T

he Arab Spring was extended this week after Libya joined Tunisia and Egypt in bringing to an end the long dictatorship of Col. Muammar Qaddafi, ushering in new hopes for freedom and democracy.

Rebel forces on Monday captured the Libyan capital of Tripoli after six months of fierce fighting against forces loyal to Qaddafi. Although his whereabouts were not immediately known, Libyans were already celebrating in the streets of Tripoli to mark the end of his rule.

The world must congratulate the Libyan people for their freedom. The international community must quickly recognize the Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of Libya until it holds its first free and democratic elections.

Qaddafi’s downfall serves notice to other stubborn dictators in the Middle East and North Africa that they cannot resist the will of the people. For a while, Qaddafi had managed to buck the trend by deploying the full force of his military against his own people. But the ragtag rebel forces, admittedly with some help from NATO, eventually prevailed. Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and Iran take note. You could be next.

A dark chapter in the history of Libya has ended and a new one is just beginning, one filled with the promise of a better life for its people, but also one that is filled with uncertainties. The civil war has left deep scars that will take time to heal.

Qaddafi’s supporters and cronies are unlikely to give in that easily and will try to undermine the revolution. Many firearms, including machine guns, are still in the hands of ordinary people who had organized themselves into militias. Add economic hardships to the pot and we have a situation which portends to chaos and anarchy.

This is not an atypical picture of a nation just emerging from a revolution. But if Benghazi, the Libyan port city that was first captured by rebels six months ago is any indication, there is hope that transition in Libya could be orderly and peaceful.

The provisional council needs to establish its authority to be able to govern effectively, restore peace and order and to prepare Libya for its first democratic elections. The international community must help Libya to come through these uncertain times until a credible, popular and legitimate government is in place.