International Reactions: So far so good?

With heavy fighting still ongoing, the NTC in Tripoli is asserting itself rather well on the international front. Reactions to the new leadership are generally positive and supportive, with support coming from both the UN. and the U.S. But with the international support comes a greater spotlight, which has highlighted some internal problems. Whether these will stand in the way of any new government decisions still needs to be seen.

            First of all, the UN. The UN has just recently shown strong support for the NTC by handing Libya’s UN seat over to the NTC. Along with this, they have lifted a few sanctions imposed on the country from when Gaddafi was still in power, thus providing a way for the NTC to start the economy back up. Removing sanctions against large national oil companies such as the Libyan National Oil Corporation are a big step in order for the NTC to make Libya economically independent and stable once again. This is highly important if the NTC wants any chance of succeeding. Without this strong international support, the economy would flop and any chance of a productive government would cease to exist.

A rebel militiaman stands guard at a Libyan oil refinery in Al Brega. Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images

Besides jump-starting the economy, the UN is also focusing on political help towards the interim government. Having set up the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the UN hopes to help in drafting a constitution and in setting up fair, democratic elections. If anything, I think this is one of the most important and most delicate tasks the UN has undertaken. If they succeed in helping the political process while not overstepping boundaries, than it will be a major victory in setting up a new permanent government. I mean look at Egypt. They ousted Hosni Mubarak in February and emergency laws that were to be repealed are still in effect. This just shows how a revolution isn’t over when you get rid of the old, you have to set up the new as well. And although it may not be as bloody a task, it often ends up being the hardest task.

On another important international note, the US has shown their support and praise for how the NTC has handled the transition and security so far. Having officially recognized the NTC a while ago, a US envoy recently visited the interim leaders, where they met and talked about security among other things. And everything seemed to turn out well. Jeffrey Feltman reported that the NTC is doing a good job in organizing and controlling the many armed groups involved in the revolution. Which is a pretty major and important task if you think about it. 

A ragtag bunch of Libyan rebels, passionate yet unorganized.

 Imagine, an entire population rising up in arms against the government. Local groups band together and start fighting authorities in their towns and eventually take local control. This gains momentum and soon ex-military leaders are rallying large groups of rebels in order to launch major offensives against the countries remaining military. (Which is mostly comprised of foreign militants) This and the increased availability of automatic and heavy weaponry in the country create a potentially disastrous environment. Anything and everything could go wrong.

So the fact that they are able to take control and bring all these rebel groups under one flag is a massive step towards a new, unified Libya. And that would be something remarkable.