Category: Blog
Libya’s Version of Mutually Assured Deterrence at Work
General Hafter’s “Dignity Operation” is struggling to achieve its declared aim despite the daily upbeat propaganda in some Libyan and Saudi-funded broadcasting and print media outlets. The General National Congress (GNC)’s decision to mobilise the Misrata-based Middle Shield units to...
Testing Times for Libya’s Nascent Army
The bombing of Libya’s oldest historic Sufi tomb of Sidi Al-Wushish in Derna, Benghazi, by an unknown group (believed to be Ansar Al-Sharia) last Wednesday, may have provided an additional reason for retired General Khalifa Hafter to march his “Libyan...
Turbulent Times within Tunisia’s Political Parties
As soon as the Constituent Assembly managed to pass the Electoral Law early this month a series of resignations and crises hit Tunisia’s key political parties. What appeared at first as a victory for Nida Tounes with the non-adoption of...
Former Presidential Guard Chief Released from Prison
Ali Seriati, former director of presidential security under Ben Ali was released last Saturday after three years in prison. Seriati was arrested short after Ben Ali fled Tunisia on 14 January 2014; and was charged of threatening national security. However,...
Ahmed Maetig Elected Prime Minister
Businessman Ahmed Maetig was elected to the premiership post following a controversial round of voting at the General National Congress (GNC). Dr. Maetig, who holds a degree in economics from London and reportedly owns a number of businesses in Libya...
Crossing the Rubicon in Benghazi
Nine Special Force Brigade soldiers were killed following a heavy assault on the Benghazi Police Headquarters reportedly by Ansar Al-Sharia. The government held Ansar Al-Sharia responsible and warned in a televised communique that it “will not allow the existence of...
Constituent Assembly Passes Electoral Law
The Electoral Law was passed on Labour Day following heated debates at the Constituent Assembly, paving the way for the Independent Electoral Commission to start preparations for parliamentary and presidential elections due before the end of the year. Two issues...
The Constitutional Assembly Convenes
The Constitutional Assembly (CA) tasked with drafting a new constitution for Libya convened its 47 members at Al Beida, where Libya’s first constitution was drafted in 1952. The CA voted Ali Tarhuni, founder of the National Centrist Party and former...