Watching the Conflict in Libya

CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP) - Forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi are striking back at protesters and rebels who are causing the regime to unravel. There have been counterattacks today on a mosque west of the capital and on an airport that had been seized.

Despite the violence one Middle East expert says we are watching history unfold.

David Mednicoff is a professor of public policy at UMASS Amherst says "This is a moment when Arabs across the Middle East and North Africa are saying 'We want to govern ourselves. We want to get rid of old leaders and we don't want to be repressed anymore.' It really is an amazing and wonderful moment."

In Washington, President Barack Obama is calling the violence in Libya, "outrageous ... and unacceptable."
The President says he's studying a "full range of options" to pressure Gadhafi's regime to halt attacks against Libyans.