By: khaled mahmoud
With a mix of humor and sarcasm, Libyans are following the rapidly unfolding events in Syria closely, projecting their own experiences onto the complex Syrian reality. While some share the Syrians’ feelings during these uncertain times, others express concern that this revolution will deepen divisions rather than achieve unity. Perhaps it is the Libyans’ bitter experience with war, displacement, and political fragmentation that drives them to warn against rushing into false promises, no matter how bright they may seem.
The world has witnessed a surge of armed groups towards Damascus in just a few days, raising questions about the secret behind this rapid advance. Is it a result of negligence by the regime’s supporters or genuine popular support for the revolution?
Some Syrians believe that the speed of the militants’ advance is due to them being sons of Syrian cities, not strangers. However, it is too early to judge the course of this revolution or predict its outcome. Nevertheless, many voices on social media have risen to warn Syrians against repeating the mistakes of the Libyan revolution, stressing the need to be cautious about promises of a perfect life.
The Libyan experience, with all its successes and failures, constitutes an important lesson for Syrians, reminding them that the road to democracy is long and arduous, and cannot be achieved overnight.
Amid the rapidly unfolding events in Syria, questions about the possibility of a “catalog” for revolutions, a guide for people seeking change, have resurfaced. While the French Revolution was once considered a fixed reference point, recent events have proven otherwise.
These questions are driven by diverse Arab experiences, most notably the Libyan experience, which remains fraught with challenges and divisions.
Libyans have commented with bitter irony on social media. One said, “We in Libya are a single spectrum and have not yet reached a unified state, so how will Syria, with its multiple spectrums, achieve it?” Another urged Syrians to benefit from the “Libyan Revolution Book” instead of the “French Revolution Book,” sarcastically pointing to the different circumstances and complexities of the Arab reality.
These comments raise important points about the difficulty of applying ready-made revolutionary models to different realities. What worked in France in the 18th century may not apply to Syria or Libya in the 21st century. The Arab Spring revolutions have also proven that the road to democracy is more complex than expected, and that promises of a better life can turn into a mirage.
The world is not merely a spectator to events but has an active role in shaping them. “Forces of good and forces of evil” are clashing at various levels. The balance we believe exists in this world is governed by ruling principles that we must follow, otherwise we will be lost, as were nations like Palestine, and powers like Germany and Japan receded.