Gaddafi death

With the execution of Muammar Gaddafi, the world’s longest serving non-royal ruler is gone (your report, 21 October).

In contrast to the recent slaughter, he overthrew the Anglo-American puppet King Idris in a bloodless coup 42 years ago and dismantled the corrupt remnants of Western colonialism.

As a result he replaced Nasser as the Western bogeyman, was styled “the Mad Gadaffi” and every act of terrorism up to and including Lockerbie was laid at his door.

In practice he was one of the better third-world rulers, giving one of the poorest nations in the region food security by irrigating the desert and ensuring a stable water supply.

Perhaps his great achievement was to protect Libya’s minorities from Islamic repression and the real losers of this Western neo-colonial interference are the Coptic Christians.

(Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews

I am appalled and disappointed at your image choice for Friday’s front page.

While I understand your responsibility to deliver news, surely within your remit there exists a consciousness to protect young people from such brutal imagery.

My seven-year-old son was deeply perturbed by the image he was presented with this morning, and quite frankly, it is not one that is conducive to nurturing tomorrow’s reader.

Nicola Dean

Lodge Road

Hopeman, Moray

My WIFE and I were disturbed, distressed and disgusted to view the photograph of the corpse of Colonel Gadaffi on the front page of Friday’s Scotsman.

This image was entirely gratuitous, since it did not enhance or expand on the information available in print.

The choice of this particular photo suggests a lack of appreciation of your readers’ imagination, sensitivity and good taste.

Peter Graham

East Comiston

Edinburgh