¿HASTA CUÁNDO EN LIBIA?

Top of the Agenda: Libyans Eye Transition in Tripoli

Libyan rebels captured leader Muammar al-Qaddafi's Tripoli compound Tuesday--aided by months of NATO airstrikes--and moved to relocate their headquarters from Benghazi to the capital. Even as opposition forces solidified their control (WSJ) over the city, Qaddafi released a recorded radio address from an unknown location, urging government loyalists to fight for Tripoli.

Rebels sought to maintain control (CNN) over the Bab al-Azizya compound as Qaddafi loyalists fired mortars at the former government stronghold. Clashes between rebels and government forces also flared just east of Tripoli's main airport.

Meanwhile, the rebel National Transitional Council SABRÁ SER EFECTIVAMENTE DE TRANSICIÓN? ¿A QUÉ? ¿CON QUÉ OTRAS FUERZAS POLÍTICAS? moved to shore up support for an orderly transition of power. The council's leader, Mustafa el Jalil, said the new Libyan government would hold free elections (al-Jazeera) ¿ENTRE QUIÉNES? within eight months. ¿QUÉ FUERZAS POLÍTICAS NUEVAS PODRÁN CREARSE Y ORGANIZARSE EN APENAS OCHO MESES? Jalil, one of the first defectors from the Qaddafi regime early this year, said Qaddafi would be put on trial in Libya, rather than in an international court.

Diplomatic efforts (NYT) intensified as France--a leader in NATO's mission to assist the Libyan rebels--announced that President Nicolas Sarkozy would meet with Jalil in Paris tonight. ¿PARA QUÉ, AHORA? Russia, which opposed the NATO operation, is considering formal recognition of the rebel government.

Analysis

In narrow military terms, the West's action in Libya has been successful, and there was political justification, says this Guardian editorial. CON MUY DIVERSOS NIVELES DE PARTICIPACIÓN EN LOS EUROPEOS.

The NATO campaign in Libya highlighted the weakness Y LOS DESEQUILIBRIOS of the coalition's European members, says this Financial Times editorial.

As Libyan rebels press for control of the state and the ouster of Qaddafi, experts warn about the troubles ahead in maintaining security and rebuilding a country emerging from forty-two years of autocratic rule, explains this CFR Analysis Brief. SÍ, Y NO SE RESOLVERÁN RÁPIDAMENTE

Public disorder and instability in Libya could emerge after the Qaddafi regime falls. The United States should support a stabilization effort to prevent the potential consequences of regime failure, argues Johns Hopkins' Daniel Serwer in this CFR Contingency Planning Memo.