Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 22:58:05 +0200
Libya wakes up from 'Dubai dream' to face Somalia-like 'failed state'
Many Libyans yearn for stability of Gathafi days, with North African nation
awash with weapons, lawless, at mercy of militias.
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First Published: 2014-10-23
BENGHAZI - When longtime dictator Moamer Gathafi's regime collapsed in a
2011 revolution, many Libyans looked to affluent and booming Dubai as an
example of what the future could hold.
Three years on, they fear a Somalia-like "failed state" status, with the
North African nation awash with weapons, lawless, at the mercy of militias
and in political chaos.
On October 23, 2011, three days after Gathafi was captured and killed,
transitional authorities announced the "total liberation" of Libya, in a
joyous declaration from the eastern city of Benghazi, birthplace of the
eight-month conflict.
This year, there is no official programme for Thursday to celebrate what has
become a national holiday.
In a country with two governments -- one internationally recognised and the
other self-declared -- the anniversary comes at a time of deadly clashes
between pro- and anti-government militias in Benghazi and west Libya.
"When the country's 'liberation' was announced, our ambition was to become a
new Dubai thanks to oil revenues," said Mohamed al-Karghali, a 39-year-old
teacher who fought in the revolt.
"Today, we fear becoming another Somalia or Iraq," he said.
Many Libyans even yearn for the stability of the Gathafi days.
"The rampant regional, ideological and tribal conflicts are worse than the
rule of the dictator," said Salah Mahmud al-Akuri, a doctor in Benghazi.
"Some Libyans are looking back to the old regime despite their hatred of
Gathafi."
Military expert and ex-army officer Suleiman al-Barassi said the bloodshed
of the past three years has been as deadly as the revolution which cost
thousands of lives.
He pins the blame on the impunity with which militias operate.
The authorities have failed to establish a new regular army or professional
police force, opting to rely on militias whose interests ultimately take
priority over long-term loyalty.
The militias, made up of former rebel fighters, were set up on the basis of
ideological, tribal, regional or even criminal ties.
Benghazi has become a bastion of radical Islamists and a hub for attacks on
security forces, journalists, political activists and Western interests.
Deserted by diplomatic missions, the Mediterranean city fell to Islamist
militias in July when they drove out pro-government forces.
Almost 100 people were killed last week in a new offensive launched by
forces loyal to a former general, Khalifa Haftar, a Gathafi-era officer
turned rebel, to retake the city.
Authorities had accused the controversial figure of trying to mount a coup
when he embarked on a first anti-Islamist campaign in Benghazi that was
unsuccessful back in May.
But with their control over Libyan territory shrinking, the government and
its armed forces this time had little option but to side with Haftar.
As for Tripoli, the capital fell to a militia coalition, Fajr Libya, at the
end of August after several weeks of fighting with pro-government militias
from Zintan, to the west.
Fajr Libya, made up of militiamen from Misrata to the east and Islamists,
seized Tripoli shortly before a newly elected parliament, dominated by
anti-Islamists, took office.
Insecurity in the capital has led to most Western countries evacuating their
nationals, closing embassies and pulling out foreign companies, further
isolating the country.
Even the government and parliament have sought refuge in Tobruk, in the far
east of Libya, while their Islamist-backed rivals have set up a parallel
administration in Tripoli.
The south of the country has not been spared the mayhem, as tribes battle
for control of a lucrative smuggling trade.
Hopes of an economic boom in the oil-producing state whose infrastructure is
being battered each day and of a peaceful transition to democracy have all
but vanished in Libya's desert sands.
University scholar Mohamed al-Kawash accused NATO countries -- who waged an
air campaign to help oust Gathafi -- of having "abandoned" Libya and failing
to contribute to post-war reconstruction.
On a surprise visit to Tripoli earlier this month, UN chief Ban Ki-moon
appealed to Libya's warring factions to end the turmoil.
"Let me be clear: if violent confrontations do not cease immediately, if
sustainable peace is not restored, prosperity and a better life will be a
distant dream," Ban warned.
http://www.middle-east-online.com/meopictures/big/_68639_A2.jpg Are rampant
conflicts worse than dictator rule?
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