Libya’s transitional leader declared his country’s liberation Sunday after an 8-month civil war and set out plans for the future with an Islamist tone. The announcement was clouded, however, by international pressure to explain how ousted dictator Moammar Gadhafi had been captured alive days earlier, then ended up dead from a gunshot to his head shortly afterward.
Gadhafi’s death in circumstances that are still unclear, and the gruesome spectacle of his body laid out as a trophy in a commercial freezer and on public view, are testing the new Libyan leaders’ commitment to the rule of law. Even at the ceremony to declare liberation, two speakers in positions of authority essentially said Gadhafi got what he deserved.
But transitional government leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, who made the keynote speech, did not mention the events surrounding Gadhafi’s end and called on his people to eschew hatred.
“You should only embrace honesty, patience, and mercy,” Abdul-Jalil told the crowd at the declaration ceremony in the eastern city of Benghazi, the birthplace of the uprising against Gadhafi. He urged Libyans to reconcile their differences.
And he laid out a vision for the post-Gadhafi future with an Islamist tint, saying Islamic Sharia law would be the “basic source” of legislation and existing laws that contradict the teachings of Islam would be nullified. In a gesture that showed his own piety, he urged Libyans not to express their joy by firing guns in the air, but rather to chant “Allahu Akbar,” or God is Great. He then stepped aside from the podium and knelt to offer a brief prayer of thanks.
Using Sharia as the main source of legislation is stipulated in the constitution of neighboring Egypt. Still, Egyptian laws remain largely secular as Sharia does not cover all aspects of modern day life.
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4 Responses
Thank you president Hussein Obama for giving the world another Muslim country rule by Islamic law.
President Obama must be happy for his islamic faith today.
And for the obamaites who dont believe it, here is the QUOTE from Obama on national TV:
“What I was suggesting – you’re absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you’re absolutely right that that has not come.”
Obama has been PRO the demonstrations in countries where the muslims yemach sh’mom became stronger (Libya, Egypt, etc) and AGAINST the demonstrations where the muslims ym’sh would have become weaker (syria, iran). Can this be a coincidence? No! Where there is smoke there is fire!
From bad to worse. obama has cause detriment to the whole world for his backing in Eqypt and in Libya.
If you actually read the article it “sounds” like a good thing. We will see what happens lmayseh.
“You should only embrace honesty, patience, and mercy,” Abdul-Jalil told the crowd… He urged Libyans to reconcile their differences.”
“In a gesture that showed his own piety, he urged Libyans not to express their joy by firing guns in the air, but rather to chant “Allahu Akbar,” or God is Great. He then stepped aside from the podium and knelt to offer a brief prayer of thanks.”