Whither Libya? Walt's prediction

It's official! Libya has been liberated! Free at last, free at last! Lawzy, Lawzy, dey's free at last! And the leaders of NATO can hook their thumbs under their suspenders [that's "braces" to you Brits. Ed.] and take credit for having made it all possible.

So now what? Will Libya become a shining beacon of democracy, freedom and prosperity for all? Like, ummm, Iraq? A couple of straws in the wind....

It appears now that the Mad Colonel did not die of wounds received in the heat of battle, as the rebels originally claimed. Apparently he was executed by a fullet fired into his bared head. Now that sentence has been passed, his trial will presumably follow...sometime later. So much for the rule of law.

The new government has announced that Islamic banking will be introduced. Grateful Libyans will soon be able to borrow money at no interest, since Islam prohibits the charging of interest. Money-lenders will, however, be allowed to charge "service fees". What's the difference between "interest" and "service fees"? Answers on the back of a postage stamp please.

Another laudable revolutionary measure is the ending of the prohibition on polygamy. That's right! Libyan men will now be allowed to take more than one wife, in accordance with Sharia law. Whether this is a boon or a curse remains to be seen. But if a man is dissatisfied with his wife, all he has to do is say "Talak, talak, talak", and they're divorced. Obviously a much superior system to the arrangement which prevails here in the backwards West.

Walt foresees a bleak future for Libya, in spite of its oil wealth. It looks like becoming an Islamist state, in danger of being torn apart by tribalism. Lurking in the background [in Syria, actually. Ed.] is Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son and heir of the late dear leader, who appeared on Syrian TV Saturday night.

Gaddafilite vowed to follow in his father's bloody footsteps, saying “We continue our resistance. I am in Libya, I am alive, free and intend to go to the very end and exact revenge.” He is reportedly reading the memoirs of General MacArthur, planning his return. Stay tuned for Round Two.