Liberals Ahead in Libya’s Unofficial Account

Libyans went to the polls for the first time in almost five decades on July 7, marking the true start to liberation that began in February 2011 with the conflict that led to the eventual ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi. The country’s elections follow those of fellow neighboring North African countries Egypt and Tunisia.

The results are not in as yet but unofficial and partial counts from around the country have liberal factions beating out Islamists. If the count holds, this trend could upset the growing trend of Arab Spring countries electing Islamist parties like the recently elected Muslim Brotherhood-backed candidate in Egypt. Tribal loyalties run deep and groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood at times cooperated with the rule of Qaddafi, which could be the reason why they are behind in the polls.

“Anyone with past ties with old regime is hated, even despised,” Fathi al-Fadhali , a pro-Islamist Libyan political analyst who lived in exile for 30 years was quoted in a Reuters report. “Any political names associated with the regime are immediately politically burnt by that association.”

Libyans were congratulated by officials all over the globe with US President Barack Obama calling it “another milestone on their extraordinary transition to democracy.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the Libyan people and the candidates who “contested the election in a peaceful, democratic spirit,” according to his spokesman.