The spectre of jihad in Libya
David Blackburn 10:47am
While Britain agonised over deploying attack helicopters to Libya, the conflict seems to
have escalated of its own accord. Noman Benotman, a former member of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, has described the current dispositions for the Times this morning (£). He has learned that many of Gaddafi’s military leaders are planning a coup to save their
skins; Colonel Gaddafi is reluctant to arrest their nascent treachery for fear of triggering open rebellion. Other officers are following the example of civilian administrators like Moussa Koussa,
feeling that now is the time to cut and run.
News of Gaddafi’s withering power will please NATO, even if it is exaggerated. However, Benotman’s other revelations will unnerve the alliance. In lawless Benghazi, the rebels are
growing fractious and jihadists are providing order with their singular brand of justice. He writes:
‘Former jihadists from the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, of which I was once a senior leader, who have recently returned to the UK from fighting against Gaddafi have told me of impromptu death squads in Benghazi that have begun killing former regime loyalists there. These killings are quickly creating an atmosphere of anarchy and suspicion behind rebel lines, as well as giving Gaddafi’s forces a new reason to fight to the bitter end.
These former jihadists also told me that they have seen new generations of radical Islamists playing an ever greater role in the fighting against Gaddafi on the front lines, where they are often only under the nominal control of the rebel government.’
Benotman calls for NATO to finish the job before the ghost of bin Laden does it for them. Benotman may be exaggerating, but NATO cannot disregard the spectre of extremism. Greater military action remains unworkable, even though Russia has joined the rest of the G8 in calling for Gaddafi to abdicate. Perhaps NATO should now openly engage the trembling Gaddafi regime to engineer its leader’s fall.
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normanc
May 30th, 2011 11:54am Report this commentSince our brief is to prevent slaughter shouldn't we be bombing Benghazi about now?
Grassmarket
May 30th, 2011 12:02pm Report this commentI'm afraid this denouement was obvious to anyone with eyes to see about three months ago.
John Montague
May 30th, 2011 12:32pm Report this commentWhat else could Benotman say to play up his importance when interviewed by a Times hack? When was he last in Libya?
Disciplining loonies is certainly important, and the Council is making strenuous efforts to do so, but let's keep it in perspective. 'Jihadis' are a pretty minor component of the rebellion.
The insurgency forces that will matter are those being trained under Younis' command, and what's happening in Bani Walid is the really significant development.
Perry
May 30th, 2011 1:16pm Report this commentAll this sounds as though firm action is needed, - except that the faint-hearted hand-wringing yooman-rights brigade might be upset, especially the AB of C.
Andrew Fletcher
May 30th, 2011 1:24pm Report this commentSend Daniel Korski in to have a "Freedom Conference" with them and I'm sure they'll see sense, put away their guns and get ready for fair and free democratic elections!!
Jez
May 30th, 2011 2:22pm Report this commentI honestly can't believe what I'm reading.
This last three months of Liberal Left meddling is going set fire to Middle East for decades to come.
MaxSceptic
May 30th, 2011 2:38pm Report this commentFrom day one I've said it was folly for us to get involved.
We should have left the Libyans to sort themselves out in their time-honoured tribal fashion.
Ed H
May 30th, 2011 2:39pm Report this comment"‘Former jihadists from the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, of which I was once a senior leader, who have recently returned to the UK from fighting against Gaddafi"
How can we let these guys - who presumably claimed Asylum from Libya - come and go as they please.
About time Mr. Benotman's passport was ripped up as well. I take his change of heart with a large pinch of salt.
John Montague
May 30th, 2011 4:08pm Report this commentMr Benotman no doubt has a nice view of Vauxhall Bridge from his office, Ed H.
Well, at least his handler probably does anyway.
Faux Concern
May 30th, 2011 5:08pm Report this commentThere is more terrible things happening in Syria:
BEIRUT — The boy’s head was swollen, purple and disfigured. His body was a mess of welts, cigarette burns and wounds from bullets fired to injure, not kill. His kneecaps had been smashed, his neck broken, his jaw shattered and his penis cut off.
What finally killed him was not clear, but it appeared painfully, shockingly clear that he had suffered terribly during the month he spent in Syrian custody.
Hamza Ali al-Khateeb was 13 years old.
Stobart est mort, vive Norbert Dentressangle!
May 30th, 2011 5:11pm Report this commentI'm surprised you don't know the name of his handler Mr Montague. You're so well informed on all matters relating to the Middle East, North Africa and International Relations in general that I assumed you are either C or the Foreign Secretary in disguise.
If you are not then surely they must make way for yet another Grofaz in the stellar constellation we have in play at the moment.
alan campbell
May 30th, 2011 6:02pm Report this commentCompletely predictable outcome. "The best lack all conviction and the worst...etc. etc."
Ahmed
May 30th, 2011 10:49pm Report this commentNoman Benotman is a friend of Saif Gaddafi. He is also a self confessed agent provocateur for the regime, and therefore, it is only expected that he wioll say people in Benghazi are Jihadists, to try and make the regime look good. A bit late though Noman, good luck to you
Basil Chamberlain meets Eddie Large
May 30th, 2011 11:17pm Report this comment@ Schwäbischen albernen
Ineffably subtle, so the language structure I suppose to blame must be.
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