The NATO nations claim they want freedom for the Libyan people. The ultimate test of sincerity for that sentiment would be to see how they would react to the new Libyan government creating their own currency, as Gadaffi had suggested, in "Gold Dinars".
Such a move would not only test western power's sincerity, but it could possibly bring prosperity to all of Africa.
The USA benefits with every barrel of oil traded in US dollars. Western nations have been enjoying the economic benefits of global hegemony of the US Dollar, and much of those benefits would be lost if the Gold Dinar were established. Gulf states could ask to be paid in Gold, and the USA could not afford it.
Q: What would be the effect on Canada if Gulf oil were traded in Gold Dinars, or Euros? If our standard of living were to go down significantly due to the creation of Gold Dinars, would you, would I, still support Libyan freedom?