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

P.S. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @LoradeeC or add me on Google+

Libya Lose Billions in Recent Oil Strikes

Two years ago, In the midst of the Arab Spring, the Libyan people united to remove their leader, Colonel Gadaffi, from power after ruling the African country for more than 40 years. The controversial leader was ousted amidst accusations that he was an authoritarian dictator who abused the rights of his people. Now, the new government is facing it's biggest challenge yet.

Last year, Ali Zeidan, previously a human rights lawyer, was elected by the Libyan Congress to the position of Prime Minister. Following the overwhelming response to welcome democracy as well as the Gadaffi manhunt, it is somewhat surprising that the country is struggling to find it's feet, as chaos looms ominously overhead. 

With over a million barrels produced per day, oil is Libya's greatest export particularly as the highly valued natural resource is of an unusually high quality. Oil production in Libya is the highest in the whole of Africa and the fifth largest in the entire world. Therefore, the value and importance of this commodity is quite apparent, particularly in relation to the country's economy. However, output in the country has fallen to just 10% as workers, along with armed militia, have gone on strike leaving the government with just two working oil ports, forcing the country to import oil to keep electrical power stations open. 

There appears to be a number of reasons for the strikes, however, the primary causes seem to revolve around dissatisfaction with the government's distribution of wealth, with other workers demanding higher pay and new management. The pay and management seem reasonable enough requests to discuss, perhaps the formation of a trade union could prevent future

ongoing strikes that threaten the very peace of the country. 

In 2007, British oil giant BP re-entered the country, however since the civil disruption following the Arab Spring, plans to drill for oil off the Libyan coast have repeatedly been put on hold. With lost revenue from the strikes estimated in the billions, and BP the last oil giant left in the country following Shell's exit last year, it's unsurprising that the worried government have threatened military action against the protesters. Denouncing them for "a national crime that is tantamount to treason, because you are cutting the income to the Libyans." The Prime Minister continued "The government has been patient... To preserve national unity we saw fit to use all peaceful means to resolve this issue but at some point we may  reach a point in which the state should exercise it's role seriously to stop this." 

The Government, it seems, has been backed into a corner, as experts and protesters alike warn that a military intervention could break down the already tentative peace in the country sending Libya spiralling into a fractious state with people fighting over oil. Indeed, one militia leader said an act of aggression like that detailed by the Prime Minister would be a "declaration of war", something which neither the government nor the people want.

It is a tricky situation for Libya, the government obviously need to reopen the oil ports so they can produce at maximum capacity and get money into the country once again, however they need to react to the people's protest in a reasonable manner. Ignoring the demands of the people entirely, instead of negotiating, is a dangerous game and a mistake that too many leaders in the Middle East have made in the last few years. This is a major test for the new government and how they react will be important not just for Libya but for all other countries involved in the Arab Spring. Reacting with care will mean the government will not just save Libya from civil war, but also create faith in their new democracy.

Lora.

Remember, if you like my blog, feel free to add me Google+ and Twitter @LoradeeC.