Politics of Libya
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The politics of Libya has been in an uncertain state since the collapse of the
Libyan Political Agreement (2015) & Political Atmosphere post-2015
Members of that
This attempt at unification was unsuccessful, as three competing governments still remained by the end of 2016,[4] disputes between which continuing until the formation of the GNU in 2015. Still, even with the establishment of this governmental structure, widespread human rights abuses exist throughout the country to this day; this is due to the lack of a central government to regulate the ten years of conflict that ensued after Gaddafi's reign.[5] However, the country has made some democratic progress: Libya's score was trending upwards from 2011 to 2013 on the PolityIV authority trends scale, increasing from a -7 to a 1,[6] shifting its categorization from “autocracy” to “anocracy.”[7]
House of Representatives
The
Against this backdrop of division, the
General National Congress
The General National Congress (also translated as General National Council
The executive branch was appointed by the GNC and led by the Prime Minister, while the President of the GNC was the de facto head of state, though not explicitly described as such in the Declaration.[26]
The main responsibility of the GNC was to form a constituent assembly which would write Libya's permanent constitution, for approval by a referendum. The law of Libya is based on sharia.[27]
On 30 March 2014, the General National Congress voted to replace itself with a new House of Representatives. The new legislature would allocate 30 seats for women, would have 200 seats overall (with individuals able to run as members of political parties) and allow Libyans of foreign nationalities to run for office.
In early December 2015 both parliaments, the GNC and the House of Representatives, agreed a declaration of principles calling for the formation of a joint ten-person committee to name an interim prime minister and two deputies, leading to new elections within two years.[29]
Changes after the 2011 Civil War
Political parties were banned in Libya from 1972 until the removal of Gaddafi's government, and all elections were nonpartisan under law. However, during the revolution, the National Transitional Council (NTC), a body formed on 27 February 2011 by anti-Gaddafi forces to act as the "political face of the revolution", made the introduction of multiparty democracy a cornerstone of its agenda. In June 2011, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi said his father would agree to internationally monitored general elections, and would step down if he lost them, but his offer was refused by the rebels and ignored by the UN Security Council.[30]
On 8 March, the NTC issued a statement in which it declared itself to be the "sole representative all over Libya".[31] The council formed an interim governing body on 23 March. As of 20 October 100 countries declared full support to the council by severing all relations with Gaddafi's rule and recognizing the National Transitional Council as the rightful representative of Libya.
On 3 August 2011, the NTC issued a
On 7 July 2012 an
Political parties and elections
On 7 July 2012, the Legislative body – the General National Congress – was elected.
List of parties with seats in the General National Congress
- National Forces Alliance
- Justice & Construction
- National Front
- Wadi al-Hiya Alliance
- Union for Homeland
- National Centrist Party
- Libyan National Democratic Party
- The Message
- The Foundation
- National Party For Development and Welfare
- Nation & Prosperity
- Authenticity & Renewal
- Authenticity & Progress
- Moderate Umma Assembly
- Libik Watani
- National Gathering of Wadi al-Shati
- Moderate Youth Party
- Libyan List for Freedom & Development
- National Coalition of Parties
- Libya the Hope
- Wisdom Party[35]
List of parties without seats in the General National Congress
- Libyan Popular National Movement
- Democratic Party
- Homeland Party[36][37]
- Party of Reform and Development[38]
- Libyan Constitutional Union
- Libyan Amazigh Congress
- Alhaq and Democracy Party of Benghazi
- Libyan National Congress Party
- New Libya Party
- National Unity of Libya Party
- Freedom and Development Party of Libya
- The Patriotic Reform Party
- National Solidarity Party
- The Libyan National Party
- Umma Party
- Justice and Democracy Party of Libya
- Libya Future Party
- Libyan Center Party
- National Democratic Assembly for Justice and Progress
- Libya Development Party
- Libyan Universal Party
- National Democratic Alliance
- New National Congress Party
- Tawasul Party
- Libyan National Democratic Party for Justice and Development
- Libya Our Home and Tribe Party
- Libyan Liberation Party
- Libya for All Party
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya
- Unity Movement
- Democratic Youth Party
- National Democratic Assembly
- Wefaq Party
- Libyan National Democratic Assemblage
- Ansar Al Horria
- Libyan Unionist Party[39]
International organization participation
The National Transitional Council has pledged to honor Libya's international commitments until the
Libya is a member of
Libyan politics under Muammar Gaddafi
After originally rising to power through a military
Gaddafi's authoritarian rule, a transition from the former monarchical structure, aligns with Samuels' finding that most military coups spark change from one form of non-democratic government to another.[41] Gaddafi acted as a military/personalist leader during his 42-year reign, nearly tripling the average ruling length of 15.1 years for this regime type, as found by political scientist Barbara Geddes in her 1999 publication.[42] Still, Gaddafi's regime did follow many of the military/personalist tropes that Geddes outlined: failing after its leader's death, relying on unstable personal networks to rule, and facing military opposition during the reign.[43]
The
Wanted figures
- Muammar Gaddafi: Responsibility for ordering repression of demonstrations, human rights abuses. *Killed 20 October 2011 in Sirte*
- Dr. Baghdadi Mahmudi: Head of the Liaison Office of the Revolutionary Committees. Revolutionary Committees involved in violence against demonstrators.
- Abuzed Omar Dorda: Director, External Security Organisation. Government loyalist. Head of external intelligence agency.
- Major General Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr: Defense Minister. Overall responsibility for actions of armed forces.
- Ayesha Gaddafi: Daughter of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government.
- Hannibal Muammar Gaddafi: Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government.
- Mutassim Gaddafi: National Security Adviser. Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government
- Al-Saadi Gaddafi: Commander Special Forces. Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations.
- Saif al-Islam Gaddafi: Director, Gaddafi Foundation. Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government. Inflammatory public statements encouraging violence against demonstrators.
- Abdulqader Yusef Dibri: Head of Muammar Gaddafi's personal security. Responsibility for government security. History of directing violence against dissidents.
- Matuq Mohammed Matuq: Secretary for Utilities. Senior member of government. Involvement with Revolutionary Committees. Past history of involvement in suppression of dissent and violence.
- Sayyid Mohammed Qadhaf Al-dam: Cousin of Muammar Gaddafi. In the 1980s, Sayyid was involved in the dissident assassination campaign and allegedly responsible for several deaths in Europe. He is also thought to have been involved in arms procurement.
- Khamis Gaddafi: Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations.
- Muhammad Gaddafi: Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government.
- Saif al-Arab Gaddafi: Son of Muammar Gaddafi. Closeness of association with government.
- Colonel Abdullah Senussi: Director Military Intelligence. Military Intelligence involvement in suppression of demonstrations. Past history includes suspicion of involvement in Abu Selim prison massacre. Convicted in absentia for bombing of UTA flight. Brother-in-law of Muammar Gaddafi.
The NTC has been in negotiations with Algeria and Niger, neighboring countries to which members of the government and defecting military commanders have fled, attempting to secure the arrest and extradition of Al-Saadi Gaddafi and others.[47]
Of these officials, Baghdadi Mahmudi and Abuzed Omar Dorda were arrested,[48][49] while Saif al-Arab Gaddafi was killed by a NATO airstrike during the war,[50] Khamis Gaddafi was killed in action after the fall of Tripoli,[51] and Muammar and Mutassim Gaddafi, as well as Abu-Bakr Yunis Jabr, were killed during the fall of Sirte.[52]
See also
- Green Resistance
- General People's Committee of Libya
- List of diplomatic missions of Libya
References
- ^ Pelham, Nicolas (February 2015). "Libya Against Itself". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ a b Kingsley, Patrick (17 December 2015). "Libyan politicians sign UN peace deal to unify rival governments". The Guardian.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Libya: Freedom in the World 2017 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Libya: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "Polity IV Regime Trends: Libya, 1951-2013". systemicpeace.org. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "PolityProject". systemicpeace.org. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ Fetouri, Mustafa (30 June 2014). "Poor election turnout sign of Libya's despair". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Libya's outgoing parliament elects PM". 25 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Libyan capital under Islamist control after Tripoli airport seized". The Guardian. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Libya faces chaos as top court rejects elected assembly". Reuters. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Libyan parliament defies supreme court ruling". Al Arabiya. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ Benotman, Noman (24 October 2014). "Libya has become the latest Isil conquest". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Baghdadi vs. Zawahri: Battle for Global Jihad". U.S. News & World Report. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ Moore, Jack (29 January 2015). "Al-Qaeda 'Islamic Police' on Patrol in Libyan City Contested With ISIS". Newsweek. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Libya's government holed up in a 1970s hotel". BBC News. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "The next failed state". The Economist. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ Murray, Rebecca (16 February 2015). "Libya anniversary: 'The situation is just terrible'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ Anderson, Jon Lee (23 February 2015). "The Unravelling". The New Yorker. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Libya – Majlis Al-Nuwaab (House of Representatives)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 21 February 2017. Archived from the original on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
- ^ Michel Cousins (24 July 2012). "National Congress to meet on 8 August: NTC". Libya Herald. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
- ^ "NTC to Transfer Power to Newly-Elected Libyan Assembly August 8". Tripoli Post. 2 August 2012. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
- ^ Esam Mohamed (8 August 2012). "Libya's transitional rulers hand over power". Boston.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
- ^ "Libya elections: Do any of the parties have a plan?". BBC News. 6 July 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ^ Margaret Coker (22 June 2012). "Libya Election Panel Battles Ghosts". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Libya leader Magarief vows to disband illegal militias". BBC News. 23 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
Mr Magarief, the parliamentary speaker who acts as head of state until elections next year.
- ^ "Libya assembly votes for Sharia law". Al Jazeera.
- ^ "Congress votes to replace itself with new House of Representatives". Libya Herald. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Rival Libyan lawmakers sign proposal for peace deal". Yahoo. Reuters. 6 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ "Rebels dismiss election offer, NATO pounds Tripoli". Reuters. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Ferocious battles in Libya as national council meets for first time". NewsCore. 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
- ^ "Libya declares 'liberation,' path to elections, constitution". Los Angeles Times. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ "Sun, 23 Oct 2011, 17:09 GMT+3 – Libya". Al Jazeera Blogs. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ High National Election Commission: Press Release 16. June 2012 Archived 4 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Libyan Election Party List Results: Seats Per Party by District" (PDF). POMED. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ Beaumont, Peter (3 December 2011), "Political Islam poised to dominate the new world bequeathed by Arab spring", The Guardian, retrieved 31 January 2012
- ^ Spencer, Richard (19 November 2011), "Libyan cleric announces new party on lines of 'moderate' Islamic democracy", The Telegraph, retrieved 31 January 2012
- ^ "First Islamist party emerges in Libya". Hurriyet Daily News. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- ^ Federalists launch political party, 1 August 2012, retrieved 2 August 2012
- ^ Country Profile: Libya (PDF). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (April 2005). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ISBN 978-0-13-752727-4.
- ^ Geddes, Barbara (1999). "What Do We Know About Democratization After Twenty Years?". Annual Review of Political Science.
- ^ Geddes, Barbara (1999). "What Do We Know About Democratization After Twenty Years?". Annual Review of Political Science.
- ^ "Libya Revolt of 2011 | History, War, Timeline, & Map | Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ISBN 978-0-13-752727-4.
- ^ Interpol File No.: 2011/108/OS/CCC Archived 23 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 4 March 2011.
- ^ "NTC Demands Niger Returns Saadi, Officials from Al Qathafi Regime". Tripoli Post. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Former Libyan PM arrested, jailed in Tunisia". Taipei Times. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ MacLean, William (11 September 2011). "Exclusive: Gaddafi spy chief Dorda arrested". Reuters. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Saif al-Arab: A playboy known for his hard-living ways". London. The Independent. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ "Gaddafi's feared son Khamis 'confirmed dead', claims NTC". The Daily Telegraph. London. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- ^ El Gamal, Rania (23 October 2011). "Clues to Gaddafi's death concealed from public view". Reuters. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
External links
- "Gaddafi Plays Quietly, But He's Still in the Game," The New York Times, 17 March 1991
- Chief of state and cabinet members Archived 16 August 2013 at the CIA Factbook, as of 17 March 2010
- Libya Government at Curlie