The invasion of Iraq in 2003 didnot signify arrest of Saddam Hussein which consequently took place after 8 months. Unfortunately, it looks the same for Colonel Gadaffi’s hunt, which might too turn into a protracted affair. But what ultimately matters is not the mere arrest of the strongman but the fact that what step would his loyalists take. Would they too join Al-Qaeda as Saddam Hussein’s supporters did or would they be ruled over by the rebels who have somehow gone quite eccentric with the sudden access of power.
Consensual and inclusive transition by the Libyan people looks difficult till the hunt for Colonel Gadaffi does not lead concrete results. Though, after the surrender of the military commanders, hundreds of political prisoners that were jailed in the prisons of the country have been set free. Also, UN has been urging the rebels to control the jeopardy that it being caused. Also, $1.5 billion frozen assets of Libya is set to be given to the National Transitional Council (NTC). NTC called as the ‘political face of the revolution’ has declared, ‘we are entering a phase which we would call the phase of managing expectations.’
‘Evidence of war crimes’
Another inspiring news is that now Amnesty International and Human Rights watch do have evidence for supporting that Colonel Gadaffi and his loyalists were involved in war crimes. Dr. Moez Zeiton from Manchester who has volunteered to play an integral part in serving the patients and documenting the war crimes stated that recently 17 more injured and dead bodies were bought to the hospital in Tripoli. One of the sole survivors, Mansur Al-Ahady, revealed how they were jailed by loyalists of Colonel Gadaffi in a nearby school and targeted with machine guns.
‘Rebels Vs Loyalists’
In the meantime, the loyalists of Gadaffi and the rebels have entered into another tussle. Steve from Kenya tweeted that black people are being targetted by rebels because they were supposedly considered to be a commuity that empathised with the dictator. While, the Al Arabiya TV states that the loyalists have already bombarded the airports. Fighting continues in Rass Al Jadeer, Regdalen, Aljamil and Alagelat in the West of Libya in between these two sides.
‘Role of NTC’
Another intriguing aspect is now who would lead Libya after Colonel Gadaffi is gone. To start with, the NTC itself is made from loose connection of different genres of rebels who have different demands. The current chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil who was the former justice minister is considered to be the perfect choice. Jon Leyne from BBC states ‘NTC will have a few hundred million dollars in a matter of days to pay salaries, get food and water along with essential services.’ Though, we all know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The rebels have started to move from Benghazi where the NTC came into establishment to Tripoli so that their stronghold can be maintained and also enhanced.
In Libya, there is foreign intervention but no ruling power. Also, like Tunisia and Egypt, there is no army that can play a very pivotal role in avoiding chaos or instilling the sense of discipline through fear or rules. No doubt, more than anything, the immediate and most enterprising challenge is to prevent the massive killings of Gadaffi loyalists by the hands of rebels so that the country does not continue to exist in bloodbath.
In a nutshell, no one knows if the civil war in Libya is over after the surrender of the dictatorship.
shubhdachaudhary 