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Libya Suffers Massive Prison Break

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By William Tucker

Media outlets are reporting that some 120 inmates of the al-Judaida prison in Tripoli escaped yesterday. Details of how the escape happened have not been publically released, but suspicion has fallen on a mix of causes including insufficient security and rampant militancy. Libyan officials did say that half of those who escaped have been recaptured, though. The nationality and ethnicity of the al-Judaida prison inmates is quite diverse, and so too are the offenses for which they are incarcerated. Essentially, it is difficult to say that this prison break was orchestrated by a militia or other militant group attempting to secure the release of its members. Although that is a distinct possibility it is just too early to tell. The prison break does highlight the problems within Libya’s government and its ability to function in all vital sectors. This does not bode well for the country as it nears the first anniversary of Gaddafi’s ouster.

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Disarming Libya’s Militias

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By William Tucker

In the wake of the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi security in Libya has been tenuous at best. The new government has struggled to simultaneously improve security, provide basic services, and stabilize crude oil production. The struggle, however, does not indicate the government has completely failed in this regard, instead it simply recognizes the challenges of reestablishing governance and security in a large nation with a small, widespread population.

U.S. Ambassador to Libya Killed

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By William Tucker

Christopher Stevens, the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, was killed yesterday, along with three others, during an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Initial reports suggested that the attack was related to the protests that took place in Egypt over a film portraying the Muslim prophet Muhammad in a poor light; however eyewitness reports state that the attackers did not come from the group of protesters outside.

A Look at Al-Qaeda in Syria

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By William Tucker

Back in March 2011, I had written an article on the reported presence of al-Qaeda militants fighting against the Qaddafi regime after U.S. intelligence indicated that “flickers” of al-Qaeda were seen among the rebellion. Keeping true to form with the rest of the Arab Spring uprisings, the same concern is being expressed in regards to the situation in Syria. Unlike Libya, however, the presence of al-Qaeda is more pronounced.

Clashes Between Libyan Militias

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By William Tucker

Two Libyan militia groups exchanged gunfire in Tripoli yesterday killing four and wounding five. The firefight began when a militia from Misrata tried to free several prisoners held in the former intelligence headquarters building of the Gaddafi regime. In response, the military council of Zawiya street returned fire disrupting the Misratan operation. Fighting between armed rebel groups in Tripoli has been a profound fear of the interim government.

AQIM Claims to have Libyan Weapons

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By William Tucker

In many ways it was inevitable, that is if this claim by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is indeed true. Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a commander in AQIM, made the claim to the Mauritanian news agency ANI that his group has benefited from receiving some of Libya’s loose weapons, but did not offer any evidence to back up his claim.