LIBYA: U.S. ambassador reopens embassy in Tripoli

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REPORTING FROM TRIPOLI, LIBYA -- The U.S. ambassador to Libya expressed confidence in the North African nation’s new rulers at a flag-raising ceremony Thursday marking the reopening of the American Embassy in Tripoli, which was shut down during the battle to topple longtime strongman Moammar Kadafi.

“The next few months will be critical as Libyans lay the groundwork for a pluralistic democracy that respects the rights of all of its citizens,” Ambassador Gene Cretz said. “While there is hard work ahead, the events of this year demonstrate that Libya is up to the challenge.’

Cretz watched as the American flag was raised over his residence, which will serve as the U.S. Embassy until a new site is found. The previous building was closed in February and was attacked by mobs loyal to Kadafi in May.

In July, Washington recognized the anti-Kadafi Transitional National Council, then based in the eastern city of Benghazi, as Libya’s legitimate governing authority.

Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Cretz said Kadafi remains a threat and should be brought to justice. But he did not expect the continued resistance by forces allied with the former leader to turn into a longtime insurgency.

“There’s a possibility that things could go wrong,” he said. “But to say it has a chance of becoming another Somalia, I think it’s a little too early in the game to be so pessimistic.”

He expressed some concern about the influence of Islamists over the new rulers.

“They speak a good game,” he said. “They seem to have a moderate platform ... but at the end of the day they need to be watched.”

Cretz left Libya in December after the release by the WikiLeaks website of diplomatic cables in which Kadafi was described as “mercurial,” a “hypochondriac” and afraid of staying on top floors of buildings.

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-- Patrick J. McDonnell