At the gates of Tripoli

The end is nigh for the Mad Dog, or so reports suggest. After what Alistair Burt described as ‘substantial’ NATO bombing overnight, rebel ground forces began to lay siege to the Libyan capital this morning. According to ABC, the assault has come at three points around the capital. It was a concerted effort by all accounts, although Sky’s Alex Crawford reveals that the rebels have since retreated from Tripoli’s western gate. It’s unclear whether the decision was made out of choice or necessity.

Gaddafi’s splenetic outbursts of defiance continue, but the regime is visibly shaken. Backed by a montage of smiling children, Moussa Ibrahim appeared on state TV this afternoon to call for another immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of NATO forces. “The leader and the government,” he said, “had the support of millions”.

It was a transparent bluff, but Ibrahim added ominously that “many people will die and terrible crimes will be committed” if the fighting continues. The chance that Gaddafi might descend into murderous lunacy will have concentrated the minds that are grappling to plan for a post-conflict Libya.