Reply #61: Libyans start to dream of political parties [View All]

[tabatha]

By Mohamed Hasni (AFP) – 2 days ago

TRIPOLI — As Libya's new leaders work on setting the country right and eliminating the last holdouts of Moamer Kadhafi's loyalists, budding politicians are looking forward to the planned elections.

"Our party is being formed," said Abdel Dayem al-Gharabli, a lawyer from Zawiyah, west of Tripoli, after lengthy talks in a cafe with a group of friends.

To be called the National Democratic Encounter, it aims to be broad-based, supporting the rule of law and respect for liberties, he said.

"But it would also be inspired by the moderate Islam that unites all Libyans," he said.

"We're starting from zero because Moamer Kadhafi banned any sort of political organisation in his "republic of the masses" where only the revolutionary committees were allowed," added Sadek Zarruk, an appeal court judge.

Since the uprising against Kadhafi's rule that began on February 17, few new political groupings have been announced apart from the New Libya Party, formed in July by Libyans living in the United Arab Emirates.

Fighters in Benghazi, cradle of the revolt to topple Kadhafi, also set up an Alliance of the Youth of February 17, which could yet morph into a political party.

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