Eighty-three years ago, Libyans were remembering the ultimate sacrifice made by Omar Mukhtar.
The famed resistance leader passed away on September 16, 1931, executed by Italian occupation forces in Libya. Eight decades later, memories of Mukhtar motivated many on the front lines against the tyranny of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime.
Today, three years on from the 2011 revolution, Libyans are involved in another conflict – this time against each other. How they eventually resolve that conflict has repercussions for the country’s system of government and the region as a whole.
It is difficult to pinpoint when Libya became so polarised.
Depending on who you ask in the country, this event or that moment was the turning point – and there’s no agreement on the issue. But what is clear now is that the polarisation that does exist is deep rooted and the question that now hangs over Libya is how the country avoids sinking further into civil war.
The stakes are high for the whole region. No one now speaks of Libya as a country that is “too big to fail” because many can, indeed, imagine Libya failing. It has been teetering on the brink for many months.
A failed Libya would be a country of 6.2 million people traumatised by the experiences of the last few years, and one that was awash with guns and with radical groups such as Ansar Al Sharia enjoying free rein.
That is a regional and international threat that is potentially very destructive.
It is a threat that ought not to be underestimated: the spillover of the security situation in Libya has already taken the lives of scores of Tunisians (many of them unreported), as well as many Egyptians.
In the midst of that backdrop, there are a few points that ought to be uppermost in the international community’s perspective on Libya.
The key to reducing the tension is turning from the power of the gun to the power of politics and ensuring that those with disparate views are able to discuss them in the context of a political environment, as opposed to relying on brute force.
In this regard, the establishment of the House of Representatives is key.
The very fact that it came into being via a genuine political process is a great achievement.
The people of Libya do not now have to solely rely on the gun. The House of Representatives possesses international and regional legitimacy – indeed, no foreign government has refused to recognise it, even those who have discreetly sought to undermine it.
That position endows the House of Representatives with a huge responsibility. The competing force – the remnants of the General National Congress (GNC) in the west of the country – is not the government of the country. While supporters of Operation Dawn and the GNC engage in provocative actions, the legitimate government has to stand above such practices.
The House of Representatives has to ensure that there is no excuse for any Libyan to feel they are not properly represented. This is not the case as it stands.
In rhetoric and action, it must set the model for responsible politics – and not fall into making provocative, partisan gestures.
There is no choice to be made between the House of Representatives and the GNC, but there is a choice to be made between a House of Representatives that makes Libyans proud, and one that does not. Its moves thus far haven’t earned it any points. The House of Representatives cannot claim all of its members have taken up their seats and regardless of the reasons, it must do whatever is necessary to change that.
The stakes are high. If it lives up to its mandate, then it may preside over a Libya where, in a year’s time, young Libyans remember the sacrifice of Omar Mukhtar and so many others like him, in fighting for a free and independent homeland.
If it does not, then ISIL may be only one the region’s worries.
Dr HA Hellyer is an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London and the Brookings Institution in Washington DC
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Tottenham 4 (Alli 51', Kane 50', 77'. Aurier 73')
Olympiakos 2 (El-Arabi 06', Semedo')
