Libya was one of a long line of Middle Eastern countries to experience unrest and revolution in 2012. Libya was somewhat different to countries such as Tunisia in that the country's self styled leader Muammar Gaddafi still had some support and was prepared to fight to the bitter end.
Ultimately the regime was defeated and Gaddafi summarily executed. What Libya does have in common with other ME countries which have experienced the "2011 Arab Spring" unrest is that peace and democracy remain elusive. Those that banged the drum for Libya have in truth not seen the mission through to the end.
Countries such as Libya have had a tribal base for years. Afghanistan is similar. This could mean that democracy, as we know it, is impossible. Democracy is our way of life but that does not mean it is fit for all. Western democracy is now so flawed that it is far from perfect. However for the West it is the best alternative available to date.
Libyans go to the polls tomorrow and violence in Libya has been increasing.
Today July 6, 2012, Al Jazeera has reported on some of the violence.A helicopter was forced to land after being struck by gunfire. It was carrying election papers. One man was reportedly killed. Earlier in the day rockets hit a medical centre though no injuries were reported. And on it goes. The latest breaking news is that protesters in Benghazi are threatening to close tomorrow's scheduled polls.
Watching protesters on the streets once again in places such as Libya and Egypt it is all too easy to think "what the hell do these people want?" In truth of course they want a free and fair election with a corruption free government. As we all know that can be elusive, no matter where in the World you live.
Having been prepared to put their all on the line in a bid for democracy surely the Libyans deserve a resolution at last? Disputes over the allocation of constituent seats and tribal differences, in the 200-member national assembly, may however mean that peace will remain elusive.
Tags: Libyan election, Benghazi rockets, Helicopter struck, Libya, Gaddafi
Ultimately the regime was defeated and Gaddafi summarily executed. What Libya does have in common with other ME countries which have experienced the "2011 Arab Spring" unrest is that peace and democracy remain elusive. Those that banged the drum for Libya have in truth not seen the mission through to the end.
Countries such as Libya have had a tribal base for years. Afghanistan is similar. This could mean that democracy, as we know it, is impossible. Democracy is our way of life but that does not mean it is fit for all. Western democracy is now so flawed that it is far from perfect. However for the West it is the best alternative available to date.
Libyans go to the polls tomorrow and violence in Libya has been increasing.
Today July 6, 2012, Al Jazeera has reported on some of the violence.A helicopter was forced to land after being struck by gunfire. It was carrying election papers. One man was reportedly killed. Earlier in the day rockets hit a medical centre though no injuries were reported. And on it goes. The latest breaking news is that protesters in Benghazi are threatening to close tomorrow's scheduled polls.
Watching protesters on the streets once again in places such as Libya and Egypt it is all too easy to think "what the hell do these people want?" In truth of course they want a free and fair election with a corruption free government. As we all know that can be elusive, no matter where in the World you live.
Having been prepared to put their all on the line in a bid for democracy surely the Libyans deserve a resolution at last? Disputes over the allocation of constituent seats and tribal differences, in the 200-member national assembly, may however mean that peace will remain elusive.
Tags: Libyan election, Benghazi rockets, Helicopter struck, Libya, Gaddafi
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