No dominant opposition group that could command the authority and respect of the populace has emerged, because no such group could have existed under Gaddafi's rule.
This leadership vacuum has meant that a central government authority is battling to maintain control, and armed militias have taken hold of parts of the country.
There is no clear pathway to a functioning democracy.
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The national elections to be held on 7 July face enormous logistical challenges, which is unsurprising given that the country has not faced an election in 50 years.
There are also ructions in Egypt as it attempts to transition from the dictatorship of Hosni Mubarak to civilian democracy.
Unlike Libya, significant elements of the Mubarak/military regime remain intact and are seeking to influence the transition process, raising concerns whether the country can truly be free of the old regime.
There is growing disquiet about the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood as it appears to be the only organisation, not associated with the regime, with the capacity to fill the breach in national leadership.
In some respects, the Brotherhood's resilience is remarkable, but it may be just a reflection of the organisation's inherent fanaticism that has sustained it under the pressure of a dictatorship.
It may transpire that the organisations with the most fanatical foundations will be the best equipped to win elections and take the reins of national leadership.
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Therein lies the conundrum for the international community.
If steps are taken to overthrow a dictator, the result may be a transfer of power to more radical and unpredictable elements that may be hostile to the interests of those countries supporting intervention.
This is by no means unusual in the history of world affairs.
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