The New Dark Age

23 August 2011 — Morning Star

Left campaigners in Britain demanded a halt to all British and Nato involvement in Libya today, warning that their intervention had all the hallmarks of the West’s disastrous invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even as fierce fighting raged in Tripoli, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg declared that it was ‘only a matter of time’ before a new rule could be established in Libya.

He spoke after chairing a meeting of the National Security Council in London today to discuss plans for a ‘peaceful transition to democracy’ in the oil-rich north African country.

Mr Clegg, who is standing in for David Cameron, played down the significance of Colonel Gaddafi’s son Saif al-Islam turning up on Tripoli’s streets to address government supporters – days after claims that he had been arrested.

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell, who also attended the meeting, said: ‘We are nearing the endgame,’ while the Telegraph newspaper bragged about how Britain’s secret service MI6 had played a ‘key’ role in equipping and preparing Libya’s rebels for a final show down in Tripoli.

Communist Party of Britain International adviser John Foster said: ‘Monday’s announcement by the rebel high command that Libya’s oil and gas reserves will in future be reserved for Nato powers gives an indication of the real motivation for an intervention that has gone far beyond the remit of the original UN resolution.’

War on Want campaigns and policy director Greg Muttitt said: ‘When Western powers talk about democracy, especially in the Middle East, what they invariably create is a political system that will serve their interest.

‘The great fear is that just as they did in Iraq they’ll create a democracy that serves British interests or the West’s interests or the oil companies’ interests and does nothing for the people of Libya,’ he added.

Mr Foster warned: ‘The call by Richard Haas of the US Foreign Relations Council for a permanent Nato force must be resisted as must also the proposal for an EU ‘peacekeeping’ force.

‘Casualties have already reached many hundreds. There is every danger that hostilities will continue in the long run unless there is mediation of type proposed by the African Union.’