How many political prisoners were held by the deposed regime? There are now over 8,000. Some are held by the new government, some by rebel militias, some apparently under 'joint control'. There are as yet no plans to bring any to trial. First, a functioning justice system needs to be put in place. Russia complains of the 70-80 civilians killed in NATO strikes and Bank Ki Moon's initial denial anyone was killed. Smaller countries who supported the UN resolution complain its terms overstepped. Qadaffi's family want his death and that of his son investigated as war crimes. Reports of militia excesses against loyalists and black immigrants continue. Nobody is quite sure who holds the power balance. But the new government asks for all foreign funds to be unfrozen and the US state department provides their first diplomatic visitor.
Elsewhere, as Arab spring turns to winter, Hilary Clinton, predictably diplomatic about NATO in Libya, turns her wrath against Egyptian security forces for beating women demonstrators and exposing their underwear. Reports of police conducting 'virginity tests' are unconfirmed. A chief military commander says protesters 'belong in Hitler's ovens'. Nowhere is there mention of US response to the Brotherhood's election successes.
In fact, the western media has gone strangely quiet about latest developments in all things Arabic. Stand by for Christmas supplement nostalgia of 'the year democracy arrived' complete with moving photographs.