Gaddafi Regime Strikes at Protesters

Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s regime looks like it’s on the brink. His security forces have retreated to a few buildings, senior officials are defecting, and protesters celebrated control of the second-largest city, Benghazi. Security forces still loyal to the Libyan leader were holed up in the state television headquarters and the presidential palace as other buildings burned unchecked. As his regime teeters, Gaddafi continues to use violence on the protesters, killing dozens in Tripoli as security forces—and possibly military planes—opened fire on marchers on Monday using live rounds. There continue to be high-ranking resignations in Gaddafi’s regime. In addition to the justice minister, a senior military official stepped down, and Gaddafi reportedly put one of his top generals under house arrest for refusing to use force against protesters. There are reports of soldiers defecting to join the opposition, and two Libya Air Force colonels reportedly order to bomb protesters flew their jets to Malta and requested political asylum instead.