Who saw this coming - Libya: Semi-autonomy declared by leaders in east

[malaise]

Divide and Rule
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17271431
<snip>
Civic leaders in eastern Libya have declared semi-autonomy for the oil-rich region.

The decision was made at a meeting attended by at least 2,000 people near the eastern city of Benghazi.

Supporters of the move say the region, known as Cyrenaica, has been neglected for decades and local people should now decide on local matters.

But the governing National Transitional Council has argued against federalism, amid fears it could break up Libya.

The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, reporting from the meeting, called the announcement a declaration of intent by the tribal leaders of Cyrenaica.

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[KG]

2. i think it was the 'ghadaffi lovers'...

[riverwalker]

3. actually, majority are opposed

The amazing thing is that they are having a conference to discuss such things, to have a voice at all.
Mary Fitzgerald of the Irish Times is actually there, and reporting:

Mary Fitzgerald‏@MaryFitzgerldIT

Headlines re eastern #Libya declaring semi-autonomy are misleading. Today's 4000-strong conf step in that direction but many in east opposed


you can follow here, if sincerely interested in information.
Mary Fitzgerald

@MaryFitzgerldIT

Irish Times foreign affairs correspondent. RTs/links/follows are not endorsements. Email: [e-mail]

Roving - currently in Libya · http://irishtimes.com