Mediterranean Review Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises 27 September 2011
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CIVIL - MILITARY FUSION CEN TRE Mediterranean Review Comprehensive Information on Complex Crises 27 September 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE This document provides an overview of developments in Libya and elsewhere in the Mediterranean Basin from 20 — 26 September 2011, with hyperlinks to source material highlighted and underlined in Diplomacy Security the text. For more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to the region, please contact Development 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 National Transitional Council (NTC) demonstrated some progress in achieving internal and knowledge management cohesion and cooperation and gained momentum this week as the expected announcement of organisation focused on the new government draws closer. The international community responded positively to these improving civil-military developments, resulting in significant steps toward normalisation of diplomatic relations. In interaction, facilitating Tunisia, the transitional government took action intended to ensure the fairness of its information sharing and upcoming elections. Egypt continues to struggle with the complications of the Mubarak trial. enhancing situational awareness through the CimicWeb portal Inside Libya: The NTC and the new amidst confident dialogue emerging from the and our weekly and monthly government NTC this week, there is dissenting speculation publications. ollowing the previous setbacks of that the naming may be delayed due to the postponing the move of its headquarters inability to reach an internal consensus. The CFC products are based upon from Benghazi to Tripoli and facing television station Al-Arabiya announced the and link to open-source F internal political struggles, the NTC clarified NTC would postpone the revealing of the new information from a wide variety some of the details surrounding the formation government until the last of the Gaddafi of organisations, research of the new government. On 21 September, the strongholds has been neutralized, according to centres and media sources. NTC Prime Minister revealed to the United a Reuters report. However, NTC spokesman However, the CFC does not Nations General Assembly that he expected Mohammad al-Keish denied these claims and endorse and cannot necessarily the new “government to be announced in the simply said, “The schedule is what it is, it‟s guarantee the accuracy or next week to 10 days maximum”, and that he unchanged.” objectivity of these sources. was not “bothered by the time consumed to bring about a national consensus.” On 23 The vote of confidence in the NTC this week CFC publications are September, more details became available not only stems from the seemingly imminent independently produced by Knowledge Managers and do concerning the composition of the new announcement of a new government, but also not reflect NATO policies or government. According to NTC spokesman from identifiable domestic progress. positions of any other Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, “We‟ve agreed on a According to a finance official from the organisation. number of [ministerial] portfolios (the office NTC‟s stabilisation team, the Libyan central or post of a minister of state or member of a bank has sufficient funds to support state cabinet) and who would hold the most spending for approximately six months. important ones. There will be 22 portfolios and one vice premier. It would be a compact From an unknown location, Moammar government, a crisis government.” The Gaddafi continues to express his disdain for momentum of progress in the naming of a new the NTC and their campaign against his government was evident in Prime Minister regime. According to the Associated Press, the Mahmoud Jibril‟s rhetoric at the United Syrian-based station al-Rai released Gaddafi‟s CONTACT THE CFC Nations on 24 September. As reported by message on 21 September. The message was For further information, contact: Reuters, Jibril proclaimed that “a new Libya is written, which varies greatly from the typical coming to life.” The prime minister discussed broadcasted messages allegedly from Gaddafi Med Basin Team Manager his desire for the United Nations to continue in past weeks. Regardless of the medium of Dr. Matthew Hall releasing previously frozen Libyan funds and delivery, the messages are very similar: [email protected] expressed hope that Libya could become a Gaddafi referred to the activities in Libya and migratory point of access to Europe in order to the NTC‟s victory as a “charade.” The Mediterranean Team [email protected] bolster economic growth in the region. Even International Response – Growing legitimacy for the NTC Tunisia – Steps toward electoral progress and Libya Tunisia, still struggling with the challenge to maintain This week, the progress made by the NTC has prompted a transparency and fairness in upcoming elections this fall, variety of responses from the international community. Two implemented two measures to ensure that their goals for the significant political recognitions occurred this week, coming electoral process are met. On 20 September, Magharebia from Algeria and the African Union. Al Arabiya television in reported several political parties of Tunisia signed the Dubai broke the news from Algeria, as the foreign minister Declaration of Transition Process – a document which binds proclaimed the NTC would now be the political parties to a moral commitment recognised by Algeria as the single in aiding Tunisia through its transitional representative of the country‟s government. Moammar Gaddafi continues to period. Iadh Ben Achour, Chief of the International Business Times reported on High Commission for the Realisation of the African Union‟s declaration of political express his disdain for the NTC. Revolutionary Goals, commented that “this recognition on 20 September. Although the initiative is also aimed at reassuring the organisation has traditionally been wary of public opinion and putting an end to overt support to the NTC, the AU announced it was ready to confusions and fears in the Tunisian society about the powers support a smooth governmental transition in Libya. of the Constituent Assembly and its tenure. This is in addition to calming the political atmosphere in the country.” Moreover, In other diplomatic actions, many individual countries have the EU will be directing an election observation mission in the announced that they will reopen their embassies in Libya and country for the October elections. The decision to create the return ambassadors and embassy staff to the region in order to mission stemmed from an invitation from Tunisian authorities expedite the normalisation of relations between the recovering to ensure the validity and legitimacy of the process as a whole country and the international community. At a United Nations and the election itself. meeting on 20 September, US President Barack Obama publicised his plan to return the ambassador and reopen the US Egypt – The Mubarak trial embassy in Tripoli. Other countries which have also pledged to Al Masry al Youm reports that the Mubarak trial has been reopen their embassies in Libya include Britain, France, Iran, adjourned until late October. The decision was announced Germany, and Turkey. after the testimony of Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who is also the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and In continuation of last week‟s United Nations Resolution that the closest figure to a head of state in the country. The article released previously frozen Libyan funds at the international reports that many of the lawyers were not allowed in the court level, the European Union (EU) also eased economic sanctions during the testimony. The lawyers who were allowed in the on the country on 22 September. The official EU statement courtroom announced to the crowd outside that Tantawi‟s detailed that the action was taken based on “humanitarian and statements had been in favour of Mubarak and others from the civilian needs, to support renewed activity in the Libyan oil former regime. Al Masry al Youm indicates that some of the and banking sectors and to assist with building a civilian plaintiff‟s lawyers have requested a new judge to preside over government”. The easing of sanctions will affect internal the trial when it resumes at the end of next month. The media economic institutions such as the Libyan Central Bank, Libyan coverage of this portion of the trial has been controversial due Foreign Bank, Libyan Investment Authority, and Libyan to an Egyptian court-ordered ban on covering Tantawi‟s National Oil Corporation. testimony with punishment ranging from monetary fines to imprisonment. Security Melodee M. Baines ► [email protected] While Gaddafi remains in hiding, fighting continues in Sirte and Bani Walid. NATO extended the mission in Libya, and efforts to recover weapons and combat terrorism continue across North Africa. Reports of foreign fighters being captured in Libya remain unverified. ATO announced on 21 September that the campaign Meanwhile, Gaddafi‟s whereabouts remain unknown; in Libya, called Operation Unified Protector, will be however, al Jazeera reported that Gaddafi was seen fleeing N extended for three more months until late December Sabha. 2011. On 23 September, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) issued its interim Libya campaign report assessing the On 19 September, pro-Gaddafi officials claimed to have various aspects of the mission from February to September. captured 17 individuals whom they accuse of being 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].