17/10/2013
Carlota G. Encina is a researcher at Real Instituto Elcano
Nothing describes the current situation in Libya better than the bizarre hijacking episode of the country's Prime Minister, Ali Zeidan, carried out in theory by militias loyal to the government. After being released just a few hours later, Zeidan stated, in an understatement of events, that there was still plenty to do in Libya.This kidnapping was not, however, neither the only one nor the most notorious of them. That privilege is awarded to Anas al-Libi, one of the leading members of Al Qaeda and one of the U.S. most wanted men, who was captured by the U.S. Delta Forces in Tripoli. Washington was not particularly helpful to the Libyan government when it stated that the operation had its approval, thus prompting Zeidan's abduction.
Al-Libi's capture, along with another special operation carried out in Somalia a few hours before, has been interpreted as a sign of a possible change in U.S. counterterrorism policy: capturing and interrogating rather than killing, which entails a higher risk for the military and possibly a reduced use of drone attacks. It is difficult to venture such a claim, considering that most anti-terrorist operations and tactics are not and will not be known. We can indeed say, however, that the U.S. maintains solid counterterrorism efforts.
On the other hand, the fact that Al-Libi moved freely around Tripoli is the direct result of the anti-Gaddafi revolt and the contradictions of American and European policies in Libya. The country--which woke up from a war without administration, institutions or any capability to rule--is being devoured by the same rebels who returned it to life in 2011.
Hundreds of heavily armed militias,--some Islamists, some secular and nationalist, and some considered "legitimate" which are trying to be integrated into the almost non-existent State security forces--have jeopardised a State that is unable to impose its will. The attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi in September 2012, was followed by the Italian Consulate in the same city in January 2013, the French Embassy in Tripoli in April, that of the United Arab Emirates in July, the Russian one, in September, and finally the Swedish one, not to mention the attacks on several diplomatic convoys. And these are only the attacks on foreign targets.
Targeted political assassinations, sieges to ministries, assaults on prosecutors and judges, the infiltration of extremists across the southern border or the shutdown of oil production are some of the problems that a State with a fragile political system is forced to face. The Western Allies do not have a clear strategy either or a clear partner to support, not to mention that any American or European aid puts at risk the government itself in the eyes of Islamists and nationalists. Two years after a historic declaration of liberation, Libya is a country in chaos.