Libyan "freedom"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AWt315CO6g

The other night I watched with unrivaled optimism upon seeing countless thousands of newly "freed" Libyan citizens, cheering and crying with joy after rebels had stormed Tripoli and taken over 80% of the capital.

Today, however, I can't help but see the similarities between Libya and Iraq.  It is still a very uncertain and dangerous situation that could easily spread into looting and chaos....or even worse, a civil war comparable to Iraq.  It wouldn't take much.

On the other hand, this IS a different conflict.   We in the West are now seen as liberators, not occupiers....and I strongly believe that this action by NATO, the U.N. and the rest of the international community will serve to bring the world together a bit.   Also this is a civilian uprising, supported by international forces.....quite different from the situation in Iraq.

I suppose it's too early to tell what will happen, we can just hope for the best.   I am very excited at recent developments, but am cautiously optimistic.   One must remember that hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians took to the streets after the fall of Saddam, all cheering at their new-found "freedom" as well.

Luckily, the same power vacuum does not exist in Libya, with the rebel NTC group planning for a post-Ghadafi Libya.  I sincerely hope that the people show restraint and do not seek revenge against pro-government forces/ppl.   That would make the international community less supportive as a whole and would possibly sew the seeds of further discontent and violence.
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p.s.   below is a link I found just after writing this, seems quite relevant and talks about how, unlike Iraq, Libya's fight for freedom will be helped by the already formed NTC.   A group like this did not exist is Iraq in 2003.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/08/20118221490136212.html