CIVIL - MILITARY FUSION CEN TRE Mediterranean Review Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises 07 September 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE This document provides an overview of developments in and elsewhere in the Mediterranean Basin from 31 August — 06 September 2011, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and un- Diplomacy Security derlined in the text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, Development please contact the members of the Med Basin Team, or visit our website at www.cimicweb.org.

ABOUT THE CFC

Diplomacy Kendall Allen ► [email protected] The Civil-Military Fusion Centre (CFC) is an information The international community continued to make efforts to move into the post-Gaddafi era even and knowledge management as fighting continued and Gaddafi and sons remained defiant and on the loose. Many nations organisation focused on gathered for a ‘Friends of Libya’ meeting hosted by French President . More improving civil-military nations recognised the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the legitimate government of interaction, facilitating Libya. Many nations and organisations worked to lift sanctions and unfreeze assets in order to information sharing and provide aid to the NTC and Libyans in need. At the same time, Algerian-NTC relations enhancing situational awareness remained strained. The Mubarak trial continued to polarise , as pro- and anti-Mubarak through the CimicWeb portal demonstrators clashed outside the courtroom. and our weekly and monthly publications. NTC and the international community NTC, which was reported on 01 September by CFC products are based upon the New York Times. On the same day, the and link to open-source he international community has also pushed towards a information from a wide variety continued to make decisions intended normalisation with Libya by lifting the of organisations, research T to increase the legitimacy of the NTC financial freeze on six Libyan ports, including centres and media sources. as the new government of Libya during this those of and Brega. However, the CFC does not transitional period. British Prime Minister endorse and cannot necessarily and French President Nicolas guarantee the accuracy or Sarkozy held a post-conflict summit to focus Even though legitimacy is increasing rapidly objectivity of these sources. on both the economic and political for the NTC in the international community, reconstruction of the damaged country. some diplomatic officials continue to advise CFC publications are Labelled as the “friends of Libya summit”, the NTC on how to conduct its business in the independently produced by representatives were present from over 50 coming months. British Knowledge Managers and do countries. The NTC has pledged to offer William Hague has cautioned the NTC to do not reflect NATO policies or benefits to countries that supported them its best at adhering to the plan for a transition positions of any other during the revolution. to a democratic government. Under the NTC’s organisation. current 20-month transitional plan (see Individual countries have also taken steps paragraph below), elections should occur in toward normalising relations with the new eight months. However, Hague also believes political authority of Libya. On 31 August, the that this date could change depending on Italian Foreign Minister released a statement internal circumstances in the country. The

indicating the plan to reopen the Italian Guardian quotes Hague as saying the most embassy in Libya. According to the report important goal is for the NTC to fulfil its role from Al-Jazeera, Italian diplomats would be in creating the “free, inclusive, democratic CONTACT THE CFC arriving in Tripoli within a short time and Libya that they are committed to.” begin resuming normal functions. For further information, contact: publicised its support for the new ambassador The NTC in Libya from Libya (and member of the NTC), Ali On 02 September, Agence -Presse Med Basin Team Manager Masednah al-Khotany, and has declared that (AFP) released the details of the NTC’s 20- Dr. Matthew Hall the former Libyan ambassador must leave [email protected] month democratic transition plan. The NTC’s Germany by 15 September. For the first time, representative in Britain, Guma al-Gamaty, The Mediterranean Team has granted political recognition to the discussed with BBC radio the steps that will [email protected] occur in the next year and a half. During the next eight months, foreign minister of , Mohamed Bazoum, responding to the NTC will be responsible for leading Libya and will soon rumours regarding a convoy of loyalist fighters from Libya, complete its physical relocation to Tripoli. At the end of this denied Moammar Gaddafi is in Niger. The Daily Telegraph eight-month span, a council of released an article with information approximately 200 members will be from the Algerian newspaper, El- elected and given the task of drafting During the next eight months, the NTC will be Watan, reporting that refused a constitution. Once the constitution responsible for leading Libya and will soon to grant Gaddafi asylum, even is drafted, it will be debated and then though the country did accept submitted to a referendum. Al- complete its physical relocation to Tripoli. members of his family last week (See Gamaty said elections, both Mediterranean Basin Review 30 parliamentary and presidential, will August 2011). occur within a year of the constitutional council’s election, “and the Libyan people will have elected the leaders they want to lead their country.” As for other members of the Gaddafi family, the Libyan rebels announced on 04 September they were certain that Khamis, Although the NTC’s roadmap to democracy seems to be son of Gaddafi, was indeed dead. According to rebel military coherent and feasible, there are concerns that internal divisions spokesman Ahmed Omar Bani, Khamis died along with the may prevent the rebels from gaining full control of the son of the regime’s intelligence chief, Mohammed al-Senussi, country. The New York Times suggests that chaos may be and was buried in . This is the third time that lurking under the surface of the liberated Tripoli, as fighters Khamis has been declared dead by the rebels. Aisha, the from different areas of the country claim territory and daughter of Gaddafi who fled Libya last week, gave birth responsibility for different parts of the city. The NTC merely hours after crossing the Algerian border. It is reported leadership has also struggled to unify its rebel fighters under a that both she and the baby are in good condition. As of 05 single commander, which points to deep-rooted rivalries September, NTC chairman informed the between tribes and factions. Despite the lack of a single BBC that two sons of Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam and Mutassim military command, the NTC rejected the offer from a UN Gaddafi, have fled from Bani Walid. envoy to deploy international military observers in the country. Libya's deputy representative to the UN, Ibrahim Dabbashi, told the BBC that “it’s very clear that the Libyans want to Egypt – the Mubarak trial avoid any kind of military deployment of the UN or others.” As the trial continued last week, riot police were again faced with the challenge of stopping violent clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak factions outside the courthouse. On 05 The Gaddafi family and North Africa September, the BBC reported that there were even scuffles The whereabouts of Moammar Gaddafi are still unknown, inside the courthouse itself. The correspondent on the scene even though various speculative reports continue to emerge. In recounted that during a recess in the trial, an individual raised a recent audio message, Gaddafi vowed to keep fighting. The a photo of Mubarak, and afterward it was seized and burnt. Al New York Times quotes Gaddafi in the audio message as Jazeera is maintaining a frequently-updated live blog of the saying, “We are not women. We will keep fighting. Let there trial, and has posted that the trial has been adjourned until 07 be a long fight and let Libya be engulfed in flames.” The September.

Security Melodee M. Baines ► [email protected]

Gaddafi loyalists refuse to surrender despite being under siege in and Bani Walid. Conditions in Tripoli and remain unsecure and chaotic. There were a number of reports regarding foreign fighters in Libya, especially black Africans from the Sahel. NATO officials sought to clarify the future of the mission. Concerns about weapons smuggling, and AQIM were raised.

n 30 August, Libya’s interim leader, Mustafa Abdel continue fighting and accused the international community of Jalil of the National Transition Council (NTC), issued forcing Libya into a civil war. CNN contrasts the euphoria of O a deadline of 03 September for Gaddafi loyalists to two weeks ago to the uncertainty of today, calling the battle for surrender. Gaddafi, however, promised in an audio message to Libya “not quite over”.

RECOMMEND REPORT TOPICS TO THE CFC: MEDITERRANEAN REGION IN TRANSITION

In order to meet the growing demand for information regarding the dynamic, complex events in Libya specifically and North Afri- ca generally, the CFC has begun publishing special reports on the region in addition to our weekly newsletters. To date, our re- ports have covered the Libyan rebels, as well as constitutional reform in North Africa. Please send your recommendations for fu- ture report topics to: [email protected]. We greatly appreciate your input. Page 2 07 September 2011 in a position to serve as mediator. Middle East Online Sirte, Bani Walid and Tripoli chronicles the story of Silimane Albaka, “one of hundreds of Meanwhile rebel forces surrounded Gaddafi’s hometown of Niger’s Tuaregs” recruited by Gaddafi to fight against the Sirte, awaiting the outcome of talks between Gaddafi loyalists rebels. Albaka, who has since returned to Niger, was promised and anti-Gaddafi forces. According to BBC, Gaddafi’s about EUR 5,000 but has yet to receive any payment. The spokesman, , rejected Jalil’s ultimatum. Anti- NTC has detained 22 Ukrainian citizens on charges that they Gaddafi forces expected to face 1,000 pro-Gaddafi forces in were working as snipers for pro-Gaddafi forces. The detainees Sirte. In addition, NATO continued to carry out strikes on Sirte have denied the charges, claiming they are engineers for the and denies targeting Gaddafi, whose whereabouts are Russian-Libyan Dakara oil company. unknown. (See ‘Diplomacy’ above). International involvement in Libyan security Rebel forces continued their siege of another Gaddafi On 29 August the Chiefs of Staff meeting for Operation stronghold, Bani Walid, which lies about 150 km south of the Unified Protector convened in . NATO commander, capital. Negotiations between NTC officials and tribal leaders, Admiral Samuel Locklear, assured the attendees that NATO who were refusing to surrender, resumed on 06 September, as will be involved in Libya’s future security needs, but that the reported council of participating nations is responsible for determining by the nature of the support that NATO will provide. According CNN contrasts the euphoria of two weeks . to Gulf Times, NATO’s effort to support the rebels included A rebel 20,300 sorties since the mission was launched in March. On 01 ago to the uncertainty of today, calling the negotiator September, NATO warships escorted the Free Libya Forces said the flagship from Benghazi to Misrata and Tripoli. Admiral battle for Libya “not quite over”. tribal Locklear said that NATO’s involvement is expected to run leaders until 27 September with the possibility of extension. After the were conclusion of the mission, NATO will engage in the removal promised there would be no retribution against Gaddafi of “the residuals of mass weapons of destruction (WMD)”. In loyalists. For their part, the tribal leaders said negotiations a press release from the American Forces Press Service on 30 hinged on several factors, including the need for rebels to enter August, NATO representatives reiterated that the alliance’s Bani Walid peacefully and to restart public services as quickly involvement in Libya would continue in compliance with the as feasible. A late breaking Daily Telegraph report suggests UN mandate. Nora Bensahel, a senior fellow at the Center for the two sides may have reached agreement. a New American Security, questions whether NATO’s actions are consistent with the UN mandate, according to CSM. In Tripoli, concerns about personal safety have delayed the arrival of the civilian NTC officials, including Jalil and NTC The has expressed willingness to provide Prime Minister , according to the New York training assistance to the NTC to prepare Libya’s future police Times. As the civilian leadership seeks to appoint a military force after the end of the conflict. Ian Martin, special post- leader to unify anti-Gaddafi forces, which have never been a conflict planning advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN, unified force, religious and regional divisions have emerged said the NTC discussed UN efforts to support the development alongside competing claims of which unit was the most heroic of “a democratically accountable public security force”. in taking Tripoli. In addition, protests in Misrata broke out in response to the designation of Albarrani Shkal as head of The has promised USD 20 million in military Tripoli’s security. Shkal is a former Libyan Army general, and equipment to to promote their democratisation efforts fighters from Misrata allege that he was complicit in Gaddaf’'s but to also boost regional security by, in part, helping the crackdown there. Jibril rescinded the appointment on 30 Libyan rebels control supply routes and border crossings August. between the two countries.

Foreign fighters Gaddafi’s Interior Security Agency In March 2011 reports emerged alleging that Sahelian migrants The Wall Street Journal reported evidence that foreign firms were fighting as mercenaries for Gaddafi (see ‘Development’ assisted the Gaddafi regime with spying and monitoring of above). The Sahel is the region just south of the Sahara. The dissidents. Gaddafi’s “broad surveillance apparatus” included Christian Science Monitor (CSM) specifies that there are many technology to intercept emails, monitor chat and Internet and types of foreign fighters in Libya, some who have been Libyan traditional telephony, and censor video streaming sites. Other residents for years and some who arrived this year. However, documents, obtained by the Washington Post, revealed that the black Africans continue to be targeted amid unsubstantiated Gaddafi regime was concerned about Islamism in Libya. rumours regarding foreign mercenaries with dark skin (See CFC Mediterranean Basin 25 March 2011, 08 April 2011 and Concerns of Islamism 13 May 2011). Nonetheless, CSM cites an Agence France The New York Times reported that some members of the anti- Presse (AFP) report suggesting that the return of foreign Gaddafi leadership have expressed concerns about what is fighters with combat experience and weapons to their home being called “an attempt at an Islamist takeover”. According to countries in Niger, , , and elsewhere in the Sahel BBC, the West fears the presence of Islamists in Libya. may lead to regional instability now that Gaddafi is no longer (also known as Abu Abdullah al-Sadiq),

Page 3 07 September 2011 former commander of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group AQIM (LIFG), spent years in . Belhaj is Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is attempting to commanding the newly-formed Tripoli Military Council; establish influence in Libya, in part through propaganda pitting though, it is not clear how Belhaj was appointed to the the West against Islamists in Libya, according to BBC. position. The US Department of State has designated LIFG a Algerian officials suspect AQIM might seek to exploit the terrorist organisation; nonetheless, Belhaj has said “he wants a unrest in Libya to acquire weapons. reported free and democratic Libya”, as reported by the Washington that western officials are growing increasingly concerned Post. Indeed in the past six months, the LIFG has changed its about the possibility of weapons “hoarded by the Gaddafi name to the Islamic Movement for Change and become more regime”, including hundreds of portable missiles, being moderate, according to the Washington Post. Writing for BBC, smuggled out of the country. The government of Algeria has the Director of the Middle East Graduate Studies Programme introduced new measures designed to protect its citizens in the at the University of Exeter Dr Omar Ashour suggests the three wake of a series of terrorist attacks by AQIM since early July. possibilities in post-war Libya for the relationship between Elsewhere, there are concerns of AQIM allying with the Islamists and the NTC are “reintegration, inclusion or clash”. Nigerian group Boko Haram, though according to Time, there is no evidence that such a partnership exists.

Development Angelia Sanders ► [email protected]

Delays in lifting of sanctions and the securing of sea ports in Libya continue to be major obstacles in Libya’s reconstruction efforts, though some ports have been opened and commercial purchases of food items have begun. Sub-Saharan migrants are increasingly being targeted and harassed by pro-Gaddafi forces, and there is growing documentation of human rights violations in Libya and Egypt.

Economic development in North Africa transparency and accountability. Eni, an Italian oil company, has agreed to provide technical assistance to help Libya he resumption of trade is a key priority for the National resume operations in its gas and oil sectors. Eni has also signed Transitional Council (NTC). The end of Ramadan and a co-operation accord with the NTC to reopen the Greenstream T the celebration of Eid al-Fitr have caused thousands of gas pipeline between and Libya. Libyans to gather in Tripoli as they rejoiced over the collapse of Moammar Gaddafi’s regime. Moroccan government officials have Rebel forces provided security for announced that there is need for more the celebrations in the main square. “In our response to the post-conflict challenge, government funding in order to Food prices, which were already increase local subsidies. Despite the high, were rising during Ramadan we must be proactive and effective”. large percentage of the budget that due to increased demand. The subsidies account for, the added effect of low salaries made - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon government wants to triple current the problem worse for consumers. subsidies in order to maintain In order to reduce these prices and citizens’ ability to pay for goods. begin the road to recovery, the NTC initiated commercial During the 2010-2011 agricultural year, Moroccan cereal purchases of wheat and flour. Recent purchases have been production increased by 12%. is utilizing several routed via companies in Egypt and Tunisia; payments must be new approaches to agriculture in an effort to reduce food made in advance as banks have been unwilling to finance insecurity. Efforts include expanded irrigation schemes and Libyan deals. Returning port operations and shipping back to popularising new crops. At the end of September, Tunisia will pre-conflict levels is vital for Libya’s recovery, therefore, host the Diaspora Business Forum, which will bring together securing the ports is a priority. The lifting of sanctions is also 150 entrepreneurs and investors with the aim to facilitate important for Libya’s economic development because connections between investors and start-ups in North Africa. otherwise the cost of shipping, combined with the risk of Egypt will benefit from the reconstruction efforts in Libya, violating international sanctions, discourages companies from with the construction and fertilizer industries expected to operating in Libya; those that take the risk compensate by benefit the most. increasing their prices. The European Union has ended its sanctions on 28 Libyan entities, including six Libyan ports, Humanitarian assistance in Libya several oil firms and banks. The world’s largest container UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated to the UN Security shipping company, Maersk Line, will resume container service Council that “In our response to the post-conflict challenge, we to Benghazi on 08 September. must be proactive and effective…we must act quickly and decisively to meet the considerable challenges ahead.” The The advocacy group Global Witness has urged the NTC to World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed humanitarian respect old contracts from the Gaddafi era and to refrain from relief supplies that include wheat flour, pasta, vegetable oil and providing any new oil concessions until after there is a newly tomato paste to various cities throughout Libya. WFP has also elected government and laws are put in place to ensure delivered bottles of drinking water and is looking to procure

Page 4 07 September 2011 250,000 metric tons of gasoline to be used for immediate life- execute 11 imprisoned Libyan rebels or be killed herself. She saving humanitarian needs. Fuel is needed for hospitals, and other women in her unit, along with Gaddafi’s female ambulances, vehicles used to transport humanitarian supplies, bodyguard unit, also report being raped. Three teenage girls and generators that pump water and supply electricity. Sixteen were killed by their father in an “honour killing” after they South Korean construction companies will donate USD were raped by Gaddafi loyalists in Misrata. Amnesty 500,000 in relief supplies to assist Libya in the reconstruction International has documented testimonies from women of efforts. being arrested and tortured for their support of rebel forces.

Human rights abuses in Libya and Egypt The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that has urged the Libya Contact Group to there are 7 million working children in Egypt and that 83% of make protection of civilians and accountability for grave them are in rural areas. Often this is because many families human rights violations a priority on the agenda. Colonel rely on the money that children earn. Despite efforts to get Hisham Buhagiar, a commander of anti-Gaddafi troops in the children into the schools, there has been little success in the western mountains, has stated that an estimated 500,000 rural areas. Egypt’s healthcare sector has been identified as a people have been killed since the start of Libya’s uprising in major source of stigma and discrimination against those who February. The numbers include those killed in fighting and are HIV-positive. This has caused most of those who are HIV- those who have gone missing. positive to neither seek health services nor tell their health providers that they are infected. There are thousands of Sub-Saharan African migrants who are afraid to leave their shelters in search of food, water or a way Egyptian presidential hopeful Mohamed ElBaradei has stated home because of fear of being harassed, beaten or arrested on he wants international poll monitors at forthcoming elections false grounds that they are mercenaries hired by Gaddafi. Aid and has criticized the subjection of political activists to agency, Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) military trials. Military trials have been on the rise in Egypt has stated that, due to this fear, hundreds of vulnerable since Mubarak’s removal. Defendants are often denied access migrants and refugees are hiding in poor makeshift camps in to legal counsel and their verdicts cannot be appealed. Within Tripoli in need of care and protection. In a southern desert the last 6 months, over 12,000 Egyptians have been sentenced town, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has in military courts compared to 2,000 civilians during reported that more than 1,200 African migrants are trapped by Mubarak’s 30-year rule. On 05 September, General Adel al- Moammar Gaddafi forces. No killings have been reported, but Morsy, head of the Military Justice Commission, stated that the migrants fear arbitrary detention and harassment. the military trials would end once the emergency law that authorizes their use is lifted. Rights groups have reported Women have not been spared from becoming victims of abuses of civilians inside the prisons, though military leaders human rights abuses. One 19-year-old girl who was forced to have denied the claims. become a member of Gaddafi’s all-female unit was ordered to

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