World looks to post-Gaddafi era, as rebels promise democracy

As heavy fighting raged around the Tripoli residence of leader Muammar al-Gaddafi on Monday, and the regime teetered on the brink of collapse, thoughts are turning to democracy — and the post-Gaddafi era.

Libya's rebel leadership is reported to be looking at moving its headquarters from the rebel capital of Benghazi, in the east, to Tripoli.

As they edge closer to victory, the rebels are being urged to respect human rights, and Libya's institutions of state, while critics say they are disorganized and in no position to govern.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil, head of the rebel Transitional National Council, said he would resign if the rebels resorted to acts of vengeance.

Speaking to journalists in London, Libyan charge d'affaires Mahmud Nacua repeated the council's commitment to democracy and human rights.

We look forward to building a democratic country. We will have a constitution. We will have freedom in every part of the country and different fields of activities.

Although the military phase is not over, international media reports are turning to how the rebel council might transform itself into a government, with British Prime Minister David Cameron referring to the rebels as “Libya's new authorities”.

(Read more on GlobalPost: World tells Gaddafi his time is up)

Officials in Paris, meanwhile, said French President French President Nicolas Sarkozy would telephone the leader of the rebels and arrange a meeting “within days”.

Italian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maurizio Massari told the BBC:

The Gaddafi regime is over, 40 years of dictatorship is about to finish. This sends a very important and clear signal to all dictators in the region.

Despite reports that Libyan state television may be in the hands of rebels, the BBC said pro-Gaddafi programming was still being broadcast.

Gaddafi's whereabouts are unclear, with some commentators speculating he may be in his hometown of Sirte, and not in his Tripoli compound.