Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 03/2011

'The Last Bullet': Qadhafi and the Future of Libya

Simon Henderson, David Schenker

February 2011

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

Following this weekend's widespread disturbances in Libya, Muammar Qadhafi could lose power within hours or days as his military units and security services crumble in the face of popular discontent. Alternatively, he could decide -- in the ominous words of his son Saif al-Islam -- to "fight to the last bullet," which suggests even more horrific levels of violence and anarchy. In a rambling television broadcast today, February 22, the colonel pledged to "die as a martyr."