It's one thing if the people feel strongly enough about the question to sort it out themselves, which is arguably what happened in Latvia etc.
It's a completely different thing if an alliance of superpowers decide that they want to participate and "protect civilians" by bombing cities or what-not.... which is what's happening in Libya.
And interestingly, overthrowing Khaddaffi has been on the US "roadmap" for at least a decade, if the Wesley Clark speech is anything to go by (and he should know). Britain has hated Libya since Lockerbie accident and was even more keen to get in toppling Khaddaffi.
I think the Libyans might find that they got into bed with somebody entirely different than they thought. As people across the world can tell them, once the Americans get a foot in, they NEVER leave.
Mark my word, next step is that a bunch of "consultants" or "advisors" or something will come in and "educate" the Libyans about how to set up a democracy.... and (more importantly) what to do with their oil.
If they are really lucky they might get a NATO airbase on their territory to "protect" their democracy.