Libya: Unrest and U.S. Policy

Christopher M. Blanchard
Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs

Muammar al Qadhafi’s 40 years of authoritarian rule in Libya have effectively come to an end. The armed uprising that began in February 2011 has reached a turning point, and opposition forces now control much of the capital city, Tripoli, in addition to other strongholds in the eastern and western areas of the country. The coastal city of Sirte and some parts of the south remain contested, and, in the Tripoli area, isolated groups of pro-Qadhafi forces are putting up some armed resistance. Rebel fighters based in western Libya, including armed Islamists and citizens of Tripoli, played a decisive role in ending Qadhafi’s control over the capital city and its approaches. Most observers doubt the rebel gains are reversible. The U.S. military continues to participate in Operation Unified Protector, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military operation to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorizes “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians. As of August 26, Muammar al Qadhafi had not been located or detained, and opposition Transitional National Council (TNC) leaders are urging their forces to exercise restraint and caution so that Qadhafi, his family members, and key regime officials may be captured alive, formally charged, and put to trial.

The Libyan people, their interim Transitional National Council, and the international community are shifting their attention from the immediate struggle with the remnants of Qadhafi’s regime to the longer-term challenges of establishing and maintaining security, preventing criminality and reprisals, restarting Libya’s economy, and beginning a political transition. The TNC has issued orders concerning security in Tripoli and has announced the establishment of a high security council to incorporate cooperative former regime security force commanders, eastern rebel leaders, and rebel commanders from Misuratah, the western mountains, and Tripoli. TNC officials also are discussing an interim security observer or advisory mission with the United Nations Secretary General. The Obama Administration has reiterated that it has no intention of deploying U.S. military forces on the ground in Libya. U.S. officials express confidence that nuclear materials and chemical weapons components that are stored in Libya remain secure and state that remote monitoring of relevant facilities will continue. The proliferation of military weaponry from Libyan stockpiles, including small arms, explosives, and shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles, remains a serious concern.

The shift in momentum and rebel success has led to an expansion of political recognition and offers of international financial support for the TNC. Over 40 countries now have recognized the TNC as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people. New offers of hundreds of millions of dollars in financial support have come from Germany, Turkey, and others. Resolution 1973 calls for the transfer of seized Libyan government assets for the benefit of the Libyan people “as soon as possible,” and the United States is supporting U.N. authorization of an initial transfer of $1.5 billion to support humanitarian, fuel, and salary needs. Members of the intergovernmental Libya Contact Group and others have met in Doha, Qatar, and Istanbul, Turkey, to discuss transition arrangements and support for the TNC. A broader international meeting of the Contact Group, Russia, China, India, and others is planned in Paris, France, for the week of August 29.

Libya’s citizens, transitional authorities, and rebel fighters now face the task of overcoming Libya’s history of weak government institutions, potentially divisive political dynamics, and the effects of the fight to overthrow Qadhafi. Security challenges, significant reconstruction needs, and political uncertainty are likely to characterize events in Libya over the coming months. Congress may consider and debate means for assisting Libya’s transitional authorities or supporting international security efforts.


Date of Report: August 26, 2011
Number of Pages: 27
Order Number: RL33142
Price: $29.95

Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports

Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.