Libya’s NTC leader fears political differences would cause divisions

Head of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustapha Abdul Jalil warned against a possible division in the country, in light of the current disorders and chaos.

“Our martyrs and wounded people are in pain due to what is currently happening in Libya as a result of tribalism that started to float on the surface,” Abdul Jalil said while addressing a popular gathering in coastal city of Misrata.

“I believe that the martyrs, who offered their souls for the sake of the nation, had never imagined what is currently happening in these cities and villages.”

“We have always feared a federal system would have divided Libya into three parts, as it used to be. Now we are in face of a federal system in Libyan districts, villages and tribes. We fear this federal system would cut Libya into pieces,” warned Abdul Jalil.

Two parties -- one centrist and the other headed by a commander of a union of revolutionary brigades -- were formally launched in Tripoli on Monday alone and a third party focused on reform was inaugurated on Tuesday, according to AFP.

In a country where political organizations of any kind were banned for decades under the iron-fisted rule of Muammar Qaddafi, ousted in last year’s popular uprising, these are crucial steps on the path to political development.

Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council discourages the formation of parties that draw on revolutionary brigades to shape up their constituency and bans servicemen in the national army from entering politics.


(Translation and additional writing by Abeer Tayel)