A lucky escape in Libya

„The admirable self-restraint being observed by the opposition forces is in marked contrast to the approach being taken by David Cameron and the other Cabinet cheer-leaders for Britain's military intervention in Libya's civil war. After they had taken a massive gamble last March by committing British forces to a conflict whose successful outcome was far from guaranteed, there is a palpable sense of relief in Whitehall that Gaddafi's regime is no more.

Mr Cameron and William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, have already made their triumphant visit to »liberated« Tripoli, where they were feted by grateful rebels whose success owed much to the bravery and skill of the RAF and the other Nato forces that backed their campaign to overthrow the Libyan dictator. Mr Cameron has also made a point of rounding on the criticism of the »armchair generals« who warned against the folly of military intervention in support of a rebel movement when so little was known about its ultimate objectives.

Yesterday Mr Hague spoke optimistically about Libya's future prospects once the rebels have officially declared the country's liberation from Gaddafi's 32-year dictatorship and set up an interim administration. Clearly Britain and its other Nato allies would like to see a secular, pro-Western, democratic government emerge from the ashes of Gaddafi's authoritarian state.”