REMEMBER LIBYA? – AT 9:20 A.M. ET:  Is there some kind of war going on in Libya?  You'd never know it from the way it's dropped out of the news.  Once dear leader pulled American planes from the effort, many (but not all) American journalists lost interest. 

But combat is ongoing in that oil-producing country, with France now moving into a leadership role and asking for more firepower.  Qaddafi remains in power, with little indication that he plans a permanent trip abroad.  From Fox:

AJDABIYA, Libya -- Muammar Qaddafi's forces shelled the only major city in the western half of Libya that remains under partial rebel control Tuesday as France said NATO should be doing more to take out heavy weaponry targeting civilians.

Weeks of fierce government bombardment of Misrata have terrorized the city's residents, killing dozens of people and leaving food and medical supplies scarce, according to residents, doctors and rights groups.

"Unfortunately, with the long-range war machines of Qaddafi forces, no place is safe in Misrata," a medical official in Misrata told The Associated Press. Six people were killed Monday and another corpse was brought in Tuesday, he said.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said NATO's actions are "not enough" and that the alliance should be firing on the weapons being used by Qaddafi's troops to target civilians in Misrata.

Juppe spoke on France-Info radio, the day after Libyan rebels rejected a cease-fire proposal by African mediators because it did not insist that Qaddafi relinquish power.

"NATO has to play its role in full. NATO wanted to take the military command of the operations," Juppe said. He also urged the EU to do more to get humanitarian aid to Misrata.

COMMENT:  It's pathetic, absolutely pathetic.  Last night, as I reported here, I listened to a former (and prominent) British jihadist describe how Obama's weakness is encouraging jihadism and stiffening its morale.  Obama's listless, yawning behavior regarding Libya will only lead to the perception that he is a soft, indecisive president who lacks the heart of a leader.

Obama has said that Qaddafi must go.  Qaddafi has stayed.  If he continues to stay, we lose, and that's the way it will be seen.  If I were Osama bin Laden, or all the other worthies in the violent jihad clubhouse, I'd be laughing my head off.

April 12, 2011