Canada Committing Long-Term to Libya

Sorry, Afghanistan, we've got a new flame. She's closer, richer, and prettier, so, y'know... nice knowing you!

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has made it pretty clear that Canadian involvement in Libya won't be ending any time soon, even with a final showdown between rebel forces and Gadhafi loyalists looming in the dictator's hometown of Sirte. Baird, who will be jetting off to Paris tomorrow with the prime minister to join the Friends of Libya summit (by the way, laaaaaame name for a conference), said Canada would stick it out until our presence is no longer needed, which, given how these transitions to democracy usually work out, could be a very long while indeed. The rebels have given Gadhafi loyalists holed up in Sirte until Saturday to surrender, at which point they will launch an assault on the last remaining outpost still standing by the dictator. The loyalists have politely declined to do so. With events unfolding in Libya at a pace that we're not really suited to maintain, we suggest you head on over to The Guardian's live blog for up-to-the-minute updates. This is the stuff of history, folks.