Libya's NTC indefinitely postpone forming new goverment (from Digital Journal)

[PurityOfEssence]

An emerging figure to watch is Abdel Hakim Belhadj, who is now the head of the NTC military.

In an interview with Reuters, Hakim stated

“I’m not a military man,”

despite being the founder of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, a now disbanded organization that was on the U.S. list of terrorist groups. Known for his extreme Islamic views and his determination to turn Libya into a caliphate state, he downplays his intentions, saying the challenge is

“Building a democratic and modern, civil state with rules, governed with justice and equality." He added “As for the form of the government, this depends on Libyans' choice. Democracy has more than one form.”

Jibril and others who want to involve women in the new government and unlikely to find backing for this plan from those whose intent is to introduce strict sharia law. Belhadj also dismissed vocal Islamic criticisms of the interim government, explaining it was just previously oppressed Libyans expressing their feelings. However tensions are strong between the Islamists and the more secular members of the previous Gaddafi government. The situation is worrying due to the proliferation of pillaged weapons.

Digital Journal

Regardless, there is still no legitimate government; this bunch has no more legitimacy than Qaddafi after the military coup of 1969.

Silly me, but I would like to hear about those other forms of democracy...

An earlier part of the article is also most telling

Russian expert Vladimir Isayev told Ruvr.ru

"What the ministers can’t agree on is oil and access to oil revenues. It’s hard to say how bad the split is and whether the NTC’s chief will be able to make the right appointments to replace those discontent over the current situation. Whether those discontent will behave in a civilized manner is also unclear. Libya might well plunge into a domestic strife for power once the Gaddafi story is over."

The beat goes on...

Pssst: it's about OIL

[pinboy3niner]

1. FYI, Belhadj is not head of the NTC military

He is the leader of the military council for the city of Tripoli.

[PurityOfEssence]

2. Then who is? Is it El-Hariri or Haftar or someone else?

These distinctions are very murky, and Belhadj seems to be the one with the reins in hand.

If it's not him, who is it? Just because the title doesn't jibe doesn't mean the reality isn't such.

It would seem that Haftar has a lot of pull these days, but since they're still all knotted up in dealing with Younes' assassination, it's not so clear.

Please set me straight. Any clarity in this situation would be welcome.

As far as I can tell, Belhadj is the current potentate of the killin' folk.

If not, then who is? If there's nobody specifically in control of the "military" of the NTC, then does he not rank as such with his mandate in the country's capital?

Just askin'...

[joshcryer]

4. Suleiman Mahmoud

[TheWraith]

3. Not this ridiculous shit again.

One: on the "It's about oil!!!!111" crap: Libya is honoring all existing contracts negotiated with Ghaddafi. Saying "it's about oil!!" is about as absurd as saying Afghanistan is about oil.

Two, this article gets all sorts of facts wrong, including who the guy is; and even then, he's basically telling them "No, this isn't really a problem, we're just still arguing."

Three, citing a secondhand quote of a claim by one guy, of unspecified "expertism," a guy who Google can't even find, isn't exactly compelling evidence.

[joshcryer]

5. Other hard hitting articles by Katerina Nikolas:

Top 10 reasons to get a payday loan online

Thoughts on small town gossip

Recipes: Delicious casserole recipe

Memoirs: My funniest garden experience

Advice for young people on avoiding debt

:blush: