National Transitional Council,المجلس الوطني

National Transitional Council المجلس الوطني الانتقالي
Flag of the National Libyan Council
A map showing the current situation in Libya
Formation	27 February 2011
Type	Political organisation / administrative body
Purpose/focus	To act as the political face of the 2011 Libyan uprising
Headquarters	Benghazi (interim)
Region served	Libya
Membership	Five representatives of each city or town under opposition control
Official languages	Arabic
Spokesperson	Hafiz Ghoga

National Transitional Council (Arabic: المجلس الوطني الانتقالي) is a body formed by Libyan rebel groups in the city of Benghazi on 27 February 2011 to act as the "political face of the revolution".

Formation

The National Libyan Council was formed on 27 February 2011 to act as "the political face of the revolution". Its spokesman Hafiz Ghoga made clear at the launch press conference that the national council is not a provisional government and Ghoga also added that the newly formed council was not contacting foreign governments and did not want them to intervene.

An Al Jazeera English journalist in Benghazi has reported that a fully fledged interim government will not be formed until Tripoli is under opposition control.This is in contrast to claims made by former justice minister Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil on the previous day about the formation of a provisional government. These comments have now been clarified by the council as his "personal views". Another council spokesperson stated that Al Jeleil did not have the consensus of all rebel groups and towns before making his announcement about an interim government and this had caused "bitter feelings". Mr Ghoga also made clear that if a provisional government was indeed formed, it would not be led by Al Jeleil and that his announcement had left some opposition leaders "surprised and baffled". Al Jeleil is regarded by some opposition leaders as being too closely associated with the Gaddhafi regime.

Membership

Al Jazeera English is reporting that each city or town under opposition control will be given five seats on the new council and that contact will be established with new cities that fall under opposition control to allow them to join the council. The identities of members of the council were not disclosed at the launch conference. What is known is that human rights lawyer Hafiz Ghoga (also spelled Abdel-Hafidh Ghoga) is the spokesperson for the new council. An Al Jazeera English journalist in Benghazi is stating that Mustafa Mohamed Abud Al Jeleil still has a leadership role within the new council.

Background

After popular movements overturned the rulers of Tunisia and Egypt, its immediate neighbours to the west and east, Libya experienced a full-scale uprising beginning in February 2011. By 20 February, the unrest had spread to Tripoli. As of late February 2011, much of Libya had slipped out of Gaddafi's control, falling to the Anti-Gaddafi forces. Eastern Libya, centered around the second city and vital port of Benghazi, was firmly under the control of the opposition. The opposition began to organise themselves into a functioning government.

Local government

Local committees

In opposition-held Benghazi, a 15 member "local committee" made up of lawyers, judges and respected local people has been formed in order to provide civic administration and public services within the city.  Residents have organised to direct traffic and collect refuse. Many shops and businesses have opened again. A newspaper  and two local radio stations have also been established.

Similar "local committees" are being formed in other cities controlled by opposition groups.

(source:wikipedia)