THIS IS THE TURNING POINT FOR LIBYA.

Opposition forces, backed by NATO air strikes, advanced into Tripoli on Sunday with few signs of resistance from Muammar Gadhafi's forces. Although Gadhafi spoke to the nation three times on Sunday and vowed not to surrender, his 42-year regime is clearly collapsing.

While the opposition forces are trying to take full control of the capital, there are still huge uncertainties ahead for Libya. How soon will the war end? And how will the rebuilding of the war-torn nation proceed?

First, the fate of Gadhafi is a critical factor for stability and order in Tripoli and Libya. While two of his sons, including his heir apparent, are in opposition hands, Gadhafi's whereabouts remain a mystery. There were reports that heavy fighting was heard Monday morning near Gadhafi's residence in central Tripoli and in the south of the capital. If Gadhafi chooses to fight to the bitter end, his loyalists may stage more armed resistance both in Tripoli and in other parts of the country even if Gadhafi is gone.

Next, it is unclear who will be in the transitional government following the fall of Gadhafi's regime. The present opposition in Benghazi, the National Transitional Council (NTC), needs to expand its representation to integrate as many of the political forces as possible and the tribes and clans of Libya, including those who used to be Gadhafi's power base, if it is to avoid a descent into chaos.

Analysts have warned that the assault against Tripoli has been led by rebels from the west and not by those from Benghazi in the east and there is no guarantee they will accept the Benghazi leadership. Concerns over possible tribal feuds are also highlighted by the assassination last month of the opposition military commander General Abdel Fattah Younis.

Reaching national reconciliation is the immediate challenge facing the opposition forces. In an apparent attempt to avoid similar factional fighting to that which broke out in post-Saddam Iraq, NTC leader Mahmud Jibril said the opposition would not exact revenge on Gadhafi followers and urged opposition forces to act with magnanimity toward the vanquished.

Finalizing a plan to lead Libya in the interim period in the post-Gadhafi era, the NTC has suggested it takes a backseat in running the country's affairs, and pave the way for a ballot.

The Libyan crisis has dragged on for more than six months with many civilian casualties and humanitarian tragedies - all of which are against the spirit of the UN Security Council's resolution on Libya. The relevant parties in Libya must end the war and restore peace as soon as possible. This is both for the fundamental interest of all Libyans and conducive to the political stability of North Africa and the Middle East.

(China Daily 08/23/2011 page8)