Alice MarkPeriod 7

LIBYA LIBERATION, LIBYA-ATION (lame)

 

REALLY Important places • Benghazi - first area of notable

uprising• Surt - Gaddafi's hometown, and

the setting of the final struggles

Reasons for Revolution

Moammar Gaddafi's regime • 42 year reign• No-questions-asked law policy --> punishable by prison sentence

or death• No freedom of expression • Unnecessary force and violence -- "death squads"• Poorly run prisons and schools• Unchecked power in law-making, the military, economy, and

many other aspects of life• Terrorist, inside Libya and out

 Riot instigated by the arrest of human rights activist, Fethi Tarbel in Benghazi on February 15, 2011 marks beginning of the Revolution

Dailymotion: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh6daj_the-libyan-revolution-causes-way-forward-press-tv-panel_news

Leaders and Demographics• On one side is Gaddafi, on the other side are people like Abdul

Fattah Younis (chief of staff of the revolution) and Omar Shibliy Mahmoudi (created the site mawada.com as a cover for rebel communication), among other leaders

• Libya is a fairly young country demographic-wise, a large amount of the population being younger than thirty (median age: 24.2 years, compared to the US at 38.1). With the sheer number of young people that are entering the workforce, the economy simply cannot support them, leading to unemployment. Coupled with Gaddafi's policies, it's no wonder dissent began brewing, particularly with no freedom to express it.

Results• Gaddafi is killed October 20, 2011

in Sirte/Surt, his home town• Libya gains independence• Reforms begin to turn Libya into a

democracy

Impact on the World• During the revolution, Libyan oil

production ground to a halt. While on a worldwide scale Libya is fairly low on the list of top oil producers, they provide a great deal of oil to Europe, among other places, and many feared they would only be the first of many Middle East oil producers to stop producing for revolution. As it was, as a result of the fairly brief revolution, oil prices rose considerably.

• In part because of Libya's initiative, many other nations rebelled, such as Yemen.

Similarities to the American Revolution• Fought on home ground• Received at least some foreign aid • Final struggle occurred in a port city• Successful

o A strong need for a new form of government arises

Differences to the American Revolution• Libya's oppressor was internal; America's was external, not to

mention overseas• Libya's lasted less than a year• Technological differences--Libya's advantage

o Better weaponso Internet -- communication and support

• Libya resulted in the assassination of their leader• Libya also received legal aid from NATO on the subject of

Gaddafi's reign• Women actively participatedin the Libyan revolution• Libya has a lower starting point when it comes to rebuilding and

reforming. It's education system is minimal at best, and it doesn't have English charters to base its government on. In fact, there's many different choices for a model, which might not be the best thing. 

Personal thoughts on the revolution• The Libyan revolution produced a new, reborn nation. However, when all

the celebrating is said and done, the problems in Libya are not over. Although they say they're moving towards a democracy, the harsh reality is that it could take years, maybe even decades to create a solid democracy. In addition, there will be a great deal of rebuilding. Gaddafi was only part of the problem, albeit a large part, as well as the cause of many of the other parts. It's difficult to say whether Libya will truly succeed or not. It depends on how they face the next few years. However, because the entire government has been overturned--not that there was much in the first place in terms of parties or other political issues--the transition should be accepted and embraced, and it may solidify sooner than many people think.

• Libya evolved the revolution from colonial times. Technology has advanced exponentially since then, which has its pros and cons. On one hand, it connected the rebels and created a very organized revolution. On the other, the damage was much greater than back in 1776.

Timeline of the RevolutionFebruary 15/16, 2011 The arrest of human rights activist Fethi Tarbel starts a riot in Benghazi.24  Anti-government militias take control of central coastal city of Misrata after evicting forces loyal to Gaddafi.26  The U.N. Security Council imposes sanctions on Gaddafi and his family, and refers the crackdown on rebels to the International Criminal Court.28  EU governments approve sanctions against Gaddafi and his closest advisers.March5  The rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) in Benghazi declares itself Libya’s sole representative.17  The U.N. Security Council votes to authorize a no-fly zone over Libya and military action — to protect civilians against Gaddafi’s army.19  The first air strikes halt the advance of Gaddafi’s forces on Benghazi and target Libya’s air defences.April30  A NATO missile attack on a house in Tripoli kills Gaddafi’s youngest son and three grandchildren, his government says.June27  The ICC issues arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi on charges of crimes against humanity.August21  Rebels enter Tripoli with little resistance. Gaddafi makes audio addresses over state television calling on Libyans to fight off the rebel “rats.”23  The rebels overrun Gaddafi’s fortified Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli, trashing the symbols of his rule.29  Gaddafi’s wife, his daughter Aisha and two of his sons enter Algeria. Aisha Gaddafi gives birth in a clinic in a border town hours after crossing the frontier.

Timeline of the Revolution (cont.)September1  Libya’s interim rulers meet world leaders at a conference in Paris to discuss reshaping Libya. Gaddafi, on the 42nd anniversary of his coming to power, urges his supporters to fight on.8  Interim prime minister Mahmoud Jibril arrives in Tripoli on his first visit since it was taken by his forces.11  Libya starts producing oil again. Niger says Gaddafi’s son Saadi has arrived there.13  Interim government chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil makes his first speech in Tripoli to a crowd of about 10,000.15  France’s Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain’s David Cameron land in Libya to a heroes’ welcome.16  The U.N. Security Council eases sanctions on Libya, including on its national oil company and central bank. The U.N. General Assembly approves a request to accredit interim government envoys as Libya’s sole representatives at the U.N., effectively recognizing the NTC.20  U.S. President Barack Obama calls for the last of Gaddafi’s loyalist forces to surrender as he announces the return of the U.S. ambassador to Tripoli. Gaddafi taunts NATO in a speech broadcast by Syrian-based Arrai television station.21  The interim rulers say they have captured most of Sabha, one of three main towns where Gaddafi loyalists have been holding out since the fall of Tripoli. Gaddafi’s birthplace Sirte and the town of Bani Walid continue to resist.25  The first Libyan crude oil to be shipped in months sails from the eastern port of Marsa el Hariga for Italy.27  NATO says Libya’s interim rulers have taken full control of the country’s stockpile of chemical weapons and nuclear material.October 12  Government fighters capture Gaddafi’s son Mo’tassim after he tried to escape Sirte.13  NTC forces say they have control of the whole of Sirte except neighborhood ‘Number Two’ where Gaddafi forces are surrounded.14  Gunfights break out in Tripoli between Gaddafi supporters and NTC forces, the first sign of armed resistance to the new government.17  NTC forces celebrate the capture of Bani Walid, one of the final bastions of Gaddafi loyalists.18  U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton arrives in Libya on an unannounced visit, urges militias to unite.20  NTC fighters capture Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown, ending a two-month siege and extinguishing the last significant hold out of troops loyal to the deposed leader. Reports come in that Gaddafi has been killed.

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• "How Muammar Gaddafi was captured cowering in a concrete pipe | News | National Post." National Post | Canadian News, Financial News and Opinion. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/20/graphic-how-gaddafi-died/>.

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• Mittelstaedt, Juliane von, and Volkhard Windfuhr. "The Rebels from Benghazi: Chaos and Uncertainty in Libya's Revolutionary Leadership - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International." SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,754035,00.html>.

• Poller, Nidra. "Libya and the U.S.: Qadhafi Unrepentant :: Middle East Quarterly." Middle East Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://www.meforum.org/878/libya-and-the-us-qadhafi-unrepentant>.

• Reichenberger, Hugo. "      LIBYA’S BOTTOM-UP REVOLUTION – HOW CAN A YOUTH BULGE BECOME DEMOGRAPHIC BONUS? (Hugo Reichenberger) - Academia.edu    ."       Brandeis University - Academia.edu    . N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://brandeis.academia.edu/HugoReichenberger/Papers/466100/LIBYAS_BOTTOM-UP_REVOLUTION_-_HOW_CAN_A_YOUTH_BULGE_BECOME_DEMOGRAPHIC_BONUS>.

• Stoffel, Derek. "ANALYSIS | After the revolution, Libya's challenges - World - CBC News." CBC.ca - Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/10/26/f-vp-stoffel.html?cmp=rss>.

• e-Bye. "Muslim Dating Site Madawi Seeds Libyan Revolution  - ABC News." ABCNews.com: Daily News, Breaking News and Video Broadcasts - ABC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/muslim-dating-site-madawi-seeds-libyan-revolution/story?id=12981938>.