The Libyan Transitional National Council was yesterday quoted as having said that the biggest challenge it now faces is to “manage expectations”.

Perhaps, the Libyan people’s situation can be likened to that of the Iraqis, when Saddam Hussein was ousted. Like Gaddafi, Hussein ruled with an iron fist, quashing dissent and not allowing any form of political structures which could be used against him. Like Gaddafi, he entrusted power to mobsters who he knew would keep the system going, and in turn brutalise the general population. Corruption was rife, yet that too, was a tool to be used.

Although Hussein was toppled after an invasion by Western forces, once he had gone, law and order crumbled and led to widespread crime, violence, looting and more.

Libya now finds itself in a similar situation. With Gaddafi gone, or at least almost gone, the TNC finds itself in a situation where it has to rebuild the country from the bottom up. In his bizarre way of holding onto power, Gaddafi combined lack of education, removal of political structures and keeping the people poor. These are three fundamental issues which must be addressed before Libya can even begin to hope to move on.

While the fighting still rages in certain areas, Libya can be said to be in a sort of honeymoon period. Once that is over and people begin to explore their new-found freedom, it could lead to a serious breakdown of law and order.

Libya is still busy fighting the remnants of the Gaddafi forces, cleaning up its cities and tending to its wounded. But once all the short-term issues are sorted out, the real work begins. The first thing that Libya (and in particular Tripoli) needs, is to get its police force back on the streets. There have already been instances of sporadic looting, much of these directed to Gaddafi businesses and shops and there is already a sense that Tripoli has become lawless.

Having said that, the TNC has done a good job in Benghazi, confounding the critics by setting up an effective and seemingly transparent and accountable temporary government. Shops re-opened, police were on the streets within days of the uprising, a new TV and radio station were set up, internet was restored and oil was even being produced when lulls in the fighting permitted it.

One thing can definitely be said about the Libyan people. They are an absolutely determined bunch and they are determined to build a new country based on the rule of law, democracy and secularity.

One can only wish them luck. And with a bit of luck, they will manage. It is time for clear heads and clear thinking in Libya. It is only through a rational thought process, and explaining that freedom does not mean you can do as you like, which will yield the right results.

That Libyans will loot and will protest against their new government is a given. One expects that it will take time and once the jubilation gives was to realisation and acceptance, Libya might find that while the road to freedom was relatively easy, the road to stability might be bumpier and longer.