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AFP - Getty Images
Members of Libya's security forces look at a British convoy car that was attacked by a rocket-propelled grenade in Benghazi on Monday.
Libyans who overthrew dictator Moammar Gadhafi could now be turning on the West, according to a counter-extremism think tank that says militant Islamists are exploiting the country’s fragile security situation.
A recent string of attacks on Western targets – including one on United States diplomatic offices in Benghazi – has been carried out by an armed group whose “language and choice of targets reflect a Jihadist influence," according to the London-based Quilliam Foundation.
The warning echoes concerns by observers and some U.S. intelligence sources that the collapse of the Gadhafi regime could be exploited by groups seeking to turn Libya into an Islamic state.
Fourteen armed militias were killed ear Tripoli on Wednesday in the third straight day of fighting, underscoring the country's volatility ten months after Gadhafi's overthrow.
The country is preparing for a July 7 election to choose a national assembly that will write a new national constitution. Bouts of deadly violence, mostly in the southern Sahara and in the mountainous west, have highlighted old feuds between rival factions that pre-date the Gadhafi era.
“The recent events in Libya underline the fragile security situation in the country and the difficulties faced by the Libyan authorities in creating a stable environment, thus generating a security vacuum ready to be exploited by various militant groups,” Noman Benotman, a former Libyan jihadist who now works for the Quilliam Foundation, told msnbc.com.
Benotman said a group named the Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman Brigade has claimed responsibility for attacks in Benghazi in recent days -- two against the neutral International Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters and one each against the U.S. offices in the city and the British Ambassador’s motor convoy.
The brigade is named after “The Blind Sheikh” Omar Abdul Rahman who is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S. for his connections to the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.
Don Emmert / AFP, file
Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, shown here in a picture from 1993, gives his name to the Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman Brigade, which has claimed responsibility for recent attacks in Libya. The so-called Blind Sheikh is currently serving a life sentence in the U.S. for his connections to the 1993 World Trade Center bombings.
Benotman said the first attack on the ICRC mission, on May 22, was carried out after the group accused the organization of distributing Bibles and facilitating missionary lectures aiming to convert Libyan Muslims to Christianity.
The Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman Brigade, and similar groups, “take advantage of the accessibility to weapons, explosives and combat facilities available in the country since the Libyan revolution,” he said. “Inspired by a Jihadist ideology, the group can also increase its impact and attract dozens of Libyans who were previously involved in fighting to overthrow the Gadhafi regime.”
He said Libyan authorities “still face a serious gap in their attempt to control the security situation between the bureaucratic and the operational levels.”
In September, U.S. intelligence officials told the Washington Times that Jihadists among the Libyan rebels planned on the Internet to subvert the post-Gadhafi government and create an Islamist state.
The sources said spy agencies were stepping up surveillance of Islamist-oriented elements among Libyan rebels, and that a U.S. government report circulated Tuesday detailed how extremists were observed “strategizing” on Internet forums about how to set up an Islamist state in Libya.
Could Libya be the next Mediterranean tourism hotspot?
More than 600 former al-Qaida–linked militants, rounded up by the Gadhafi regime during the post-U.S. invasion Iraq insurgency, were freed from Tripoli's Abu Salim prison during last year’s political revolution.
However, Benotman’s warnings were played down by Richard Dalton, the former British Ambassador to Libya and Associate Fellow of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at British think tank, Chatham House.
He told msnbc.com: “Libya is not a fertile area for Jihadism, and not a natural recruiting ground for Islamist extremism. Apart from some eastern and southern areas, there is little evidence that Jihadists are posing a substantial threat to the country’s security any more than they would in any other country in the region."
“There is not a political vacuum in Libya. The overall picture is one that is heading more towards progress than setbacks and the ability to overcome incidences of violence.”
The former Libyan intelligence officer Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was convicted of taking part in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing but was released after eight years for health reasons, has died in Libya of prostate cancer. NBC's Jim Maceda reports from London.
Dr Omar Ashour, director of the Middle East Graduate Studies Program at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, and a visiting fellow in the Brookings Doha Center, has reported that former Jihadists in Libya, such as Abd al-Hakim Belhaj, the commander of Tripoli's Military Council, have been forced to “mature politically, recalculate strategically, moderate behaviorally [and] modify their ideological beliefs”.
“The National Transitional Council, with the support of NATO has a good chance of avoiding an Iraq-like or an Algeria-like scenario in Libya,” he wrote in an article for Foreign Policy.
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Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world
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Shocked I tell you shocked - so Mr. O how is the Arab spring and your love fest with the Arab world going? Egypt= beating women in the street, Muslim Brotherhood gaining power, military (what is left of it) just waiting. Syria= 15,000 dead Russia arming the military warning us to back off- Iran close to a nuclear weapon (don't worry Israel will handle this one) Yemen breaking apart, Pakistan, a mess getting much worse - kissing people's backsides and apologizing for the USA, and thinking everyone will love us is naive at best, dangerous at its worst.
so what exactly should obama have done? who said that "everyone would love us"?
why do you people always post such nonsense?
Obama shouldn't have grovelled and apologized to the "Muslim World". Obama shouldn't have thrown Israel under the bus. Obama shouldn't have turned on Mubarek and allowed the Muslim Brotherhood (1993 WTC bombers) to take over. Obama and Nato shouldn't have deposed Gaddafi and given Libya to Al-Queda. Obama shouldn't have leaked state secrets and gotten the Pakistani doctor who helped us get Bin Laden arrested. Obama isa disgrace. America will most not likely recover from his one term and yet people here are so ill informed and so fearful of being called racists that they will vote for this horrifying poor example of an American for President again.
Simple. He should have just let those goons kill each other. The planet would have been better off.
Lead- Arabs respect strength, I travel to that part of the world and have friends there, they told me that they perceive Obama as weak and naive and unwilling to stand up to the Iranians. Thinking that Arabs would suddenly embrace Democracy? really there is only one Democracy in the Middle East and that is Israel ,whom Arabs hate. We tossed Mubarak to the wind (he was a jackass to be sure) but a reliable one - now there is Chaos-
Vermont Guy, are you familiar with acronym, MYOB?
That is what he should have done instead of using 84 million dollars on an illegal and unprovoked attack on another nation, that was no danger to us.
In defense of Vermont Guy we could have done the same thing with Iraq.
Get used to this same old crap....Syria is now in Nobamas sights, but first we got to screw with pakistan, and iran.... we'll be there after the election if not before, no matter who wins, and 5 years from now we'll be seeing the same posts on the blogs....Why...because no one reads their history, and politicians never send their kids to these lands, as long as there's a chance to make a buck...By the way have you guys seen Hillary lately, wow! this job is sure taking a toll on her....hmmmm.. wonder who Bills stuffing cigars into...?
Is there anyone in their right mind thaat didn't expect this to happen. Egypt will follow. Then Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan.....
The Pentagon is nothing but a bunch of little boys playing soldier with real lives. As long as they are given our tax dollars to buy new toys to kill with and can find "enemies" in parts of the world that no Americans give a damn about, they will. Our innocent sons and daughters who can't find jobs in the U.S. will volunteer to be their sacrificial lambs.
Presidents seem to get even more inflation for their giant egos when they become Commander-in-Chief. They get to be the chief puppet masters in government's reality show. May God give them just recompense for the deaths, maimings, and loss of property they cause.
Look what we did to Libya. We turned a stable country into the mess it is now and the people don't like it or us
You do not need to be nuts to be a right winger but it helps this proves it. I fell out of my chair when I read this crap
breadex, and people like you are a fine example of a Liberal, name callers and finger pointers oh and lets not forget EXCUSE makers.
The Arabs have been savages for thousands of years, what did anyone expect?
pjosh, just the white ones?
Somtimes I think they post stories like this just so the trolls can get their anti Obama junk up. Of course there are militants that do not want American influence in that counrty. there are many Qudafi loyalists who would fracture the accord with the american/new regime there. In july they will elect a new government. Will it be pro west? Probably not. Will it live in peace with its neighbors and stop sponsering terrorism? Probably but not guaranteed. With the past leadership this was certain. With the new who knows. All in all what little we spent to help the people who say they want freedom to choose was pennies on a dollar as compared to Iraq. Now the right has to send out its trolls to try and make you think this is some kind of an administration failur when t is a victory for the people who live there.
Why don't you wait and ask the people there what they think in about 5 years. They may not agree it was a victory for them. Ghadaffi was a dictator and a tyrant to be sure, but people in the US have to realize that not every situation and not every country is the same. Libya is a country not of a unified society like the US, but of many individual tribes who tend to wage regular pissing matches with each other. There is a good chance a democracy simply may not work in that region, as there are too many opposing factions to ever get along easily in a government framework.
Under the ruthless dictator, the people of Libya enjoyed a pretty decent standard of living in comparison to many of their neighbors. Libya was one of the few countries with zero debt and women had more freedoms than in most countries of the area. They were not a threat to us, and in fact Ghadaffi welcomed Obama as the US president (his speeches of welcome are on youtube). The rebels begged us for help, which Obama sidestepped congress to provide - only later to have Hillary admit that it was possible she didn't really know who the rebels were. There was much speculation that the same people shooting at us in Afghanistan were joined with the rebels - information that would have been nice to have if anyone had bothered to check PRIOR to sending in drone attacks, etc. By the time it came out, it was too late to back down.
This was no different than a civil war that Ghadaffi would have taken care of swiftly. Instead, parts of the country are now in ruins, old tribal wars are restarting, and extremists stand a good chance of taking over. This was never our fight. We cannot continue that our way of democracy is the "right" and "only" way for the rest of the world. So, wait 5 years and ask the people who live there if they still believe this to be a "victory".
didn't we all knew this when obama wanted to help, what an ass, he probably wants that country to control since we have him figured out now, he can't control this one anymore after november, nobama in november
Amazing how, regardless of how one considered the late unlamented Ghaddaffi, it was obvious from day one who and what was a significant part of the internal drive to oust him - yet our leaders in their esteemed 'wisdom' thought it a good idea to play ball with these people. No doubt they thought they would create an ever grateful Libya - dream on! And so much for our 'brilliant' leadership.
US is a christina state, Britain is a christian state, Israel is a jewish state, France is a christian state, Canada is a chritsian state, .... Why is it bad that Libya be a muslim state? Why is it bad that Palestine be a muslim state? Why is it bad that Iraq be a mulism state? And please, don't associate the first group with democracy and freedom. We all know that such things do not exists.
All you people who were singing the praises of the "Arab spring"! What did you think was going to happen. All they have done is exchange one blood sucking Dictator for a new group. While you rooted on these people who had no idea what to do after they destroyed their country in a civil war, the Brotherhood sat back and sold them a bill of goods. All the students, lawyers and actors that protested, they will disappear. Shari law will not allow them. Did you think there was going to be a shiny new democracy here.
If the International Red Cross was distributing bibles then they deserved what they got. It is stupid to think the can convent muslims to christians. Leave Lybia alone. We have helped kill thousands of lives for oil, plain and simple.
"the first attack on the ICRC mission, on May 22, was carried out after the group accused the organization of distributing Bibles"
Now if Muslims distributed Korans here in the States, we would probably just say "no thanks, not interested" but if a Christian distributes a Bible over there, they get killed, what Nice loving people???
What is one ignition factor here is everywhere people go to lend aid they have to start handing out Bibles to people of other religions. They consider this to be an insult. They just don't want to leave well enough alone. Yes, I think tehy would have been pretty much ok if they were just handing out food and blankets.
Sometimes I wonder why we aren't civil waring here. Probably because you would need a score card to keep up with who's your enamy.
I really doubt the Red Cross was handing out Bibles as it has nothing to do with religion, just a made up excuse to attack the West
Saddam, Mubarak, Khadafy, etc, etc, when will we learn that STRONG TYRANTS are the only ones who can keep their savage citizens in check. The US has to know this when they pull the plug on these dictators so we must have an ulterior motive to try to gain financially from the situation. Nothing new here, another dictator gone another country devolves into chaos. You think Afganistan is bad now, wait until Kharzi is gone...
Yep and it is a blessing that the Military took over in Egypt - best for us, best for the Egyptians, and the world as a whole
Kirk, watch and see...once the head General declares himself Supreme ruler of the country and he executes a few dozen citizens along with eliminating all opponents against him EVERYTHING will quiet down and they will live happily ever after, these people love their tyrants!! They need them.
What's that? Muslims don't LOVE us now that Obama is President?
Wow!!! Didn't see THAT one coming.... (sarc)
so called LIYBIN AUTHORITIES, are they not the ones appointed by the U.S./NATO!
Whoever they are - according to John McCain they are his new best friends forever xoxo - isnt that sweet?
And I thought you were Kirk, do I detect a bit of jealousy.
I hope BP is happy - after all they lead the charge of the light brigade
BP lost out. They had iron clan contracts with Ghaddafi. It was the media that incited our involvement. Now question this ( don't want to tax your brain),. Why did the U.S. Envoy to Syria suddenly back the rebels in Syria over 6 months ago before fighting even broke out?
Where was the first place Nancy Pelosi ran to after becoming Speaker of the House in 2007?
Ok I thought Col Q was balking on the contracts to Oil Companies in England and France and hence the reason for the military intervention - As for Pelosi I am sure her husband made a fortune off of her (us) again
Ghaddafi got what he wanted when BP released the Lockerbie Bomber. The problem with people like Pelosi is there are 434 people just like her in Washington. They are power and party first, America last.
I have lost all faith in our government to do the right thing. It didn't start with obama but is sure hasn't changed under him either.
When did anyone ever get the idea that Libyans ever 'liked' the US? This is not facebook. It is real life. The Libyans only liked us when we were sending them money and weapons to overthrow Kadaffy Duck. Beyond that, it is still Islam as usual, and they have really never liked us at all -- except for the money and weapons. Same thing goes for Yemen. Once they accomplish what they set out to do, all infidels can go home and don't let the door hit us in the a$$...but feel free to send more money. Sounds like Pakistan, doesn't it, and India, and Afghanistan.
Oh, they are turning against us? Wait...let me get my shocked face....
What I'd really like to know, if they are in fact turning against us, when were they FOR us??
I was wondering when the U.S. media was going to break its self-enforced silence about the decay in Libya. Incite a war, then comment on the results. Moral cowards.
What a shocker, now lets bomb Syria and Iran. Whoever has the most guns and terror wins. Putin's wealth was estimated at $150 million about five years ago, what's that skim money up to now? Thank god our corporate labor force is under the strict control of the communist Chinese.
It does appear as if we are in a new world order - heck we die in Afghan and then give it to China - who in the hell is running the show in the US - crap I remember - Goldman Sachs and their boys at the Federal Reserve
Every person who has ever worked for Goldman Sachs should be placed at the top of the Homeland Security watch list. They have done more damage and destroyed more lives than Al Qaeda
Goldman Sachs, John Corzine executive Liberal MF Global enough said
stop the foreign aid to these fools! It is time that the American taxpayer gets a break and our tax dollars are used in the U.S. where they are earned! Iraq was going to pay for their war with their oil. Didn't happen, the American taxpayer is still paying for it. Yemen would seem to be a breeding ground for terrorists, so to with Libya, and on and on. Cut 'em off. Lets see how darned much bite they have when we, the people of the United States of America, pull their teeth by closing the wallet!
Of course those radical Muslims are turning against the West. They hate us. Why the hell we ever helped them is beyond me. We were better off when they were under the thumb of a despot that was pretty much a non-problem for the west anymore.
They just say "thanks suckers now we gonna kill ya"
And that idiot McCain wants to help the Syrians too? Spend OUR money just to get the the SOS, just a different S*** tosser???
Odd, Just months ago the left wing loons were championing obama for bringing democracy to Libya. Now that the results are different it is Bush's fault again?
You characters are a laugh riot. No wonder we have a community organizer running us into the ground.
It was also the right wing that was hammering Obama to help the Libyan's so we have to tell the whole story, also in Syria the right and left are saying that we have to help Syria. I say stay out of it, nothing good is going to come from this, once we removed Saddam, Mubarak, Khadafy, etc what happened? The countries fell apart and the savages started killing eachother, when Assad steps aside it will blow up...Israel secretly wants Assad in power because at least he is the devil that they know.
Regime change, I hope we learn our lesson.
How can someone (Libya) "turn" from something, they were Never TURNED Toward. Kaddafi was our Enemy. Lockerbie Bomber anyone? Where does MESS-NBC get this Rubbage. Answer: "And I Will Send Them Strong Delusion So That They Will Believe a Lie." 2 Thessalonians 2:11
Was there actually a moment that they were "with" the west? They may have accepted our help in getting rid of Ghadaffi duck, but they were never our friends or allies in the first place.