Libya: Commitments Made on Gaddafi Overthrow Anniversary to Avoid One-man Rule

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the interim Government of National Unity, attending the thirteenth anniversary of “Liberation Day"
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the interim Government of National Unity, attending the thirteenth anniversary of “Liberation Day"
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Libya: Commitments Made on Gaddafi Overthrow Anniversary to Avoid One-man Rule

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the interim Government of National Unity, attending the thirteenth anniversary of “Liberation Day"
Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the interim Government of National Unity, attending the thirteenth anniversary of “Liberation Day"

During the celebrations for the anniversary of Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, Libyan factions criticized the era of “one-man rule” and vowed not to return to it “now that Libya is free.”

On the thirteenth anniversary of “Liberation Day,” these groups committed to working toward the country’s stability without looking back.

However, some observers argue that, despite Gaddafi’s removal, Libya continues to face “individual control by politicians in their regions.”

At a celebration in Misrata organized by the “National Support Forces,” Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, head of the interim Government of National Unity, highlighted the sacrifices of the martyrs and stressed the importance of following their path toward development and restoring citizens’ rights.

He announced that his government is taking strong steps to eliminate obstacles to stability, aiming for improvements in citizens' daily lives.

Dbeibah spoke firmly, indirectly addressing the House of Representatives, stating he would not allow those who lost their legitimacy ten years ago to impose their conditions on the Libyan people.

He insisted that the next phase requires determination to confront anyone trying to disrupt the journey toward freedom and stability, promising to take decisive action to move toward elections.

Dbeibah reaffirmed his “full commitment to preventing the return of military or individual rule,” stressing the importance of enabling all Libyans to express their rights in elections and national decisions.

At a celebration attended by notable figures from various regions, he declared that the sacrifices made for freedom would not be in vain and emphasized the need for decisive action against those undermining stability and freedom.

Both Dbeibah’s government and its eastern rival, led by Osama Hamad, declared Wednesday a public holiday to mark the thirteenth anniversary of Libya's liberation from Gaddafi's regime on Oct. 23, 2011.

The House of Representatives highlighted the achievements of the Libyan people in 2011, celebrating their liberation from individual rule and the move toward a fully democratic state.

They stated that the ideal state allows citizens to choose their leaders through free and fair elections.

They also noted that the Feb.17 revolution sparked the declaration of full liberation on Oct. 23 in a grand celebration in Benghazi.

Thirteen years after this declaration, Libya is at a critical juncture that requires unity, reconciliation, and a focus on national cohesion to fulfill the revolution’s goals.



ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic.

US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request.

But the ICC said Thursday that Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required.

Israel launched its war against Hamas after militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year.

Health officials in the Gaza Strip said Thursday the death toll from the 13-month-old war has surpassed 44,000.

The Israeli offensive has also caused heavy destruction across wide areas of the coastal territory and displaced 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people.

The court issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas’ armed wing, over the Oct. 7 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in Gaza. It said it found reasonable grounds to believe Deif was involved in murder, rape, torture and the taking of hostages amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Khan withdrew his request for warrants for two other senior Hamas figures, Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, who have both since been killed. Israel says it also killed Deif in an airstrike, but Hamas has never confirmed his death.

The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were issued by a three-judge panel in a unanimous decision.
The panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe they “intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival,” including food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in September that it had submitted two legal briefs challenging the ICC’s jurisdiction and arguing that the court did not provide Israel the opportunity to investigate the allegations itself before requesting the warrants.