Its not entirely wrong, effectively the bombing campaign coupled with the uprising and conflict essentially create a failed state that lacked the apparatus and capacity for authority of the state and state functionality.

Syria would be the biggest problem. What efforts did we go to for the aid of Syrian refugees fleeing from the war, IS etc. The important thing in these situations is to try to establish effective refugee communities in the neighbouring nations where people flee too. If you can build camps where life isn't 'too bad' then people tend to stay there.

Problem is, usually that's left to the UN and the countrys flooded with refugees to deal with (and we're not the only guilty party, the world is).

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

That's a bit naive, if I may say so.

If Libya were (as it was for years) a stable state with working institutions (albeit corrupt and oppressive ones) it would be controlling its borders. They'd stop all the would-be immigrants from getting to the coast.

Now Libya is effectively a broken state with open borders. Ergo, all and sundry are free to try and get to Italy.

...we must expand...get more pupils...so that the knowledge will spread...

I don't think this is true, this was an excuse used by the US, UK and French governments to usurp Gadhafi.

You go can even further back, but you may recollect the F1-111 bombing of Libya in 86. Although a dictator, with all the trappings, Gadhafi, in the late 90s and 00s, took a position of being a mediator and also was trying to use Libyan petro-dollars to aid sub-Saharan states.

He even apologised for Arab involvement in the slave trade, something must HOL'ers were up in arms about when "one eye" did something similar.

Edited by pefwin (22 Apr 2015 5.23pm)

"Everything is air-droppable at least once."

"When the going gets tough, the tough call for close air support."

So that's the whole of the UK navy and who else?

"Everything is air-droppable at least once."

"When the going gets tough, the tough call for close air support."

They should be given sanctuary in the nearest safe country. Through Italy, through Spain, through Eastern Europe, through Germany, through France, Through Belgium then safely into the UK

Paua oouaarancì Irà chiyeah Ishé galé ma ba oo ah

Agree with all the "we brought it upon ourselves" etc but we can't put the clock back - we are here now.

How about redirecting some of the millions we currently give in foreign aid - to regional super powers like India - to help finance the search/rescue operation in the med. Then use the balance of it to improve the lot in the areas that most refugees coming from. Give the aid through UK charities working locally in these countries - not their governments for obvious reasons. Not a solution but might be a start. The only long term solution is some form of redistribution of nations wealth. Not a vote winner !