Democracy News

Libyan NTC Faces Challenges on Path to Democracy
September 22, 2011
By: Lulu Buhisi | Printer Friendly

On August 25, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released a statement commending the stance of the Libyan people against the violence of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime. Clinton hopes the new governing Transitional National Council (NTC) will “fulfill its international responsibilities and the commitments it has made to build a tolerant, unified democratic state.” Currently, the NTC is recognized by the majority of the international community as the representative of Libya.

BBC News reports the NTC plans to establish an interim government by the end of September, with plans to organize elections for a 200 member national congress within eight months. The NTC will face great challenges in the upcoming months due to the country emerging from war. Analysts expect that regional rivalries, different interest groups and factions and ideological differences will come into play.

Earlier this month, Voice of America reported the "Friends of Libya" conference held in Paris, France brought together 63 countries that pledged to continue their support for Libya’s revolution. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, co-host of the conference, said the frozen Libyan assets will be released to begin rebuilding the country. United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon promised a wide-ranging assistance program. Mustafa Abdullah Jalil, head of the Libyan NTC, pledged to build an inclusive democracy, in addition to investigating the crimes committed during the revolution. The group, Physicians for Human Rights, issued a report in late August showing evidence of abuses and crimes carried out by Qaddafi’s forces. Richard Sollom, deputy director of the human rights group, strongly urged the NTC to move forward and "hold individual perpetrators accountable."  Qaddafi remains in hiding.

The NTC has a lot of work ahead of it, but many are optimistic about the outcome. At the UN headquarters in New York this week, Obama addressed the Libyan population, "To the people of Libya: this is your chance. And today the world is saying, in one unmistakable voice, we will stand with you as you seize this moment of promise; as you reach for the freedom, the dignity and the opportunity you deserve," Al-Jazeera reported.

For previous news on Libya, please see:
Qaddafi Charged With War Crimes; US Recognizes Libyan Rebels As Legitimate Government 

Sources:
US Department of State – Statement on Libya

Al-Jazeera – Obama leads rousing UN welcome for Libyan NTC

Voice of America – International conference pledges support for Libya

BBC News – Libya after Gaddafi: Who’s in charge?

Reuters – Gaddafi war crimes in Misrata widespread: report