As the revolutionary euphoria fades into quieter satisfaction at toppling one of the world's least savoury dictators, Libyans are likely to take a closer, more questioning look at their political leaders. They will become impatient with high unemployment, wondering why a country that has the largest oil reserves in Africa is still mired in poverty. The NTC will need to guide a people hungry for rapid change every step of the way.

It is easy to forget, seven months after rebels in Benghazi first braved Gaddafi's guns, that freedom is a new experience for the inhabitants of Tripoli. During the fortnight I was based in the Libyan capital, the celebrations in Martyrs Square grew from tentative hundreds to ebullient and joyful thousands. It took time for Tripolines finally to believe that it was safe to come out. When they did, they filled the square.

Amid the waving red, black and green tricolours, the rousing new-old national anthem, the booming reports of anti-aircraft guns and crowds shouting "Arfa rasuk fawg, Enta Leebee hour!" ("Hold your head high, you are a free Libyan!"), Yusra al Massoudi, a civil engineer is anxious to speak to a foreign journalist. 

"This is the real picture of Libya," she says, "the best picture. This is fantastic. I feel great. We can't believe this. All of my life I never felt this was my country. Libya was like Gaddafi's farm. Now, only now, for the first time in my life, I feel proud to be Libyan. This is my country."