AT the time of writing, rebels in Tripoli are closing down on forces loyal to Gaddafi to deliver a conclusive blow in the long, drawn out battle for Libya.
Six months after the revolution began, the world is finally on the verge of witnessing the end of the historic struggle of the Libyan people for their freedom to determine their own fate.
Thousands have died in the struggle, as Gaddafi continues to cling to the last vestiges of his hold on power. The dictator’s whereabouts are unknown.
But in the last moments of his grip on his country, all parties are prepared for some kind of last ditch effort. He is expected to deliver as destructive a final retaliation as possible.
It is now more than apparent that the days of Gaddafi’s seemingly endless reign in Libya are now numbered.
The world is witnessing, with some nervousness, an uncertain outcome of the conflict in this strategically vital corner of the Arab world.
For months on end, the Arab universe has been caught in this historic turmoil, a rebellion that was unimaginable just a year ago.
Egypt and Tunisia have already fallen to the revolutionary zeal of the Arab population. Syria is repressing the people’s dissent in the most brutal manner possible, while the revolt of the ordinary citizens continues unabated.
Other countries like North Yemen and Bahrain are still caught in the internal contradictions of repressing their own people from expressing their demand for reform.
These are unusual times, and the people of the Arab streets are turning new pages in the brand new history of their world.
As the battle for Libya slowly grinds down to a painful end, the opposition forces that gather in Tripoli now have the momentum to complete this historic process.
The prayers of peace-loving people all over the world are offered up for the conflict to end soon, without incurring too much bloodshed and killing. The next few days should see the murky picture clarify somewhat for us.
Meanwhile, Nato forces are continuing their air attacks on Libyan government forces. It can be concluded that without Nato at the front line of allied air attacks, the Libyan uprising would not have made so much ground in the past six months.
Libya’s Transitional National Council in Benghazi now has the world focused on its role. It must not be seen to be vindictive, and must through its actions prove that the council intends to diminish the national grief suffered by the Libyan people as a whole.
The most important job of the Transitional National Council is to heal the wounds of the conflict.
The situation in Tripoli is still fluid, and full of hidden risks. As we watch from the sidelines in Malaysia, we cannot help but feel a deep sense of compassion for the ordinary citizens of Libya. They have suffered much, and we wish them well.
It will take many years for Libya to achieve a kind of resolution and rehabilitation. This nation, rich in culture and oil resources, has been dealt such a gigantic blow to their national spirit.
But they have shown extraordinary courage in the process of their rebirth and their self-rejuvenation.
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