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
Snubbed by United Russia as Elections Loom, Medvedev Looks Condemned to Eternal Obscurity
Medvedev’s defeat in the battle for the position of speaker appears to signal that the long process of his marginalization in Russian politics has passed the point of no return.
Andrey Pertsev
Commentary
Sada
A New Patrimonialism is Undermining Syria’s Transition
Syria's transition promised a fresh start. But are old habits of power making a comeback? This analysis looks at the warning signs and what it will take to build a more accountable state.
Sima Beitinjaneh
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Lukashenko’s Concessions to Kyiv Reflect Russia’s Weakness
The recent damage inflicted by Ukrainian drones and missiles on Russia has made Belarus aware of its own vulnerabilities—and surprisingly amenable to Kyiv’s demands.
Artyom Shraibman
Paper
Threading the Needle: India’s Path Forward with China
After the chill in ties between 2020 and 2024 that brought India–China relations to their lowest point in several decades, the two countries have engaged each other afresh. This paper argues that there are predominantly four imperatives guiding India’s approach to China, and they exist in an order of priority.
Saheb Singh Chadha
Commentary
Emissary
Ahead of the Ankara Summit, NATO’s Mood Has Changed
European allies are less focused on appeasing Trump and more focused on smoothing the transition to a Europe-led alliance.
+1
Sophia Besch, Alper Coşkun, Nate Reynolds, …

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Snubbed by United Russia as Elections Loom, Medvedev Looks Condemned to Eternal Obscurity

Medvedev’s defeat in the battle for the position of speaker appears to signal that the long process of his marginalization in Russian politics has passed the point of no return.

Andrey Pertsev

Commentary

Sada

A New Patrimonialism is Undermining Syria’s Transition

Syria's transition promised a fresh start. But are old habits of power making a comeback? This analysis looks at the warning signs and what it will take to build a more accountable state.

Sima Beitinjaneh

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Lukashenko’s Concessions to Kyiv Reflect Russia’s Weakness

The recent damage inflicted by Ukrainian drones and missiles on Russia has made Belarus aware of its own vulnerabilities—and surprisingly amenable to Kyiv’s demands.

Artyom Shraibman

Paper

Threading the Needle: India’s Path Forward with China

After the chill in ties between 2020 and 2024 that brought India–China relations to their lowest point in several decades, the two countries have engaged each other afresh. This paper argues that there are predominantly four imperatives guiding India’s approach to China, and they exist in an order of priority.

Saheb Singh Chadha

Commentary

Emissary

Ahead of the Ankara Summit, NATO’s Mood Has Changed

European allies are less focused on appeasing Trump and more focused on smoothing the transition to a Europe-led alliance.

- +1
Sophia Besch, Alper Coşkun, Nate Reynolds, …