This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8232934.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Libya leader's lesson in longevity Libya leader's lesson in longevity
(1 day later)
By Paul Wood BBC News, TripoliBy Paul Wood BBC News, Tripoli
It is a rule of thumb in any Middle Eastern country that the more pictures of the leader you see, the less political freedom there is.It is a rule of thumb in any Middle Eastern country that the more pictures of the leader you see, the less political freedom there is.
In Tripoli, Colonel Gaddafi is everywhere. He stares down from every traffic roundabout and every official building.In Tripoli, Colonel Gaddafi is everywhere. He stares down from every traffic roundabout and every official building.
Ever flamboyant, sometimes he is in colourful African robes, sometimes in Bedouin head-dress (and usually with his own idiosyncratic interpretation of these styles).Ever flamboyant, sometimes he is in colourful African robes, sometimes in Bedouin head-dress (and usually with his own idiosyncratic interpretation of these styles).
Col Gaddafi has no official government role - in practice, he holds swayCol Gaddafi has no official government role - in practice, he holds sway
Occasionally he sports the large mirrored sun-glasses favoured by comic-strip dictators and 1970s porn stars.Occasionally he sports the large mirrored sun-glasses favoured by comic-strip dictators and 1970s porn stars.
Here and there, you catch a glimpse of a much younger Muammar Gaddafi, a reminder that he came to power 40 years ago in a military coup aged just 27, when his rank was a mere captain.Here and there, you catch a glimpse of a much younger Muammar Gaddafi, a reminder that he came to power 40 years ago in a military coup aged just 27, when his rank was a mere captain.
He promoted himself to colonel. Others might have given themselves the rank of field marshal, or at least general.He promoted himself to colonel. Others might have given themselves the rank of field marshal, or at least general.
But Col Gaddafi said Libya was a true people's democracy. Even today, he has no official government position but is referred to as "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution".But Col Gaddafi said Libya was a true people's democracy. Even today, he has no official government position but is referred to as "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution".
Rare dissentRare dissent
Libya is, though, not a democracy as that term is understood in Europe or America.Libya is, though, not a democracy as that term is understood in Europe or America.
One measure of that is how difficult it was to find anyone inside the country prepared to make even the slightest criticism of the regime.One measure of that is how difficult it was to find anyone inside the country prepared to make even the slightest criticism of the regime.
It is disaster for Libya to have this regime for 40 years, the UK, France, Italy, I don't know why they support this dictatorship Jamal al-HaggiLibyan dissident Profile: Muammar Gaddafi In pictures: Celebrating Gaddafi It is disaster for Libya to have this regime for 40 years, the UK, France, Italy, I don't know why they support this dictatorship Jamal al-HaggiLibyan dissident Profile: Muammar Gaddafi In pictures: Celebrating Gaddafi class="" href="/2/hi/africa/8225656.stm">Much to celebrate?
With the help of the international monitoring group Human Rights Watch, one dissident was prepared to say what many Libyans may be thinking but are too fearful to express.With the help of the international monitoring group Human Rights Watch, one dissident was prepared to say what many Libyans may be thinking but are too fearful to express.
Thanks to Western pressure, Jamal al-Haggi was freed earlier this year after serving two years of a 12-year sentence. He was only too well aware that meeting foreign journalists was extremely risky.Thanks to Western pressure, Jamal al-Haggi was freed earlier this year after serving two years of a 12-year sentence. He was only too well aware that meeting foreign journalists was extremely risky.
A small, neat man and an accountant by profession, Mr Haggi said he had been unable to work since leaving prison.A small, neat man and an accountant by profession, Mr Haggi said he had been unable to work since leaving prison.
He said he was prepared to go to jail again, but did not want to get anyone else into trouble.He said he was prepared to go to jail again, but did not want to get anyone else into trouble.
So we conducted the interview in the back of a car driving around Tripoli, rather than go to his home or someone's office.So we conducted the interview in the back of a car driving around Tripoli, rather than go to his home or someone's office.
Embarrassing questionsEmbarrassing questions
"Yes it is dangerous, I am not safe," he said, acknowledging that "insulting public officials" or "opposing the ideology of the revolution" are criminal offences that could result in a 25-year jail sentence."Yes it is dangerous, I am not safe," he said, acknowledging that "insulting public officials" or "opposing the ideology of the revolution" are criminal offences that could result in a 25-year jail sentence.
Western leaders stayed away, but Hugo Chavez was happy to be seenWestern leaders stayed away, but Hugo Chavez was happy to be seen
But he went on: "I am not afraid. There is nothing else to lose."But he went on: "I am not afraid. There is nothing else to lose."
A brave statement, but one in defiance of the facts in a country where the death penalty remains on the books for joining or forming any independent political party opposed to the Libyan revolution.A brave statement, but one in defiance of the facts in a country where the death penalty remains on the books for joining or forming any independent political party opposed to the Libyan revolution.
"People didn't vote for it [the Gadaffi regime], it came by force," he said."People didn't vote for it [the Gadaffi regime], it came by force," he said.
"So this is not a celebration for everyone; just for a few people who are doing well out of the system.""So this is not a celebration for everyone; just for a few people who are doing well out of the system."
He added: "It is disaster for Libya to have this regime for 40 years. There is no freedom here; there is no democracy. The UK, France, Italy, I don't know why they support this dictatorship - but we will never forget."He added: "It is disaster for Libya to have this regime for 40 years. There is no freedom here; there is no democracy. The UK, France, Italy, I don't know why they support this dictatorship - but we will never forget."
Western leaders did not attend Col Gaddafi's big party in Tripoli.Western leaders did not attend Col Gaddafi's big party in Tripoli.
British ministerial attendance would only have raised embarrassing Lockerbie questions, of course.British ministerial attendance would only have raised embarrassing Lockerbie questions, of course.
The West may be desperate to win lucrative trade deals from the Libyan leader, but governments are still wary of his regime.The West may be desperate to win lucrative trade deals from the Libyan leader, but governments are still wary of his regime.
While Libya's relations with the West have been transformed, internal reform is slow and small.While Libya's relations with the West have been transformed, internal reform is slow and small.
That may not change as long as Col Gadaffi remains - and four decades on, his grip on power seems as sure and as strong as ever.That may not change as long as Col Gadaffi remains - and four decades on, his grip on power seems as sure and as strong as ever.