Libya, population 6.2 million, now has three governments; President Barack Obama has admitted that not foreseeing the aftermath of U.S. military intervention there in 2011 was his “worst mistake.”
Libya, population 6.2 million, now has three governments; President Barack Obama has admitted that not foreseeing the aftermath of U.S. military intervention there in 2011 was his “worst mistake.”
Libya also is an ironic gift that doesn’t stop giving. Its absence of effective government means its long Mediterranean coastline continues to serve as a base for uncontrolled, sometimes deadly African and Middle Eastern migration to Southern Europe. The huge arsenal of weapons Libya accumulated under former leader Moammar Gadhafi has since spread all over the Middle East and Africa, fueling killing in many countries.
Finally, and most relevant today, the absence of an effective, single government there is producing chaos on the ground.
One of the three “official” governments claiming control is the Government of National Accord, backed by the United Nations and U.S. There are also numerous tribal and city-based authorities, backed by armed militias, across the country.
Anyone who knew much about Libya could have provided Obama counsel that would have prevented the breakup of Libya and, certainly, any U.S. role in bringing that about. Libya is divided into many tribes and regions. It was ruled from independence in 1952 until Gadhafi’s takeover in 1969 by a king who also had an Islamic leadership role. The absolutist Gadhafi was in control from 1969 to 2011. Arab Spring or no Arab Spring, democracy wasn’t going to flower in Libya.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette