Muammar Gaddafi

     Muammar Gaddafi is the current ruler of Libya and has been so since he took control of the country back in 1969. His 42 years in control of the country make him one of today's longest ruling leaders of any country. He is known throughout the international community for his human rights abuses and only in recent years was he able to resume talks with the US after he shut down Libya's nuclear program. Gaddafi is known for being a brutal rular and has already carried out multiple assasinations across the world on political refugees. He has collective a vast fortune from his country's oil production.
     Col. Gaddafi has tried multiple times to create a larger Arab state in North Africa. His attempt to form the Islamic Legion brought mercenaries from region to Sudan and ceated the military groups there today that are known for the genocide in the Dafur region. He has also pushed for a United States of Africa.

Above: Gaddafi Speaking at a UN conference
Below: Gaddafi defiantly clinging to power in the face of Civil War

Gaddafi has been the most brutal so far during these protests. He is now fighting a civil war for control of his country with Pro-Gaddafi forces in the West and the rebel forces in the East. If the US and its allies stop the military support for the Rebels in Libya, what is to stop Gaddafi from hiring mercenaries like he did for the Islamic Legion to take out the already outnumbered rebels. Described by Pres. Reagan as the "Mad Dog of the Middle East", Gaddafi is known throughout the international community for his eccentric personality. He has even referred to Pres. Obama as 'Our son' in his letter to the President this year http://www.businessinsider.com/qaddafi-obama-letter-2011-4.

      Personally I believe that if the US support for the rebels is cut off, Col. Gaddafi might continue his attempts to create a larger Libya in the region. He has in the past waged campaigns on the country of Chad and Sudan to take over their uranium rich lands. What is to say that Gaddafi won't destabalize that entire region in response to an unprovocted international attack led by the US on his country.