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12/24/2003 Archived Entry: "Al-Qaeda targets Gaddafi"

ANOTHER REASON GADDAFI BECAME A NICER GUY?: According to Canadian intelligence, al-Qaida backed militants in Libya have placed Muammar Gaddafi in their sights, one reason why he decided to make nice with the United States and Britain.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service report shows that Col. Gaddafi, once a major sponsor of terrorist violence, is now a terrorist target who shares a common enemy with the West: Osama bin Laden.

The Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) is the most powerful radical faction waging holy war against Col. Gaddafi. It aims to establish an Islamic state in Libya and views the current regime as oppressive, corrupt and anti-Muslim, CSIS said.

"The group has clearly stated its view on the use of force, promoting the ideology that Libyan people can only gain freedom by actively supporting the mujahedin in the war against Gaddafi's regime," the report said.

Wow, I guess the enemy of your enemy really is your friend. Still, this does support the notion that the war against terrorism is reshaping the politics of the Middle East. When you have Gaddafi warning other rogue nations to stop messing around before they get Afghanistan/Iraq whomped, you know something major has shifted in the world. So I find myself in an odd position...Do I hope that Gaddafi not get whacked now?

Read on.