I bet Tony Blair and the Scottish Parliment feel relived that Gaddafi isn't there to provide the grim details of their real-politik with him. Given Gads was the main funding source of the remaining Trot left (and offshoots), it'll be interested if they remain as visible at demonstrations.

the Libyans well even though the optimism of the Arab sporing seems to have faded, just look at what's happening in Egypt. Following on Vincent's point, I would include Martin McGuinness, the great peacemaker, in that list.

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." - Mark Twain

in what way was Gadaffi worse than Pinochet? The man who regularly enjoyed tea with Margaret Thatcher.

on North African politics or whatever, and I shed no tears for his death, but will the Libyan people be any better off?
I have only ever known one Libyan, a mature medical student.
Whilst he was no pro Gadaffi fanatic, his opinion that life under the despot could really have been a lot worse... health care was free for all, crime was non existant, and employment was full, and generally if you toed the line, life was reasonably good.
Education was also free for everyone, and indeed he was well funded by the Libyan Government to complete his studies in one of our Uni's to study to qualify as a Doctor.
"Will you stay in the UK once you graduate"?
He laughed... "No, I HAVE to go back to Libya... I have no option".
Now I wonder if whatever new regime takes over, will they be so considerate to the populace?
Not saying that Gadaffi was a good man- he patently was not-but sometimes the Devil you know.....

Trains ran on time, everyone knew their place... I like to see all dictators on the end of a rope, and all elected politicians regularly voted out so they don't get too comfortable. Martin McGuiness (and Gerry Adams) likewise need the slap of reality rather than the easy ride they get these days, given they are up to their ankles in blood. I've never got this 'terrorists turned freedom fighters' thing: it's always sounded like a fudge by the political classes to me (perhaps so they don't feel so bad if they send our military off for a bit of expeditionary violence).

on all of this, including the funding of terrorism, state or otherwise, the deals done with The Colonel, the histories of figures on the provisional government and the west's wish that all of this had never occurred (i.e the entire Arab Spring), please do some research.
Lockerbie is a mystery that will soon give up it's secrets. Don't expect the version to conply with recieved wisdom.
Popular uprisings against tyranical regimes must be applauded of course. What comes next is far more important.

"

that the TV News channels are showing footage of Gadaffi actually being killed.

They normally shy away from airing such graphic images. Presumably as it's such a big deal from a news aspect, this is all part of the race for ratings.

I have no real feelings about this either way, but it will be interesting to see if it becomes a trend.

I find it increasingly sickening to see western leaders celebrating the death of yet another tyrant.

How long before the western world realises that the likes of Bush, Blair and Cheney have a case to answer in The Hague too? The world is changing, folks, and there'll come a point when war for gain won't be tolerated anymore, whoever is involved.

This wasn't about freedom, it was about oil.

(Blimey, my weetabix must have had added Trot this morning!)