Answer to a Question
Political Developments on the Libyan Arena
Question:
It was announced yesterday, 2014/06/02, that the contested Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq managed to enter the Prime Minister's headquarters in the capital, Tripoli, amidst heavy military reinforcements belonging to the Central Region Shield "Misrata." The General National Congress had held a session in Tripoli on 2014/05/25, during which it approved a vote of confidence for the new Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq. Meanwhile, the former Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni refused to hand over the government to the new one. On 2014/05/29, the former held a cabinet meeting at the headquarters, while the new one held a meeting at a hotel. The date for parliamentary elections was announced for 2014/06/25. Retired officer Khalifa Haftar announced his rebellion against the Congress on 2014/05/16, rejecting the government, calling for the dissolution of parliament, and demanding the postponement of elections. Significant American and European movements have been observed regarding the situation in Libya. What is the connection of these movements to what is happening there? What is their relation to the rebellion of this retired officer, and what is its goal?
Answer:
It is well known that Libya has been an ancient Islamic land since the Islamic conquest during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab (ra). All its people are Muslims, and it remained enjoying security, safety, prosperity, and stability under the shade of the Khilafah and the rule of Islam for 13 centuries. This lasted until the Italian colonists arrived in 1912 and extended their influence over it, facing resistance from its mujahideen Muslim people. Following Italy's defeat during the Second World War, Britain entered and controlled it, establishing a monarchical system at the end of 1951 when it granted Libya nominal independence. When Britain saw its influence in Libya threatened by America through Abdel Nasser in Egypt, it instructed its agent Gaddafi and a group of officers to carry out a coup in 1969. They hid behind the mask of Nasserism in an attempt to deceive the people and seek protection from American dominance over the pro-British regime in Libya. Thus, the British maintained their influence in Libya.
For decades, America tried to gain influence in Libya but failed because Gaddafi was loyal to Britain and keen on maintaining its influence. Britain had identified him while he was a student at Sandhurst, then nurtured and protected him for several decades, and he continued to safeguard its interests in Africa.
Thus, until the uprising in Libya in 2011, the United States had no influence in Libya, and Gaddafi remained a loyal agent to Britain. With the advent of the Arab Spring and the ousting of Hosni Mubarak and Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia, the uprising spread rapidly across the borders into Libya. Sensing the end of Gaddafi because the Ummah wanted change, Britain decided to abandon him and prepare an alternative. Britain, along with France, began creating a new political leadership. They established the National Transitional Council (NTC) in February 2011. On 2011/03/05, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the defected Minister of Justice from the Gaddafi regime, was chosen as the head of this council. Mahmoud Jibril then Abdurrahim El-Keib successively headed the government. The Council continued until the General National Congress (GNC) was formed in July 2012 and officially took over duties from the National Council on 2012/08/08. Ali Zeidan was then elected Prime Minister until he was dismissed by the Congress, headed by Nouri Abusahmain. The Congress appointed Abdullah al-Thinni as temporary Prime Minister, then dismissed him and elected Maiteeq. The official status between al-Thinni and Maiteeq remains unresolved to this date. The Libyan revolutionaries and the armed factions spread across the country had an influence on these councils, congresses, and governments; one council would vanish to be replaced by another, and one government would go to be followed by another.
The National Congress was formed to draft a constitution and prepare for general elections within 18 months. If calculated from the time the Council took over its duties on 2012/08/08, it means the mandate of the Congress was supposed to end on 2014/02/07. However, it extended its own term to stay until 2014/12/24, and people were divided between those supporting the extension and those opposing it. An interim government was formed to manage affairs, and it finally resulted in the High National Elections Commission deciding to hold general elections on 2014/06/25 to create legitimacy for the new situation: presidency, parliament, and government.
America realizes that the political medium in Libya is a British creation with some French protrusions that strengthen the pro-British political medium. This means that any upcoming elections will result in the rise of Europe's men with a tiny fraction of "independents." Consequently, the situation would stabilize, and America's ambitions—which sought to exploit its actual military influence in ending Gaddafi's rule to gain the lion's share of influence—would vanish. This cannot be achieved by holding elections in this atmosphere, which remains European. Therefore, it thought of shuffling the cards militarily and rearranging the atmosphere in Libya to create a new political class loyal to it, after which elections could be held. The first step was to task a military man to move in a manner resembling a coup against the existing status quo dominated by the National Congress, where the majority are Europe's men. This was to shuffle the cards and postpone elections until conditions more favorable to America arise; if not exclusive to America, then at least in partnership with Europe, so the arena is not left solely to them. Thus, Haftar moved, and his life story speaks of his loyalty to America. After Gaddafi failed him in the Chad war and disowned him, leading to the capture of Haftar and about 300 Libyan soldiers in March 1987, America mediated with Chad. The CIA negotiated in 1990 for his release, and American planes transported Haftar and his group to Zaire, then to America, where they were granted political asylum. He joined the Libyan opposition movement abroad. Haftar spent the next 20 years in the US state of Virginia, where he was trained in guerrilla warfare by the CIA. He did not return to Libya until after the February 17, 2011 revolution, in which he played a role, especially in the city of Benghazi. At the end of 2011, the new military leaders in Libya agreed to choose Haftar as the new Chief of Staff of the National Army, which was established to succeed the former regime's army. Following criticism from many opponents who expressed clear doubts regarding his participation due to his history in Chad and his contacts with the Americans, he was removed from this army, and the position of Chief of Staff was assigned to the former Minister of Interior, Abdul Fatah Younis al-Abidi.
Haftar moved on 2014/02/14, announcing that forces loyal to him had seized control of military and vital sites in Libya. He declared in a statement the freezing of the National Congress (parliament) and the government and launched what he called a roadmap for Libya's political future. He said: "What we have done is not a coup, and we do not seek military rule, but it is in harmony with the demands of the street that came out demanding the departure of the General Congress." Thus, this was Haftar's first attempt to exert pressure on the rule in Libya to achieve his political goals according to the roadmap he drew to reach power or topple the existing regime. Haftar resumed his movement on 2014/05/16, launching an attack on armed groups he described as terrorists in Benghazi under the name of a military operation called Karama (Dignity) of Libya. The operation then moved to the capital, Tripoli. He presents himself as the commander of the National Army and the savior of Libya from terrorist groups. On 2014/05/17, forces loyal to him stormed the parliament and controlled its perimeter for a short period before withdrawing. Mohamed al-Hejazi, the spokesman for the National Army loyal to Haftar, told Reuters: "Those who carried out the attack are affiliated with the National Army, which is launching an attack on those it describes as terrorist groups." As the date for new elections on June 25, 2014, approached, Libya fell into further turmoil when Khalifa Haftar and his forces attacked the capital Tripoli and the parliament. A week prior, he had carried out an operation against the base of the February 17th Martyrs Brigade in Benghazi. This pro-government brigade is considered one of the largest and best armed groups in Libya. Then, commanders of the eastern Libyan airbase in Tobruk announced their support for Haftar on May 19. Immediately after, a group of defected army and national police figures declared loyalty to him. As a result, some of Haftar's forces were able to utilize some of the country's air power, using jets and helicopters in his attempt to build a presence in Benghazi. The Zintan armed groups have also now allied with Haftar; thus, his power has grown to some extent.
Haftar wanted to imitate what happened in Egypt by focusing on fighting the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorism. On 2014/05/20, the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper published an interview with him in which he indicated he was influenced by the method America followed in Egypt, saying: "We are affected by what happens in Egypt." He stated that he took a mandate from the people in the same manner Sisi did in Egypt. Colonel Mohamed al-Hejazi, the official spokesman for retired General Khalifa Haftar, stated: "Haftar will follow in Sisi's footsteps if the Libyan people ask him to run, especially since Sisi succeeded in a similar difficult task, which is reclaiming Egypt from the Muslim Brotherhood." (Anadolu Agency, 2014/05/30).
- Subsequently, the Libyan General National Congress hurried to meet on Sunday, 2014/05/25, despite Khalifa Haftar's threats. The parliament voted to give confidence to the government of the new Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq. Maiteeq's government received the confidence of the National Congress with a majority of 83 votes out of 94 deputies who attended the session. The determination to hold the session was clear, as the presidency of the Congress had urged deputies via a short message to participate in the meeting, noting it might be "the last." The start of the session, which was supposed to be at 11:00 (09:00 GMT), was delayed until the evening due to the lack of a quorum. The determination to hold the session is also evident from the fact that the deputies met in the Crown Prince's Palace in Tripoli (a palace from the monarchical era) because the Congress building was closed after the attack by gunmen loyal to Haftar. Soldiers from one of the Tripoli brigades took over the guarding of the palace.
However, Haftar announced his rejection of the inauguration of the new Prime Minister, calling for the postponement of elections. He said: "The new Prime Minister will not be able to restore stability to the country and called for the postponement of the parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in June." (AFP, 2014/05/26). On 2014/05/21, Haftar, in the name of the "Supreme Council of the Armed Forces," demanded the "Supreme Judicial Council" to commission a "Civilian Supreme Council for the Presidency of the State," whose tasks would include commissioning an emergency government and supervising the upcoming parliamentary elections. He stated that the Presidential Council would hand over power to the elected parliament. He said: "The army took these decisions after the General National Congress (parliament) refused to suspend its work as the people demand." He added: "The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces will take over security during the transitional phase and thereafter." (AFP, 2014/05/22). The "Supreme Judicial Council" responded to this on 2014/05/26, announcing the "establishment of a social committee aimed at achieving reconciliation between all parties, consisting of the head of the Constituent Assembly for drafting the constitution, the head of the Scholars' Association, the head of the Fact-Finding and Reconciliation Commission, the head of the Legislation Review Committee, the former head of the National Transitional Council, the head of the Council of Elders and Shura, and the head of the February Committee. One of the tasks of this committee is to contact all parties." (Al Jazeera, 2014/05/26). "The head of this council did not clarify whether the initiative to establish the committee was a rejection of Haftar's recent initiative when Al Jazeera asked him about that." However, it appears that the Supreme Judicial Council did not respond to Haftar's call and did not announce its rejection directly, but rather announced the formation of a committee to achieve reconciliation between the parties. This means Haftar did not gain the support of the judiciary.
- As for the American position, it was clear that it is behind what Haftar is doing, and America is his driver. In addition to Haftar's life story since America transferred him from Chad's prisons and raised him in the lap of America for about twenty years in the state of Virginia, other evidence points to this:
a- Statements by American officials that indicate this both explicitly and implicitly, including:
During these events, and during the period between Haftar starting his military actions on 2014/02/14 and his resumption of those actions on 2014/05/16, America sent Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to Libya. He stated during his visit: "The increase in violent extremism is a huge challenge primarily for Libya and also for international partners." He added: "Rebuilding security is vital for Libya's success and promised increased American aid in facing extremist violence." He said: "The United States will continue with other partners to train the army and security forces." (Reuters, 2014/04/24). That is, it will use the card of fighting extremism and terrorism to tighten its control over Libya. Therefore, its agent Khalifa Haftar used this card after the Americans presented it to him.
America did not deny its contact with Haftar. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki stated in a press conference on 2014/05/20: "We have not had contact with Khalifa Haftar in the recent period, for more than three weeks. We do not condemn nor support the movement in Libya on the ground..." She refused to describe Haftar's operation as a military coup when asked. The American spokesperson also pointed out in her conference the "recent return of former Ambassador David Satterfield from Libya, and that her country is closely monitoring Libyan events in the last two days..." She did not deny contact with him but rather denied it in the "recent period." This is a clear indication of involvement! It is noteworthy that Al-Hayat mentioned on Saturday, May 24, 2014, that the US Ambassador to Libya, Deborah Jones, said: "Retired General Haftar is fighting groups that are banned for us."
b- Furthermore, the interviews with him carry the sign of American support and endorsement.
The Washington Post conducted an interview with Haftar on May 20, 2014, where he said: "We have started the attack to eliminate the terrorist movement in Libya, and we began about a week ago with all regular army units. We are now moving forward with this mission, and we see that confrontation is the solution. As for coordination with Zintan? I tell you, we are one unit."
c- Similarly, the repeated announcements of American troop movements to Sicily serve this purpose, to intimidate the interior of Libya and to support its agent Haftar by boosting his morale and showing readiness to assist him:
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced on Tuesday, 2014/05/20, the positioning of US Marines on the island of Sicily. Kirby justified this as being for other missions such as evacuating American citizens and employees at the US Embassy in Tripoli.
Asharq Al-Awsat reported on 2014/05/21: "A senior US Defense official confirmed yesterday the presence of aircraft in Italy on high alert to evacuate Americans from the US Embassy in Tripoli with increasing unrest in Libya, noting that Pentagon officials are monitoring the situation minute by minute and hour by hour." The newspaper also quoted American officials saying: "The United States has increased the number of Marines and aircraft stationed in Sicily, which can be called upon to evacuate Americans... and about 60 more Marines and four other V-22 Osprey aircraft are being sent to the Sigonella Naval Air Station in Sicily from their base in Spain. The two officials, who requested anonymity, said this brings the total number of Marines deployed in Sicily as a precaution to about 250. Their presence in Italy puts them close to Libya and helps speed up the response."
AFP quoted an American official on 2014/05/27: "An American assault ship will arrive within days off the Libyan coast with a thousand Marines on board to participate in an expected evacuation of employees at the US Embassy in Tripoli." The US State Department asked American citizens in Libya to leave, saying: "The State Department warns American citizens against traveling to Libya at all and recommends American citizens currently present to depart immediately," adding: "The security situation in Libya remains unpredictable and unstable." (Reuters, 2014/05/28).
- Thus, America is working to postpone the elections in Libya through Haftar's movement. It wants to replicate its experience in Mali, despite its failure there, where it led a coup through an officer on 2012/03/22, about a month before the scheduled election date, fearing that the pro-French political class would win. America wanted to prevent those elections in that atmosphere until it changed them through the coup, but it did not succeed in maintaining that. Instead, France managed to end the coup and held elections less than a year and a half later, which produced a new president for Mali from France's followers, "Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta," who was inaugurated on 2013/09/19. It seems America expects its luck in Libya to be better than its luck in Mali!
Furthermore, it tried to replicate the Sisi experience... but the reality is different between the case in Egypt and the case in Libya. Sisi was the commander of the army, so military power was overwhelmingly on his side. As for Haftar, his power is more like a military faction, similar to any other military faction in Libya, though it might be slightly more with those who followed him, but the difference is not vast. He differs completely from the reality of the Egyptian army led by Sisi at that time. The armed forces in Libya are divided between Haftar and the National Congress. For example, the Zintan brigades, "Al-Sawaiq and Al-Qa'qa," announced their joining of Haftar's efforts, while the Central Region Shield "Misrata" is closer to the National Congress against Haftar. Thus, regarding the military forces from factions and units, they have different orientations. Consequently, Haftar's imitation of Sisi is not on equal footing; the military reality is different. Sisi was the commander of the army with the effective power; he suspended the parliament and removed the president and government because he was in a position of strength as the army commander. But Haftar of Libya is a retired military officer leading a rebellion with American support. He has not been able to remove the government, dissolve parliament, or suspend state institutions, and there are significant forces confronting him. This is why Haftar, who threatened Maiteeq with arrest if he met in the Council of Ministers, failed to prevent this meeting. Military forces belonging to the Central Region Shield "Misrata" moved, accompanied the director of the office of the contested Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq, attacked the Prime Minister's headquarters, and seized documents.
New Libyan Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq managed on the evening of 2014/06/02 to enter the Prime Minister's headquarters in Tripoli, amidst heavy military reinforcements belonging to the Central Region Shield "Misrata." He entered the government headquarters before taking over duties from the head of the caretaker government Abdullah al-Thinni, and without paying heed to Haftar's threats! If the elections are held on time, it is unlikely that America's agents will win. America's bet remains on stirring chaos and unrest through Haftar and others under the pretext of fighting terrorism. It might launch specific raids on certain armed Islamic movements to increase chaos and unrest in the country until it can disrupt or postpone the elections to find another opportunity to strengthen its influence by empowering its agents and gaining more of them. Therefore, it is expected that America will continue its support for Haftar's operation until this is achieved. If it sees that this is futile and does not achieve the desired result and that elections will proceed, it will work to agree with the Europeans, who have the strongest influence there, on a certain formula.
This is from the military perspective. On the other hand, the situation in Libya differs from the situation in Egypt. The Europeans, especially the British, have roots in Libya and have been the ones with influence there since the Second World War until the fall of Gaddafi. They can cultivate agents and hold the reins of affairs with the help of France and other Europeans, in addition to the agent regimes in the region. As for Egypt, the Americans established their roots there since the coup of July 23, 1952, through Abdel Nasser and the officers with him; they have remained in control of the Egyptian scene until today. Thus, the reality is different. European influence is the strongest in the Libyan political medium, and it is expected that Britain will exert all efforts with the support of France, Germany, Italy, and others, utilizing its agents in Qatar and neighboring North African countries to maintain this influence. This is especially true since Libya, due to its location, is the starting point for so-called illegal migration, which Europe fears. Europe also fears that influence in Libya might be taken by others, so it will hold onto this matter until the last breath. It is encouraged by the fact that the political medium is still dominated by loyalty to Europe ("Britain"). America realizes this and recognizes this strong insistence from Europe, particularly Britain. Therefore, America acts with a "way back," meaning without a total break with Europe on the issue of Libya. While it moves Haftar to stir trouble through military action, it also shares interest in Libya with Europe. European countries, along with America, issued a joint statement on 2014/05/23 regarding the situation in Libya, stating: "The European Union, France, Italy, Britain, and the United States are deeply concerned by the ongoing violence and call on all parties to refrain from the use of force and to resolve differences through political means." The statement said: "The process leading to a peaceful transfer of power must be based on broad consensus and avoid any actions aimed at undermining this process." Reuters added a comment saying: "Western powers fear that the campaign led by Haftar could lead to the division of the Libyan army and cause further turmoil in the country." This reflects the extent of European countries' influence in Libya; otherwise, America would not have participated with these countries in issuing a joint statement.
Thus, it is not expected that America and its tool Haftar will succeed in removing European influence in Libya, but they will create anxiety and unrest. They are sending a strong message to the European political medium, especially the British, intended to mean that the time of Britain's exclusivity in Libya has passed, and that America must be strongly in the picture. Nevertheless, the fire will continue to be combustible as long as the European and American conflict has entered the Libyan house using Libyan tools. The colonialist Kuffar (disbelievers) are not affected if killing intensifies among Muslims and their blood flows; rather, this pleases and refreshes them. Extending influence is the goal of Western countries, and Libyan oil is their purpose. They differ according to their interests, but they unite in their enmity toward Islam and Muslims.
Thus, Libya has fallen into the whirlpool of international conflict. These countries have made Libya an arena for struggle between them over extending influence and seizing the largest share of the spoils. Therefore, things have not calmed down, situations have not stabilized, and the people have not achieved their goals of the revolution because of this international intervention and because of the lack of clarity of vision for many of those in charge of the work and those leading it from the people of the country who rose up against Gaddafi, who represented the West, especially the Europeans, and achieved their interests at the expense of the people. How can people fall once again into the traps of Western countries and become tools for the conflict between these Western powers?!
- The summary of what is happening inside Libya is that Britain and Europe behind it are trying hard to anticipate events. They are in a race against time to exit the current impasse by laying the foundations for an elected government that gives it a color of legitimacy by holding elections as soon as possible, so that they reproduce the same old political system but with a new face from their loyalists. In this way, Libya does not exit their circle of influence. Therefore, they proceeded to seek elections at the earliest opportunity. The Libyan High National Elections Commission set June 25 as the date for electing a new parliament in Libya to replace the General National Congress, about which controversy is increasing, as reported by the official Libyan news agency.
America and its followers noticed this matter and tried to obstruct it and prevent the formation of a new government to supervise the current stage for organizing elections as the commission set for June 25. Haftar was America's tool in this. He announced on Sunday, 2014/05/25, in a statement read by a spokesman for the Libyan National Army led by Haftar, that "any convening of the General National Congress will be a target for prevention and arrest," and the army considered that "any meeting of the Congress in any place is an illegal act and falls under legal accountability." He added late Saturday, 2014/05/24, that if the members of parliament want to meet tomorrow, they will be a legitimate target for arrest. America aims by this to keep the state of conflict and instability existing, which will enable it later to impose its agents on the Libyan political map and the effective political medium in Libya, if it can, or at least be an effective partner in Libya with Europe and especially Britain.
Thus, Britain, supported by Europe, is exerting all efforts to maintain its influence in Libya by holding elections under the current political circles loyal to them. America wants to postpone the elections to penetrate the ranks of the current political medium to change it in its favor or at least to supplement it with its men, after which the elections would occur. Its purpose in this matter is to have a "plentiful" share of influence in Libya.
- In conclusion, it is painful that the lands of the Muslims, which were the starting point of conquests and the spreading of Islam that carries justice and goodness to the corners of the world, have become a field of combat where colonialist Kuffar race to kill us and loot our wealth. They laugh with full mouths at every drop of blood that flows from us, not only by their hands but also by the hands of their agents from our own people!
The colonialist Kuffar are our enemies, so it is not strange that they exert all efforts to kill us. But for Libyan factions to line up with them, some loyal to America and some loyal to Europe, and then fight among themselves—a fight not for the sake of Islam and raising the word of Allah, but for the interests of colonialist Kuffar—is indeed a grave matter. For Muslims to fight among themselves is a major crime in Islam. The Prophet (saw) said in the Hadith narrated by Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra):
كُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ، دَمُهُ، وَمَالُهُ، وَعِرْضُهُ
"Every Muslim is sacred to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth, and his honor." (Narrated by Muslim)
And in the Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah on the authority of Ibn Umar (ra):
مَا أَطْيَبَكِ وَأَطْيَبَ رِيحَكِ، مَا أَعْظَمَكِ وَأَعْظَمَ حُرْمَتَكِ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ، لَحُرْمَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَعْظَمُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ حُرْمَةً مِنْكِ، مَالِهِ، وَدَمِهِ، وَأَنْ نَظُنَّ بِهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا
"How good you are and how good is your fragrance! How great you are and how great is your sanctity! By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the sanctity of a believer is greater in the sight of Allah than yours—his wealth, his blood, and that we think nothing but good of him." (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
And in the Hadith narrated by al-Nasa'i on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr (ra), from the Prophet (saw) who said:
لَزَوَالُ الدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ قَتْلِ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ
"The passing of the world is lesser in the sight of Allah than the killing of a Muslim man." (Narrated by al-Nasa'i)
The final conclusion is that Libya is not devoid of a third, sincere, and faithful group whose concern is to restore goodness and justice to Libya by implementing Islam in life, the state, and society. We hope this group will stand in the face of the followers of Europe and America, returning them to the right path and stopping their fighting among themselves, and that their weapons be directed together at the throats of the enemies of Islam and Muslims. Thus, Libya will be purified from every colonialist Kafir and every treacherous agent. Libya will return to its origin and essence: a starting point for the conquerors and a land for the preservers of the Noble Quran... an Islamic fortress guarded by Islam and guarding it by the power and strength of Allah.
وَاللَّهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَى أَمْرِهِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
"And Allah is predominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know." (Surah Yusuf [12]: 21)