BEIRUT—Libya’s new rulers declared their nation “liberated” on Sunday, opening the way for elections and a constitution that the revolutionary government says will put the country on a path to its first representative democracy.
The declaration in the eastern city of Benghazi—where mass protests in February ignited what became a national rebellion—came three days after Libya’s longtime ruler, Muammar Qaddafi, was slain in his home city of Sirte as the city was overrun by revolutionary forces.
In Washington President Barack Obama hailed the declaration of freedom in Libya on Sunday, saying “a new era of promise” is under way in the African nation. He also urged its new leaders to turn their attention to the political transition ahead, the Associated Press reported.
In a statement issued by the White House, Obama congratulated the Libyan people and said, “After four decades of brutal dictatorship and eight months of deadly conflict, the Libyan people can now celebrate their freedom and the beginning of a new era of promise.”
Obama said the US looks forward to working with officials as they prepare for free and fair elections.
Officials say Qaddafi was killed in battle or in a crossfire after he was captured. But the nature of his death, apparently from a bullet to the head, has raised suspicions that he may have been executed while a prisoner. His decaying body has remained on display in the coastal city of Misrata, which was largely destroyed during the war.
In declaring the nation of 6 million liberated, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, leader of the transitional government and a justice minister during Qaddafi’s rule, laid out an Islamist vision for the future, declaring that Sharia law would be the foundation for future governance. But it will be left to future lawmakers to determine how much influence Islam will have.
Islamists are one of a number of groups seeking a stake in the new Libya, which is about to undergo a radical restructuring after Qaddafi’s 40-year domination. A major challenge will be to form some kind of consensus government despite regional and tribal differences. The nation’s new leaders hope to disarm the many militias that ousted Qaddafi and funnel their members into a new military and police corps.
While Arab Spring revolutions also triumphed in neighboring Tunisia and Egypt, ousting entrenched autocratic rulers, both nations had functioning government structures, including militaries, that survived their revolutions. In Libya, however, Qaddafi’s regime left few traces of government behind, meaning that the new rulers must create a brand-new system. Much of the Qaddafi-era elite, including relatives and cronies of the leader, have also been toppled.
It was not clear when the first elections would be held, though some have called for votting within eight months for an interim government.
