Sham Libyan Elections

  Sham Libyan Elections

by Stephen Lendman

In 2011, Washington-led NATO forces destroyed Libya. It was ravaged, not liberated. 

Humanitarian intervention was cover to wage war. "Responsibility to protect (R2P)" was subterfuge to colonize and plunder another country.

Tens of thousands were killed. Vital social services were lost. Imperial control replaced Jamahiriya governance. Pre-2011 Libya no longer exists. 

Libyans call what NATO wrought "dimacracy." Dima in Arabic is blood. NATO gains control by shedding it.

An illegitimate National Transitional Council (NTC) was appointed. Puppet leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil was made chairman.

Mahmoud Jibril became prime minister. Abdurraheem el-Keib replaced him. He's a businessman and prominent Tripoli family scion. He taught at the UAE's Petroleum Institute. Oil giants fund it.

Last August, Washington parachuted him in as its man. Protracted conflict continues. Libyans want to live free. Their struggle won't end until NATO's removed.

On July 7, sham elections were held. Originally scheduled for June 19, violence and instability postponed them. Current conditions are just as chaotic. Tribes and insurgent gangs control much of the country. Turf battles continue.

Anyone holding a position in any capacity in Gaddafi's government was excluded from participating. So were ordinary Libyans. Only those judged professionally qualified could run. NTC stooges decided. Washington had final say.

Democracy wasn't on the ballot. It never is with America in charge. Obama officials claimed otherwise.

Hillary Clinton did what she does best. She lied. She called Libyan elections a "historic milestone." 

"(M)en and women from every corner of Libya are determining their own future."

UN envoy Susan Rice regurgitated her boss' deception, saying:

"Libyans can finally forge a democracy that's subject to the will of its people."

She claimed Libya's future will be brighter, stronger and more prosperous. She congratulated Libyans on their liberation.

Like her boss, she's a serial liar and war criminal multiple times over. She disgraces the office she holds. She represents power and privilege. She spurns the right of people everywhere to live free.

With Washington in charge, Libyans don't have a chance. They have no future. Scoundrel media claim otherwise.

The New York Times headlined "Braving Areas of Violence, Voters Try to Reshape Libya," saying:

"....Libyans across most of the country voted Saturday in the first election after more than four decades of isolation and totalitarianism under Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi."

The Wall Street Journal headlined "Libyans Flock to Polls in First Post-Gadhafi Vote." The atmosphere was "celebratory."

Reuters headlined "Libyans celebrate free vote despite violence," saying:

"Libyans are celebrating their first free national election in 60 years ."

"Revelers lit the night sky over the capital, Tripoli, with fireworks...."

The Voice of America broadcasts US propaganda. It outdoes Fox News. It headlined "Libyans Hold Emotional Multi-Party Election, First in 60 Years," saying:

"Libyans filled with optimism went to the polls Saturday for their nation's first multi-party elections in 60 years. It was an emotional moment for people who have lived through 42 years of dictatorship and a bloody revolution."

Young men "presiding over a raucous intersection of celebratory horn honking, as Libyans headed to and from the voting stations."

Optimism spread around the capital, said VOA. "Libyans  of all ages put their country's problems aside and celebrated (on) their first post-revolution election day."

Ignored was ravaged Libya in shambles, millions now impoverished, extreme human misery, protracted violence, and continuing liberation struggles.

Libyans showing up at polls won't get what they voted for. Democracy wasn't on the ballot. Two hundred General National Congress (GNC) seats were at stake. 

Around 4,000 candidates competed. NTC officials ran as independents or newly created parties. Others had various party, independent, or other affiliations. 

Most parties are Islamist. Washington has had a longstanding relationship with regional Islamist regimes. They include Saudi Arabia and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Al Qaeda is strategically used both as ally and enemy.

In the 1980s, bin Laden and mujahideen fighters were used against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan called them freedom fighters.

CIA and US special forces actively recruit, fund, arm, train, and direct Al Qaeda elements in Syria.

Extremist Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) elements were used against Gaddafi.

Publicly, Islamic fundamentalists are called a threat to US security. At the same time, they're used against America's enemies.

Expect Islamic candidates to fill most seats in Libya's GNC. Washington expresses no discomfort.

Only 80% of eligible voters were registered. Illegitimate electoral officials claimed turnout was 60%. It may, in fact, have been much lower. Pre-election, calls in parts of the country urged boycotting it.

GNC replaces the NTC. Puppet governance remains unchanged.

Within 30 days of taking office, a puppet prime minister will be chosen. He and majority GNC members are tasked with serving Western interests. Sham elections give them cover.

Money power rules Libya. Legitimate representatives serving everyone equitably are excluded.

At issue is plundering the country for profit. Military bases are planned.

In March 2011, Press TV headlined "US, France, Britain set up bases in Libya," saying:

They "dispatched hundreds of military advisors to Libya to set up military bases in the country's oil-rich east...."

Libyan diplomats were quoted saying Benghazi and Tobruk bases are planned. Insurgents controlled both cities. In late February, US and UK special forces entered both cities.

Key is plundering Libya's oil, gas, water, uranium, iron ore, and other resources. Scattered deposits of gypsum, limestone, cement rock, salt, sodium carbonate (trona) building stone, phosphate rock, manganese, barit-celestite, sulfur and alum exist.

Also at issue is controlling the entire Mediterranean Basin, privatizing state industries, exploiting Libyan workers, and balkanizing the country like Yugoslavia.

Middle East analyst Mahdi Darius Mazemroaya says NATO wants Libya divided into Tripolitania, Fezzan, and Cyrenaica. Washington, Britain, France, and Italy supported this going back decades.

Redrawing the entire Eurasian map is planned. Involved is balkanizing it for greater control. Divide and conquer strategy makes it easier. One country after another is targeted. Currently it's Syria. In 2011, it was Libya.

Once puppet officials take office, drafting a new constitution will follow. Originally planned as their first order of business, voters will now decide who'll do it. Expect Western powers to choose eligible candidates.

Neoliberal exploitation and tyranny replaced Jamahiriya direct democracy and generous benefits it provided. Libya's oil wealth was shared with its people.

It provided free healthcare, education, electricity, water, training, rehabilitation, housing assistance, disability and old-age benefits, interest-free state loans, as well as generous subsidies to study abroad, buy a new car, help couples when they marry, practically free gasoline, and more.

Libya under Gaddafi became Africa's most developed nation. Its hospitals and private clinics were some of the region's best. Now they're in shambles. So is most else from months of bombing, continued violence, and Western indifference to people needs.

What Gaddafi provided, NATO swept away. Libyans are on their own to survive. Former calm and stable life is now violent, chaotic and dysfunctional. 

Anyone expressing support for Gaddafi's government is subject to criminal penalties. Insulting the so-called "revolution" is also illegal.

"Liberated" Libya looks more like hell. It's true wherever NATO shows up. It's a killing machine. 

Its mandate includes mass deaths, vast destruction, subjugation, colonization, resource control, exploitation, and defiance of rule of law principles and other democratic values.

Hillary Clinton said Libyans now get to choose their own future. She didn't explain that tyranny and neoliberal exploitation are part of the deal.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War"

http://www.claritypress.com/Lendman.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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