After Qadhafi, the new test: uniting Libya

Derek Brower, MISRATA, ZLITEN and TRIPOLI: Muammar Qadhafi believed that true democracy was found in the direct expression of the people’s will. On 20 October the Libyan people had their say. Brutal images of soldiers kicking the colonel’s bloodied body were broadcast around the world, confirming the death of the tyrant, possibly by execution. Libyans took to the streets of their cities to celebrate. Forty-two years of dictatorship has come to an end. Qadhafi died in his birthplace, Sirte, which has also now fallen to forces loyal to Libya’s new government. Its liberation ends an eight-month war. Libyans have many reasons to rejoice. In defeating a well-armed and brutal dictator the revolutionaries defied the stiffest of odds. Now they must quickly unite around a government that will deliver the peace, too. Many threats should dissolve with Qadhafi’s death. Just a day before news of Sirte’s fall and the colonel’s capture,...