Alqa’qa Militia Gives Libyan Congress 5 hours to Leave Office
On a televised statement Libyan militia in Tripoli released an announcement around 14:00, in which they gave the General National Congress (GNC) five hours to leave office.
The statement addressed six points:
1. GNC is given 5 hours to leave their post upon the release of this statement.
2. Any congressmen who stays is considered as usurpation of powers and against the well of Libyans and will accordingly arrested and brought to justice.
3. We emphases that Muslim Brotherhood and Idealogical groups and extremists are the reason for the disturbance in the country which needs to be removed.
4. We pledge in front the people that we are not to seek power but are here to defend for who those who died for this county. We will be the protector till our military and security institution is built and will support them with all our power.
5. GNC members carry the full responsibility of the Libyan blood that has been shed and the real revolutionaries will catch each traitor and coward to clean the country from bogus revolutionaries.
6. After this date and time the responsibility relies on all free Libyans to stand with the country for the purgation of our home.
Meanwhile, GNC president, Nuri Abusahmain, held a press conference saying “We have issued order to Chief of Staff to deal with the groups that have threatened to use force”
Facebook link to the video statement by Alqa’qa Militia:
Free Hossam Meneai…
It is the 25th of January, 2014, the 3rd anniversary of Egyptian revolution. Many memories and friends I met in Tahrir Square who were inspiring because they were once inspired by the revolution and still fighting for it. Hossam el Meneai, an Egyptian filmmaker, was one of them, he started his filming career since the 25th of January, 2011, which inspired him to document every moment of the revolution. He never left once or take a break from Tahrir, for that he is considered a threat by the state.
On Wednesday 22 January 2014, Hossam Meneai has been arrested by the Egyptian State Security Investigations Services (SSI) with no clear charges from his apartment located in Midan Misha, Dokki, Cairo. It was also reported that Jeremy Hodge, US citizen were also detained with him.
Both are currently being held in a disclosed location and no reasons have been provided for the arrest by neither Police nor SSI. His lawyers mentioned that they are in the process of filing mission persons and kidnap reports with the relevant authorities.
It seems that the state is trying to stop voices who believe in the power of the people and street from acting ever again or even express disagreement of Military ruling. Many activists like Alaa Abdul-Fattah, Ahmed Maher, Mohamed Adel, and Ahmed Douma, all of whom were also targeted by Egypt’s state security. Thousands of other young people are in prison or unaccounted for.
We will never be free unless all of our comrades are free.
Your Voices Shall Be Heard
This is the second day of the 4th Arab Bloggers meeting, happening in Amman, Jordan.
Even though I am meeting amazing bloggers from the Arab World, especially people that I have known only virtually up until now, I can’t stop thinking about those who could not make it.
And I have one urging question: Why on earth, there is no one place we can all gather in?!
Why there is always someone, or more from an Arab country that faces visa denial, entry denial, trouble moving across Arab borders and so forth?
During the last Arab Bloggers meeting, in 2011, over 10 Palestinian bloggers were denied entry visas into Tunisia and were therefore absent.
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HOW IS IT LIKE TO BE A JOURNALIST IN LIBYA? Imprisoning, Torturing, Kidnapping and even Killing
Few days ago, the reporter without borders (RSF) were asking around about a journalist that could possibly be kidnapped by a militia because apparently the alleged reporter did his job by calling them up and taking a quote and using it.
I happened to know the guy so I tried to call him to check on either it was true or not. His phone was switched off, so we, journalists, freaked out and started to call anybody that could know. It was not long till the RSF called to say it was a false alarm and everyone was relieved.
Few days later, I met the reporter and first thing I noticed his paled face. When I told him about the story he was even more worried. He started to cite to me the numbers of threat calls he gets daily. It was after a piece he wrote which he had to call up one of the security body in Libya “militia” to confirm a news, so they did with confidence and so he used the quote. Now, he is threatened by the Libyan intelligence that works for the militias. In their last call to him he said “they asked me that I better come to visit them or they will do come pick me up.”
Targeting journalists in Libya in the rise, most journalists I know either were interrogated, imprisoned, or kidnapped, or tortured, or killed. Most of the good ones start to use fake names with their agencies to protect themselves from any threats. In Benghazi, they only can move around with friends or family, and many of them, because if they were alone then they are an easy target.
Quality of journalism in Libya is not in its best shape but this goes to all fields but what makes it worse is the level of intolerance. In the East of the country, Benghazi, the usual thing to silence journalists and media is by simply take his\her life. In the west, where the capital is, Tripoli, they will start with threats, then move to kidnapping then ask for ransom.
Pleasure doing business with you.
Tripoli Strife over Constant City’s Crisis: WATER SHORTAGE AND ELECTRICITY CUTS A TRIPOLITAN DAILY CONCERN
For the past three months, Tripoli has dived into the worst crisis since two years. From 3 to 4 hours daily electricity power cut, to a raise of the criminal rates and now water shortage
Adding to that, the recent water shortage caused by Magirhi tribe, South-West Libyan tribe, who demanded the authorities to bring back Anoud Senussi, daughter of infamous ex-Gaddaffi intelligent chief, who got kidnaped by unknown armed group after she left the prison and was supposedly on her way to the airport to be deported under heavy security.
Media reported that Magirbi tribes threatened the government to cut the water supplies of the Man-Made river that feeds the whole Western part of the city. However, news of the release of Anoud last night didn’t bring back the water supply to Tripoli or areas around the capital.
According to the government the blame are on two main reasons, first, the security vacuum, which lead to high level of crime records since ever, that is caused by political parties struggle. Secondly, he blamed it on the increase of oil workers and militias sit-ins and strikes that culminated in the oil production output decrease, from 1.4 million barrels a day to almost Zero.
Despite of government effort to safeguard the basic services either by threatening of using force or talking to militias control of Oil fields and ports, government was unable to control or lead the political scene and which led people to give up on supporting Prime minister and demanding the sacking of government.
EGYPT: DANCING WITH THE WOLVES
In the recent events, Egypt feels confused more than ever. Distrust looms large among activists, who had been dragged and exploited by an indifferent political movement, who gave mixing messages once they guaranteed the momentum. The momentum, which had brought to life again the call for democracy, was ignited by the bloodshed practiced against Egyptian civilians.
Stop. Stop trying to be eloquent. I want you to describe what you saw the way you see it and feel it.
Sough, “OK.”
In the battlefield of Abbassya, the Salafists, the God’s warriors, raised their hushed voices again and called for the great Islamic region, from China to Andalusia. Honestly, I was so overwhelmed; finally, I can go to China all over to Andalusia without asking for a visa. I almost cried when I saw, the one and only, Mohamed Al-Zawahiri, Ayman Al-Zawahiri’s brother. YES, YES, the Al-Qaeda man, who announced HE will bring “Her Majesty”, the military, down. At these words, all the HUSHED voices started to chant “Allah Akbar” with their wooden sticks raised up. I looked around and realized I was the only “infidel”, leftist, in the crowd. I tried to tell the other infidels in the battlefield to join the only winning party, once you join your ticket to heaven is guaranteed…you know that!
Inside the infidels’ camp, an assembly of small smelly tents, a great infidel guy raised to talk to his masses “This is a sit-in guys not a loo, please, if you want to pee go to the mosque, there are toilets there” The infidels’ leader then went back to his small, humble and smelly tent after trying talking the warriors into forging a deal. A United call, “Egyptian blood is a red line”. I could barely hold the tears back.
But the nasty infidel leader failed because the Warriors told him “We welcome you onto the battlefield, as we really, really, need you to support our cause not yours, I mean the nation cause.” The infidel never lost hope but the “loyalists” killed him few hours later.
The loyalists, also referred to as the “silent majority” or “Coach Party” or “Honorable citizens” that live around “Her Majesty” façade, has witnessed the vicious and horrific attack and torture by the Warriors against a mentally handicapped kid from the neighborhood, Abbassya “the battlefield”. Unofficial alliance has been signed with “Her Majesty”, upon this dangerous rumor, to CLEAN the country from those threatening elements.
Shortly, a war started because of unknown protestors “mistakenly” injured “Her Majesty’s” loyal boys, boys that represent and protect her façade. Truth has to be said; “Her Majesty” is not always violent but has a questionable tolerant attitude, especially when it comes, according to the statistic, to the monthly fatal incidents between the borders with “Israel”. For her, it is a human sacrifice to bring good fortune and pacify the gods. “Her Majesty’s” wins over those threatening elements were only celebrated among her loyalists, which are armed by “faith” and “beliefs”, swords and guns.
Do you feel confused? I’m sorry for trying to explain, I really am, but in the mental hospital I am in, doctors always tell me to describe what I’ve seen and try to bring a meaning for each picture. I’m sure you know this, don’t you get this in your hospital? It makes you feel better, right? After each session, I feel a bit human again; putting words and descriptions to each picture makes you feel intellectual.
Rival Libyan demos rock Benghazi
BENGHAZI, Libya — Rival protests for and against Libya’s ruling National Transitional Council on Tuesday packed squares in the eastern city of Benghazi, epicentre of the uprising which ousted Moamer Kadhafi.
Chants of “Down with the new regime!” from around 5,000 disgruntled anti-NTC protesters were met in equal voice and strength with slogans such as “The people want Mustafa Abdel Jalil!” from supporters of the NTC and its chief.
Abdel Jalil has been singled out since Monday by protesters in the city over his recent remarks that the North African country’s new rulers were ready to forgive pro-Kadhafi fighters.
These protesters say there is a lack of transparency about the NTC’s activities.
Libya’s new rulers have been under fire for the first time after the ouster of Kadhafi in a brutal revolution which erupted in Benghazi in February and spread across the country before ending with his killing.
“It is not that we are attacking Mustafa Jalil personally, but he is surrounded by corrupt NTC members. He is unable to control things,” said one protester, Osama Obeidi, adding that demonstrators had a list of demands.
Their main demand, according to the list, was that top priority be given to former rebels and those wounded in the revolution.
It also said that NTC members must not participate in the election of a national congress.
An AFP correspondent at Shajara Square — where the first anti-Kadhafi rally was held on February 15 — said several protesters spent the night there after Monday’s demonstration.
Another anti-NTC demonstration was held on Tuesday outside the ruling body’s office in Benghazi.
But not everybody in Benghazi was against the NTC.
About 5,000 also filled the landmark Tahrir (Liberation) Square to demonstrate their backing for the NTC and Abdel Jalil.
Crowds chanted “The people want Mustafa Abdel Jalil!” and “Libya, Libya!” in Tahrir Square where several demonstrations were held against Kadhafi in the initial days of the revolution.
“This man must be thanked and not cursed. He fought Kadhafi in public by resigning from the former regime,” said supporter Hamza al-Abdelli.
“Of course there are problems within the NTC, but we can’t be disgraceful towards Mustafa Jalil.”
But angry anti-NTC supporters were in no mood to listen.
When asked about the strong show of support by NTC backers at Tahrir Square, protester Lamar Buseir told AFP that it “reminded her of times under Kadhafi’s rule when they used to bring people from other cities” for demonstrations.
The NTC late on Monday announced that Benghazi would be the country’s future economic capital.
“Benghazi will be the economic capital of Libya,” NTC member Abdelrazzak al-Aradi said, adding that ministries related to the economy would be located there.
Asked by AFP if the decision was taken after the protests against the NTC and Abdel Jalil, he said: “Yes. Since the revolution the people of Benghazi feel they are marginialised and forgotten.”
On Monday, Abdel Jalil himself called on people to be patient.
“I want to reassure Libyans that a lot will be done. Be patient,” he said, promising more transparency.
“The NTC will start its own website on which the list of its members and the activities of the NTC will be made public.”
Calling for “restraint and preservation of public property,” Abdel Jalil said the NTC was investing in priorities including integrating former rebels into society.
Abdel Jalil also said a budget would be allocated to each city and regional council, depending on its population and the extent of damage caused in the eight-month conflict.
Protesters furious over Abdel Jalil’s remarks on Saturday that the new Libyan rulers can “forgive and tolerate” Kadhafi fighters have dismissed the assurances.
“We are fed up of promises. Kadhafi did the same thing for 42 years. We want action,” said Majdi al-Tajuri at Shajara Square.
Libya’s new rulers have faced flak for other issues over the past few weeks, including from minorities such as the Berber community for not representing them in the new interim cabinet and from women’s groups for marginalising them also.
The New-York based Human Rights Watch has also criticised the NTC over its lack of transparency.
Benghazi protesters turn on Libya’s new rulers
BENGHAZI, Libya — Libya’s new rulers came under fire from disgruntled protesters for the first time Monday as hundreds rallied in Benghazi, cradle of the uprising that toppled Moamer Kadhafi and brought them to power.
Faced with angry calls from crowds demanding that National Transitional Council chief Musfata Abdel Jalil quit, the ruling body decided to make the eastern city the future “economic capital” of the North African country.
In Benghazi’s Shajara Square, men and women chanted slogans against Abdel Jalil and the NTC, which have run Libya since Kadhafi’s ouster, complaining of a lack of transparency and willingness to forgive the ex-dictator’s fighters.
The square, whose name means “Tree” in Arabic, was the place where the first anti-Kadhafi rally was held on February 15, jump-starting the revolution that eventually overthrew the 42-year old regime.
“The NTC (National Transitional Council) must quit. Jalil must go out! The people want another revolution!” chanted the crowds as they waved Libya’s new flag.
“Abdel Jalil has lot of questions to answer. The regime has not changed. It is the same which oppresses and marginalises cities,” lawyer Tahini al-Sharif told AFP.
She said the protesters were also furious over Abdel Jalil’s remarks that the Council was ready to forgive Kadhafi’s fighters.
“Abel Jalil is asking us to forgive Kadhafi fighters. Would he say the same thing if his son was killed or wounded in the revolution?” asked Sharif.
On Saturday, the NTC held the first post-Kadhafi conference on national reconciliation in which Abdel Jalil said the new rulers were ready to forgive the slain dictator’s former loyalist fighters.
“Despite what the army of the oppressor did to our cities and our villages, our brothers who fought against the rebels as the army of Kadhafi, we are ready to forgive them,” Abdel Jalil said.
“We are able to forgive and tolerate,” he added.
But in response to Monday’s protests, Abdel Jalil called on Libyans to be patient.
“I want to reassure Libyans that a lot will be done. Be patient,” he said, promising more transparency.
“The NTC will start its own website on which the list of its members and the activities of the NTC will be made public.”
Calling for “restraint and preservation of public property”, Abdel Jalil said the NTC was investing in priorities including the integration of former rebels in society.
Abdel Jalil also said a budget would be allocated to each city and regional council, depending on its population and the extent of damage caused in the eight-month conflict.
The NTC also sought to pacify the Benghazi protesters, declaring the city would be Libya’s future economic capital while adding it “needed time to build a state for which many people sacrificed their lives.”
“Benghazi will be the economic capital of Libya,” NTC member Abdelrazzak al-Aradi told a news conference in Tripoli, adding ministries related to the economy would be located in the former rebel capital.
Asked by AFP if the decision was taken after protests on Monday against the NTC and Abdel Jalil, he said: “Yes. Since the revolution the people of Benghazi feel they are marginialised and forgotten.”
The NTC statement said “decentralisation of government work” would be the strategy in new Libya.
It also said the new interim government would “respond positively to Tripoli’s legitimate demand of disarming the militias.”
Tripoli’s residents have been protesting against the presence of former rebels from outside the city who still parade their arms in the capital.
But angry Benghazi protesters were in no mood to listen and carried on with a sit-in late Monday with nearly 400 demonstrators camping at the square, threatening to stay put until their demands were met.
“Jalil’s statement did not affect or touch anyone. Who is he to tell us this? He is not the president,” said Bassem Fakhri, a political science lecturer at the University of Benghazi.
“Benghazi is not expecting only to be the economic capital. We want transparency, representation for women, decentralisation, representation for youths and the full list of NTC members.”
NTC member Fathi Baja who is in charge of political affairs for the Council, backed protesters, saying their demands were “legitimate.”
“Their demands reflect the beat on the streets of Benghazi and other eastern cities” of Libya, he said as protesters blocked two key streets connecting to the square.
A Glimpse on the approved Libya After Gaddafi Plan
While fighting is taking place in most Western side of Libya, the National Transitional Council (NTC) of Benghazi are sitting to approve the road map of Libya after Gaddafi. Dr. Fathi Bajaa, 60, NTC member & political advisor, reveals the final approved roadmap of Libya after Gaddafi.
As the political arena is unprecedentedly vibrant, tendency towards listening to Libyan public opinion and execution seems far from happening. “We are listening to others, but we will do what we think is best” Dr. Bajaa said.
The extension of the seats from 45 to 70 seats of NTC was not the breaking news nor was the only 5 seats given to women is, it was the fact 10 out 70 seats in the board are going to be assumed by pro-Gaddafi people that “must be not stained with Libyan blood nor corruption cases” Dr. Bajaa added.
“We can’t deny that we need them to reveal the secrets of Gaddafi, on the abducted political prisoners and the rebellion movement he supports around the world”… It also seems the council had already “contacted them and they approved” Dr. Bajaa proudly confirm.
Though the streets of Benghazi are on fire on what’s happening to the rebels, NTC’s members “… are discussing when is the appropriate time to reveal this to the Libyan public”.
Further more, the council spokesman Mr. Shamms confirmed that first step after Gaddafi’s fall is to agree on all local councils as it might change. Subsequently, the first National Conference will take place to decide on the 70 member of the NTC. The conference will be also responsible to form the transitional government which will held responsible to pave the way for the first parliamentarian & Presidential election. According to the approved plan, the day the rebel moves to Tripoli, it will take them 10 – 13 months to reach Presidential elections.
All NTC members also signed a pledge that they won’t take part in any of the Executive or Legislative or in the local council, of the first elections.
Development in the political arena:
Dr. Baaja said “Now, there are two political parties exists coming from outside, Muslim Brotherhood and Libyan Salvation Front, and by the end or next week another two political parties will come out. One Liberal and the other one called Libyan National Party headed by Dr. Mohammed Fanoush”
Kofra on the Brink of a Human Crisis
KOFRA- Three months has passed without electricity and generators have been overloaded to cover the city’s need of electricity. In a place where heat reaches up to 50° C, Dr. Ahmed Saled, 48, Head of Kofra’s main hospital, setting in his dim office with only a table lamp, sighs “50% of my time is to procure electricity for the hospital, without it doctors and technicians can’t help the patients”
“We have two fridges for our hospital medicine; both of them went dead in the morning, due to the overload on the generators. If we wait another couple of hours, Kofra will face medical shortage” Saleh Suliman, 40, the head of Kofra main medicine warehouse.
Under the burning sun, Mr. Fauzi Abdel Aziz, 55, a defected army colonel and also a mango farmer plaintively said, “Kofra’s main income source is agriculture, and water is solely sourced from wells. Without electricity we can’t get the water from the shafts (…)We used to export our products to the North but the harvests of this year was dead due to Gaddafi’s forces sabotaging of the main electricity supply wires from Benghazi”.
Much of the city structure and social behavior here is akin to those African poor and barn countries. For 35 years, no development plans have been provided to the city.
Confident in the positive change that the Revolution will eventually bring, the people of Kofra are yet overwhelmed with the little attention received by the National Transitional Council (NTC), despite punctured roads very dangerous to drive in and dead power supplies.
“We were ostracized by Gaddafi’s regime for more than four decades, now with NTC’s providing us with basic supplies such as fuel and phones, we’re waiting for this blessed revolutions to recognize us with passport and ID card” Mohamed Hassan, 46, educational inspector, lives in Gader Fai slum.
However, Gaddafi’s forces forlorn attempt to takeover the city still continues, “Three main enemies are threatening Kofra: the mercenaries, the brigades and the Justice & Equality movement of Sudan insurgent, loyal to Gaddafi” Col. AbdelAziz.
Rebel Resumes Humanitarian Flights
More than 100 days has past since the Eastern side of Libya is freed from Gaddafi’s strong grip, it seems though as the country had been on hold more than four decades. Aid organizations are to be seen nowhere, violently forbidden by the Gaddafi’s regime.
Nevertheless, people of Cyrenaica came together to provide their houses and food to refugees from evacuated areas all over the country.
The liberation of the East opened Libyan’s doors to over 100 NGOs after 42 years of rejection, in pursue of projects aiming at helping the affected families around the country from the tyrant’s artilleries as well as shaping the future of the new Libya. However, most of these organizations seem to be sporadic and lack clear objectives.
Organizations have also been trying to reach out for those still in their city. Kofra was one of the destinations for Air Libya to supply the city with urgent medical needs. “We have managed to do 10 trips to Tunisia, and this is the second flight that goes to Kofra” Captain Ahmed Hadouth, 43. He also added “the norms of these flights are all humanitarian cause, otherwise, the NATO will not let us fly”.
As the regime is about to come to an end, and the country is about to hit the “restart” button, young people are already stepping up with ideas. A new civil society is being formed as active as never before.
Trying to follow this positive energy, which has not seen since a long time, has not been an easy task. “The increasing number of newspapers and foundations are only a sign of how the youth witnessed a resilient stifle on freedom of thought” Samy Zada, 28, Libya Youth Movement general coordinator. Zada also added “it is absolutely healthy and normal in every revolution path. With more time, these institutions are going to mature, crystalize and provide the best to the society”
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