Libya's postponed democracy

Larbi Sadiki examines the liberation movements in Libya, both internal and external, and how they benefit civic life.

Larbi Sadiki
Al-Jazeera

"Libya's emerging civil society, wherever it may be, must fight Muammar Gaddafi on its own terms, using the means that enable it to outmanoeuvre the Colonel.

He sought and succeeded at militarising their uprising. Maybe that was his game, so those leading Libya today should demarcate a different terrain: constructing an active civil society and organising for the sake of democratic institution-building.

So what is being done to build a new, stronger civil society? What role does the Libyan diaspora play in it? What critique can be presented against the main body now vying to win the right to represent free Libya, the National Transitional Council (NTC)?.....

Critique of the NTC

Before delving into the key players, it is imperative to first get an understanding of the National Transitional Council itself.

The NTC is not perfect, but it must be lauded for initiative, boldness and decisiveness at a critical juncture in Libya's history.

From the outset, the NTC was in-built with power – and weakness – owing to the voices and figures siding with the rebels against Gaddafi.

Many bring into the rebels' camp insider or antidote-type knowledge/medicine against the bacteria contaminating the body politic embodying the Gaddafi dynasty.

At least psychologically, this factor alone shakes the confidence of the dynasty's mission to reproduce itself and to recruit allies, internally and externally.

The weakness is no less potent though. Hypothetically, were these figures to switch sides or allow their loyalty to be bought back, it would deliver Gaddafi a perfect counter-revolution.

Incidentally, neither the Egyptian nor Tunisian people power revolts were devoid of counter-revolutionaries. Fortunately, the revolutionary tidal wave was such that counter-revolutionaries had no choice but to ride the wave or risk drowning.

Gaddafi versus Gaddafi

It is almost a case of Gaddafi versus Gaddafi in Libya.

Amongst the rebellious coalition were some of Gaddafi's most ardent confidantes and loyal comrades-in-arms.

If not tainted by the blood of his misrule, they knowingly consented to partner in Gaddafi's dictatorship. Today they may qualify as some kind of 'born-again' politicians, but until two months ago they reeked of 'Gaddafi-ism'.

Ali al-Issawi, foreign minister in the Council, was an associate of Saif, who appointed him as a minister of economy before the revolt. He also 'anointed' him president for Saif's Excellence Award.

Mahmoud Jibril, the NTC's premier, was another close associate of Gaddafi and Saif, who charged him with overseeing the National Forum for Economic Development that was tasked with economic liberalisation and privatisation. He also was a member in the committee of Saif's withdrawn Constitution....."