the charges—and posted guards to block any more flight hazards. It’s bad timing for Gaddafi: Though rebel forces have been in retreat, NATO airstrikes are not slowing. But the leader is still defiant. According to a government spokesman, “The fight continues.”