Libya: NTC deputy chief Abdel Hafiz Ghoga resigns

**hellheaven1987** · January 22, 2012, 06:24 PM

The deputy head of Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) says he has resigned amid growing protests against him.

Abdel Hafiz Ghoga told Al-Jazeera TV that he was resigning in the national interest.

Several hundred protesters stormed the NTC headquarters in the second city Benghazi on Saturday.

Observers say it was the most serious show of anger at the new authorities since Col Muammar Gaddafi was ousted.

Mr Ghogha, an NTC spokesman, has become a focus for protesters demanding more openness from the NTC.

They accuse him of being an opportunist, who switched allegiances from the regime of Col Gaddafi as the uprising gained strength.

"My resignation is for the benefit of the nation and is required at this stage," Mr Ghoga told Al-Jazeera.

"Unfortunately, the consensus has not continued to maintain the highest national interests. The atmosphere of deprivation and hatred has prevailed... I do not want this atmosphere to continue and negatively affect the National Transitional Council and its performance," he added.

Source

I am surprised BBC did not report the protest in Benghazi; does that mean second revolution is coming soon in Libya?

**Jom** · January 22, 2012, 06:32 PM

Looks like a noble gesture and one that gives me optimism for the NTC's designs for Libya's future - it looks like they're perfectly willing to hand over power to the people rather than hanging onto it for themselves.

**hellheaven1987** · January 22, 2012, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by Jom

Looks like a noble gesture and one that gives me optimism for the NTC's designs for Libya's future - it looks like they're perfectly willing to hand over power to the people rather than hanging onto it for themselves.

Only after violent protestors stormed their HQ.

**Sarissofoi** · January 22, 2012, 06:39 PM

This shouldnt be a big suprise.
After end of Kadafii most of military power of NTC disapear.
Quatar and other Arabic and western countries withdrawn their spec forces and islamist fighters were relocated to support 'revolution' in Syria. So what left is mostly tribal militias and armed gangs. You can buy seconds but tribal chieftans have their own goals.
So NTC will cede power becuase until they get some military forces to back them they have no real power.

**hellheaven1987** · January 22, 2012, 06:44 PM

Be honest, I feel ultimately Libya's fate is depending on how Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and FLN in Algeria would react; perhaps Libya would become a battleground for those two in next decade...

**Admiral Piett** · January 23, 2012, 01:39 AM

Sounds more like someone gave him that dreaded phone-call and told him to step aside rather than a willing thing.

**alhoon** · January 23, 2012, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by hellheaven1987

Source

I am surprised BBC did not report the protest in Benghazi; does that mean second revolution is coming soon in Libya?

A second revolution? A few hundred protesters and he immediately backs down. So... not really.
I don't even know if I agree with his decision to resign. A "few hundred protesters" may be that the majority is against him, but it's not a sure indication. Perhaps the majority still wants him.
Well... elections will clear what the majority wants.

Good for Libya that he immediately backed up though.

**Tiberios** · January 23, 2012, 04:37 AM

It seems a positive thing that he was actually willing to step down. Hopefully this bodes well for the future in Libya.

**Salvatorel** · January 23, 2012, 01:51 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...sts-bani-walid
Everything smells fishy and is taking rather unexpected twist,maybe good ol' colonel had far more support than Western media outlets had claimed...

**Sarissofoi** · January 23, 2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Salvatorel

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...sts-bani-walid
Everything smells fishy and is taking rather unexpected twist,maybe good ol' colonel had far more support than Western media outlets had claimed...

Seriusly. Isnt that obvius?
Western media was used as tool for overthrowing Kadaffi. So yes he had and have more support than western media claimed.
Prokadaffi forces lack only one thing - a man who can lead them.

Anyway gold dinar is gone and Lybia is in ruin so I dont expect direct military intervention from NATO if loyalist will get upper hand. On the other hand military contractors or arabic mercenaries can appear in great number.

**Salvatorel** · January 23, 2012, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sarissofoi

Seriusly. Isnt that obvius?
Western media was used as tool for overthrowing Kadaffi. So yes he had and have more support than western media claimed.
Prokadaffi forces lack only one thing - a man who can lead them.

Anyway gold dinar is gone and Lybia is in ruin so I dont expect direct military intervention from NATO if loyalist will get upper hand. On the other hand military contractors or arabic mercenaries can appear in great number.

Well,we must keep in mind that a number of loyalist mid ranking officers and officials are still at large and also,Saadi and his surviving siblings who are at large can use funds their family had amassed to fund armed loyalist groups in Libya and control situation from outside,besides this, they can try to negotiate with Iran or Russia for intelligence support.

In either case,a new civil war is possible and a longer one,after all no contractor or mercenary can match NATO aviation.

**Azog 150** · January 23, 2012, 02:17 PM

I think some pro-Gaddafi resistance was inevitable. We have just got to hope that the NTC take some real steps to reconcile Gaddafi supporters.

**Adhamh Ashashi** · January 23, 2012, 07:23 PM

This was the step needed, there has been little progress from the NTC and they are beginning to anger Libyans outside of Libya with attempts to limit their voting rights. However, the attakc in Bani Walid involved an attempted prison break as the NTC were trying to arrest Pro Gaddaffi men.

**hellheaven1987** · January 23, 2012, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Adhamh Ashashi

they are beginning to anger Libyans outside of Libya with attempts to limit their voting rights.

Well, lets be honest NTC's policy regarding dual-citizenship is quite reasonable - we all know there are plenty of cowards and traitors love to enjoy right of citizens but refuse to take responsibility when troubles start.