Libya's Ex-Oil Minister Criticizes New Leaders by The Associated Press

[PurityOfEssence]

This story comes our way via NPR.

But he said he refused an offer to join Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib's transitional Cabinet, because he believes that those now in power are not representative. He accused them of being "supported from the outside by money, arms and PR."

"The voices that we see now are the voices of the elite," he said.

The U.S.-educated Tarhouni, who managed the then-rebel government's financial system, is one of the first senior Libyan politicians to openly question the new government's legitimacy.

Please read this, it's a very interesting article.

The sheer mendacity and cynicism of our intervention reeks to high heaven.

Associated Press via NPR

[Prometheus Bound]

1. Former PM Mahmoud Jibril has said essentially the same thing.

Urgency grows in divided Libya, says Jibril
November 23, 2011

....Mr. Jibril is worried. Very worried. In a press briefing and at Harvard University's Arab Weekend in mid-November he used the word "scary" at least five times to describe the outlook for Libya, and said that the country could slip into the sort of instability that has racked Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein.

....The oil and finance posts went to two men who have long occupied senior management positions in the country's oil industry.

....In the Nafusa mountains, members of the Amazigh, or Berber, minority, said they were cutting ties with the transitional council because of insufficient representation

....He also complained that Qatar, which provided military support to anti-Qaddafi rebels, is now meddling dangerously in Libyan politics.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/1123/Urgency-grows-in-divided-Libya-says-Jibril

[PurityOfEssence]

2. Yes, it looks all fine and dandy, but there are many who are disgruntled

We shall see, although it won't be well reported.

[joshcryer]

4. IMO Libya will be covered quite well come 8 or so months from now when they have their elections.

I'm thinking closer to a year (maybe the date of Independence), but it'll happen. Media will be loving it as it'll be a nice "endcap" to the whole affair.

What I do find amusing is that you're using mainstream reports and claim that something isn't being reported. It's being reported, it's not the media's fault that people don't care about Libya anymore and thus doesn't warrant front page news. Now if some attack happens on the high cabinet, I'm sure it'll be reported, and you'll possibly be gleefully observing.

[Prometheus Bound]

5. I don't think it's fair to assume anyone who opposed this intervention is now gleeful about problems

I'm pretty sure you know we are not.

Aside from that, any thoughts on Qatar's present involvement? It sounds like they are owed a lot, but perhaps demanding too important a seat at the table and pissing off some pretty important people. It seems very odd for such a small country to be trying to play such a big role. I don't quite get it.

[EFerrari]

7. It makes you wonder what Qatar was promsed and by whom.

Weren't they instrumental in legitimizing these TNC people by recognizing them early and by cutting the first oil deal with them? And they also supplied military aid, including troops. Qatar was in this up to its eyeballs.

[EFerrari]

6. Who could have ever predicted that a NATO sponsored regime change

would go awry.

[joshcryer]

3. Nice article, looks like Tarhouni is vyying for President or other high political office.

He stepped down because anyone on the cabinet cannot run for office. The article even implies that to some extent. This is early campaigning, the lecture series should be really good boon for him.