Libya remains locked in a vicious cycle of violence, with its politicians failing to curb the rising power of militias. A recent protest in the Gharghour district in Tripoli to drive out a militia from Misurata ended with more than 50 dead and 500 injured. This tragic episode, sanctioned by the ministry of interior and actively encouraged by local and government officials, raises the question: what was the government thinking?
This was not the first time a protest outside a militia base ended violently. A protest in June outside the base of Benghazi’s Libya Shield brigade, a quasi-official amalgamation of militias favoured by the government, ended with more than 30 dead. The response? A national discussion of sorts regarding “legitimacy” with the group’s leader, Wisam Ben Hamid, and others.
A tragic rerun of that event – this time in Tripoli – suggests the problem is worsening, and the government is no closer to breaking the militias’ grip on power. The prime minister, Ali Zeidan, called on civilians to “liberate” the country’s oil assets from armed groups only days before the protests.
The silver lining to the chaos has been the rally call of “Law No 27”, a declaration for the removal of all illegal militias from Tripoli and its suburbs. Following the withdrawal of the militias, the appearance of police and army forces on Tripoli’s streets restored a sense of stability and formality to the city.
This welcome calm was, however, achieved at great cost. After the violence, an insidious populist political discourse emerged. The citizens of Libya are beginning to believe that quick solutions exist.
An appealing narrative about popular sentiments and “people power” cannot make up for an absence of robust leadership. Libya’s post-conflict reconstruction and national reconciliation efforts continue to falter and vital socio-economic solutions are yet to be found. What is needed goes beyond catchphrases that have become stale and redundant for this chapter in history.
Slogans and protests are expected but the rising populism should be viewed with caution. What always comes in the wake of such an environment are politicians and parties seeking to exploit such circumstances, promising people overnight solutions, which often create fresh social and economic problems.
Instead of political and economic programmes to steer the country's transition, politicians and media have perpetuated a series of myths or half-truths since the end of the revolution in an attempt to explain the political landscape. Rumours persist of an "elite" class, presumably in their ivory tower waiting to exploit the masses, a fifth column of Muammar Qaddafi's regime. The names are never revealed, and the evidence is sketchy.
The Muslim Brotherhood tend to receive the bulk of criticism for the country’s failings, often stoking the flames of violent protests and displays of anger, without the sober political call to visit voting records, statements from the group, or financial records to underpin the critique.
The most perennial and darkest of these myths is of some invisible hand interfering in all affairs, guiding the incompetence of Libya’s elected congress, which in January spent a session debating the name of the country, before deciding on the State of Libya. On the very same day, the ministry of interior announced that the murder rate had increased by 500 per cent in the past two years.
The divisive populist rhetoric of “them” and “us” has left large blocks of the populace bereft of options, believing that protests with huge numbers are the only way to move the country forward. In truth, in the protest on November 15 many brave but also desperate citizens lost their lives to the arrogance and greed of the militias that have plagued the country, but also undoubtedly to the negligence by the government in its approach towards reforming the security sector.
Slogans have become the solution for the public, but now too for the government. The current jubilation regarding the implementation of Law No 27 and the expulsion of militias from the capital may be short-lived. “Get Out of Tripoli!” is a slogan and not a programme for managing the disarmament or demobilisation of militias. Its implementation may mean that militias leave their bases in Tripoli, but not an end to the militias themselves.
Each of the convoys that left the capital ensured they took their arsenal of weapons and ammunition with them. The thousands of militiamen, who return to their own cities without jobs and without a programme to reintegrate them into their communities, find themselves as the new post-Qaddafi enemy in the now concrete “us versus them” narrative. They are, however, armed to the teeth.
After less than two months since the beginning of a national dialogue, it is certainly cause for concern that new fault lines are emerging, while older ones have not been healed.
The widespread perception that Libya’s politicians in Tripoli have completely disregarded the rest of the country is often heard by extreme supporters of self-autonomy and the more nuanced federalists.
As the country prepares to enter its second elections, the sense that Libya’s leaders think about Tripoli and ignore the rest of Libya’s cities should be of concern. It may not be too long before Tripoli’s problems with militias come back to haunt its politicians in other cities.
Anas El Gomati is the founder of the Tripoli-based Sadeq Institute, the first Libyan think tank
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Company%20profile
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Company%20Profile
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
ROUTE%20TO%20TITLE
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed