We’ve noticed it after 100 days of war; we’ve seen it during the last two weeks with the worsening of the situation (rebels reached the heart of Tripoli, the raìs has vanished without a trace, a bronze statue portraying him was flung to the ground and trampled): Libya is looking even more like Iraq.

Few days after the official fall of the regime - and despite fighting in the street of the capital are not over -, it came the right time to think about future, people and democracy.

At present, the after-Khadafi’s prospects are uncertain, even if – we have to highlight it – the majority of Benghazi Transitional Council’s main persons were – with different roles and responsibilities – members of the previous regime. 

Among the candidates ready to lead the ex “Republic of the masses” (Jamahiriya), we find the devout Muslim Mustafa Abd al-Jalil – recognizable for a mark on his head due to prayer’s genuflexion. Known for his mediation with the religious wing, he was Minister of Justice under the Colonel’s presidency. 

In 2006, he was under the eye of media for having sentenced to death^* – as president of the Supreme Court – the five Bulgarian nurses accused to have injected HIV virus to Libyan children.

Moreover, he was recently criticized both by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for having arrested and detained some Libyan citizens without having prosecute them.

The second possible candidate is the Chairman of the NTC’s Executive Board, Mahmud Jibril, an economist educated in Egypt and Pennsylvania. 

Two years ago, he was persuaded by Saif al-Islam – son of Khadafi – to come back home in order to take care of the economic development of the country.

He is currently the Prime Minister ad interim of the transitional government, recognized by France, Turkey, United Kingdom and Qatar as “the only legitimate representative of Libyan people”. 

On the other hand we have the reformer Ali Abd-al-Aziz al-Isawi. He began his career in diplomacy firstly as staff member, then as ambassador of Libya in India – role covered until February 21^st, when he joined the anti-Khadafi’s movement by resigning from al-Zwai’s government.

Now, he is the leading figure of the National Transitional Council.

Last but not least, Abdel-Hafiz Ghoga, a lawyer from Benghazi specialized in Human Rights and committed to the defense of political prisoners. 

On February 27^th, he was chosen as spokesman of the NTC; after its fusion with the transitory government of Mustafa Abd al-Jalil he soon became the vice-president of the new Council.

Four names, four possible candidates to lead the country. And an only certainty: Libya will be a different country “grounded on freedom, equality and fraternity” – as Jalil said, by quoting the ideals of the French revolution. 

Khadafi’s regime has already been closed, even if for the final victory we have to wait until the capture of the Colonel.  

Alissa Claire Collavo

*the sentence was later converted to life imprisonment and eventual release.