By Gary Sandiford, Olive Group’s Dubai based assessments manager. Olive Group is a leading provider of security and technology solutions and has been operating in Libya since mid 2011.
Overview
The National Assembly announced that ministers will be nominated to form a new government no later than 8 September. Reports claim that Abdul Rahman Al Swehli has withdrawn from the race to be nominated Prime Minister, the competition for the post is now primarily between the National Forces Alliance’s Mahmoud Jibril, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Justice and Construction Party backed candidate, Minister of Electricity Awad Al Barasi, and Mohammed Balrawin.
Small-scale crimes, such as carjacking, robberies, and petty theft, and more serious acts of violence such as car bombings and political assassinations, are posing an increasing challenge to the Libyan authorities. There are also increased security fears over apparent increase in Islamists groups and Qadhafi regime loyalists has increased security concerns across Libya, particularly in Tripoli and Benghazi. The National Army remains weak, with an estimated force of over eight thousand soldiers. To compensate for this weakness, the new National Assembly continues to rely on militia groups to control many areas of the country.
Activity in both the east and west of the country has been relatively subdued this week, following on from the high profile attacks against several Sufi shrines ten days ago, which attracted international media attention. While the Libyan authorities have responded to quell concern, further attacks are a real possibility. Attacks against former regime associated personnel continue, especially in the Benghazi area and a number of regional tribal disputes continue.
