Context
NATO warned on Tuesday that Libya could fall into the hands of Islamic militants if a power vacuum continued to exist. NATO’s secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen made the comment in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. He said Islamic extremists would exploit weaknesses in the country if the rebel leaders remained divided.
Mr. Rasmussen’s warning came ahead of the speech by the head of the National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustafa Abdul Jalil in Tripoli. Jalil announced the main source of legislation in the country would be Shariah law.
The subdued comments by NATO’s secretary general highlight the tough road ahead of Libya. The country not only has to contend with Gaddafi loyalists who still have control over south of the country, but also divisions in the rebel ranks.
