News From Libya This Morning

Gadhafi forces abandon parts of Tripoli

It's only a matter of time, folks. I can hardly wait to see what they do with him, once he's caught, if he survives. I hope it's a trial, like they did with Saddam Hussein.

Canada suspends diplomatic presence in Libya

"Six consular officials were among two dozen Canadians spirited out of Libya overnight, in a clear signal Ottawa is suspending its diplomatic presence in the embattled North African country.

The six officials and 18 other Canadian citizens were among a group of British and Australian nationals flown to Malta aboard a C17 overnight Friday.

"What this means is Canada has now suspended its diplomatic presence in Libya, following the example of the Untied States and Britain," CTV's Richard Maden reported from Ottawa Saturday.

The evacuation came just hours after Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Canada will enact strict new sanctions on Moammar Gadhafi's regime, echoing similarly strong words from White House officials, the United Nations and other countries around the world.

"I've instructed our officials to prepare a full range of sanctions against the Libyan regime, both in collaboration with our international partners or unilaterally if necessary," Harper said, emphasising that all options are being considered to dealing with both Gadhafi's regime and his family.

"No options have been ruled out."

The prime minister also suggested that any attacks on civilians within Libya could be cause for legal action at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

"Those responsible for ordering and carrying out atrocities against the Libyan people must be held accountable," Harper told reporters Friday night.

The prime minister added that Canada will support a push from the UN Security Council to enact an embargo on arms and to freeze the assets of the Gadhafi regime."

I have a feeling most of these measures will be sort lived, that is, if they are implemented in the first place. Ghadafi's days are numbered, and with him gone, these measures would be counter productive and there would be no point implementing or sustaining them.