Civilians or Rebels?

[GSLevel9]

Hey just curious...

If you pick up a gun and ride around in a jeep with 20mm AA guns. Don't you give up your "civilian status"?

[atreides1]

1. Pretty much

...and if you're not part of the national army...you're an enemy combatant!:shrug:

[David__77]

2. Well there are legitimate law enforcement activities by the Libyan state.

But some are acting like there are not any, and that unilateral surrender to armed insurgents is the only course of action. That's fine, so long as one is cognizant of their position in support of Western-facilitated "regime change."

It is well-known that states have a right to maintain state sovereignty and territorial integrity using armed force. There are limits as to how that armed force may be employed certainly, under various conventions or treaties.