Qaddafi is gone, but not the forces of evil that continue to torment Libya

Chaos is the defining characteristic of the Brotherhood and this can be clearly understood through a glance on the countries where this group exists, writes Salem Humaid

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Few analysts anticipated Libya would become the main centre for the extremist groups, and the Brotherhood in particular, after the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi. But the oil-rich country has become a territory of chaos and near ceaseless conflict since 2011.

Libya was no stranger to trouble in the Qaddafi years. His name was linked with terrorism throughout his decades-long rule. He became famous for financing subversive movements. He ruled the country with an iron fist and preserved its wealth, unity and cohesion by using reckless methods to oppress his opponents.

His stance harassed the world and harmed his Arab neighbours, who became exhausted by Libya’s preference for financing chaos under the pretext of supporting the global freedom movements.

Qaddafi vaulted into power in 1969, when he was only 27, when most people were celebrating the end of western colonialism. He was attracted to Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt’s charismatic leader, who introduced the idea of Arab unity and tried to lead the region towards greater integration.

Qaddafi’s attempts to imitate Nasser were multiple. He amplified his personal glories, he connected with the leaders of revolutionary movements around the world and he promised Libya’s poor people a new era of equality and wealth.

But he did not deliver and the people of Libya came to understand that the sharing of wealth was only a concept. The riches were, instead, divided between his sons, his broader family and his allies.

In 2011, he would meet his end after the Brotherhood and its sympathisers entered Libya with the help of foreign hands to topple his regime and to establish a strong foothold in Libya. As fanciful as this sounds, evidence collated by foreign intelligence agencies implies this was the case.

If it was, the killing of Qaddafi, the fall of his regime and the methods used by the Brotherhood to unseat him send a clear message about how it might tackle its opponents in the future.

The irony is that, many in the Arab world didn’t express any astonishment towards these revelations.

Such was the seismic nature of Qaddafi’s killing that it was presented purely as an heroic act even though it might have been, as has been suggested, instigated by people intent on spreading the reach of the Brotherhood.

Soon after Qaddafi’s death, some experts presented the picture of the new Brotherhood state in Libya that consisted of several political Islamic gangs, each monopolising a sector to represent a state inside the state. Chaos is the defining characteristic of the Brotherhood and this can be clearly understood through a glance on the countries where this group exists.

This scenario makes us think seriously based on the unconfirmed recent reports of the migration of leaders of the “Brotherhood” from the Gulf to Libya.

This move will create tension in the region, because their gathering in a country controlled by the chaos will enable them to utilise its resources and then take vengeance.

The situation in Libya stands as a lesson and a warning for all the peoples of Gulf, especially those who have followed the Brotherhood.

Libya passed through three successive and contradictory periods. The monarchy era of King Idris Al Sanusi, the military rule under Qaddafi (who deposed him) and now its present, perilous state.

If we read the situation of the Libyan people in each era, we can understand which system is apt for the people of the region.

This is especially the case if we consider the similarities between Libya and the Gulf countries, such as the tribal structure, oil and small population.

Furthermore, we can note the factors that have traditionally protected the Gulf region from being disturbed by uprisings and we can conclude that this is the only system that can preserve its future well-being.

Dr Salem Humaid is an Emirati writer