News Analysis: Gaddafi's death paves way for Libya's rebuilding, transition

With the death of fallen leader Muammar Gaddafi, the seven-month civil war in Libya moves closer to an end as the "entire liberation" of the whole country would soon be announced. But the war-torn country still faces tough tasks in the process of reconstruction and transition. Mahmoud Jibril, head of the Libyan National Transitional Council's (NTC) executive committee, confirmed Thursday that Gaddafi was killed in gun battle in his hometown Sirte. The former Libyan leader had been hiding himself for about two months since the rebels controlled Tripoli in late August, but had incited supporters from time to time with his voice aired on a Syrian TV channel. His death indicated the complete end of Gaddafi era which lasted more than 40 years. And the country will be tasked with reconciling political factions, easing stability threats posed by the remnants of the Gaddafi regime and forming an interim government. SECURITY CHALLENGE Gaddafi's death will affect the capabilities of Gaddafi's loyalists, as they had no political aim anymore, said Akrm Houssam, a researcher with the National Center for Middle East Studies, in an interview with Xinhua on Thursday. However, they may still launch small raids in revenge for the death of Gaddafi, he added. "Concerning the war in Libya , we can't say it has totally ended, but it's about to end, as Gaddafi's supporters won't give up now, " said Sayed el-Lawendy, a political analyst with the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. One week ago, dozens of Gaddafi supporters exchanged fire with NTC fighters in the capital. This was the first fresh fighting between Gaddafi loyalists and rebel forces in the capital in two months. In addition, the NTC had not completely "eradicated" Gaddafi's fighters in Sirte and Bani Walid, despite its control of the last two strongholds of Gaddafi. The country will go towards stability and security despite possible sporadic clashes, according to Houssam. GOV'T FORMATION The death of Gaddafi will help accelerate the formation of an interim government, which has been delayed due to the fighting in Sirte and Bani Walid. "Reconciliation will be a difficult process and an interim government should include all parties in society," Houssam said. He said the NTC would not be dissolved soon after the formation of a transitional government. Without achieving democratic transition, the NTC will lose its legitimacy, he warned. "The NTC has many challenges, like the security situation as they face possible violence created by Gaddafi's supporters," said Lawendy. The rebuilding of Libya, which has been shattered after a seven- month war, will never be easy, he added. NATO is supposed to end its military mission in Libya soon, leaving a huge responsibility for the NTC, said Lawendy. Surely, the transitional period will feature the rivalry for power, but western powers may help it overcome obstacles, said Lawendy. "The transitional process may take longer than expected, specially given the fact that Libya has a special tribal nature. So the tribal rivalry will affect the political scene and the redrafting of laws and policies," said Lawendy. The Libyan people, who have been suffering from a long period of bloodshed and instability, will be keen on regaining stability and order, said the analyst. Officials from European countries, Russia and the Arab League have responded to the death of Gaddafi, hoping for a new page to come for the Libyan people in their history. Samir Hosni, an Arab League official, told Xinhua on Thursday that Gaddafi's death marked the complete end of his 41-year rule and paved the way for Libya's reconstruction based on freedom and human rights. He urged reconciliation among Libyan tribes to jointly open a new page in the country's history. REGIONAL IMPACT Gaddafi was the third leader in the Arab world who have been toppled in anti-government protests after Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Egypt's Hosni Mubarak earlier this year. His death will prompt Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to accept the political solution initiatived by the Gulf Cooperation Council, according to Houssam. On Thursday, fresh battle flared up in Yemen's capital city of Sanaa between government forces and opposition gunmen demanding the ouster of Saleh, after the news of Gaddafi's death was reported. Gaddafi's death gave the protesters in Yemen and Syria a gleam of hope of the expected end of the rule of their leaders who were struggling to maintain power after months of anti-government protests, said Lawendy. "It may cut short the unrest in Syria and Yemen, as it may get the world's focus more on them to pressure their leaders to step down and end the crisis," said Lawendy. Syria still enjoys support from some countries, its military was united and there are no tribal powers like in Libya and Yemen, so the situation may continue there, Houssam said. Syria on Thursday said it welcomed the impending visit of an Arab ministerial committee announced by the Arab League recently in order to urge a national dialogue to end the crisis.