With Parliament resuming after the summer break and ahead of the Party Conference season, a key issue to be considered will be the recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa. In Libya the seeds of the Arab Spring, which fell many months ago, appear to now be blossoming. The Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC), with the clear support of the Libyan people, is seemingly entering into the final stages of their just battle to wrestle power away from Gaddafi’s grasp.
We have all seen the commitment, and resolve, of the Libyan people to stand up to the Gaddafi regime in the face of such terrible atrocities, to demand democracy and their rights as free men and women. The old regime has collapsed with Gaddafi’s troops in full retreat and it is clear that the remnants of his forces must now lay down their arms for the process of transition from autocracy to democracy to continue unhindered. The international community has played a vital role in protecting the Libyan people as they drove out the dictator who had terrorized them for over four decades. Now it is the role of that same community to support the Libyan people as they secure their country and establish the institutions of democracy which will herald a new dawn in Libya.
As a nation it is right that we do all we can to support the NTC as they begin the all important work of laying down the foundations for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous society. This support network will be put in place through efforts co-ordinated by the UN and every effort will be made to get vital services back online so that a sense of normality may finally return for the Libyan people. The UK is committed to assisting the Libyan people and the Government will remain steadfast in its support of the humanitarian needs of civilians caught up in the conflict as well as assisting the NTC wherever it is able.
There is an old proverb which says that ‘no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow’. The Libyan people have endured a long and brutal winter and the international community must ensure that they will now be able to see the fruits of this Arab spring awakening.