Remaining engaged in Libya

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A new phase must commence.  It must include a mission to train and equip Libya’s new security forces.  Despite officially declaring liberation, Libya’s interim leader has already requested NATO to add military advisers on the ground.

The transition must amount to an agreement between a sovereign Libya, individual NATO members and key regional allies, including Qatar.  During the eight-month conflict, Qatar played an indispensable role that included supplying ground forces, training and communications.  It must retain a leading role among contributing states.

However, lingering doubts persist about Libya’s future. Moammar Gaddhafi’s violent death reinforces skeptics’ arguments that little will change.  A similar fate for his son, Seif al Islam, would be disastrous. Trial must follow his eventual capture or surrender, whether in Libya or at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It would offset partially mounting international pressure and set a proper precedent.

Reconstruction involves a massive undertaking. Fears of tribal and provincial rivalries and looted arms depots threaten internal and regional stability. Nearly 7,000 prisoners of war crammed in inadequate facilities must be equitably processed and raw retribution avoided.   

IMF estimates point to a 50 percent drop in annual economic output. Gaddafi held more than $200 billion in hidden assets around the world, far more than originally suspected. In order to alleviate Libya’s plight, asset recovery through international cooperation and collaboration must happen.

Marco Vicenzino heads Global Strategy Project, a geo-political risk and international business advisory firm.