Libyan dictator Col. Munammar Gaddafi who had been driven out of power by the opposition aided by NATO forces was captured and is in all probability dead. His hometown Sirto has fallen. This is the climax of the drama of the Libyan uprising. The National Transitional Council (NTC) is now well and truly ensconced in power. The government of India along with a host of other countries has recognised the new government, known as rebels not long ago. What remains to be seen is the upshot of it all-what the new government armed with official power does with its authority. Gaddafi, a caudillo who believed in dictatorial repression created a political system which cannot be easily transformed into a democratic order. But the stage has been set. Libya is rich with economic resources including valuable oil reserves. Tribal factionalism which seemed a threat has been reined in.
Gaddafi’s end points to a major lesson for North Africa and the Arab world. The domino effect has set in. Egypt and Tunisia have already ushered in new regimes. Syrian and Yemeni leaders will now be under intense heat to fight what is called the Arab spring. The rising expectations of the people just cannot be put down. NATO forces have helped the people along in the right direction not so much with action on the ground but with an air campaign which gave extra muscle to the protestors against Gaddafi’s authoritarian rule. Under him, Libya was designated a terror state. It was never India’s friend. Its oil resources are important to the entire developing world. It will be in the interest of India to strengthen ties with the NTC and help it bring in a true democracy which will be compatible with New Delhi’s political credo.