Libya: Meet the new enemy, same as the old enemy

U.S. Intelligence officials have warned that jihadists  are calling for continued revolution in Libya with the desire to overthrow the Transitional National Council and to establish  a Shariah  Islamic state. The warnings have been prompted by a series of calls for such on the internet by well-known rebel jihadists. Jihadist elements including pro-al Qaeda leaders and terrorists are known to be operating within Libya. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - U.S. officials have announced that several agencies are increasing surveillance operations of jihadists amongst Libyan rebels. A report that was circulated on Tuesday said that jihadist rebels have been observed strategizing via the internet and discussing their plans openly in online forums. 

The general plan appears to be that once Gadhafi is dealt with and the transitional government established, jihadists will turn against the Transitional National Council and overthrow the new government. The Transitional National Council is to be "liquidated" and a Shariah state established. 

Jihadists have already called upon locals to seize resource rich towns and cities and to establish Islamic councils and courts. So far, no such seizures have been reported. U.S. officials have issued their remarks with the caveat that jihadists do not always do what they say, particularly online where discussions sometimes never surpass wishful thinking. Still, the current discussion and the number of jihadists in Libya is enough to cause concern.

The U.S. is focusing on one jihadist in particular. Abu Abdallah al-Sadiq, who formerly led the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), a group linked to al Qaeda, has emerged as a potential leader for Libya's broad jihadist movement. While he denies ties to al Qaeda, his stated political aspirations and radical beliefs make him a natural enemy of the west and the TNC. Al-Sadiq notably led the rebel assault on Gadhafi's Tripoli compound. 

It's the radical desires of the jihadists and their occasional ties to terrorist organizations that has so many concerned about their plans for the future. Under Gadhafi, jihadists were kept in check , and many were imprisoned. Now, with most of the former jihadist prisoners freed by the rebels, and their disturbing discussions about what they hope to do next in Libya, that has U.S. officials keeping a close eye on them as Libya transitions to peace.

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