Libyan rebels tweak transition road map

2011-08-17 14:59

Benghazi - Libyan rebels have tweaked their road map to include a transfer of power to an elected body within eight months of an eventual ouster of Muammar Gaddafi, followed by the adoption of a constitution.

The National Transitional Council (NTC), the rebels Benghazi-based political and military leadership, amended a plan they mapped out in March with a "constitutional declaration", which AFP reviewed on Wednesday.

The document outlines in 37 articles the key phases of a transition period that would be set in motion.

The NTC is "the highest authority of the state ... and the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, drawing its legitimacy from the February 17 revolution," the text reads.

The council would move its headquarters from the rebel bastion of Benghazi in eastern Libya to the north African nation's historic capital in the west, Tripoli.

Within 30 days of this relocation, the CNT would appoint an interim executive committee - or transitional government - to run the country.

This government would be tasked with organising within eight months the election of a 200-member national transition assembly, or "national conference".

Legitimate representative

The NTC would step down and the national conference becomes the legitimate representative of the Libyan people from its first session.

The government would appoint a prime minister within a month and form a committee that would draft a new constitution in less than two months from its appointment and which would then be put to a referendum.

The assembly would also have 30 days from its first session to draft an electoral law fixing the date of elections to be held before the end of six months.

These would be organised "transparently" and "democratically" in a process supervised by the United Nations and other international bodies.

The assembly would have 30 days to approve the results of the election and another 30 days to convene an elected parliament, formally ending the transition period.

The NTC was formed in Benghazi on February 27, 10 days after the outbreak of a popular revolt against Kadhafi.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, a former justice minister, heads this "crisis committee" which has won the recognition of dozens of governments.

Comments

• Anton - 2011-08-17 15:40

  From "Rebels" to elected politicians, within 8 months, of this gaddafi and sons of being removed from power, That's pretty kul --------VIVA------THE OPPOSITION-------(REBELS)-------!!!!!

• George - 2011-08-17 16:09

  These guys are dreaming, living in cocoland. They must ask Iraqi's. Gaddaffi has to go but there will be a long bloody struggle with rival factions vying for power. It is always easy on paper, but at the moment someone with guns feels the power and won't let go. Libyans have to choose between peaceful dictatorship or democracy which comes at a heavy bloody price. There is no turning back, blood will flow as soon as different tribes assert their positions. Human beings are interesting indeed. I wish i was an alien observing it all from a saucer craft.

  slg - 2011-08-17 16:28

  I hear what you're saying and largely agree. Except "peaceful dictatorship"? I don't think there's ever been one. Plus, the current blood-bath is because of the dictatorship, not despite it and because of democracy.

  Anton - 2011-08-17 16:53

  George, A "peaceful dictatorship" is like a "kind rapist" !!! AND "blood will flow" Well, that's what many said before our 1994 elections..!!!! Why should Libya be so different ??

  Onnest - 2011-08-17 20:16

  @Anton: Stop comparing the middle east/north Africa to South Africa. These are very different cultures and there are many different aspects at play. For one these are arab lands and there are ties to various groups. you know who they are. Then there are the tribes, which the NTC would require the support of before there will be any peace. And there is also the fact that there is a huge export of one of the worlds best grade oils coming out of Libya. South Africa was alot simpler, the majority black people had to simply forgive (or pretend to) the minority white people. So, I fully agree with George we will see alot of bloodshed before any peaceful times in Libya. And the same will happen in Egypt. It will be a long time before Egyptians see the good day's of Mubarak.

  slg - 2011-08-17 20:28

  Onnest, I'm not sure what you mean by "Arab lands" or "ties to various groups, you know who they are". The Earth wasn't created with parts set aside for certain cultures. Then, to be clear, there isn't "a huge export" of oil from Libya, whatever the grade. Libya produces just 2% of the world's oil.

  Anton - 2011-08-18 04:01

  Onnest, I don't see it like this. That they are different cultures, sure, but their desires are not that different as ours, or for that matter of anyone else in this world. Will peace come immediately after the departure of gaddafi? Who knows!!! This conflict has caused much hatred and resentment, for wich I put the blame on gaddafi and sons. And for this reason lets hope that this madness will soon stop. But that we will end up with a better Libya,is not in doubt. Re SA, I think you over simplify, by saying it was just a matter of the Blacks to "forgive" the Whites. May I remind you that there was more tension and violence between the various Black groups, than Blacks and Whites. Further that we were at a cross road, and had to decide which direction we would go. There were radical groups, both Black and white, who had no desire to settle down, and were ready to fight to the bitter end for domination, one way or the other. And what happened ? We had this magic thing called elections, where ALL of us could have a say, which way forward. And , as you know, both Blacks and whites said a big NO , to radicalism. SO, today, the radical parties on both sides, have become obsolete. The majority of Blacks and Whites decided to live together in peace, and in stead of breaking the country down, built it up. I hope the same will happen in Libya.

• IC1 - 2011-08-17 16:14

  All very good chaps, get rid of that a$$hole Gadafi and sons

• slg - 2011-08-17 17:21

  I hope this ends soon. Asad is getting away with murder.

• tee-hee-hee - 2011-08-17 19:36

  Sounds nearly diplomatic Wake -Up it is Straight from a Western press office. I'm sure the CIA already have it written . will it have immunity from prosecution on treason for the rebel rat Traitors ?

  slg - 2011-08-17 20:33

  It was conceived and written by the NTC. It differs from the South African model in that South Africa drew-up its new constitution before the elections in 1994, if memory serves me correctly. Not that this matters much. I think it can work either way, but I'm not a constitutional law expert by any means.

• tee-hee-hee - 2011-08-17 19:37

  Western PR Spin..........

  slg - 2011-08-17 20:34

  Again, are Turkey "Western stooges, puppets and zionists" too?

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