Of course, Mr Kerry also said he had the character to lead and trumpeted his military heroism, and Mr Bush crowed about successes such as Libya's decision on his watch to end its banned weapons programmes.

ECONOMIST: The running mates lock horns | The

Then, just as I was settling to watch part three of what seemed to be Libya's favourite soap opera, the call came.

BBC: On the trail of Colonel Gaddafi

Meanwhile UN Watch, a lobby group that counters UN criticism of Israel, has gleefully recalled the fulsome praise for Libya that many council members offered when that country was undergoing a review of its performance a few months ago.

ECONOMIST: The United Nations and Libya