It is reported that at least 11 people have been killed because of various pro-government militias which have attacked Bani Walid. Events on the ground in this former stronghold of the late Gaddafi are not being shown openly in the media because it paints a different picture. While many individuals may still be loyal to the thinking of Gaddafi the issue is deeper than this. After all, the massive discontent is also based on the corruption of the current so-called leaders of Libya and the power of various pro-government militias which can torture at random. In this sense, the people of Bani Walid are also expressing the views of many people throughout Libya who are disillusioned by endless chaos, the power of various militia groups and the lack of any binding central power which is based on justice. It also doesn’t help when massacres against anyone deemed to be a loyalist to Gaddafi, were given immunity against their brutal crimes. Therefore, it is impossible to have any “national unity government” because many brutal massacres have gone unpunished and even today people reside in fear because of the power of the various militias. Of course, if images were being shown all over the world of the “strangulation” of Bani Walid, then this wouldn’t suit the so-called “new Libya.” This reality means that government forces and an array of different militias are bombing Bani Walid in order to enforce their rule by force. At the same time you have other draconian methods being used against the people of Bani Walid and clearly hospital supplies have been hit. The crisis in Bani Walid is also being felt in other parts of Libya, even if the issues and politics behind the massive discontent are different. Issues related to the power of various militias, corruption, the influence of outside nations, breakdown of the social structure, no governing central power and a whole array of issues are collectively leading to massive discontent. After all, the ensuing chaos and immunity from prosecution isn’t helping the nation state to rebuild itself; nor is it helping in forging reconciliation because many Gaddafi loyalists were summarily executed. Therefore, the people of Bani Walid fear another bout of massacres and systematic torture. Given the reality of past massacres against Gaddafi loyalists and with many individuals being held on flimsy grounds; then clearly the people of Bani Walid want “real” international support and not “a whitewash.” If a new Libya is to emerge from the ashes then dissenting voices and genuine central power needs to evolve. At the same time, the various militias need to be disbanded because this is just leading to fear, persecution, corruption and chaos. The fact that various militias are assisting the government is also significant. After all, this is telling the entire world that central power structures don’t exist and that militias have the right to suppress areas which oppose their rule. Colonel Salem al-Wa’er stated that “Bani Walid has been shelled since this morning from three sides – the south, the east and southeast” Colonel Salem al-Wa’er is clearly concerned about the fate of Bani Walid and Libya in general. He provided this information on behalf of the people in Bani Walid, who oppose the oppressive powers of various militias and lack of sincerity within the ruling national congress. In the new Libya the national congress appears to “dial militias” when they are needed to do the work of the ineffectual government. It is known that three militia fighters from Misrata were killed by the defenders of Bani Walid. Issues related to the death of Omran Ben Shaaban are a sideshow because his death relates to power structures wanting to enforce their “will” against the people of Bani Walid. Not only this, how can government structures forgive all the brutal massacres by people on their side, while at the same time demand justice when one of their own is killed? Either the rule of law applies to all Libyans, or it is just a “kangaroo court justice system.” Tensions in Bani Walid are the most noticeable but clearly you have underlying tensions in other parts of Libya. In another article by Modern Tokyo Times about the current crisis in Bani Walid it was stated that “The Libyan government is claiming that they are targeting criminal elements. However, using mortars and other military hardware against criminals really sums up the manipulation of language. Therefore, many people in Bani Walid demand that the international community takes note of their plight in order to stop more bloodletting by the current patchwork of rulers in Libya.” The new Libya beyond the rhetoric of political leaders in America, France and the United Kingdom, is very different from the “new democracy” which is being talked about. Instead, you have a nation state which is weakened, fractious and whereby central functions are in disarray. Colonel Salem al-Wa’er who is helping to defend Bani Walid stated that “No one will enter Bani Walid. All of us are fighters in Bani Walid. Either we live with dignity or die with dignity.” Salah Abdel-Jabbar, leader of the local social committee, comments about the brutal assault against Bani Walid. He rebukes the GNC and states that “This decision was taken by only 50 [out of 200] representatives. Moreover, such a decision can only be taken by the judiciary. It is a dangerous move, unprecedented in the world. How can they punish and destroy a city just to arrest people?” leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com