If Qadhafi succeeds in squashing this revolt though the use of massive force, it will send the wrong message to dictators and tyrants elsewhere. They will say: “In Egypt Mubarak did not use violence to hold on to power, and he is gone. In Libya, Qadhafi called in mercenaries and cracked down ruthlessly, and he survived.” What message will other dictators draw from this?
But it is better if the Libyan people succeed in liberating their country themselves, than if foreign governments, particularly those with economic interests in the country, were to send in their own troops to oust Qadhafi. But at what price in human life?
