Former Minister of Interior from 2001 – 20123 and current Ambassador to Bahrain, Fawzi Abdulal says the growing influence of al-Qaeda and Jihadist Islamic currents in Libya is undeniable. He highlights that the recent aductions of Tunisian diplomats and the Ambassador to Jordan could only have been orchestrated by highly organized terrorist groups.

Former Minister of Interior from 2001 – 20123 and current Ambassador to Bahrain, Fawzi Abdulal says the growing influence of al-Qaeda and Jihadist Islamic currents in Libya is undeniable. He highlights that the recent aductions of Tunisian diplomats and the Ambassador to Jordan could only have been orchestrated by highly organized terrorist groups.

Ambassador Abdulal, following the abduction of Jordanian ambassador to Libya Fawwaz Itan you said no one could deny the increasing influence of al-Qaeda in Libya. You even accused some members of the General National Council (GNC) of colluding in the kidnapping of diplomats.

Yes, I did.  I believe the recent events in Libya suggest a radical current that has opted for violence and abduction – the same path of al-Qaeda and other Jihadist political Islamic currents. Now, no one can say there is no radical current in many areas of Libya, especially the eastern ones. It is now moving to Tripoli.

In the two abductions of the Tunisian diplomats and the Jordanian ambassador, for example, some took the abduction decision, some observed their movements, some executed the abductions, and others secured their hiding places. This undoubtedly suggests a certain organized group that can only be described as a terrorist and extremist one.

Are you are accusing Islamists of plunging the country into chaos? What do you believe is their motivation?

I am not accusing all the Islamists. Definitely not all the political Islamic currents are the same. Whether in Libya or abroad, their slogans and methods vary. I am only accusing the radical ones. As for their goal, method and way of thinking, we have seen them in Iraq, Somalia, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Algeria and all the countries witnessing insecurity and political tensions.

On what have you based your accusations?

All pieces of evidence bring us to this conclusion. The most recent of which is the video that was leaked on social networking sites, showing how the Tunisian diplomats were abducted, in addition to the demands of the Jordanian ambassador’s abductors, to release a Libyan citizen imprisoned for terrorism in Jordan. All this proves the perpetrators are political Islamic currents. Even ordinary people know it.

The London-based Arab newspaper talked about the intention of some Arab and foreign countries to launch military strikes titled ‘Operation Flowers of Spring’ against terrorist groups in Libya. To what extent are these leaks true?

I have no confirmed information. The only available information is mere media statements. I have noticed that many political analysts rule out this possibility and consider it mere propaganda or media messages to pressurize certain parties in the region. 

I however disagree with them as I believe an Arab and foreign-led military action against Libya is unfortunately imminent.

How do you see the impact of the disagreements among some countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar about the security situation in Libya? In a CNN interview, you labeled them as a foreign intervention executed by Arab countries.

My CNN statements have been taken out of context and misinterpreted. I have sent a letter from the Libyan Embassy in Bahrain to the channel, demanding it to clarify things.

Anyway, all the regional and international players and disagreements directly influence the situation in Libya, especially since its fragile situation leaves much room to many countries to move freely, which would not have been the case had Libya enjoyed political stability and had a government.

The disagreements, particularly over political Islam and putting the Muslim Brotherhood, which has a presence in Libya, Egypt and many other Arab countries on the terrorist list will have great repercussions in Libya.

Even within the Islamic currents, there are deep differences in methodology– some consider the others godless and fight them.  And these countries have strong armies and intelligence apparatuses and are very stable, while Libya is unfortunately the weakest link. Thus, we should protect our country from slipping and be directly involved in these conflicts since transferring the war of these countries into Libya would lead to major problems and crises that we might not find a way out of.

As a former Minister of Interior, do you think that the situation in Libya will be further complicated or that solutions are in sight?

Unfortunately, the current crises will only lead to more complicated ones – a very terrible and dangerous situation. I believe we should come together to save the country and all parties should make compromises for Libya. The GNC and what has remained of the government should carry out their duties and the Libyan people too should be aware of the risks that threaten their country so that we can escape the bottleneck and start building our aspired country.

What do you think of the GNC’s decision to recall the rebels to protect Tripoli?

I have many reservations about it. It is very loose and unspecific. Using military force should only be managed by competent authorities based on clear plans and visions that specify the force’s places, size, arms, remit and tasks; otherwise, things might get mixed up and the country might go to hell.

This however does not mean there is no insecurity in Tripoli. I was in Tripoli and heard a lot from people there that the city is insecure day and night— for citizens, diplomats and everyone.

In your view, what is the way out?

I believe the current forces tasked with protecting Tripoli are unable to do it and the violations are gradually increasing. It is about time to formulate a true force of Libya’s rebels to protect Tripoli’s areas, especially the embassies, the ministries, the parliament and main streets.

This is inevitable but should be done according to a certain order, conditions and regulations to achieve the intended results. The whole process should be far from political disagreements.

After their alliance during the revolution, Misrata and Zintan had tense relationships for a while. Is it true this tension is over now?

Right after the liberation, there were unfortunately unreal tensions between Misrata and the eastern areas, within the eastern ones themselves, between Misrata and Zintan and between Misrata and Tripoli.

It is obvious that some parties are spoiling things and trying to plunge the country into chaos, to achieve certain gains. I am however sure they have failed. What I have heard from Zintan and Misrata’s rebels guarantees that there will be no armed conflicts between the two cities and that no one can divide the two forces. On the contrary, I expect that the two forces will ally in the coming days to build the country we aspire to becoming.