Watching Libya September 9, 2011

Mahmoud Jibril, whose rank in the Transitional National Council (TNC) government is equivalent to prime minister, visited Tripoli yesterday (Thursday, September 8). This was his first visit to the capital since the beginning of the war of liberation. TNC staff were relieved that the visit finally took place as its political necessity had been acutely felt since the fall of Bab al-Aziziya. In a speech upon his arrival in the Capital, Jibril warned that “the war of liberation was not over” yet and that the “greatest challenge was still ahead”. He also called for unity, particularly at this delicate stage.

Meanwhile the Saturday (tomorrow, September 10) deadline for the surrender of Badi Walid is fast approaching. Yesterday, a number of missiles – almost certainly Grad – were fired from within Bani Walid to a location along the Wadi Dinar, about 20 km North West of the besieged town, where a large number of anti-Gheddafi fighters are assembled. (See our map above). Military commanders are insisting that nobody should move forward against the small Warfalla town unless orders to do so are given by the TNC leadership.

As argued in our last comment (see Watching Libya September 7, 2011 below), it is wise of the TNC not to undertake any move that might alienate any part of Libya’s most numerous tribe, the Warfalla. Hence: “What may appear as procrastination, may in fact be political wisdom based on knowledge of a long history of conflicts and alliances.”