Kidnapping and Car Bombs Highlight Libya Instability

Lawlessness in Libya continues to threaten the country's stability as this week the world bore witness to not only an attack on a Swedish consulate but also to the failed kidnapping of the Prime Minister.

Ali Zeidan came to power in 2012 and, unlike his predecessor, Mustafa Abu Shagar, has successfully formed a 200 strong Congress filled with a wide mix of MPs following the first democratic election in decades. The successful formation of Congress was down to Zeidan carefully ensuring there was a good balance of Liberals and Islamists from all parts of the country, allowing all ethnicities and locales a representative.

 Unfortunately, the fact remains that the government has little authority over the country which remains deeply divided by a multitude of ethnic, tribal and geographical factions. There are many issues destabilizing the country which the government need to work through to regain stability in the country including promoting peace between the country's different ethnic groups and resolving unfair wealth distribution particularly in regards to oil and gas profits. These problems mean it is a fertile breeding ground for extremist groups, including al-Qaeda. 

Al-Libi at a ceremony in 2012

Abu Anas al-Libi, the suspected leader of the Libyan al-Qaeda branch, has been enjoying huge support throughout the country, particularly in the last two years. Indeed his popularity was highlighted earlier this week as pictures emerged on al-Qaeda forums showing him attending a very public ceremony in his honour for his role in ousting Col. Gaddafi in 2011. Al-Libi was indicted back in 2000 following the 1998 attacks on American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya and a $5 million dollar reward was offered for his capture. Despite this, he still enjoyed a rather public life in Tripoli, easily drawing large crowds and conducting public speeches, which show just how much influence he, and potentially al-Qaeda, have on the Libyan capital city. Therefore, it is unsurprising that following his capture last week by American special forces his supporters are somewhat rankled. After learning the Libyan government had been informed of American intentions prior to his capture, al-Libi's supporters decided on swift retaliation. On Thursday, over 150 armed militia, including some from his own security forces, descended on Tripoli's Corinthia Hotel, and kidnapped the country's Premier. 

Zeidan was kidnapped around 4am and taken to a militia base in the city's eastern district, Suq Juma. There were fears that with the Prime Minister arrested, a military coup was underway. Hope came from the Zintan militia group, who are loyal to the government who immediately condemned the attack and pledged their support. The militia volunteers joined forces with the army and, following a brief exchange of gunfire with Zeidan's captors, they ensured the release of their Prime Minister only hours after his abduction. 

Ali Zeidan during his kidnapping

The Prime Minister later thanked those who ensured his release on live television saying "I salute the revolutionaries who had an important role. Those who rose above greedy demands". Zeidan later dismissed the attack as an "accidental thing from the revolution's overthrow" calling it "part of every day political games in Libya." However, the Prime Minister has since expressed his concerns that the attack was indeed a failed coup d'etat that will be investigated in the coming days.

The kidnapping has prompted outcry from all corners with UN Secretary Ban Ki-Moon condemning it in "the strongest possible terms." Whilst the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, called it "thuggery", the UK and France immediately reiterated their support to Zeidan and his government. 

The following day, the Swedish Consulate in Benghazi, one of the few consulates in the area, was targeted as a remotely detonated car bomb exploded at the front of the building, causing damage to the Consulate and surrounding houses. Thankfully nobody was in the building at the

The car bomb left outside the Swedish Consulate 

time so only one person in the vicinity was wounded. This week's bombing is the latest in a string of vicious attacks on consulates, as earlier this month, Russian consulates were evacuated after gunmen attacked their compound in Tripoli. In May a car bomb was discovered outside the Italian embassy whilst in 2012, an American diplomat was killed in Benghazi. 

The Prime Minister's abduction, and continued targeting of international ambassadors, highlights the inherent lack of stability throughout the country as the week's events serve as worrying reminders of how far the country has to go before peace can be restored to the country. However, given time, Zeidan may just be the right man for the job.  

Lora

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