SUPPORT for any rebel group usually turns out to be misguided and more especially so when they have a large following.

The result is most often the creation of a monster that is uncontrollable thereafter.

With the situation as it is in Mali it surely must now be admitted that the backing of the rebels in Libya was a mistake.

When you arm and equip groups such as these, there can be no telling as to what they will do once they have the means.

For the most part, groups of this type have no cohesive leader to command them and are undisciplined until al-Qaida forms them into some semblance of order.

It is a fair bet that many of the rebels the West supported are now causing mayhem in Mali.

Certain western governments have supported dictator-led regimes when it was in their interests to do so.

It is also a fair bet, that if the West had not interfered with the internal affairs of the Libyan military regime, the overspill of trouble in Mali would never have occurred. Clanger dropped I think.

GH Grieveson, Richmond.