Allies Must Support Libya As Transition Unfolds, Says MidEast Expert

As Libyan rebels seem to have taken control of Tripoli, it appears imminently clear that Moammar Gadhafi’s 42-year brutal regime is coming to an end.

Scattered battles have erupted across Libya and three of Gadhafi’s sons have already been captured. As the search continues for Gadhafi and four of his other sons, Libyan citizens have taken to the streets in celebration of the end of an era.

However, rather than celebrate prematurely, Daniel Serwer, scholar at the Middle East Institute and author of the Council on Foreign relations memorandum “Post-Qaddafi Instability in Libya”, says the international community and Libya itself must focus on rebuilding Libya after Gadhafi is officially taken down.

“There is a possibility here for a democratic Libya to emerge from this but there is also a real possibility that a very chaotic and non-democratic Libya will emerge,” Serwer told TRNS on Monday.

“The international community’s job,” he added, “is to try to make sure it comes out in the less chaotic, more democratic direction.”

According to Serwer, the European Union (EU), which imports a large quantity of gas and oil from Libya, should play a critical role in stabilizing the North African nation. The US, however, should only play a major role if a new UN security council resolution is required.

But the international community as a whole cannot take control of the situation from Libya, according to Serwer. Rather than lead the governmental transition, they must leave it in the hands of the Libyans and support them along the way.

And fortunately, Libyan rebels have proven themselves capable of such transition.

The Libyan community has organized a Transitional National Council (TNC), which details how the nation will proceed after rebel forces seize control of the government from Gadhafi.

Additionally, the TNC has published a constitutional charter, which, according to Serwer, is “relatively liberal and democratic.”

Yet while Libyan rebels seem to be on the right path towards a democratic government, Serwer warns that there is still the very real risk that Islamist radicals will try to take advantage of the situation and establish a non-democratic government. Additionally, there are many sources of violence that the TNC must be alert to, such as fighting among rebels themselves, backlash from Gadhafi loyalists and criminals who will take advantage of the chaotic situation.

This is where international support will be critical.