After the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) failed earlier this week to agree on a full cabinet, something which required unanimity among the top officials, a new government is expected to be announced within days.
That was the report from NTC spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga, who reported that a compact “crisis government” would be announced quickly, including only 22 ministerial portfolios and a single vice premier.
This doesn’t sound like a done deal either, however, because while Ghoga insisted that the major portfolios were already spoken for, Prime Minister Jibril made similar claims when the talks last collapsed.
The rebel faction is split virtually down the middle between Jibril’s supporters, mostly defectors from the Gadhafi regime, and Islamists who have been fighting that regime for decades and are rallying around military commander Abdulhakim Belhaj. This split has made sure both sides are determined to gain every possible advantage, so even a minor ministry could be a major battleground.
Muslim anti-US Party — Secular pro-US Party
Muslims say that capital belongs to society, it should be loaned out at no interest and invested as needed by society. Whereas, seculars say that capital belongs only to high achievers, banks should charge high interest to maximize profit and investors own the profits.
Muslims say the every teenage boy in the neighborhood should not know the curve and shape of every woman’s buttocks in the neighborhood. Whereas, seculars feel that this is essential knowledge.
Muslims say that the Constitution should establish righteousness, which is to give all you can give. Whereas, seculars say that that the Constitution should establish “the pursuit of Happiness,” which is to be all you can be — and to take all you can take.
Contrary to media thought control, government does not mold and shape the morality of society, but quite the reverse. For a rich dictator would have no control over society unless the majority of educated people felt they deserved to be rich.
Like in 1956 at age 16, when I was slaving away at a Green Giant canning factory and a gray haired laboring man working next to me said, “A rich man’s gold would be worthless, if everyone refused to work for it.”