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
Russia Is Meddling for Meddling’s Sake in the Middle East
The Russian leadership wants to avoid a dangerous precedent in which it is squeezed out of Iran by the United States and Israel—and left powerless to respond in any meaningful way.
Nikita Smagin
Commentary
Emissary
Three Scenarios for the Gulf States After the Iran War
One is hopeful. One is realistic. One is cautionary.
Andrew Leber, Sam Worby
Commentary
Strategic Europe
The Fog of AI War
In Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, AI warfare has come to dominate, with barely any oversight or accountability. Europe must lead the charge on the responsible use of new military technologies.
Raluca Csernatoni
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?
It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.
Mikayel Zolyan
Article
The Shadow of the Military in Modern South Asia
Military rule is now a defining political factor in South Asia. Here’s how analysts can understand and account for it.
Paul Staniland

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Russia Is Meddling for Meddling’s Sake in the Middle East

The Russian leadership wants to avoid a dangerous precedent in which it is squeezed out of Iran by the United States and Israel—and left powerless to respond in any meaningful way.

Nikita Smagin

Commentary

Emissary

Three Scenarios for the Gulf States After the Iran War

One is hopeful. One is realistic. One is cautionary.

Andrew Leber, Sam Worby

Commentary

Strategic Europe

The Fog of AI War

In Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, AI warfare has come to dominate, with barely any oversight or accountability. Europe must lead the charge on the responsible use of new military technologies.

Raluca Csernatoni

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Is Frustration With Armenia’s Pashinyan Enough to Bring the Pro-Russia Opposition to Power?

It’s true that many Armenians would vote for anyone just to be rid of Pashinyan, whom they blame for the loss of Nagorno-Karabakh, but the pro-Russia opposition is unlikely to be able to channel that frustration into an electoral victory.

Mikayel Zolyan

Army personnel stand guard after a pro-monarchy protest turns violent in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 28, 2025.

Article

The Shadow of the Military in Modern South Asia

Military rule is now a defining political factor in South Asia. Here’s how analysts can understand and account for it.

Paul Staniland