Friday, August 26, 2011

Last Call

With Qaddafi in no position to defend his broken regime, the most urgent matter in Libya is now ending the fighting among pockets of pro-Qaddafi forces and restoring order to the war-torn country as the attention shifts from Tripoli to the UN.

In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he had talked with heads of such organizations.

"All agreed that the crisis in Libya has entered a new and decisive phase," he said. "All agreed, as well, on the importance of a smooth transition."

That transition must be based on inclusiveness, reconciliation and national unity, he said.

"Fighting goes on in many parts of the country," Ban said. "There is an urgent need to put an end to the conflict and restore order and stability. All agreed that, if the Libyan authorities request, we should be prepared to help develop police capacity, bearing in mind that the country is awash with small arms."

The effect of the fighting has been profound, he said. "There are widespread shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies. Reports on the ground suggest that the water supply to the capital and surrounding region may be in danger, putting several million people or more at risk."

Friday's meeting participants agreed that the international community "must come together with an effective, well-coordinated program of action," Ban said.

Over the longer term, they emphasized early support for elections, transitional justice and policing, and help in social-economic recovery, rule of law and institution-building, Ban added.

He called Thursday's action by the Security Council in unfreezing $1.5 billion in Libyan assets "a welcome step" but said Friday's participants agreed that more must be done to ensure a stable transition of power.

So the question is who will be running Libya now?   Traditionally, temporary power-sharing arrangements among several disparate factions that are only united in order to overthrow a dictator rarely last, and almost always end bloodily.  The real question is ultimately, who will fill the power vacuum?

I honestly haven't heard much other than "the rebel council" so any information on who would be nice.



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