Libya’s rebels could be routed by time world decides on response

BY the time the outside world agrees on a response to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s bloody onslaught against a popular revolt, it could all be over.

The advance of Gaddafi’s better-armed forces, who seem to have shown little regard for civilians when storming in to retake rebel strongholds, has outrun the slow pace of initiatives being discussed by European, US and Arab leaders.

An Arab League call for the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone to protect the revolt was welcomed by France.