National Transitional Council

National Transitional Council National Transitional Council 4.,.; .6 ill 4.).4 +01.11 al-nzajlis al-walani Flag Coat of arms Motto: Freedom. Justice. Denwcracy Anthem: Libya, Libya. Libya Sabratha za,fra Tripoli RasArdlr Al Eras Al Banta Al A a I ZD a ' ,• Vahan ilk° Benghazi • . Tobruk sk•Al Marl . Zuwarah _ Darnah „„) • 'eMisrar.a gur Al?, Itrar trfartnAlhit . . amtwalad li.„) ziatastulthra sat. as iandimaira Gharlames las La uf In,. Hue •Ild Aw ail Sabha Ghat Al 440/1011 *Er lb Al 'mil Cities under ICTC control Cities under Gaddafi control Capital Official laneuage(s) Page I 1 of 9 Tripoli (de jure) Benghazi (de facto) Libyan Arabic (de facto) Berber dialects EFTA00615363 (mem prominently lSouO) Demonvm Libyan Government Caretaker government - Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil - Vice Chairman Abdul Hafiz Ghoga - Chairman of the Executive Board Mahmoud Jebril Establishment - 2011 Libyan civil war 17 February 2011 - National Council established 27 February 2011 Website ntclibya.com Sabrallta z,„,,, Tripoli Has Ntlic Tathuna Al Ithinni Al ILItdi Ai Azir,y,(1 .r,t ' - 7.tivnt R . Darnah Ta„,,, _ . mistatr enghaZI .A, ,447 Tobruk . • : Wit 4.,„: . -gear Wahl Al Abyar t 70"94,Gdairan Srl• lir 14watArlabrya Warms Rat- LArku • Bin. Nun ,Sabha Red shaded areas and cities are controlled by anti-Gaddafi forces, Green is controlled by pro- Gadaffi forces, and Tan areas and blue cities are contested areas. The National Transitional Council (Arabic: lJecio• al-majlis al-watani al- tintiqtili), sometimes known as the Transitional National Council, the Interim National Council, or the Libyan National Council, is a political body formed to represent Libya by anti- Gaddafi forces during the 2011 Libyan civil war against the regime of Colonel Muammar al- Gaddafi. Its formation was announced in the city of Benghazi on 27 February 2011 and its intended purpose is to act as the "political face of the revolution". On 5 March 2011, the council issued a statement in which it declared itself to be the "only legitimate body representing the people of Libya and the Libyan state". On 21 August 2011 President Barack Obama issued a statement saying that the United States recognizes the NTC as the legitimate government of Libya. Page 12 of 9 EFTA00615364 An executive board, chaired by Mahmoud Jibril, was formed by the council on 23 March 2011. The council has so far been officially recognized as the legitimate governing authority in Libya until an interim authority is in place by 32 countries. Malta has recognized it as the sole legitimate negotiator of the future of Libya, establishing formal relations in Benghazi with the NTC and cutting off all relations with Gaddafi's regime, but maintains it has not granted full diplomatic recognition to the council. Russia has recognized it as a co-legitimate representative of Libya along with Gaddafi's regime, though its official stance is that Gaddafi should leave Libya. Norway and the People's Republic of China have not granted recognition to the NTC, but officials from both countries have met with its representatives several times and Norway has no existing diplomatic relations with Gaddafi's government. Liberia, Malawi, Peru, and some Western governments have severed ties with Gaddafi's government, but have not recognized the council. Several other countries have established unofficial ties with the National Transitional Council, with a number of those countries establishing a permanent diplomatic presence in Benghazi to liaise with council officials. The council uses the name Libya for the Libyan state and has used the long-form name Libyan Republic, while the Gaddafi government's name for the Libyan state is the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Background 2011 uprising and civil war Main article: 2011 Libyan civil war After popular movements overturned the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, its immediate neighbours to the west and east, Libya experienced a full-scale uprising beginning in February 2011. By 20 February, the unrest had spread to Tripoli. As of late February 2011, much of Libya had slipped out of Gaddafi's control, falling to anti-Gaddafi forces. Eastern Libya, centered around the second city and vital port of Benghazi, was firmly under the control of the opposition. The opposition began to organize themselves into a functioning government. Early efforts to form a government Opposition meeting in Al Bayda, 24 February 2011 Page 13 of 9 EFTA00615365 On 24 February 2011, politicians, former military officers, tribal leaders, academics and businessmen held a meeting in the eastern city of Al Bavda. The meeting was chaired by former justice minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil, who quit the government a few days before. The delegates discussed proposals for interim administration with many delegates asking for UN intervention in Libya. The podium at the meeting displayed the pre-Jamahiriya flag. On 25 February 2011, Al-Jazeera TV reported that talks are taking place between "personalities from eastern and western Libya" to form an interim government for the post-Gaddafi era. On 26 February, it was reported that former justice minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil was leading the process of forming an interim body, to be based in Benghazi. Mr Abud Al Jeleil stated that "Gaddafi alone bore responsibility for the crimes that have occurred" in Libya; he also insisted on the unity of Libya and that Tripoli is the capital. The efforts to form an alternative government have been supported by the Libyan ambassador in the United States Ali Suleiman Auiali. The Libyan deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Omar Al Dabashi, has stated that he supported a new alternative government "in principle". Establishment of a national council A National Transitional Council was formed on 27 February 2011 to act as "the political face of the revolution". Its spokesman Hafiz Ghoga made clear at the launch press conference that the national council is not a provisional government and Ghoga also added that the newly formed council was not contacting foreign governments and did not want them to intervene. He later clarified that an airstrike mandated by the United Nations would not be considered a foreign intervention. An Al Jnm'ra English journalist in Benghazi has reported that a fully fledged interim government will not be formed until Tripoli is under opposition control. This is in contrast to claims made by former justice minister Mustafa Abdul Jalil on the previous day about the formation of a provisional government. These comments have now been clarified by the council as his "personal views". On 5 March 2011, the council issued a statement in which it declared itself to be the "sole representative of all Libya". It was also stated that Mustafa Abdul Jalil was chairperson of the council. On 10 March, Rance became the first country to recognize the National Interim Council as Libya's only legitimate government. Formation of an executive board On 23 March the council established an Executive Board to act as a transitional government for Libya. Mahmoud Jibril was appointed as Chairman of that board stating that council now serves as the "legislative body", and the new Executive Board will serve as the "executive body". Jebril is known to be leading the meeting and negotiations with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, a meeting that resulted in Rance officially recognizing the council as the sole representative of the Libyan people. Page 14 of 9 EFTA00615366 Aims and objectives of the national council The "Declaration of the founding of the Transitional National Council" states the main aims of the council are as follows: • Ensure the safety of the national territory and citizens • Coordination of national efforts to liberate the rest of Libya • Support the efforts of local councils to work for the restoration of normal civilian life • Supervise of the Military Council to ensure the achievement of the new doctrine of the Libyan People's Army in the defense of the people and protect the borders of Libya • Facilitate the election of a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution for the country; be put to a popular referendum • Form a transitional government to pave the holding of free elections • Guide the conduct of foreign policy, and the regulation of relations with other countries and international and regional organizations, and the representation of the Libyan people In another statement clarifying the goals for a post-Gaddafi Libya, the council has committed itself an eight-point plan to hold free and fair elections, draft a national constitution, form political and civil institutions, uphold intellectual and political pluralism, and guarantee citizens' inalienable human rights and the ability of free expression of their aspirations. The council also emphasized its rejection of racism, intolerance, discrimination, and terrorism. Council structure and membership National Transitional Council (legislative body) National Transitional Council 3~'1413a911vJ+-a 11 al-1Vapini Type Type Unicameral Leadership Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil Vice Chairman Abdul Hafiz Chose Page I S of 9 EFTA00615367 Members 33 members Meeting place Benghazi, Libya (interim) Website ntelibya.com The National Transitional Council is a thirty-three-member body that claims to be the "only legitimate body representing the people of Libya and the Libyan state". Al Jazeera English reported that each city or town under opposition control will be given five seats on the new council and that contact will be established with new cities that come under opposition control to allow them to join the council. The identifies of members of the council were not disclosed at the launch conference. What is known is that human rights lawyer Hafiz Ghoga is the spokesperson for the new council. An Al Jazeera English journalist in Benghazi stated that Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil still had a leadership role within the new council. The Council declared that Jeleil is the head of the council. The council met formally for the first time on 5 March 2011 when it was announced that the council has 33 members. The names of some of the members are being kept secret to prevent threats to their families that are still in Government held areas of Libya Membership of the council The council has thirty-three members; the identities of several members has not been made public to protect their own safety. The members of the council include • Mustafa Abdul Jalil — Chairman of • the Council • Abdul Hafiz Ghoga — Vice Chairman of the Council, • Spokesman, and City of Benghazi • Fatih Turbel — Youth • • Zubeir Ahmed El-Sharif — Political Prisoners • • Fatih Mohammed Baja — Political Affairs and City of Benghazi • Page 16 of 9 Abdullah Moussa Al- Mayhoub — City of Qubba Ahmed Al-Abbar — Economics Ashour Bourashed — City of Derna Uthman Megrahi — City of Batnan Suleiman Al-Fortia — EFTA00615368 • Salwa Fawzi El-Deghali — Legal Affairs and Women Executive Board Libya 1 This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Libya City of Misurata • Mohamed Al-Muntasir — City of Misurata On 5 March 2011, a crisis committee was set up to act as the executive arm of the council. An Executive Board was announced on 23 March 2011. It originally had 15 members, but a minor reorganization apparently removed the post of Military Affairs from the council proper and created a successor position for Defense on the board, expanding the bureau to 16 members. The Executive Board was dismissed on 8 August 2011. The board's chairman Mahmoud Jibril is expected to name members of the new board in due course. Members of the previous board may be re-appointed. Members • Mahmoud Jibril — Chairman Members (March 2011 —August 2011) Prior to the re-shuffle in August 2011, the board members were: • Mahmoud Jibril — Chairman and Head of International Affairs • Ali Al-Issawi — Vice- Chairman • Ahmed Hussein Al-Darrat — Internal Affairs and Local Government • Jalal al-Digheily — Defense (formerly Military Affairs) • Mahmoud Shammam — Media Page 17 of 9 • Abdullah Shamia — Economic • Ali Al-Tarhuni — Finance and Oil • Anwar Al-Faytouri — Transportation and Communications • Abulgassim Nimr — Environment • Atia Lawgali — Culture and Community EFTA00615369 • Naji Baralcat — Health • Mohammed Al-Allagi — Justice and Human Rights • Hania Al-Gumati — Social Welfare Local government • Abdulsalam Al-Shikhy — Religious Affairs and Endowments • Ahmed Al-Jehani — Reconstruction and Infrastructure • Suliman EI-Sahli — Education In opposition -held Benghazi, a 15-member "local committee" made up of lawyers, judges and respected local people has been formed in order to provide civic administration and public services within the city. Residents have organized to direct traffic and collect refuse. Many shops and businesses have opened again. A newspaper and two local radio stations have also been established. Similar "local committees" are being formed in other cities controlled by opposition groups. Commercial bodies The council has established the following commercial bodies to manage its financial affairs: • The Central Bank of Benghazi — to act as the "monetary authority competent in monetary policies in Libya" • Libyan Oil Company — to act as the "supervisory authority on oil production and policies in the country" Armed forces The Anti-Gaddafi forces are Libyan armed forces which were constituted during the 2011 Libyan civil war by defected military members and armed citizens in order to engage in battle against both remaining members of the Libyan Armed Forces and paramilitary loyal to the rule of Muammar Gaddafi. The National Liberation Army, formerly known as the Free Libyan Army, is the NTC's military arm, with the small Free Libyan Air Force operating assets including captured and defected fighter jets and helicopters. Omar El-Hariri was the first military affairs minister the NTC named, holding that position from 23 March 2011 forward. By 19 May 2011, however Jalal al-Digheily had replaced El-Hariri. IL2I On 1 April 2011, Abdul Fatah Younis was announced as commander of the armed forces, in an attempt to insert an organized fighting structure due to a string of failures. Younis was killed in an attack on 29 July 2011 which has been variously blamed on pro-Gaddafi agents, rogue rebel militiamen, and the NTC itself. Suleiman Mahmoud, Younis's top lieutenant, replaced him as army commander. Page 18 of 9 EFTA00615370 Foreign relations Libya Countries that have recognised the National Transitional Council as the sole legitimate representative of Libya Countries that have permanent informal relations with Benghazi but have not granted official recognition Main article: Foreign relations of the National Transitional Council In July 2011, the Libya Contact Group of representatives of many nations announced its participants' agreement to deal with the National Transitional Council as the "legitimate governing authority in Libya". The council has also received the backing of the Arab League and the European Union. Mohammed El Senussi, the pretender to the throne of Libya, has also voiced his support for the NTC. Military intervention Main article: 2011 military intervention in Libya United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 authorized a multi-national effort to establish a no-fly zone. On 19 March, British, French and US air forces began attacking targets in Gaddafi- controlled Libya, thereby initiating the UN military intervention. Operations are currently being led by NATO under Operation Unified Protector, though non-NATO states such as Jordan, Oatar, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates have also contributed to the military mission. ************ Page 19 of 9 EFTA00615371