Libya on the brink of disinteration (Opinion)
- The overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi in 2011 was fuelled by NATO govts under cover of a United Nations no-fly resolution. The constitutional arrangement reached post this is now crumbling due to these events:
- In a violation of its own transitional constitutional plan, the General National Congress has extended its own mandate for another year.
- It also passed its a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Ali Zeidan who fled the country in march, after being kidnapped for a few hours in October previous year.
- Camps have formed within the GNC each with their own agenda. The Justice and Construction Party, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Libyan branch is suspected for propagating hardline Islamic views.
- Barqa militia intercepted an unknown tanker loaded with $36 million worth of crude oil and put out to sea; US Navy Seals were sent to capture the ship. The siege has cost the country $8 million already. Barqa is demanding for a Federal Constitution.
- A bomb placed by military base in Benzai killed 5 persons and injured 14 others.
- Libyans registered as members of militias are paid by the state but remain under their own local or political commanders
- After the arrest of an al-Qaeda suspect in Libya, Tripoli was said be in hands of USA. However, after its failure to create functioning public institutions in Iraq and Afghanistan, US is likely to only consider military intervention in Libya irrespective of UN legitimation.
- Claims of genocide and mass civilian casualties levelled against Qadhafi regime have not yet been proven. Human Rights Watch have rapped the west and media for foolishly believing rebel claims. Many in Libya are said to be looking fondly upon the Qadhafi era now.
Exams Perspective:
- Turmoil in Libya
- Responsibility To Protect (R2P)
- Local Militia