Libya Revolt: A Reflection Of The Past
Rebellions have ignited throughout the Middle East with Libya surging into their own political revolt. As the Western powers consider a plan of action, the situation is reminiscent of previous interactions with Libya.
On February 16, 2011 an uprising against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi turned into armed conflict of rebels against government forces. The crisis in Libya is rife with diplomatic considerations and, often, selfish incentives of the powers involved. On the 17 March, the UN came to the conclusion that British, French and US military aircrafts were to protect Libyan civilians, allowing air strikes and any military action, ‘excluding a foreign occupation force of any form’. While America, Britain, and France contemplate their next move, Libyan civilians are left to protect themselves against Gaddafi troops; in an ironic twist of fate, historical parallels within this power struggle seem to support the age-old adage that history is doomed to repeat itself.
Cooperation between the coalition is already on fragile ground. As they dither the situation becomes increasingly more precarious. While Russia expresses worry over the operation and its adherence to the UN mandate in terms of intervention, China, Russia and Germany are all in agreeance against arming the rebels in Libya. However, a Catch 22 exists; due to the UN Security Council resolution that explicitly ruled out ground troops within Libya, how will this rebellion end? If the coalition does not supply arms to the rebels, their disorganisation and lack of military power in the face of Gaddafi’s army risk civilians getting caught in the cross-fire.
While intervention is contemplated by Britain and France, who hope the conflict will end in Gaddafi abdicating control, America is against anything more than implementing their no-flying zone through NATO operatives. Their concern over fighting two wars in Muslim countries, which has received considerable political backlash, makes participating in a third war seem politically volatile. Also, their motives would be highly suspicious to the Middle East, and to others, due to Libya’s oil-rich domains. In fact, the entire coalition’s motives are over-shadowed by their extensive history with Libya.
Rebels in Benghazi may have rejoiced at the sight of NATO aerial operations flying over them but their suspicion of the West’s true intentions are revealed in their opposition to ground troops; their suspicion of Western intentions are well-founded. When France, Britain and America drove out the Italians after World War II, Britain controlled most of the country, including Tripoli and Benghazi, the very sites of conflict today. When there was a plan devised in 1949 to divide Libya’s three main regions between Britain, France, and Italy, the US intervened. This was due to viewing Libya as a strategic prize in its struggle with the Soviet Union and its desire to expand its airbase just outside of Tripoli.
Even when Libya became independent in 1951 under King Idris, the UK and US were still in charge of the country’s foreign and defence policies and their military bases remained in place. With the discovery of oil in the late 1950s, both countries saw further motivation to remain. It was only with the rise of Gaddafi that these Western powers were displaced.
As Gaddafi ruthlessly uses civilian as shields from Western air strikes and civilians and rebels alike die in their fight for freedom, what move can solve this stalemate? Libya lies divided, the western side Gaddafi’s, the east with the rebels. In this power struggle, Gaddafi’s main followers stay due to family ties and history, not professional obligation. Just like the Tiananmen Square Massacre in China, as long as Gaddafi maintains the support of the police, army and senior officials who benefit more from defending the regime, these rebellion protests will be easily squashed.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwell maintains that it is through political, not military, intervention that will end this dispute. However, as Gaddafi refuses to abdicate power and the rebels refuse to accept any compromise if it includes Gaddafi remaining, this stalemate could endure for longer than the country can take. With their hands tied due to political and diplomatic complications, and the support of NATO air power falling short of rebels’ needs, Western powers watch on. As do we.
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IMAGES: Muammar al Gaddafi by Abode of Chaos & Libyan Opposition Flag by mshamma
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