The death of Col. Muammar Gaddafi marks a pivotal moment in the fight for Libyan democracy
Written By: Derek Page
Staff Writer
Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the tyrannical dictator of Libya, was killed Oct. 20, after National Transitional Council fighters overtook loyalist forces in the elusive ruler’s home city of Sirte.
Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril, confirmed in reports written by the forensic doctor who examined Gaddafi, that the overzealous nationalist leader was “taken out of a sewage pipe, was hit by a bullet in his right arm and when they put him in a truck he did not have any other inuries,” Jibril said.
“When the car was moving it was caught in crossfire between the revolutionaries and Gaddafi forces in which he was hit by a bullet in the head.”
President Obama shared his felicity regarding the pivotal moment, stating, “the enormous potential of the Libyan people was held back and terror was used as a political weapon. Today, we can definitively say that the Gaddafi regime has come to an end…One of the world’s longest serving dictators is no more.”
Harry Merkin, a junior at Old Dominion University, humbly surmised, “The killing of Gaddafi is mainly a symbolic victory for the rebels. They already control the capital and most of the country, except for small pockets of loyalist forces.”
“Gaddafi was already defeated, he just didn’t know it. The struggle isn’t over yet, just because he’s dead. The transitional government now has to deal with creating a functioning democracy in a country that has never known democracy, all the while hoping that Islamist’s do not infiltrate the democratic process or that a loyalist insurgency arises. The former is more likely, seeing that Gaddafi is dead, and now the loyalist have nothing to fight for,” said Merkin.
The incident occurred when French warplanes fired warning shots at a convoy transporting Gaddafi from the tumbled city of Sirte. The multi-dozen convoy was then sieged and destroyed by the NTC. Gaddafi was found soon after in a drain by a rebel fighter, reporting Gaddafi said, “Don’t shoot.”
With the arrest and execution of Saddam Hussein back in 2006, and the subsequent struggling democracy of Iraq, only time will tell as to the rate and speed of a democratized Libya.
“Just like Iraq’s attempt at a new democratic government after the killing of Saddam Hussein in 2006, I think it will be an extremely daunting task for the Libyan people to come together and create a new functional democratic government,” said Ryan Renaud, student at ODU.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded to the death of Gaddafi in surprise, with a simple, “wow.”
Libyans swarmed the streets of major cities rejoicing the end of a 42 year long reign of terror led by the unstable ruler. It was reported that riffles were raised in the air and fired, and motorists leaned on their horns in jubilation.
“This is a momentous day in the history of Libya. The dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted,” said Obama. This is a moment the oppressed Libyan people have been anxiously awaiting since the overthrowing of Gaddafi in August.”
While the death of Gaddafi is certainly a significant occurrence for Libya, it is but a stepping stone on the path of the struggle for democracy.
Former presidential candidate and Senator John McCain said Gaddifi’s death is, “an end to the first phase of the Libyan revolution.” The Libyan people still have many political challenges to resolve.
The NTC intends to announce “the liberation of the country” in the very near future in order to initiate democratic reforms leading to elections. Obama expressed his concern and support for the Libyan government, saying, “there will be difficult days ahead, but the United Sates, together with the international community, is committed to the Libyan people. You have won your revolution, and now we will be a partner as you forge a future that provides dignity, freedom, and opportunity.”
Photo from: echwaluphotography.wordpress.com
