It was a far longer and far bloodier struggle than many anticipated, but Libya has been declared liberated. The 42-year rule of Moammar Gadhafi has ended, and the north African nation can begin to rebuild itself. Libya is well positioned to move forward: With extensive oil reserves and proximity to Europe, the country has friends and ready partners.
The chief danger is the country's lack of unity. Gadhafi believed in "divide and conquer," and his tenure was marked by the support of regional and tribal rivalries. Libya must re-unite to succeed.
The Libyan revolution began earlier this year as domestic discontent was fanned by the Arab Spring. The overthrow of governments in Tunisia and Egypt left many thinking that Gadhafi's time was limited. NATO's March decision to impose a no-fly zone, which followed a United Nations Security Council vote and enjoyed the support of the Arab League, suggested that the Libyan leader's time had run out.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.