According to media reports, members of the Al Qaeda linked Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) are in control of various parts of the country after the Qaddafi regime was toppled earlier this month. The group led by Abd AlHakin Belhadj, an Al Qaeda leader who was imprisoned in Libya has styled himself the “Commander of the Tripoli Military Council”. This comes as a major blow to the Natoinal Transitional Council (NTC) which is backed by the Western powers and hopes to lead the political process in a post Qaddafi Libya.

The situation in Libya is also likely to encourage other Islamic militant groups in the Arab Revolt

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Muammar Qaddafi could be allowed to stay in Libya given that he steps down, according to France, indicating a new initiative to find a political solution to a military campaign that has up to now failed to overthrow the Libyan leader. Talking to France’s LCI TV, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said global powers were ready to allow Qaddafi to stay in Libya once he quits. The new proposal reflects an understanding that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to drive Qaddafi out of Tripoli by persuasion or force.

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