Islam to be main source of legislation in post-Qaddafi Libya

Islam will be the main source of legislation in post-Muammar Qaddafi Libya, the head of Libya’s transitional leadership said in his first public address in Tripoli on Monday.

National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil made the remarks before thousands of Libyans gathered on Martyr’s Square two days after his arrival in the capital following the fall of Qaddafi’s regime.

“We will not accept any extremist ideology, on the right or the left. We are a Muslim people, for a moderate Islam, and we will stay on this road,” he said.

This was Abdel Jalil’s first visit to Tripoli since the rebellion against Qaddafi erupted in February. The toppled leader, now on the run, used to make public appearances on the same spot, then known as Green Square, to rally his supporters.

On arrival in Tripoli on Saturday, Abdel Jalil was treated to a red-carpet welcome, mobbed by hundreds of people and protected by a thick human chain.

Strict security measures also applied for Monday’s appearance, with the perimeter of the square closed off to traffic and armed men searching people who entered.

Abdel Jalil described the “liberation of Tripoli, the miracle that occurred with minimum loss” of life, telling the crowd: “You will be with us against any person who will want to steal our revolution.”

A defiant Qaddafi on Monday vowed to fight on until victory as his forces launched surprise fightbacks on three fronts.