Rebels spell out ‘clear road-map’ for new Libya
Libya’s new government tells Channel 4 News it “won’t make the stupid mistakes made by other countries” by seeking revenge on Gaddafi officials, as it starts a process of national reconciliation.
Guma el-Gamaty, a spokesman for Libya’s NTC government, told Channel 4 News that a political framework is being put in place and that its primary responsibility is to stabilise the country and usher in elections.
“We have a clear plan, clear roadmap, how long the transitional period will be, and what should happen, and ultimately it will lead to the Libyan people crafting a new constitution, a new social contract, and then ending with proper elections that will allow the Libyan people to choose their future democratically,” Mr Gamaty said.
He said that all sections of society would be involved in a national reconciliation process and that known Gaddafi supporters would not be victimised.
“We will not make the stupid mistakes made by other countries, we are going to be as inclusive as possible,” he said.
“We are already asking everybody to return to work, including police officers, security officers, civil service, all people that have positions and run institutions and services which are vital to the country.”
Gallery: The rise and fall of Colonel Gaddafi
Restraint urged
Mr Gamaty’s comments came after the head of the NTC urged his fighters to respect the law and not take violent revenge on members of Muammar Gaddafi’s fallen regime.
As rebel fighters took control of more areas of Tripoli, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the NTC warned that that indiscipline among rebels could even lead him to resign.
Hailing the end of the Gaddafi era, Mr Jalil said: “I hail the leaders of these groups [Libyan rebel fighters] and I trust their words but some actions of some of their followers worry me. This might be the reason or the cause of my resignation.”
But he added: “My role after the fall will continue unless I lose control of the goals and inspiration that I aim for … But I expect that revolutionaries will be up to the responsibility.”
Mr Jalil was the Justice Minister in Gaddafi’s regime but he defected in protest at the “excessive use of violence against unarmed protesters” by the state, the first member of the cabinet to do so in February.
‘Hardship and struggle’
Dr Imad El-Anis, lecturer in international relations at Nottingham Trent University, agreed that the NTC needed to be a unifying force, but he warned the transition to democracy “could take years”.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Dr El-Anis said: ” There is a challenge in that over the last 42 years the apparatus of a civil society have been dismantled. But this is a challenge that can be overcome as long as stability and security can be brought to Libya.
“Libya has a small population and a lot of wealth and resources can be utilised to help this transition. I think the transition to democracy will happen – it will take years but I think it can happen.”
He believed that Libya’s violent struggle against Gaddafi has created a sense of urgency that will help the country develop institutions more quickly than in Tunisia and Egypt.
“The rebels had a baptism of fire – I think the democracy that can emerge in Libya has been born out of hardship and struggle, that forced the people, the institutions to develop more quickly than in Tunisia or Egypt, where there was regime change but not violent struggle other than the first few days – where it is now very slow.”