World

Libya Breaking Apart? Militia Factions Declare Independent State

(AP) — Tribal leaders and militia commanders declared a semiautonomous region in oil-rich eastern Libya on Tuesday, a move opponents fear will be the first step toward outright dividing the country six months after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi.

Libya’s National Transitional Council, the interim central government based in the capital Tripoli, has repeatedly voiced its opposition to the creation of a partly autonomous eastern region, warning it could eventually lead to the breakup of the North African nation.

Libya Breaking Apart as Militia Factions Declare Independent State

“This is very dangerous. This is a blatant call for fragmentation. We reject it in its entirety,” said Fathi Baja, the head of political committee of the NTC. “We are against divisions and against any move that hurts the unity of the Libyan people.”

The thousands of representatives of major tribal leaders, militia commanders and politicians who made the unilateral declaration at a conference in Benghazi said the move is not intended to divide the country and that they want their state to be part of a united Libya.

But they insisted the step was necessary to end the marginalization that the east suffered for decades under Gadhafi’s rule. The former dictator focused development and largesse on the west, allowing infrastructure to decline in the east, an area that was a constant source of opposition to the regime. Many in the east accuse the National Transition Council of continuing to favor the west.

The conference said the eastern state, known as Barqa, would have its own parliament, police force, courts and capital – Benghazi, the country’s second largest city – to run its own affairs. Under their plan, foreign policy, the national army and oil resources would be left to a central, federal government in Tripoli. Barqa would run from central Libya to the Egyptian border in the east and down to the Chad and Sudan borders in the south.

The plan seeks to revive the pre-Gadhafi system in place from 1951 until 1963, when Libya, ruled by a monarchy, was divided into three states: Tripolitania in the west, Fezzan in the southwest and Cyrenaica in the east – or Barqa, as it was called in Arabic.

Tuesday’s announcement aimed to pose a federal system as a fait accompli before the National Transitional Council, which has already struggled in its attempts to set a path for post-Gadhafi Libya. The Council has called for national elections in June to select a 200-member assembly that will name a prime minister to form a new government and then write a constitution.

Libya Breaking Apart as Militia Factions Declare Independent State

(courtesy globalsecurity.org)

The declaration illustrates one of the fundamental weaknesses in Libya since the regime’s fall – the lack of political institutions. Over 42 years in power, Gadhafi stripped the country of any credible representative bodies to concentrate power in his own hands. As a result, since his fall in August and death in October, towns, cities, tribes and militias across Libya have largely taken authority into their own hands, acting on their own. Some establish a level of legitimacy, while others don’t.

So far other regions have not made any moves to create their own states or call for a federal system.

The Benghazi conference rejected a draft law put forward by the NTC to organize the election, because it would give the east only 60 seats in the assembly. Drafters say that reflects the west’s larger population in the country of 6 million, but easterners see it as a continuation of discrimination against their region. The conference called for rejection of the election law.

The gathering appointed Ahmed al-Zubair, Libya’s longest serving political prisoner under Gadhafi, as leader of its governing council. Al-Zubair, a descendant of the former Libyan King Idris whom Gadhafi ousted in 1969 coup, is also a member of the National Transitional Council.

The conference said elections would be held in the east in two weeks to chose a governing council.

Al-Zubair pledged to protect the rights of the region but also said Barqa state would recognize NTC as the legitimate representative for Libya in the international arena.

“Residents of Barqa, we are brothers. We protect each other,” he told the gathering. “Libya will not be divided. It’s one nation.”

“I will be the leader who will protect justice and equality,” he said. “I will protect your rights.”

Baja, of the NTC, said that unilaterally creating a Barqa council “is a call for separation.”

“What does it mean to have a Barqa army or to return to the old constitution? What does it mean even after you say (it is) under the umbrella of the NTC?” he said. He also blamed the government’s poor performance for stagnation and for failure to address the needs of the people.

Libya Breaking Apart as Militia Factions Declare Independent State

(AP Photo)

Among those who attended the conference were top leaders of heavyweight tribes of the eastern region, including the Ubaidat, Mughariba and Awajeer, which hold a powerful sway over large sectors of the population in the east. Also attending were commanders from the Barqa Army, a grouping of 61 eastern “revolutionary militias.” Several senior Defense Ministry officials of the government also attended and supported the declaration.

Fadl-Allah Haroun, a senior tribal figure and commander of a revolutionary militia, said the declaration is meant to have administrative independence not separation.

“Federalism is not division but unity. We are not talking about changing the flag or national anthem. We are talking about different administration, a parliament and managing the financial affairs,” he said.

Abu-Bakr Faraj, who is a deputy defense minister in the transitional Cabinet created by the NTC, attended the ceremony and told AP that the move is meant to “correct the path of the revolution.”

Barqa’s newborn council will “cut off the road in front of the hijackers of the revolution from controlling our destiny,” he said.

Comments (53)

1 2
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:21pm

    WGAS about Libya. Let them fragment.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • tzion
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:29pm

    Not much we can or should do. If they manage to pull it together good on them. Otherwise we have no part to play in their internal affairs. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops.

    Report Post »  
  • Lloyd Drako
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:23pm

    This is not very surprising, as ibya is not a “nation” with very deep roots. It is not as fragmented as Syria or Iraq, but the east-west fault line goes back to ancient times, when Cyrenaica was Greek-settled while Tripolitania was dominated by Carthage and then became Latin-speaking until the Arab conquest. In modern times, “Libya” was simply what was left over after the British had taken Egypt and France the Maghreb, leaving the Italians to move into the space between just before World War I.

    Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
  • lexington_green
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:46pm

    could it be that statists here and abroad think that breaking up the nation states created by the allies after world war one have outlived their usefulness and could be temporarily replaced by these little fiefdoms? these little districts can then be quickly scooped up and assimilated into a larger, hegemonic islamist caliphate. a super-state like this can rise around one magnetic leader with the ability to synthesize the various extensions of the muslim brotherhood and their ilk already embedded in these chaotic places into one giant geo-political entity that will speak with one voice and not dozens on the international stage. we know there are many in the middle east who wish for that to happen, and there may be more than a few in the west who foolishly think that an arab super state that coalesces around a charismatic leader is a good idea as well. if something like that gained momentum, these petty little kingdoms that are popping up could be swept away and made part of a new “united states of arabia” that people will beg for when these new little countries fail to provide sercurity and infrastructure. how in the world could anyone think that this outcome could make the planet safer or more “fair” or more easy to govern with regard to world affairs? i would guess globalists who figure dividing the world into fewer and bigger geo-political chunks pushes us all one step closer to one world government think its just great. i think its hubris. madness. arrogance. e

    Report Post » lexington_green  
  • 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:44pm

    What are all these OVERTHROW “REVOLUTIONS” about? The progressive commies like code pink SEIU are pushing radicals oversees to start revolutions not caring what the believe but only to NORMALIZE REVOLUTIONS to this generation thus making it easier to get America to revolution. Its all about America the rest of the world is easy.
    TEA PARTY UNTOUCHABLES!!!!!!!

    Report Post » 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:38pm

    Like Tito’s Yugoslavia — countries that were never meant to be states.

    Gadhafi intentionally left the tribes un-integrated and disunited and at one another for a reason. Tito did the same by arming the Serbs and the Bosnians and the Croats. Divide and conquer! When the dictator dies, then it becomes a more serious problem for those left behind who have to live w/the arranged inter-community terror.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:35pm

    Sounds like we need to go and do some more nation building. (sarc.)

    Report Post »  
  • robert
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:23pm

    LIBYA: 3/6/2012 “Tribal leaders and militia commanders declared a semiautonomous region in oil-rich eastern Libya on Tuesday, a move opponents fear will be the first step toward outright dividing the country….”

    Anerica: 3/6/2015….”Since the re-election of Barack Obama and his subsequent edicts to control guns; form a civilian defense corps from Black Muslims, Black Panthers and Black street gangs, along with thousands of union members, the nation has continued spiraling out of control.

    With Wyoming leading the way, 38 states have formed their own sovereign governments, with standing militias, and all of them are negotiating to form alliances with adjacent states in their areas.

    The SPLC has determined there are now approximately 6000 self-defense militias in all 50 states, amounting to about 53 million members, which include non-active supporters.

    The catalyst for the current turmoil was the president’s executive order requiring all citizens to turn in their guns. Any dissidents who chose to protest, were taken into custody, fingerprinted, photographed, and forced to give DNA samples.

    “It wasn’t just the gun control order,” said one citizen. “ But it amounted to the ”straw that broke the camel’s back. All the other assaults on liberty were building for years, which eventually culminated in the tumultuous separation we are witnessing today.”

    America is no longer an empire…and is now comprised of several nation states.

    Report Post »  
  • JP4JOY
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:54pm

    The aim appears to be to turn the world into a bunch of tribal fiefdoms so that no one group has enough power to go up against the UN (who are nothing more than a bunch of power hungry petty dictator wannabes). They will all have to pay tithes to the masters or risk being redistributed to their neighboring tribes. Wonderful, the Hope and Change we were all looking for!!

    Report Post » JP4JOY  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:46pm

    Wesley Clark ( US 4 Star General ) US will attack 7 countries in 5 years.
    Wesley Clark and the Truth about the Middle East
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5uswDmTjLog

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:44pm

    Wesley Clark ( US 4 Star General ) US will attack 7 countries in 5 years.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Ha1rEhovONU

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Clark is a democratic has been,why do you think any reasonable person would beleive a word he says?Like anyone in the pentagon under Bush would talk to him

      Report Post »  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:04pm

      it is not about the dam party…it is about the country…freedom.

      listen to what he says…look at the countries we have and are invading.

      your ignorance is incredible.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:17pm

      If you will get out of the kool-aid line long enough to see he gave us this great insight in 2007,why did he keep it a secret for so long?

      Report Post »  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:25pm

      So you are saying Obama is following Bush’s plan?Obama the great re-setter.

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:26pm

      I’m with Bob on this. Clark blows with the wind. He makes his money on liberal talk shows.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:27pm

      personal choice…w-tf do you want…the information is there.

      better check yourself.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • Razorhunters
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:33pm

      so …we are not in the countries he says…?

      we are not about to attack iran…?

      we are not about to go into syria…?

      stay the heII away …your logic physically harms me.

      Report Post » Razorhunters  
    • flyoverbob
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:48pm

      LOL

      Don’t hurt yourself,like you he’s a liberal troll

      Report Post »  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 4:32pm

      Just because we think Clark is a tool don’t think we advocate for going to war in Syria or Libya. Iran is different. Though I do not advocate for a ground war, just a systematic destruction of their infrastructure from the air. Electrical grid, Communications, Highway Bridges, Airfields and the refinery.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:40pm

    Can we start drilling for our own oil yet?

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • aChameleon
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:32pm

      Careful, the liberals will say the oil won’t be gas for five years or “It’s a world market” so it won’t matter anyway. Only a liberal would say that increasing domestic supply (either to stockpile or sell on the open market) wouldn’t help drive down prices or free us from dependance on foreign oil.

      Report Post » aChameleon  
    • happ77
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 2:56pm

      We have been hearing “it’ll take ten years” since 1971, do the math libs.
      This whole freakin mess we’ve been in in the middle east has been
      brought to you by the whacko envirialmentalists. If we had a sound energy
      program we could leave the barbarians to their own ways. Thousands of Americans
      would still be alive. Thank you jimmy carter, bill clinton, al gore, the sierra club,
      etc.
      ABO

      Report Post »  
  • leonardo44
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:36pm

    Once fragmentation starts, with so many factions and tribes, a unified Libya is a pipe dream.

    Report Post »  
  • Latter-Day-Soldier
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:33pm

    From the headline, I thought the article was about some militias here in the U.S.
    “Geez, what did Michigan Militia do now?”

    Report Post » Latter-Day-Soldier  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:32pm

    Syrian Girl Exposes Al CIA da
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xjrAgM9ZbbE

    http://www.infowars.com/syrian-girl-exposes-al-cia-da/

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:31pm

    Christianity and the Constitutional Republic are the greatest blessings to uplift human civilization. Witness as yet another nation of Muslims devolves into the tribal warlord mentality of the ancient world.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:46pm

      All the regions of North Africa… are still Tradional Tribal Areas… which still operate based upon a Tribal System… even given Government Branches to Offically control them.. and even Egypt. These tribal leaders…. act a Judges… and even arrange Marriages… where local Wealth is held invisible to the Governments!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • flyoverbob
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:31pm

    Give them weapons,get film
    BUY POPCORN

    Report Post »  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:31pm

    Totally okay with this. Hopefully we will make sure both sides have ammo.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:30pm

    Congradulations Obama you are slated for history as the largest terrorist ever; along with being known as the Great Destroyer.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:49pm

      Don’t forget the Bride of Frankenstein: HILLARY!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:29pm

    http://www.infowars.com/syria-danny-caught-staging-cnn-war-propaganda-stunt/

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • Razorhunters
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:28pm

    ‘Syria Danny’ Caught Staging CNN War Propaganda Stunt
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p-DCZxsrt9I

    Report Post » Razorhunters  
  • Mandors
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:27pm

    How is this better than Qaddafi? It’s not. Great job Hillary, Barry. What next reconstruction of the Maginot Line?

    Report Post » Mandors  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:34pm

      yep….and now the progressive mcCain wants to bomb syria…………..stay out and save the ammo…………we might need it here

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:37pm

      Gaddafi (pick your spelling) had given up his nuclear and WMD ambitions and he gets a bullet in the head for his trouble…and Barry can‘t figure out why Iran and North Korea aren’t dealing with him.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:50pm

      Oldguy, Obama is a hypocrite for not following the “Responsibility To Protect Doctrine” he invented to go into Libya in Syria. Why did we have a “Responsibility To Protect” Libyans but, Syrians are on their own? We should have stayed the heck out of both of them.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:00pm

      The Libyan debacle, the failure of R2P policy (as seen in Syria & Libya) advocated by Obama needs to be in the fore in October & November.

      Report Post »  
    • Chromo200
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 5:26pm

      Gonzo .. Because the russians and chinese told him to stay away from syria. I’m waiting for a picture of him bowing to Putin.

      Report Post »  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Lemme guess…a bunch of “advisors” from the US are landing in Libya at this very moment with suitcases full of money and military weapons catalogs.

    Report Post »  
    • mercenary4freedom
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:08pm

      You guessed it THE_ALMIGHTY, looking to make lots of $$ for their shareholders>>>US Congress!

      @ SNOWLEOPARD—–> RIGHT ON & AMEN!! We have a President and SOS Hilary that have put us in a very dire situation. Their alliance is to Alinsky and marxism, not FREEDOM & LIBERTY.

      The whole world is in a clusterphu*k due to this obama character, especially us. Sure hope some people wake up soon and can read between the lines on what this lying schlub is doing.

      Report Post » mercenary4freedom  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:18pm

    news today is the Taliban has claimed their fame for 2 MORE American soldiers who were just killed, bringing it to 8 Americans killed since obama groveled in apology for the burning of a few korans already defaced with messages in them by the terrorists.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 1:06pm

      We need to be out of Afghanistan. We’re there to fight Al Qaeda, fight Al Qaeda’s Taliban allies & rebuild the country.

      What we get is the next dictator billionaire. Karzai’s brother has stolen so much. Karzai himself criticizes us frequently. Pull out let the Karzai clan fend for themselves.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:18pm

    This what “leading from behind” gets you. A couple hundred million poorer and a new set of thugs in charge of Libya. Congratulations Barry…mission accomplished.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • BurntHills
      Posted on March 6, 2012 at 12:31pm

      we think when barry said ”leading from behind” he meant what else goes on while he’s on his forehead on his prayer rug…

      Report Post » BurntHills  
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