The Arab Spring has been a mixed blessing for Western governments. While those governments provided considerable support for the forces battling the old regimes in the region, the overthrow of those autocratic governments has in some cases brought to power Islamic political parties whose commitment to democracy is unclear and which demonstrate considerable enmity to the partners which made it possible for them to come to power.
In Libya, however, elections on July 7 produced a victory for a liberal alliance that appears firmly grounded in secularism, while promising to respect Islamic law.
While the alliance is celebrating its win, the outcome is more a victory for Libyan democracy and the Libyan people than any particular party.