Gaddafi- Final choices.

The street celebrations in Tripoli yesterday did give the feeling of "Hey , wait a moment, this may be a bit premature. He hasn't gone yet". And so it has turned out.

Why? Ian Kershaw's new book "The End: Hitler's Germany 1944-45" gives at least one clear answer. Hitler fought to the end at vast cost of German and the Allies' lives at least partly because he had no option. Unconditional surrender was demanded and to him then and Gaddafi now that meant at best "A fair trial" whose outcome would be no different or more comfortable than an unfair one. He would be hanged. That just isn't an attractive proposition whatever choices of last meal are on offer.

A safe passage to a compound in some less than desirable spot might do the trick. Even the most barren rock (ideal) would be seen by most dictators as a better prospect.