Libya: Formation of National Unity Government

UN Special Envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon announced on Thursday that after lengthy talks in Morocco, Libya’s two rival governments agreed to form a government of national unity.

The prime minister of the national unity government will be Fayez Sarraj, a member of the Tripoli-based government. A presidential council will also be formed, with three deputy prime ministers, representing country’s east, west and south, and two other ministers. Under the agreement, the parties recognize the parliament in Tobruk, the seat of the other government, as Libya’s legitimate legislative authority.

Bombs Exploded at Residence of Iran Ambassador in Libya

ISIL Takes Responsibility

Tow bombs exploded at the gate of the Iranian ambassador’s residence in the central district of the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Sunday. The residence was empty at the time. Other foreign missions in Tripoli, including embassies of Egypt and the UAE, have been targets of bombings recently.

The government in Tripoli is not recognized by the UN and Western powers. Libya’s internationally recognized government and the elected House of Representatives has been forced to work out of the east since a group called Libya Dawn took control of the capital and installed a rival administration. Most countries moved out their staff from Tripoli last year during fighting between rival factions.

UPDATE: Libyan affiliate of the Islamic State has taken responsibility for the bombings at the Iranian ambassador's residence in Tripoli, Reuters reported.

File photo: Residence of Iranian ambassador to Libya damaged in the twin bombings on Sunday (Reuters)

UAE Bombed Islamist Targets in Libya

Emirati Fighter Jets Used Bases in Egypt

UAE warplanes bombed Islamist militia targets in Libya, as turmoil in the country deepened with the Islamists naming a rival premier. U.S. officials said on Monday that the United Arab Emirates jets launched two attacks in seven days on the Islamists in Tripoli using bases in Egypt. An Emirati official told AFP only that his country had “no reaction” to the report, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri yesterday denied any “direct” role by his country. (Kuwait Times, 26 August)

The United States did not take part or provide any assistance in the bombing raids, said U.S. officials. UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been supporting a renegade general’s campaign against Libyan militant groups. The bombing raids were first reported by the New York Times.

The first strikes, on Monday 18 August, hit militia targets in Tripoli, including a weapons depot. A second round south of the city early Saturday targeted rocket launchers, military vehicles and a warehouse. (The New York Times/Kuwait Times)

File photo: UAEAF F-16E Desert Falcon. (Lockheed Martin/Wikipedia)

Chris Stevens memorial ceremony--Libya, no comment!

Photo credit: "Libya Alhurra (free Libya) Livestream"

America's Fallen heroes back from Libya

Photograph: NY times

The United states ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three others were honored by the president and Mrs. Clinton as they arrived from Libya.

According to the NY times, Mr. Obama said the United States would bolster security and work with the Libyans to bring to justice those who killed the Americans. But he said the tragedy should not discourage America from playing a leadership role in the world.

He went on to say “Even in our grief we will be resolute, for we are Americans,” he said. “And we hold our head high knowing that because of these patriots, because of you, this country that we love will always shine as a light unto the world.”

Mrs. Clinton remarked about ambassador Stevens, “What a wonderful gift you gave us,” she told his family. “Over his distinguished career in the Foreign Service, Chris won friends for the United States in far-flung places. He made those people’s hopes his own. During the revolution in Libya, he risked his life to help protect the Libyan people from a tyrant, and he gave his life helping them build a better country.”

Mrs. Clinton went on to say:

“The people of Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia did not trade the tyranny of a dictator for the tyranny of a mob,”.
“Reasonable people and responsible leaders in these countries need to do everything they can to restore security and hold accountable those behind these violent acts.”

Muslims "violently" protesting being labeled "violent", what's wrong with this picture?!

Like many Americans, I watched in horror the news of the storming and setting fire to the US consulate in Banghazi, Libya. This event turned into a tragedy with the death of the US ambassador in Libya, along with three others. I couldn't help but be disappointed with Muslims and Arabs for being manipulated with such extreme ease.

Below are a couple of observations on the subject:

Attacking on the 911 anniversary

The attack on Americans in Libya happened on 911, of all days. That's a day when, every year, the world is reminded that terrorists from the Middle East committed a horrible crime against innocent american civilians and noncombatants. As an American of Middle Eastern origin, I feel that despite all the talk about Islamophobia and post 911 backlash, the US still reacted as positive as it can, managing not to mass-deport Arabs and Muslims. We are still trying, as a country, to regain a positive prospective and move on. Tragedies like this one, however, on the anniversary of 911, are sure to raise doubt in some minds about the wisdom of trying not to generalize or stereotype about Muslims. Today, there is someone, somewhere, thinking "what the heck? maybe they're all violent terrorists after-all".

Muslims, in their repeated violent reactions to provocations, are making it too easy for hate groups to brand all Muslims as "terrorists", or at least as a culture with propensity for violence.

Lack of appreciation for the recent US solidarity with the Libyan revolution

How honorable is it to attack the US consulate and kill Americans, when America was instrumental in helping the revolution in libya succeed in the first place?!

Without American air power, and the courageous decision by the US to deploy that air power in support of the Libyan rebels, there would have been no rebel victory.

The United States acted even as the revolutionary Egypt stayed on the sidelines, and the Arab and Islamic world was content with issuing statements of condemnation.

Some might say that the US intervened because of Libyan oil, but the fact remains that American lives were put in harms way for the Libyans, when a decision could have easily been made to wait it out, and provide symbolic help later (like we're doing in Syria now).

So again I ask, where is the honor in attacking those who helped your revolution succeed?!

The unthinkable; Arabs killing their guests

Despite the highly publicized negative aspects of contemporary Middle Eastern political and social life, there is one thing that is undeniable, the enduring tradition of Arab hospitality, and the pride most Arabs take in treating their guests with respect and generosity.

The American ambassador and the US diplomats were the guests of the Libyans. The islamic militants dishonor themselves and the rest of Libya, by attacking and killing these guests. This may ring hallow with non-Arabs, but believe me when I say that the symbolism of Arabs killing their guests is huge for an average citizen of that region.

It is a missed opportunity for the local political leaders when they fail to drive home this point and explain it to the public in simple terms. If they did, they might see demonstrations in support of the US in Banghazi and tripoli the following day; what a change of political dynamics that would be!

"WWMD"

During the recent events we were once again witnessing an anti-Muslim group of individuals pushing the right buttons to trigger a violent response, and gain from it politically.

In this case an Egyptian Christian (based on the latest reports) with a political agenda, make a low budget anti-islam film in the United States and release it two months before a crucial US election. I assume that the objective here was to incite muslims to violence, watch Americans get killed in Muslim countries, then somehow blame president Obama for it. This strategy might actually work in getting a few undecided votes in a tight election, but thats not what's really sad about this. What's sad is that Muslims and Arabs are being handled like a 9 year old child, and are making it so predictably easy to be manipulated.

There is a motto among some religious Christians in America, and that is "what would Jesus do?". There is even a bracelets to go with that, with the abbreviation "WWJD".

Muslims (conservative or liberal) might want to consider a different strategy in dealing with insults against Islam and prophet Mohammed; they may want to start asking themselves "what would Mohammad do?!", or "WWMD".

Would Mohammad react "violently" when accused of being "violent"?, I'm guessing that he might want to prove the critics wrong by acting extra pacifist instead.

He may say to his conservative followers "please stop trying to defend me", because so far, their action have only resulted in more deaths in the name of Islam, and tarnishing the name for Mohammed.

Mohammad might decide that he and god don't need anyone to defend them. If the message and messenger are righteous, then they should NOT need the protection of mere mortals. Islam, and Mohammed, should be able to withstand criticisms, and even slander; if they can't then they're not worthy.

Mohammad might decide that the best way to fight slander is to present the opposing view i.e. "positive side of Islam", and not proving the critics right by trying to kill them.

Why do some in the Middle East think the US Government can stop offensive free speech?

The root cause behind the recent attacks on US embassies and consulates is not a film defaming Islam, but rather the mistaken perception by some Arabs and Muslims that the US government should, and can, stop "inappropriate" free speech, and it simply chooses not to.

This ill founded expectation is coming from a region were journalists and activists are often prosecuted for saying, or printing, views that are deemed "offensive" by political leaders. Politicians in the Middle East have mastered the art of mixing religion with political agendas. As a result, there is a very little differention between arrests for "offending" Islam, and arrests for acts "offending" the political establishment. Most political leaders in the Middle East find it easier to govern if they brand themselves as the defenders of the faith, just like Christian leaders did in the middle ages. In extreme cases the criticism is considered an insult directed at "god appointed leaders", as in the case in Iran.

Despite the arab spring, the Middle East is ripe with locally acceptable exceptions to free speech, and many think that free speech as it exists in the USA is intolerable. Post revolution Egypt recently charged a journalist for criticizing, I mean "insulting", the new president. Post revolution Tunisia is already trying to limit free media by devising new restrictive laws, and the general revolutionary public doesn't seems to mind.

The fact of he matter is that in a true democracy, exceptions to free speech should be, and are, extremely rare. So long as there is no incitement to violence, and there is no actual harm to anyone, everyone should be able to say whatever they wish about anything, or anyone.

In the case of the "offensive" movie in questions, the US Government can not even take the movie makers to court, because there would be no legal basis for such action. If Muhammad were alive, he would have had the opportunity to challenge the movie makers in court for slander and defamation, but the US Government can not do so in behalf of the "prophet".

America is a great democracy because it doesn't make many exception to free speech; If the Middle East wants to have true democracies, it should consider the same.

Muslims might come to realize that there is no harm in tolerating criticism of Mohammad as an acceptable free speech, because it ensures that no citizen can ever be arrested, or jailed, for exercising their right to freely criticize less important figures, such as presidents or Government officials.

Disclaimer: This piece is not intended to insult any religion or religious figures. Please don't kill me!

Libya: Moderates Led by Mahmoud Jibril Winning Landslide Victory over Islamists

The National Forces Alliance (NFA) led by Mahmoud Jibril scored a landslide victory over rival Islamist parties in Libya's historic free national election, partial returns showed on Thursday (Reuters, 12 July).

Counts from across Libya attested to a resounding defeat for the political wing of Libya's Muslim Brotherhood. Final official results are not due until next week. But with a large majority of votes counted, Jibril's alliance had unbeatable leads in Tripoli and the eastern city of Benghazi, the cradle of rebellion against more than four decades of rule by Muammar Gaddafi.

"The people saw in Jibril an openness to the rest of the world and they craved this openness after being closed off by Gaddafi," Libyan political analyst Nasser Ahdash told Reuters.

Liberals Reportedly Leading in Libya

In Libya’s historic parliamentary elections, a liberal alliance appears to be in the lead. The Alliance of National Forces led by Mahmoud Jibril is already claiming victory. Jibril, a senior Gadhafi official-turned-rebel prime minister, serves as the leader of the coalition of more than 40 liberal parties.

Approximately 1.7 million of some 2.8 million registered voters cast their ballots in Saturday’s election. The transitional parliament will have 200 deputies. The official results are not expected until late Monday.

People in Tripoli, Benghazi and other cities are celebrating the first free election in their country’s history with shouts of “Libya is Free,” AP reported.

Qaddafi Is Killed

An end to four decades of ruthless autocratic rule

The way ahead is to hold free elections and establish a new regime free of barbarianism and lifelong rule of an autocratic leader; paving the way for the proud people of Libya to establish democratic rule in their country.

Photo: Ismail Zitouni/Reuters/NY Times

The Iran - Libya analogy

By Paul Iddon

The parallel between the fall of the Colonel Gaddafi to a possible future confrontation between the Iranian regime and large parts of its own disenfranchised population.



Shortly after the Egyptian people stood together in their thousands in solidarity in Tahrir Square in Cairo, where they showed their unity and opposition to the Mubarak regime instigating its downfall something quite different happened in neighbouring Libya. The aged, senile dictator Muammar Gaddafi had ordered his air force to strafe Benghazi, the main hub of opposition to his rule. Two Libyan pilots clearly showing a lot of guts and initiative diverted their French made Mirage F-1 jets and flew to Malta in a dramatic defection, which they undertook to avoid slaughtering their fellow countrymen. Gaddafi had made it clear that he would go to any lengths to preserve his rule, even if it meant going to war against a large proportion of his countries population.

That was by all means a civil war, and given Libya's longstanding regional and tribal divisions when Gaddafi's tinpot rule finally capitulates we may not see a fully united Libya, (or even a stable one). This is another thing that distinguishes this situation from the one in Iran (I can't see even the Revolutionary Guards Air Corps strafing protesters with their 'Frogfoot' attack planes as a means of crushing democratic insurrection anytime soon). Furthermore unlike Tripoli (which remained relatively calm until the rebels arrival earlier this week) Tehran is the centre of not only the present regime, but also a hefty amount of the countries many youthful democrats.
Also Iran unlike the regions tinpot dictatorships didn't immediately dispatch tanks and other forms of lethal force to crush the people when they amassed in opposition to the regimes authoritarian rule, but instead employed brute baton wielding Basij thugs as a forms of crushing said insurrection, these tactics were eerily reminiscent to Israel's earlier attempts to subvert the Palestinian masses during the onset of what is now known historically as the First Intifada.

The regime clearly has no intention of signing its death warrant in the same manner that the last Shah did, the manner in question being the use of live ammunition as a means of suppressing the masses democratic aspirations.

The Iranian system and society is gradually metamorphosing into a secular democracy, demographically this is the countries destiny, and the present powers that be know their time is limited and are acting accordingly. But they're still treating citizens in a condescendingly childlike manner which reeks of utter contempt for principals such as individual freedom and freedom of expression. They treat their people with such contempt while adopting a zero tolerance policy towards criticism or public scrutiny towards their authoritarian rule. And furthermore subjecting those who don't conform to rape and torture is a very violent and paranoid way of conducting internal affairs. And now this rapidly declining and deteriorating regime is doing its utmost to assemble a nuclear weapon in which to use to intimidate its neighbours and elbow its way into broader regional affairs in its characteristically thuggish self-pitiful and self-indulgent righteous manner.

Even in an educated country like Iran steeped as it is in thousands of years of civilization will be further held back development wise by a regime whose domestic policies include the suppression of many the talents of its females. A regime that sneers at the educated and intellectuals of the country who are neither forced into exile or imprisoned for having the audacity to speak out against their policies; which have made one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations of the past a backward social pariah in the 21st century. One which is slowly declining to a state of beggary. It can be safely bet that the clerical rulers will utilize such conditions to lay the blame on western imperialism, Zionism and the Crusaders (or as I like to refer to them all as; the usual suspects).

And as with all totalitarian systems, when the states industry and economy grinds to a halt the loyal thugs that make up the paramilitary forces, the ones that have been indoctrinated ideologically wise will fight until the bitter end, even if it means shattering their own state and its people in the process.

The regime at present is gradually building itself up to reach the point where Gaddafi is now, where most of the people it presides over are liabilities, as their willingness to pursue democratic change is a direct threat to the regimes firm grip on the status quo. Therefore conflict between the fascistic elements of the regime and the aspiring and maturing Iranian democrats is only inevitable. And civilization and the idea of international human rights and justice will themselves be only abstract and wishful ideas in an international community that should rightfully be ashamed of itself if it lets such a grotesque outcome transpire in Persia.

P.S. In the 2010 Democracy Index carried out by The Economist both Iran and Libya were listed as authoritarian regimes. Both of which scored exactly 1.94 out of 10.00 (Norway got the highest with 9.80 and North Korea scored the lowest with 1.08).

Editor’s Note: Paul Iddon is one of the authors of Uskowi on Iran. His weekly columns appear here on Wednesdays.

Libyan Revolution Triumphed

Revolutionaries Sweep Tripoli

Opposition’s Transitional National Council (TNC) Takes Over

U.S. and 30 Other Nations Recognize TNC as New Libyan Government

Gadhafi Whereabouts Unknown

Victory Celebrations in Benghazi. 22 August 2011. Nicole Tung/NYT

Libya On Verge of Liberation

42-Year Gadhafi Dictatorship Crumbling

Opposition Fighters Take Over Central Green Square in Capital Tripoli

Libyans celebrating their hard-fought victory over Gadhafi. 21 August 2011. Gianluigi Guercia/AFP

Libyan Rebels Report Capturing Sirte - UPDATED

UPDATE (29 March) – Notwithstanding the earlier claims by the rebels that they had captured Sirte, the rebels have not entered the town yet. Their forces are now gathering close to the town, where Ghaddafi forces have entrenched themselves, and a rebel attack on Ghaddafi stronghold now seems imminent.

Meanwhile, the rebel government, Transitional National Council (TNC) of Libya announced it had signed a contract with Qatar Petroleum to market crude oil produced in eastern Libyan oil fields now controlled by rebel forces. The Qatari government also became the first Arab government to recognize TNC as Libya’s legitimate government.

*****

The Libyan rebels said today that they have captured the city of Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown and his regime’s stronghold. The capture of Sirte (aka Surt) would be a serious loss for Gaddafi and a clear signal that the balance of power in Libya has shifted in favor of the opposition.

Only last week, Gaddafi forces had reached the outskirts of the rebel capital of Bengazi, and Gaddafi himself was threatening the city residents that his forces would go house to house and would show no mercy, killing and murdering residents. Soon after he made the threat, the coalition and NATO forces began their massive military campaign against his forces and the rebels found new life. They retook the city of Ajdabiya on Friday, and the oil terminal towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf on Saturday. On Sunday, they captured the strategic town of Bin Jawwad, where a week ago they were routed by Gaddafi forces. And now the claim of the capture of Sirte, the most important gain by the rebels since their movement started earlier this month.

Bloggers following the events in Libya are now saying that the capture of Sirte would mean the game is practically over and Gaddafi’s days are numbered.

Rebels Retake Ajdabiya

The Libyan rebels retook the city of Ajdabiya in their first major advance since the US and European airstrikes began.

Photo: Suhaib Salem/Reuters/NYTimes. 26 March 2011

Winds of Change in the Middle East

Liberated Benghazi, Libya. Photo: Reuters, 18 March

An army officer raises his rifle as he joins antigovernment protesters during a rally demanding the ouster of President Saleh in Sanaa on 21 March. Photo: Reuters

An anti-government protester is carried after being shot during a demonstration in Manama, Bahrain on Friday. The protests are aimed at defying emergency rule invoked by Bahrain's monarch. Photo: AP

Anti- and pro-Assad protesters clash after Friday prayers in Damascus, Syria, on Friday. Thousands took to the streets in the most widespread civil unrest in current uprising, demanding reforms and mourning dozens of protesters who were killed during a violent, weeklong crackdown. Photo: Muzaffar Salman, AP

French Fighter Jets Over Libya

The French fighter jets began enforcing the no-fly provision of the UN Security Council 1973 against Gaddafi forces. The resolution authorizes UN member states to take “all necessary measures” to protect the Libyan civilians. The no-fly zone is expected to be the start of a major air campaign by an international coalition against Gaddafi’s continued rule over Libya. Strikes against Gaddafi forces are expected to start later today. The Europeans, the Arab countries and the US are expected to actively support the military action that is being led by the French.

UPDATE: European and US forces started massive air attacks against Gaddafi's air defense systems and other military target on Saturday. US forces fired more than 100 Tomahawk missiles from US warships and submarines at longer range air defense missiles as well as early warning radar sites and the command and control communication centers; while British forces struck 20 air defense targets around Tripoli and Misurata.

UN Security Council Authorizes Force Against Qaddafi - Benghazi Erupts in Celebration

The UN Security Council today authorized its member states to take “all necessary measures” to protect the Libyan civilians against Qaddafi forces. The resolution’s sweeping language and the use of the diplomatic code words “all necessary measures” in effect authorizes military action against Qaddafi, including a no-fly zone, and strikes on his air force, tanks and heavy artillery. The Qaddafi forces have advanced within 100 miles of the opposition capital of Benghazi after defeating the rebels in towns west of the city and in the process killing many anti-Qaddafi activists, sympathizers and ordinary citizens. Benghazi erupted in celebration at news of the resolution’s passage. The UN resolution is numbered 1973.

Winds of Freedom in Middle East: Libya

The people’s uprising in Libya today entered a critical phase as the security forces in the Libyan capital of Tripoli retreated to defend a few strategic locations, including the presidential palace and the state TV building, while many government buildings are set ablaze. Meanwhile, senior government officials and diplomats are defecting to the opposition.

The opposition controls Benghazi, the second largest city. The revolt started in Benghazi only six days ago and is now spreading to the entire country.

The revolt in Libya is the latest mass movement in the Middle East that has already toppled two autocrats in Egypt and Tunisia who thought they could rule for life. What these movements have in common is their anti-autocratic nature, regardless of the economic conditions of the countries and foreign alliances of the regimes involved.