Libyan Rebel PM Ousts Cabinet Over Younes Killing

Rebel Negotiations Up in the Air as Entire Cabinet Removed

In the wake of the death of the East Libyan rebel movement’s military leader Gen. Abdul Fattah Younes under bizarre circumstances it was clear that the rebels have more than a few internal problems. Those fissures within the “transitional” council have been made even more public today, as the prime minister has fired the entire cabinet.

According to rebel spokesmen today Prime Minister Jibril has dismissed the entire cabinet “for improper administrative procedures” related to Younes arrest and assassination, promising to present a new cabinet “in the coming days.”

The move has potentially huge ramifications for the already splintering rebel faction, including bringing all talks with the West aimed at acquiring more money and weapons to a virtual halt, as every cabinet member involved in those talks is now sacked.

Family members of Gen. Younes said they were “cautiously welcoming” the move, insisting that their only real goal is to see those responsible for the general’s assassination prosecuted.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.