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 The parliament dispute has exposed Libya's continued fragility
nearly three years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival
Islamist and nationalist parties, former rebels and regional tribes
all pushing their own political visions.
Elected in 2012 and without popular backing, the General National
Congress (GNC) was to end its term on February 7. But members
extended its mandate to give a special assembly time to draft a new
constitution, seen as a key to stability.
Waving Libyan flags and posters with "No to the extension",
protesters filled Martyrs' Square in the capital and main square in
the eastern city of Benghazi in peaceful rallies.
The GNC is deadlocked between the nationalist National Forces
Alliance (NFA) and the Justice and Construction Party (JCP), the
political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood.
"It can't be any more chaotic or worse than it is now," said Afifa
Ahmed, a human resources worker in Tripoli. "What has the GNC
contributed to the country? Nothing."
Three GNC members, one from the NFA and two independents, said they
had resigned on Friday in support of the protesters.
With Libya's democratic transition in crisis, its government weak
and its army in training, brigades of former fighters who battled
against Gaddafi have allied with competing political factions to
become key power brokers.
Two rival former militia brigades — the Zintanis and the Misratans — are loosely aligned with the NFA and with the Islamist leadership
respectively, increasing risks they may use military muscle to exert
political pressure.
Militia in the east have blockaded ports and slashed oil exports,
Libya's main revenue lifeline, and security remains fragile,
highlighted by Prime Minister Ali Zeidan's own brief abduction by
gunmen last October.
Still, Zeidan has managed to survive opponents' attempts to call a
vote of no-confidence in the GNC, mostly due to splits among
lawmakers and the lack of a unifying alternative to replace his
government.
"I urge all citizens to be committed to peaceful means. All demands
can be implemented peacefully and through dialogue," Zeidan said,
urging restraint in the GNC standoff.
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POLITICAL CONFUSION
Libya's messy transition contrasts sharply with its North African
neighbor Tunisia, where ruling Islamists have ceded power to a
caretaker government to defuse their deadlock with secular
opposition parties.
That compromise opened the way to finish Tunisia's new constitution
and allow a non-political technocrat cabinet to govern until
elections are held around October.
Four decades of one-man rule by Gaddafi have left Libyans with
little preparation for a smooth transition to democracy.
Reflecting the political confusion, many protesters on Friday wanted
new elections, but some called for a presidential committee or a
high court to replace parliament until elections.
After months of squabbling, the GNC agreed on Monday that its would
extend its mandate while a 60-member commission would write the new
constitution. Elections to chose that commission will be held on
February 20.
GNC lawmakers say if the commission shows progress in 60 days, they
will stay on to assure stability until it finishes. If not, they
will hold new elections for a new interim assembly.
Highlighting the tense security situation in the capital,
unidentified gunmen tried to storm the Libyan army's command
headquarters in Tripoli on Thursday, exchanging gunfire with
soldiers before stealing rifles and military vehicles.
On a brighter note, Italian and Libyan officials said on Friday two
Italian construction workers abducted three weeks ago had been
freed. Details of their release were not immediately clear, but the
two had been kidnapped in Derna, east of Benghazi, where they had
been working at a cement factory.
(Editing by Gareth Jones)
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