Libya low on critical resource: Credibility

Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the current leader of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC), has vowed to establish laws based on Sharia Islam. And while he added that Libya would become neither an extremist nor liberal country, the credibility of the NTC is becoming strained.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (Catholic Online) - In his now somewhat infamous speech in Martyr's Square in Tripoli, Jalil pledged that Libya would never again be an extremist state. "We will not accept any extremist ideology, on the right or the left. We are a Muslim people, for a moderate Islam, and will stay on this road."

He added, "We are seeking to establish a state government by law and welfare - and Sharia, Islamic law, should be the main source of law."

Analysts speculate that Jalil is trying to stave off criticism from conservative elements within Libya that fear the NTC is too liberal and too closely allied with western powers. 

However, despite Jalil's assurances that Libya will be "moderate," it is becoming difficult to take NTC pronouncements at face value.

The NTC has made numerous proclamations, based on rumors, that Gaddafi was in one place or another from distant Zimbabwe to Tripoli and close to capture. They have also said the same about his sons, even claiming to have killed Khamis Gaddafi on more than one occasion. None of the reports have proved true. 

The NTC has been responsible for releasing militant Islamic prisoners despite their affiliations with known terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and the protests from international officials. 

And recently, Amnesty International has accused the NTC of war crimes, refusing to hold rebel soldiers accountable for a wide range of reported atrocities. Rebel soldiers have already been caught terrorizing African immigrants, and now they are accused of torturing and murdering members of Gadhafi's security forces without so much as a trial.

It is understandably difficult then, to accept that Libya will be "moderate" while pursuing a brand of Islamic justice known for its brutality and poor treatment of women and outsiders. There is nothing moderate about public lashings, amputations, beheadings, or stonings. 

Low on fuel, food and other resources, the NTC continues to hunt Gaddafi and is working to stabilize the internal situation in Libya by resuming oil production and accepting large grants of foreign aid.

However, the regime is already low on another essential resource: Credibility.

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