Empty words.

The headline reads: "Nicolas Sarkozy calls for Col Gaddafi to step down", and the article below contains the interesting information that, "Mr Gaddafi must leave," Sarkozy told a news conference with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Ankara. However, he indicated that he would not back direct action to force the president out."

In the same article, it is reported that David Cameron "... called for UN sanctions on the regime and probes into potential war crimes."The violence we have seen is appalling and unacceptable," Mr Cameron told broadcasters. He warned Libya: "The world is watching you and the world will hold you to account."

A different newspaper informs us that "International efforts to respond to the Libyan crisis are gathering pace under US leadership after a still defiant Muammar Gaddafi launched counterattacks to defend Tripoli against the popular uprising now consolidating its hold on the liberated east of the country.  The White House said Barack Obama planned to call David Cameron and France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to discuss possible actions, including a no-fly zone or sanctions to force the Libyan leader to end the violence. Switzerland said it had frozen Gaddafi's assets."

"This is the speech of a dead man," said Said el-Gareeny in the eastern city of Benghazi, which is now in opposition hands." but, if that is true, then he's a dead man who is making himself heard, and who is as likely to heed the French President's call, as I am to bow to a request to go out and get myself incapably drunk!  (I'm a teetotaller, for those who don't know me!).

This is one of the problems with so many of our "world leaders" today.  Full of high-sounding rhetoric, but with a distinct lack of associated action.  The UK can't even manage to get its own subjects (well, strictly speaking, HM's subjects!) out of Libya without delays - and, at the time of writing, some are still effectively abandoned in the desert oil-fields where, according to reports, they are short of food and water, and subject to harassment (to put it mildly) from roaming tribesmen.  Of course, we have recently grounded Harrier Jump-Jets, and decommissioned HMS Ark Royal, because the defence budget can't afford them.  Let's just forget the millions given in foreign aid - not to deserving causes, but to China (now declared to be the second strongest economy in the world), and India (with its nuclear programme, and far more dollar-billionaires than the UK has).

Meanwhile, Gaddafi continues to use his hired thugs to cause mayhem in the streets of Tripoli and the surrounding area - not just murder; more like massacre!

So what can be done?   I am, by both nature and inclination, a pacifist.  I abhor violence in any form. I am aware of the teaching of Jesus that "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." (Matt 5:39; NLT).  But that command, I would dare to suggest, is to an individual.  It does not give me the right, or the excuse, to stand idly by while someone else is being attacked.  Whether I like it, or not, there is a very real sense in which I am "my brother's keeper"! (Gen.4:19).

The concept of the "Just War" is much too large to be dealt with in a blog post.  However, it would be good if our elected leaders would display some back-bone, and send immediate assistance to the people of Libya - even if that means the military overthrow of a despotic, egocentric, megalomaniac!