National Transitional Council

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Seal of the Transitional Council

The National Transitional Council ( tamazight : Amqim n wamur n Libya , Arabic المجلس الوطني الانتقالي, DMG al-maǧlis al-waṭanī al-intiqālī ) was a body founded on February 27, 2011 by insurgents in the First Libyan Civil War and from September 16, 2011 the official representation of Libya . He was based in Tripoli .

On the night of August 9, 2012, the Transitional Council passed power to the National Congress , which emerged from the July 7, 2012 election .

function

Since the first meeting on March 5, 2011 in the Palace of Justice in Benghazi , this political body of the opposition to the previous government in Libya has consisted of 40 members. As far as is known, the council consists of defected diplomats, former functionaries of the government of Muammar al-Gaddafi , members of the former royal family and long-time opposition members. The Council is chaired by the former Justice Minister Mustafa Muhammad Abd al-Jalil .

The council attributes its legitimacy to people's committees, or city councils, formed by the revolutionaries of February 17 in the cities of Libya where the insurgents have taken control.

The council is trying to organize a civil administration and its own military structures in the east of the country. One of the main objectives of the Council was to establish a no-fly zone over Libya. However, according to its spokesman, Abdul Hakim Ghoga , the council rejects the deployment of foreign ground troops to end the conflict . The United Nations Security Council responded to this demand on March 17, 2011 by adopting Resolution 1973 , whereupon an international military operation began in Libya.

Self-declared goals

On March 29, 2011, the Council published the basic positions of its “vision of a democratic Libya”: a new constitution , the establishment of political parties , free and fair parliamentary elections and fundamental rights for every citizen. The council also committed itself to religious tolerance and peaceful relations with neighboring states. The council expressly distanced itself from racism, discrimination, religious extremism and terrorism.

The Transitional Council continued to strive to take over the Libyan seat in the UN General Assembly , which is currently (as of September 2011) occupied by UN Ambassador Abdel Rahman Shalgham , a representative still appointed by the overthrown Gaddafi government. The members of the General Assembly voted on September 16, 2011 by 114 votes to 17, with 15 abstentions for the proposal to recognize the representatives appointed by the Transitional Council as representatives of Libya.

First composition of the transitional council

According to its own statements, the National Transitional Council consisted of 33 members during the civil war, 14 of whom were known by name.

Executive Council

On March 5, 2011, the transitional council established an executive council with five departments that was supposed to assume governmental tasks:

Chair -  Mahmud Jebril Ibrahim el-Werfali , former chairman of the National Planning Council and the Economic Development Committee
Foreign policy -  Ali al-Essawi from Benghazi, former Libyan ambassador to India and from 2007 member of the General People's Committee
Armed Forces and Security -  Omar El-Hariri , after an attempted coup against Gaddafi in 1975 he was pardoned in 1990
Finance, Economy and Oil  -  Ali Tarhuni , economics professor in the USA , returned Libyan exile

After the military leader Abdel Fattah Yunis was shot from within his own ranks on July 28, 2011 , the President of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abd al-Jalil , dissolved the Executive Council in early August 2011.

Political Action of the Council

Armed forces

The Council has reportedly received arms and other military support from various sources. Several news channels reported that US and Egyptian Armed Forces special forces are training fighters from the Libyan opposition. According to its spokesman, the council officially asked the governments of France, Italy and Qatar for the first official delivery of military equipment on April 12, 2011 . The Government of Qatar has the supply of MILAN - tank missiles confirmed from French production of the Libyan opposition. In addition, the UK announced that it would supply “non-lethal” equipment such as communications equipment and body armor.

Financial policy

On March 19, 2011, the council designated the Libyan central bank's branch in Benghazi to be the central bank in the opposition-controlled areas. The funds that were there were confiscated. This central bank of the insurgents is supposed to serve foreign trade. Foreign exchange reserves are to be created, traders and importers can open foreign exchange accounts there. Negotiations are under way with the British government with the aim of obtaining the one billion dinar banknotes printed in Britain on behalf of the Libyan government.

At the meeting of the Libya Contact Group formed by western states in mid-April, the Transitional Council demanded an aid payment of 1.5 billion dollars to provide basic services to the population in the areas it controls.

oil and gas

The chairman of the council announced that countries that did not support the uprising against Libyan leader Gaddafi would not get access to Libya's huge oil reserves if his government was overthrown. The leadership of a Libya after Gaddafi will align the oil policy "according to the positions that the countries are taking towards Libya in these difficult times".

The council is trying to export the oil from the Libyan state oil wells and thereby acquire a source of money to buy weapons and food. The Libya Oil Company was authorized by him to produce and sell oil. While the EU countries have currently imposed a trade embargo on oil and gas, the Qatar Petroleum Company is now marketing Libyan oil.

International relations and reactions

● States that have recognized the National Transitional Council as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
● States that have sent a permanent diplomatic representative to the Transitional Council without formally recognizing him.
● States that do not recognize the National Transitional Council.

Arabic states

Egypt

On August 22, 2011, the neighboring country of Egypt recognized the National Transitional Council in Benghazi as the official representative of the Libyan people after large parts of the capital Tripoli were controlled by the rebels.

Jordan

The Jordanian government recognized on May 24, the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and appointed on June 1, a diplomatic representative to the National Transitional Council in Benghazi.

Qatar

On March 28, the Emirate of Qatar recognized the Transitional Council as "the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people".

Kuwait

The Emirate of Kuwait donated the equivalent of 123 million euros to the Transitional Council on April 24th. Mustafa Abdel Jalil said the money will help the National Transitional Council pay part of the employees' salaries.

Tunisia

On August 21, 2011, the National Transitional Council was recognized as the official representative of the Libyan people by government resolution.

Bahrain, Iraq and Oman

On August 23, 2011, the Arab states of Bahrain, Iraq and Oman followed with the recognition of the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

African states

Gambia

According to news on April 22, 2011, The Gambia recognized the National Transitional Council. All Libyan assets, including the Dream Park , were frozen or closed in Gambia. The Libyan embassy staff were given 72 hours to leave the country. The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh had criticized the attitude of the African Union after a report by Frankfurter Rundschau Online on February 27, 2011. Of all people, as “Gaddafi's previous friend”, his collar was blown. On August 15th, Gambia established diplomatic relations with the National Transitional Council.

Senegal

The government of Senegal announced on May 28 that it recognized the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and authorized the opening of an office of the National Transitional Council in Dakar .

North American states

United States

The United States of America sees the Council as an important point of contact in the civil war and started talks in March 2011.

In a joint statement in April 2011, American Senators John McCain and Joseph Liebermann called for recognition of the council by the international community. The council is made up of moderate politicians and has the desirable goal of a free and democratic society.

“If there is any hope for a decent government to emerge from the ashes of the Gadhafi dictatorship, this is it. Throwing our weight behind the transitional government is our best chance to prevent Libya's unraveling into postwar anarchy - precisely the circumstance under which Islamist extremists are most likely to gain a foothold. "

“If there is any hope that an honorable government will grow from the ashes of the Gaddafi dictatorship, it is (the National Council). Giving our full support to the National Council is the best chance to prevent Libya from sinking into anarchy after the war - this creates exactly the circumstances under which Islamic extremists are most likely to gain a foothold. "

On August 3, 2011, the US government announced that it would establish an embassy for the Libyan Transitional Council in Washington DC. In addition, 13 million US dollars are to be made available to the insurgents from the blocked accounts of the Libyan leadership. The former embassy of Libya was closed in March 2011.

European states

France

The French government officially recognized the Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya on March 10, 2011. According to the government, diplomat Antoine Sivan was sent to Benghazi as ambassador. According to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, this was not a recognition in the sense of international law .

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé rejected the objection that former members of the Gaddafi regime were members of the council. In every revolutionary process from the French Revolution to the fall of the Berlin Wall , members of the old regime were present among the revolutionaries. The former functionaries of the regime represented in the council had clearly distanced themselves from Gaddafi.

United Kingdom

The Council's Special Representative in Benghazi Mahmoud Jibril was received on 29 March by David Cameron , the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom . Foreign Secretary William Hague said the Council was an "important and legitimate interlocutor". Great Britain wanted to build connections "to a wide circle of Libyan oppositionists".

Spain

The Spanish government recognizes the National Transitional Council as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people. Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez said this during a visit to Benghazi on June 8, 2011.

Italy

On April 4, 2011, the Italian government recognized the Transitional Council as “the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people”. On May 31, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini opened a consulate in Benghazi.

Germany

On the German side, Development Minister Dirk Niebel was particularly critical of the fact that former leading representatives of the Gaddafi regime belong to the National Council. The identity and goals of the partners on the part of the Libyan opposition are not yet sufficiently known. In addition, the former minister of justice and the interior was involved in the show trial of the Bulgarian nurses and was “obviously responsible for violations of international law”.

On June 13, Foreign Minister Westerwelle announced that the National Transitional Council had been recognized by the Federal Republic of Germany as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Turkey

On July 4, 2011, on the occasion of a visit to the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, the Turkish Foreign Minister announced that Turkey recognized the Transitional Council as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Greece

On August 23, 2011, the Greek government also recognized the National Transitional Council as the only legitimate representation of Libya.

Switzerland

For the Swiss government , the NTC is the only political point of contact in Libya, but a formal act of legitimation to represent the Libyan people has not yet taken place and will only take place once an elected government has been established. However, this is not an obstacle to reopening the embassy.

Asia-Pacific countries

Australia

On June 9, 2011, the Australian government recognized the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

Maldives

On April 4, 2011, the government of the Republic of Maldives recognized the Transitional Council as “the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people”.

People's Republic of China

The government of the People's Republic of China stated on September 12, 2011 that it considered the National Transitional Council to be the legitimate government and representative of the Libyan people.

Bangladesh

On October 14, 2011, Bangladesh recognized the National Transitional Council and wants to send workers to Libya again.

International organizations

Arab League

In a statement, the Arab League expressed its willingness to cooperate with the National Council. According to the Secretary General Amr Moussa and the Omani envoy, this amounts to a de facto recognition of the legitimacy of the Council. She has started conversations with him.

European Union

The European Council , the body of the heads of state and government of the European Union, stated in a joint statement on March 11, 2011 that the Libyan Transitional Council is viewed and supported by the European governments as a political point of contact. Talks are being held.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton visited Benghazi on May 22nd and opened an EU liaison office there.

United Nations

On April 1, UN special envoy Abdul Ilah al-Khatib visited Benghazi and met several members of the transitional council.

Formation of a transitional government

After the official declaration of the liberation of Libya from rule under Gaddafi on October 23, 2011, Abdel Rahim el-Kib was elected by the Transitional Council with 26 out of 51 votes as the new head of the transitional government and thus Prime Minister of Libya. On November 22nd, el-Kib presented his new cabinet, in which former rebel commanders were given key positions.

Abdel Rahim el-Kib (right) welcomes US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on a visit to Tripoli
Secretary of Defense Usama al-Juwaili (left) with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in Tripoli
First el-Kib cabinet
Department Head of the department
Deputy Head of the Transitional Government Mustafa AG Abuschagur
Minister of Agriculture Abdul-Hamid Sulaiman BuFruja
Minister of Labor Mustafa Rujani
Minister for Foreign Affairs Ashur bin Hajal
Minister of Construction Ibrahim Eskutri
Minister of Education Sulaiman Sayeh
Minister of Electricity Awadh Barasa
Minister of Energy Awad Beroin
Minister of Finance Hassan Siglam
Minister of Health Fatma Hamrusch
Minister of Commerce and Industry Taher Sharkasi
Minister for Industry Mahmud Fetais
Minister of the Interior Fausi Abdelal from Misrata
Minister for Investment Ahmed Attiga
Minister for Youth and Sport Fathi Terbil
Minister of Justice Chalifa Ashur
Minister for Local Government Mohammad Hadi Hashemi Harari
Minister for Culture and Civil Society Abdul Rahman Habil
Minister for Oil and Gas Abdulrahman Ben Jessa (Ben Jessa)
Minister for Regional Planning Isa Tuwaijri
Minister for Religious Affairs Hamza Abu Faris
Minister for the Martyrs of the Civil War Ashraf bin Ismail
Minister for Social Affairs Mabruka Jibril
Minister for Telecommunications Anwar Fituri
Minister of Defense Colonel Usama al-Juwaili from az-Zintan
Minister for Science and Universities Naim Gheriany
Minister for Housing Ibrahim Alsagoatri

Protests against the transition council

In December 2011 there were protests against the transitional government. The promised creation of democratic structures was still pending at this point. The demonstrators called for freedom of expression, among other things.

On January 21, 2012, demonstrators stormed the headquarters of the Transitional Council in Benghazi. Transparency and the resignation of former members of the overthrown Libyan leadership under Muammar al-Gaddafi were called for. Abdul Hafiz Ghoga then announced his resignation.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ tagesschau.de: Rebels make Tripoli their headquarters ( memento from October 19, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  2. ↑ Libya celebrates the new power of parliament . Spiegel Online , August 9, 2012; Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ BBC dossier on members of the National Transitional Council , accessed March 29, 2011.
  4. ^ Homepage of the Libyan embassy in New York
  5. ^ The National Transitional Council at one of its meetings in the Benghazi Palace of Justice. On the left at the head of the table, speaker Abdul Hakim Ghoga. In: Südwest Presse . March 5, 2011, archived from the original on October 28, 2012 ; Retrieved March 5, 2011 .
  6. ↑ Security Council Approves 'No-Fly Zone' over Libya. Retrieved August 15, 2011 .
  7. ↑ https://www.nzz.ch/demokratische_vision_fuer_libyen-1.10077714
  8. ↑ Libyan rebels seek UN representation on cbsnews.com of September 13, 2011, accessed on September 14, 2011.
  9. ↑ UN assembly recognizes Libya's interim government on reuters.com from September 16, 2011, accessed on September 16, 2011.
  10. ^ National Transitional Council. National Transitional Council, archived from the original on August 25, 2011 ; accessed on September 21, 2011 .
  11. ↑ businessweek.com
  12. ↑ Gadhafi's unknown opponents . Zeit Online , 2011
  13. ↑ Libya's rebel general probably shot by allies. Retrieved July 31, 2011 .
  14. ↑ Rebels dissolve government. Retrieved August 15, 2011 .
  15. ↑ The USA and Egypt are training Libyan rebels, according to the television station
  16. ↑ Reuters: Libya rebels ask Western allies for arms-spokesman , accessed April 12, 2011.
  17. ^ The Guardian: Libyan rebels receiving anti-tank weapons from Qatar , accessed April 14, 2011.
  18. ^ The Guardian: UK providing 'non-lethal equipment' to Libyan rebels , accessed April 14, 2011.
  19. ^ Rainer Hermann: The Libyan rebels want to export oil soon. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of March 30, 2011, p. 12.
  20. ↑ Libyan rebels are demanding billions in aid
  21. ^ Libyan rebels' chief in plea for support
  22. ^ Libyan Rebel Council Forms Oil Company to Replace Qaddafi’s , accessed April 1, 2011.
  23. ^ Rainer Hermann: The Libyan rebels want to export oil soon. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of March 30, 2011, p. 12.
  24. ^ Jordan sees interim council as representative of Libyan people , CNN.com, May 24, 2011, accessed June 1, 2011.
  25. ↑ Jordan names permanent envoy to liaise with Libyan rebels in Benghazi ( Memento from January 15, 2018 in the Internet Archive ), gulfnews.com from June 1, 2011, accessed on September 9, 2015.
  26. ↑ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/03/201132814450241767.html
  27. ↑ Kuwait donates 123 million euros to insurgents in Libya ( Memento from March 20, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
  28. ^ A b Government Recognises Libya's Transitional National Council The Daily Observer of April 26, 2011
  29. ↑ Gambia TO establish diplomatic ties with Libya's Transitional Council ( Memento of November 30, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) The Daily Observer of August 16, 2011
  30. ↑ google.com/hostednews/afp ( Memento from January 24, 2013 in the web archive archive.today ) Senegal grants diplomatic recognition to Libya rebels, AFP via Google News from May 28, 2011, accessed on June 9, 2011.
  31. ↑ krone.at: EU sees Libyan transitional council as contact (March 11, 2011), last accessed on March 21, 2011.
  32. ↑ cnn.com: Arab League backs no-fly zone in Libya ( Memento from January 11, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) (March 12, 2011), last accessed on March 21, 2011.
  33. ^ Opinion Editorial: In Libya, Regime Change Should Be the Goal , accessed April 4, 2011.
  34. ↑ german.ruvr.ru , accessed on August 3, 2011
  35. ^ France recognizes opposition transitional council , Focus , March 10, 2011.
  36. ↑ France24 / AFP: France dispatches envoy to rebel-held Benghazi , accessed on March 29, 2011.
  37. ↑ Libya: Merkel slows Sarkozy's bomber plans , Zeit Online from March 11, 2011.
  38. ↑ Alain Juppé on Libya, Côte d'Ivoire and Arab democracy movements ( Memento of the original of April 10, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , French Embassy in the United Kingdom, accessed April 4, 2011. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.ambafrance-uk.org
  39. ^ Foreign Secretary meets Libyan Interim Transitional National Council Special Envoy ( Memento April 5, 2011 in the Internet Archive ), Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom, accessed April 4, 2011.
  40. ↑ Spain Recognizes Benghazi Rebels
  41. ^ Ministerio degli Affari Esteri: Italy recognizes Libyan Transitional National Council , accessed April 4, 2011.
  42. ^ Italy Pledges Oil, Cash to Rebels in Benghazi , Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2011, accessed June 1, 2011.
  43. ^ Controversial UN resolution on Libya: Everyone shoots against the FDP
  44. ^ Niebel - SPD and Greens talk Germany to war
  45. ↑ Germany officially recognizes the Transitional Council ( Memento from June 15, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
  46. ^ Turkey recognizes Libya rebels , MSNBC.Retrieved July 4, 2011.
  47. ^ EDA communiqué of July 11, 2011
  48. ^ EDA communiqué of August 22, 2011
  49. ↑ EDA communiqué of September 29, 2011 (announcement of the reopening of the embassy as soon as possible)
  50. ↑ Australia says recognises Libya rebel council , Reuters June 9, 2011, accessed June 9, 2011.
  51. ^ Maldives Recognizes Libyan National Council as sole representative of the Libyan people ( Memento of November 29, 2011 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on April 4, 2011.
  52. ↑ China recognizes Libya's NTC as ruling authority, representative of people in news.xinhuanet.com, September 12, 2011, accessed September 14, 2011.
  53. ↑ Ghadhafi troops continue to resist. Increased fighting in Sirte and a skirmish in Tripoli. In: NZZ Online from October 14th, accessed on October 16, 2011.
  54. ^ Arabs demand UN no-fly zone on Libya , accessed April 4, 2011.
  55. ↑ 11 March 2011 - Declaration of the European Council (PDF; 91 kB), accessed on April 4, 2011.
  56. ^ War in Libya: EU opens liaison office in Benghazi .
  57. ^ Rebels offer Gaddafi a ceasefire , Spiegel Online , accessed April 1, 2011.
  58. ↑ UN urges Libya to tighten gun controls Spiegel Online. October 31, 2011, accessed December 17, 2011.
  59. ↑ Ex-rebels are given key positions. tagesschau.de, November 22, 2011, accessed December 17, 2011 .
  60. ↑ Tens of thousands demonstrate against the new government. In: derStandard.at of December 13, 2011. Retrieved on December 26, 2011.
  61. ↑ Transitional Council warns of civil war. In: ORF . January 23, 2012, accessed January 23, 2012 .