Libya has made great progress – the acts of a few don't change that

[tabatha]

Umar Khan

Without a doubt there is a feeling of discontentment in public circles but that doesn't undermine the progress made by Libya as a country or by Libyans as a society. There is still a long way to go but it is astonishing how much they have achieved in the past six months.

The formation of the national army is the most successful achievement for Libya, especially after being tangled in the control of different brigades for long. The national army is finally stepping up to the task of securing Libya's borders. It will take a while before it's fully capable of handling any situation on its own but there are definitely steps in the right direction. The number of revolutionaries coming under the interior and defence ministries is not phenomenal but it's happening on a daily basis. So far, tens of thousands have registered with the national army and the national guards.

With the security situation under decent control, the transitional government is working closely with the civil society in organising free and fair elections. The local elections for Misrata council were conducted in a very professional way – a hopeful sign. Despite the shortcomings in the administrative area of the transitional government, one shouldn't forget that it is just a transitional government and is not meant to make decisions in most cases. With its limitations as a non-elected government, it deserves credit for not letting things fall apart. The progress in establishing the government's writ is slow but visible – the takeover of the security of national installations from different brigades by the interior ministry is one shining example.

One could argue over the speed of developments or the way some things are being sidelined, but no one can deny that there is progress. People often point at the number of problems that arise but never speak about those that are solved. It is normal for a country coming out of a bloody revolution to face problems on its way to democracy after 42 years of dictatorship*. What really matters is not the troubles themselves but the response to them. If you will let small bumps deter you from your aim then you'll never be able to face the bigger challenges ahead. The only way to be certain of what the future holds is to remain uncertain about it and work hard. The recent surge in political activity and the people's desire for change can in itself be the most worthy achievement of the revolution.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/mar/09/libya-great-progress

(*Check South Africa - Apartheid - wikipedia to see many similarities of teething problems, ESPECIALLY before the first election - and South Africa was for the most part a negotiation by a unique, once in a century, leader)

[leveymg]

1. That reconstituted national army claim will likely be the first thing tested in the breakaway east.

The very oil-rich, traditionally insular tribal-dominated eastern province where most of Libya's most notorious Jihadi terrorists and gunmen come from. Way to break up another state! Score another one for the oil multinationals, Israel and the Saudis!

[ellisonz]

2. K & R

I'm optimistic, but maybe it's just the terra-drugs in my Nescafe!

[riderinthestorm]

3. I really take exception to your persistent refrain that violence must follow revolution.

The US, Poland, Guatemala, Ireland (which had hundreds of years of bloody dictatorship) - there are so many countries that did not devolve into the hideous violence we see in Libya today.

What IS different is that a country like Libya was largely a sectarian civil war that the west exploited to get rid of Qaddafi. When one meddles in a civil war, its impossible to believe that peace will result because the strife persists even if a common enemy is removed.