ARAB RESPONSE:ARAB RULERS and citizens were shocked by the death of Libya's 42-year leader Muammar Gadafy, the first Arab leader to die during the Arab spring that has toppled the Tunisian and Libyan presidents and challenged the rule of Yemeni, Bahraini and Syrian rulers.
Arab kings and presidents are, however, likely to welcome his passing as he was more often than not a troublemaker.
Qatar’s Arabic and English al-Jazeera satellite channels carried uninterrupted coverage as yesterday’s events in Sirte unfolded and broadcast images of Libyans celebrating as well as commentaries on Gadafy’s fall.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, two Arab countries which actively backed the revolt, could expect to play a role in the post-Gadafy era by attempting to reconcile rebels and loyalists and promoting reconstruction.
Wealthy Qatar, in particular, is in a position to provide funding until Libya can restore oil exports with the aim of securing revenues it needs for reconstruction.
While the Saudi press agency simply reported Gadafy’s death without comment, triumphalist coverage on the satellite channel al-Arabia matched that of al-Jazeera. The Saudi royal family had a longstanding quarrel with Gadafy, who charged King Abdullah and his predecessors with being in the pocket of the US.
Beirut’s southern suburbs, home to supporters of the Shia Hizbullah movement, and other districts in the Lebanese capital, erupted in celebratory gunfire when news of his death was broadcast. Former prime minister Saad Hariri said, “Gadafy’s fate is the inevitable end of all dictators who reject their people’s desire for freedom and democracy.
“His death paves the way for justice and the rule of law in Libya that focuses on meeting the people’s expectations.”
Palestinians, angered over the expulsion of Palestinian workers from Libya, voiced satisfaction at the news. Egyptians involved in the uprising and overthrow of president Hosni Mubarak blogged their disappointment that he was killed and would not stand trial.
Arab individuals contacted by The Irish Timesexpressed relief over Gadafy's departure but were concerned over news that he had died after being captured alive. They were horrified over reports that his body had been mistreated by fighters who detained him.
Speaking for many Arabs, Egyptian professor Gamal Soltan warned that Libya has still to build “a functioning political system . . . the war in Libya is no longer between the revolutionary forces and the regime, but of revolutionary forces of different tribal and ideological backgrounds”.