Originally published in Christian Post
Forty-two years of terror seemingly ended today with the killing of ex-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi by the Misrata Military Council. Libya’s Prime Minister confirmed Gaddafi’s death this morning.
“We have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” confirmed Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril.
With the death of the dictator, critics are questioning what will happen to Libya? Will there be internal civil conflict or will the National Transitional Council move forward with democratic elections?
CNN contends that there is a great amount of civil support to help the Transitional Council without the need for military support.
CNN also predicts “enormous problems ahead. Tribal battles will almost certainly continue,” along with fighting over Libya’s precious oil resources.
Gaddafi, who led Libya for 42 years, remained in hiding since rebel forces seized the capital of Tripoli and only emerged to call upon his loyalists to take back the country from “devils and traitors.”
Although he was ousted from power in late August, Gaddafi loyalists continued to resist the new Libyan government, prolonging an 8 month civil war and halting the country’s political progression.
The media is circulating footage of Libyans celebrating the death of Gaddafi. The dictator’s death signifies the civil war is effectively over, and there is a promising future of the Libyan people.
Many wonder about the welfare of Christians in the country, especially after recent violence in Egypt.
Open Doors, a Christian persecution watchdog, reported in August that Christians in the capital remained safe and unified in the wake of the uprising.
According to Open Doors, only about 150 Christians remain in Libya; most emigrated after the anti-Gaddafi protests began in February.
Fear for Christians in the Middle East has heightened after the recent violence in Egypt, in which 27 Coptic Christians were killed while peacefully protesting the burning of a church in Cairo on Oct. 9. Many blame the military regime for using brute force and implanting a sectarian society, pitting Muslims against Christians.
Only time will tell what will happen to the Libyan government after Gaddafi’s death. Depending on the outcome of the government system, critics argue that Christians may immigrate back into Libya if it is considered safe enough.
Gaddafi was wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity. It was believed that after rebels captured Tripoli and were unable to find Gaddafi there, that he was hiding in his hometown of Sirte, which is where he was killed today.
