Muammar Gaddafi is resisting and it seems that the rebels, who control the East of Libya, will not be able to get to Tripoli to throw him out. The war is dragging on and this means that apart from increasing the suffering of the Libyans, it complicates things at an international level.

The easiest thing for everybody would be a quick resolution, much like what happened in Tunisia and Egypt. If Gaddafi loses power soon, Europeans, Americans and Arabs could organize a new strategy for Libya. However, several plans will have to be ready in case he resists.

France and Great Britain have already tried to contact the National Council, the provisional government that was created by the rebels in Benghazi. There was another foreign initiative, but with the opposite objective: Venezuela''s president Hugo Chavez offered to mediate. In this case, his administration is aimed at helping his friend Gaddafi to remain in power.

People keep talking about possible international military intervention, of which the effect would be to help the rebels to throw Gaddafi out. For this type of intervention, authorization from the UN’s Security Council would be essential, though it would not be enough. Authorization from the Arab League and African Union would also be necessary. If all these organizations do not offer their clear and unstinting support, any plan for military intervention would be impossible.

Past exeriences like the ones in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq mean European countries are very cautious before entering into any new military adventures.