What will happen next in Libya?

Next week, in Tripoli’s Green Square, Muammar Gaddafi would have, as in previous years, celebrated in grand style the 42nd anniversary of the revolution. This year there will be a different type of fanfare: the end of the tyrant’s regime.

Like many, on Sunday I was glued to the TV watching the news channels reporting the events unfolding in Tripoli. In a news conference in the morning, Moussa Ibrahim, the regime’s spokesman, warned the international media that a massacre would take place when the rebels reached Tripoli. On the Libyan state TV, with a pistol in her hand, the presenter threatened the rebels and warned them not to approach the building. In an audio message, Col Gaddafi once again attacked Nato and the rebels. These were all signs that the regime was crumbling.

By the end of the day, the rebels’ advance to Tripoli encountered very little resistance and during the night they reached and claimed Green Square. Early Monday morning the news broke that two of Col Gaddafi’s sons had been captured.

Freedom had, at last, reached Tripoli although some loyal strongholds still remained. Celebrations are likely to continue for a while but it will not be long (as Egypt has shown us) before the same people on the streets will be asking their new leaders to deliver. The people’s expectations are high and the work to rebuild a nation from scratch will not be easy. Where should the National Transitional Council start?

The first challenge of the NTC will be to bring about and hold national unity. Up to now, the different tribes have worked hand in hand to remove Col Gaddafi but now that he is gone they have to work together to build a new Libya. Representation of all the tribes in the new national government is of paramount importance. The choice of an electoral system is, therefore, vital and the system to be introduced should ensure that Parliament will be a microcosm of society. A proportional representation system is probably the best suited in Libya’s case.

Strong local authorities are also important. In the coming months and years Libyans will want to see the infrastructure of their communities rebuilt. Introducing local councils will help to identify the local priorities and will also serve for ordinary people to participate in the building of a new nation.

For elections to be held, the birth and organisation of political parties is essential. These are up to now non-existent or if they exist they lack a proper structure. Training ordinary people who wish to participate in the political life of the new Libya is crucial. Libyans have to be thought basic skills such as the organisation of a party structure, campaigning, message development, public outreach, volunteer recruitment and coalition building. These are fundamental skills that Libya’s new political class will require to build a new democracy.

Various United Nations’ organisations can and will assist the NTC to achieve the desired goal, that of building a democratic and modern nation. Malta has, so far, participated in humanitarian missions. We can now assist Libya by providing its civilians with the training they require.

The challenges for the new Administration are enormous. When asked about what one expects from this change and how ordinary citizens would benefit from the collapse of Col Gaddafi’s regime, a Libyan citizen pointed out to a good health care and education system. Up to now, he said, Libyans had to go abroad to receive good health treatment or decent education. These should be available to everyone in Libya.

It is a fair comment. Libya is not a poor country. It is one of the world’s suppliers of oil and has a lot of potential if the resources are properly channelled. Essential services ought to be made available to all citizens.

Popular resistance has successfully toppled another regime and Col Gaddafi’s rule is over. This is the dawn of a new era for our neighbouring country and Libyans are rightfully jubilant of their achievement. Celebrations will soon fade away and the challenge of building a new nation will commence.

These are early days and it is difficult to predict how events will unfold in the coming months. The transitional council’s test begins today.