Libya urgently needs reconciliation and a strong central government

Libya is paying the price of the turmoil of the Arab Spring, according to a selection of Arabic-language media.

Instability and conflicts in the Arab region have become so frequent that some of them seem to go off the radar before resurfacing as soon as an event of some consequence occurs.

While the region focuses on the rise of the Islamic State, the Libyan crisis persists.

In Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister newspaper of The National, Ahmad Youssef Ahmad looked into the dismantling of some Arab states following the Arab Spring.

“This danger appeared in eastern Libya when the region raised its claim of independence.

“Despite attempts to trivialise such threats, the Libyan state soon headed towards its own collapse. It soon became very difficult to talk of a true central authority because of fighting among various militia after the old regime fell. There was an absence of a political force that was capable of laying the foundations of a new regime.”

In the Beirut-based French-language daily L’Orient Le Jour, Christian Merville considered “the Libyan mix of militias, tribes and cities to be quite explosive and the chain reaction it brought about threatens to reach other countries in North Africa.

“There, the fight against tyrants embodies a battle of influences between some countries of the region. The situation is still free from beheadings, crucifixions and tortures of all sorts, though it seems that it may soon come to that, as hatred is so great between fighters and the fight for power so ferocious,” he concluded.

In its editorial, the Dubai-based daily Al Bayan notes that “Libya is a hotbed for chaos, a state without regime nor police to impose security and stability. This leaves the door wide open to foreign intervention, which may have momentous repercussions on the country’s future, sovereignty and unity.

“The country stands before intractable challenges in the absence of a capable and effective government and for the lack of a standing army to protect its borders and unity. One that is capable of imposing its control over the militia,” it remarked.

“Achieving national reconciliation between warring Libyan factions is still unforeseeable and this makes security the most considerable challenge facing the country, threatening its territorial integrity.”

This weakness in security can be exploited by local, regional and international powers to intervene in a way that better serves their interests and agenda in Libya and in the region, it explained.

“If a military intervention happens without a clear political perspective, it will only lead to a new round of violence.

“Libya’s location and enormous oil wealth makes it constantly vulnerable to foreign intervention, especially from Western countries that consider Libya as a gold mine of wealth. It may also be a source of security challenges that threaten these countries and their interests and particularly the Mediterranean,” it remarked.

The only solution to prevent foreign intervention is national reconciliation, the settling of political differences and a strong government that draws its strength from its people,” it said.

“There is no doubt that the Libyan people can solve their problems if national forces join hands and agree on one direction, to deal with lawlessness, arms trafficking and the growing influence of terrorist and extremist organisations, in a constructive and fruitful effort and with the help of loyal friends,” it concluded.

Translated by Carla Mirza