Tensions are rising between Libya and neighboring Algeria, to which Moammar Gadhafi's wife and three of his children fled, after Libyan rebels angrily demanded the return of the Gadhafis to stand trial in Libya. While rebel leaders called Algeria's decision to shelter the family an "aggressive act," Algerian officials defended their decision on "humanitarian grounds" — Gadhafi's daughter, Aisha, gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday. Still, in this year of Arab revolt, is Algeria making a mistake by sticking up for one of the region's most despised families?
Yes. This is likely to backfire: So far, Algeria's rulers have dodged the forces of change that toppled their counterparts in neighboring Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt, says Brian Whitaker at Britain's Guardian. But by "continuing to back a loser (in the shape of Gadhafi)," Algeria "has placed itself on the wrong side of history" and further identified itself with the forces of counter-revolution. That will only draw attention to the Algerian regime's "hankering for the past," and hasten its demise.
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