I was born and raised in the United States of America, I had seldom thought about where my father and his family came from until the war broke out in Libya a few months ago. But now, it seems as if my days are centered on the conflict. I find myself watching YouTube videos, reading blogs and having discussions about the war to oust the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi at home, at work and at social settings. 

An anti-Gaddafi fighter shouts “Allah Akbar”, or “God is Great”, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Tripoli August 31, 2011. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Although I have not been to Libya since I was a toddler and I don’t remember any of my relatives, I can’t stop thinking about how Libya would emerge out of this war. I watch the news any chance I get; I follow the stories on the web and I try to get as much perspective as possible. It is difficult when you don’t know much about a country to try to make sense out of a revolution. Recently some of my friends, co-workers and even the media have contacted my family seeking comments about the conflict from a Libyan-American perspective. I find myself becoming a de facto expert about a country I don’t know much about.

The truth is, the situation in Libya is fluid, and nothing seems clear to me. I have always believed that if you “do not watch the news, you are not being informed” and “if you watch the news, you may not get the entire truth.” My opinion on the war in Libya is scattered. At one point, we hear that Gaddafi’s sons were captured and arrested. Then minutes later, Saif, Qaddafi’s son, appears on television, giving a press conference and rallying his supporters. What I see on the news, especially as it relates to the Middle East, never affects my opinions. 

One thing I know for sure is that the politics of the country and its people are misunderstood. The protests in Libya are much different than the protests that drove Hosni Mubarak out of power in Egypt and Ben Ali out of Tunis. The way that Gaddafi has been ousted is much different than the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia. This is not a revolution; it is rather an attack on a dictator who has overstayed his welcome and has abused his people. A victory by the rebels is also a defeat for all the parties involved in the war , especially if the rebels form a unity and a democratic government to save the country.

One must wonder how far the rebels would have advanced to Tripoli without help from the NATO. One thing is for sure, Tripoli would have not fallen to the rebels in the way that it has, which, to some degree, reminds me of the war in Afghanistan. Fast forward to 2011… Afghanistan is a country with a weak government and divided society. I strongly believe that NATO was very quick in  providing military support to the rebels to oust Gaddafi. 

First, NATO has no interest in seeing Gaddafi continue in power because of the rocky and unstable relationship between NATO and Gaddafi. Second, NATO has interests in the oil-rich Libya. NATO was never been quick to provide military support to the Syrian rebels or enforce no fly zone as they did in Libya.   

With the remaining pockets of resistance still led by loyalists to Gaddafi, the transition of power would be difficult to implement. The only hope for the great Libyan people is a new constitution to be written addressing the Libyan people aspirations and dreams for a democratic government after 42 years of suppression.                     

It is time for the Libyan People to reconcile and join each other in rebuilding the new democratic Libya, where freedom of speech, freedom of religion and political affiliation is welcome. I am sure when all political differences and turmoil is over, Libya will resume its leading role in the world community. There are thousands of highly qualified Libyan Americans who left Libya during the Gaddafi regime and ready to go back to start the democratic reform and rebuild Libya.