Tripoli Needs More Than Threats to Rein in Armed Militias

{
  "authors": [
    "Ahmed Jehani"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Maghreb"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Security"
  ]
}

In The Media

Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Tripoli Needs More Than Threats to Rein in Armed Militias

Recent moves by the military command to rein in armed militias have restored a semblance of order, but the government in Tripoli must find a way to enforce their will over the militias.

By Ahmed Jehani

Published on Sep 26, 2012

Source: National

Armed militias were once the salvation of Libya. Today, they are what stands in Libya's way. In Benghazi, where I recently returned, a large demonstration gathered last weekend to demand the demobilisation and the reintegration of these combatants into the state.

At the very least, the public wanted them to put down their arms and leave. Amazingly, two militias did both.

Read Full Text

This article was originally published in the National.

About the Author

Ahmed Jehani

Former Visiting Scholar, Carnegie Middle East Center

Jehani was a visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his research focuses on law, economics, and the energy sector in Libya and the wider North African region.

Recent Work

Commentary
Libya: Europe’s Soft Underbelly or a Potential Source of Strength?
- Ahmed Jehani

Political Reform Security Maghreb

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Carnegie Politika
As It Turns 25, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Reflects the New World Order
With the growth in points of friction between the great powers, organizations like the SCO will continue to play a role in the strategic adaptation of the smaller powers caught between them.
Temur Umarov
Commentary
Emissary
The Two Key Takeaways From Xi’s Egypt Visit
Amid celebrations of bilateral ties was a deeper focus on stability in the Middle East.
Amr Hamzawy
Article
In Russia’s Long Drone Shadow
Moscow is testing Europe’s defenses with drone incursions and could decide to use drones against the continent on a much larger scale once the war in Ukraine pauses. European countries will need Kyiv to help them prepare for such a possibility.
Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
As a Former Defense Minister Revolts in Ukraine, Is Zelensky’s System Fracturing?
The greater threat to Zelensky comes not from Fedorov alone, but from the convergence between the former defense minister’s political campaign and the anti-corruption investigations moving ever closer to the presidential administration.
Balázs Jarábik
Article
Europe’s Overseas Countries and Territories as Geopolitical Assets
European states control several Overseas Countries and Territories around the world that carry strategic, economic, and environmental weight. As great powers challenge the rules-based order, defending them is a geopolitical imperative for Europe.
Marc Pierini

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

As It Turns 25, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Reflects the New World Order

With the growth in points of friction between the great powers, organizations like the SCO will continue to play a role in the strategic adaptation of the smaller powers caught between them.

Temur Umarov

People dancing in the foreground, with a group of people in suites watching and an Air China plane in the background

Commentary

Emissary

The Two Key Takeaways From Xi’s Egypt Visit

Amid celebrations of bilateral ties was a deeper focus on stability in the Middle East.

Amr Hamzawy

UAV Forpost of russian air force takes off at Kubinka air force base

Article

In Russia’s Long Drone Shadow

Moscow is testing Europe’s defenses with drone incursions and could decide to use drones against the continent on a much larger scale once the war in Ukraine pauses. European countries will need Kyiv to help them prepare for such a possibility.

Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

As a Former Defense Minister Revolts in Ukraine, Is Zelensky’s System Fracturing?

The greater threat to Zelensky comes not from Fedorov alone, but from the convergence between the former defense minister’s political campaign and the anti-corruption investigations moving ever closer to the presidential administration.

Balázs Jarábik

Article

Europe’s Overseas Countries and Territories as Geopolitical Assets

European states control several Overseas Countries and Territories around the world that carry strategic, economic, and environmental weight. As great powers challenge the rules-based order, defending them is a geopolitical imperative for Europe.

Marc Pierini