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Morocco World News/ Maghreb Intelligence
New York, October 3, 2011
While the rebels have practically succeeded in reaching the center of Sirte, the last stronghold of the deposed regime, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is still on the loose. But it is not the unknown whereabouts of the former leader and some of his sons that worry the National Transitional Council. In recent days, several tribes from the east and the west of the country have increased their political demands.
These tribes say they are underrepresented in the new government and call for more equitable distribution of wealth. Moreover, in some Libyan cities, clashes have pitted NTC fighters against the local population who have refused their authority. The NTC has been quick to realize this danger and has begun to remove its fighters (coming Misrata and Benghazi) from the cities taken from Muammar Gaddafi, replacing them with armed men from the local population. In addition, many Libyans want to know who are the members of the NTC, whose names have still not been made public.
Of the 31 personalities that make up the National Transition Council, the identity of only one of them has been revealed. On the other hand, the Berber insurgents want to speed up the pace of reforms that provide their areas in Jebel Neffoussa with Amazigh identity. This creates enormous tensions within the NTC, which is still very wary of Libyan Amazigh that some Islamists suspect of possessing separatist tendencies. This has pushed a Western diplomat based in Tripoli, who is well acquainted with Libyan realities, to voice his concern and state that the most difficult challenges are yet to come. “Contrary to popular belief, driving Muammar Gaddafi and his children from power was the easiest thing to do.”
