LIBYA IN CHAOS

"Most of the national councillors, including its chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, and the emerging government’s prime minister, Mahmoud Jibril, are still in Benghazi, citing worries over security, or are abroad."



On 3 September 2011, The Economist reports on Libya:



1. Most of the leaders of the new government are scared to come to Tripoli.



Chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, and prime minister, Mahmoud Jibril, are still in Benghazi.



2. Tripoli's new military commander, Abdel Hakim Bel Haj, has links to al Qaeda.



Abdel Hakim Bel Haj belonged to the Libyan Islamist Fighting Group, regarded as part of al-Qaeda.



The new Libya



3. The new government's militias are not popular.



The people of Tripoli "want them out".



4. Benghazi has around 40 private militias.



Many of the militias "have put more energy into protection rackets than into fighting..."



5. People are staying indoors due to a "lack of public services."



Tripoli has no running water.



Lack of electricity makes the city very black at night.



6. The price of potatoes has risen twentyfold.



7. Salaries are not being paid.



8. The price of petrol has risen from $8 a tank to $200.



9. Banks allow only very limited withdrawals.



10. Many hospitals are closed.





11. The Islamists and many of the returning exiles do not want reconciliation.



Some want to sack Jibril who has talked of reconciliation.



"The public demands fresh blood," says Abdulrazaq Mukhtar, a government minister.



The Islamists want Liamine Bel Haj, a Muslim Brother, as leader.



12. The Islamists are in a powerful position, having the support of Qatar.



13. The Islamists are suspected of killing Abdel Younis Fattah, the rebel commander who died outside Benghazi.



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