Western warplanes spearheaded a rebel assault on Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte. NATO explained its aggression as a means of protecting civilians in Sirte who were being terrorized by Gadhafi. That’s a lie. Human rights organizations have already confirmed massive violations by the Western-supported rebel troops, while no credible reports have emerged of any atrocities committed by Gadhafi. Sirte is his hometown, a place where he enjoys tribal support, and indeed his tribe expects to be repressed by the rebels; therefore there is no need for Gadhafi to terrorize the population.
The Libyan war has turned into a bribery contest between Gadhafi and NATO, and whoever pays more to the Toureg tribal chiefs will be the winner.