The Regime is Losing (has Lost?) its Grip on Power

The Qaddafi regime in Libya has faltered with it's seemingly unending control over the people.  The revolution is real and has continued to gain tremendous energy.  The opposing throngs of protesters from children to adults, from east to west.  They have become a collective.  Viewed from afar, mass pyschology heaviour and driven by a common goal of democracy - will they get what they seek?  Time will tell.  Will the long standing cultural history, the fundamental's of islamic life, will these aspects accommodate democratic process - doesn't everyone ONLY have to answer to Allah? There are many potential other regions at risk.  Tunisia.  Egypt.  They're not done yet.  Algeria.  Morocco.  Bahrain.  Yemen.  Syria.  Saudi Arabi.  Iran.  The MENA region way well gain sufficient energy to breach other cultural and geographical barriers - these are truly historical events.  Will they lead to historical change?  Watching and Learning.

WRAPUP 2-Gaddafi forces abandon parts of Tripoli (Reuters)

* Security forces abandon Tripoli neighbourhoods

* Foreign governments plan measures against Gaddafi

* Italy's Berlusconi says Gaddafi has lost control

(Recasts throughout)

By Maria Golovnina and Ahmed Jadallah

TRIPOLI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Poor neighbourhoods of the Libyan capital Tripoli openly defied Muammar Gaddafi on Saturday as his grip on power after 41 years of rule looked increasingly tenuous in the face of nationwide revolt.

Security forces had abandoned the working-class Tajoura district after five days of anti-government demonstrations, residents told foreign correspondents who visited the area.

The residents said troops opened fire on demonstrators who tried to march from Tajoura to central Green Square overnight, killing at least five people. The number could not be independently confirmed.

A funeral on Saturday morning for one of the victims turned into another show of defiance against Gaddafi.

"Everyone in Tajoura came out against the government. We saw them killing our people here and everywhere in Libya," a man who identified himself as Ali, aged 25, told Reuters.

"We will demonstrate again and again, today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow until they change."

The scene in Tajoura contradicted statements by Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who told reporters on Friday night that peace was returning to Libya.

Much of the east of the oil-producing country, including the second city Benghazi, is in opposition forces' hands.

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