Gaddafi compares himself to Queen Elizabeth

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He refers to angry Libyans demonstrating against his rule as "rats and cockroaches"

If you want to have a bit of laughter, you should listen to Libyan leader Colonel Muamar Gaddafi. Not only is he in a blind denial of the turmoil in his country, but he has also now compared himself to Queen Elizabeth. 

He said the Queen of England has been in power for over half a century, and yet no one is asking her to resign – wondering why he is being “picked on,” when he has been in power “for a mere” 42 years. 

As hundreds are killed and others seriously injured across Libya, Gaddafi’s main concern is simply how he can keep holding on to power by any foul means. 

He is probably the only person who would compare his position with that of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s authority and power, in practice, is largely symbolic. Apart from the occasional speech she delivers at Westminster to open Parliament and her traditional Christmas message, the Queen is hardly heard saying anything else. 

She wields no real political power, beyond the ceremonial respect she commands mostly in the United Kingdom, and to a lesser degree, in countries like Australia and New Zealand, where she is still recognised as head of state. 

In contrast, the past 42 years has seen Gaddafi arrogating to himself, authoritarian power, ruling with a violent iron fist, subjugating Libya’s 6.5 million people. 

So effective has been his dictatorial virulence that his imminent departure has the potential to leave a significant power vacuum, because for four decades, there has only ever been Muamar Gaddafi. 

There are no real institutions to speak of. Anything resembling laws are mostly Gaddafi’s words, because he alone fashioned a country in his own image. 

Resolving the mess that Gaddafi is bound to leave will require unprecedented energy and ingenuity on the part of the Libyans, because for a start, it would be almost impossible to expunge themselves of his legacy. 

But in the city of Benghazi, now under the control of opposition forces, reports indicate that the people are somehow getting along without Gaddafi – but ultimately, getting the whole country together under a new government of laws after Gaddafi’s departure will remain a truly monumental task. 

The thing Libyans can certainly rely on is their massive oil wealth and cash. The country’s foreign reserves reportedly exceeds $140 billion – a very rare situation among African countries.  

In the meantime, Libya is bleeding. 

Completely caught off-guard by the spontaneous uprising against his rule,  Gaddafi at first had no idea how to react, so he kept mute, while his soldiers shot and killed people without number. 

When he first spoke publicly, his address lasted for about thirty seconds and simply refuted rumours that he had fled the country. 

A few days later, he returned, fist pounding, rambling and threatening. 

It was a vintage Gaddafi performance lasting an hour, during which he called the protesters “rats and cockroaches.” He pointedly said the “rats and cockroaches” will face the death sentence when he hunts for from one house to another. 

When he spoke on the third occasion, he was more subdued, but made the incredible claim that forces outside Libya, including Al-Qaeda  were behind the demonstrations. 

Also, in a ridiculous move, Gaddafi announced that every Libyan will get 150% increase in their wages, urging them to return to their homes and work places. 

Only Gaddafi himself was  hoping he could bribe the angry populace. 

The response of the crowd did not change. “Go away, Gaddafi’” they keep chanting. But just like Hosni Mubarak, the Libyan leader has vowed not to move or blink. 

Like Hosni Mubarak, Gaddafi days are definitely numbered, except he has the appetite to cause far more mayhem before fading away. 

What happens to Libya itself after Gaddafi is what remains unknown. If Tunisia and Egypt are a yardstick, then the chaos and endless demonstrations, along with dissatisfaction among millions of people is guaranteed to continue for a long time. 

But Gaddafi cannot outlast Libya. Libya, and its millions of people will outlast him.