Not a real success for NATO

On July 31, British Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox said Libyan rebel forces "have very limited ground potential", while French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet told reporters that they were prepared for a "protracted conflict". But only three weeks later, the rebel forces entered Tripoli. There is little doubt they did so with immense support from Western powers.

According to The New York Times, European countries such as the United Kingdom and France sent their special forces to train the rebels in Libya. It was a move which, CNN quoting a NATO official said, helped the rebels gain massive strength in such a short time. In fact, on Aug 23, Longuet admitted to having sent weapons and "technical staff" to Libya.

Apart from helping the Libyan rebels in every way possible, Western countries also bribed some of Muammar Gadhafi's officials, which is exactly what the United States had done with Iraqi officials before invading that country in 2003.