National Conference for the Libyan Opposition

The National Conference for the Libyan Opposition (NCLO) is a Libyan opposition organization whose stated goal is bringing "an end to tyranny and the establishment of a constitutional and democratic legitimacy" to Libya. The NCLO is credited as one of the entities who helped organize initial protests during the 2011 Libyan uprising.

Background

In May 2005, the Organizing Committee for the National Conference of the Libyan Opposition held a series of weekly meetings to discuss and develop an agenda for a conference "to put together practical approaches for following up on many efforts made by various Libyan political groups and individuals in their challenge of the Libyan dictatorship" of Muammar al-Gaddafi.

The National Conference for the Libyan Opposition was formed on 26 June, 2005 in London. Composed primarily of opposition advocates and activists living outside Libya, the Conference met sharing three demands:

The relinquishing of all Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi’s revolutionary, political, military and security powers;

The formation of a transitional government run by individuals who are recognized of being trustworthy and have the capabilities to run the country for a period no longer than one year, in order to bring the country back into constitutional life; and

Establishment of a constitutional and democratic state built on key concepts such as political and cultural diversity and peaceful transition of government powers; a state that guarantees fundamental freedom and human rights, that establishes the rule of law, equality and equal opportunity to all Libyan citizens without any form of discrimination; that protects and develops national resources, and endows balanced foreign relations built on mutual respect.

Following the 2005 Conference, the NCLO agreed on a mission to call for a medium to address the Libyan people and the need to create a legal mechanism for prosecuting the leaders of the Gaddafi regime. The Conference has since been using the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook as political tools to organize and garner support.

2011 Libyan protests

During the 2011 Libyan protests, NCLO aided in organizing the 17 February "Day of Rage", stating that "all" groups opposed to Gaddafi both within Libya and in exile planned the protests in memory of the demonstrations in Benghazi on 17 February, 2006 that were initially against the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons, but which turned into protests against Gaddafi.

Member groups

The National Conference for the Libyan Opposition is an umbrella group of seven smaller organisations, these include:

Libyan Constitutional Union led by Muhammad as-Senussi a pretender to the Libyan Throne

Libyan League for Human Rights (page in Arabic)

Libyan Tmazight Congress (page in Arabic)

National Front for the Salvation of Libya

(source:wikipedia)