Prominent Islamic scholar Al-Omrani kidnapped and murdered in Tripoli Libya

Sheikh Nadir Al-Omrani, was kidnapped on October 6. On a video made by Tripoli's Criminal Investigation Board (CIB) a man named Haitham Al-Zintani is shown confessing his role in the abduction and murder of Al-Omrani.

An article in the Libya Observer on the October 6 abduction claims that two cars intercepted Al-Omrani as he was on his way to morning prayer in an area of Tripoli. Omrani is an Islamic scholar and member of the Council of Researches and Islamic Studies at the Libyan Fatwa House in Tripoli. He is an associate of the Grand Mufti of Libya Sadiq al-Ghariani. Al Ghariani is a strong opponent of Khalifa Haftar the commander of the Libyan National Army(GNA) of the House of Representatives(HoR) government. However, he is also opposed to the UN-backed Government of National Accord(GNA). Abdullah al-Jaadi of the Council of Researches said that two groups could benefit from the abduction of the Sheikh, the Islamic State or the Dignity Operation of Khalifa Hafar in Tripoli.

If the confession of Al-Zintani is correct the abduction and consequent murder of Omrani was actually an act carried out by supporters of Salafi cleric Rabee al-Madkhali. The supporters of Madkhalism, as it is called, are allegedly linked to the Rada (Deterrence) forces in Tripoli. Gilles Kepel, a political scientist has described Madkhali as a perfect example of a regime "court scholar" found in many Middle East regimes. Although originally critical of the Saudi government, he now staunchly defends it and his doctrine involves a quietist approach within regimes in contrast to some other more radical Salafist trends. According to a Wikipedia article on Madkhalism:A cornerstone of Madkhalist discourse is unquestioning loyalty to governments, even those that use extreme and unjustified violence against their subjects.[17] Unlike other Islamist groups which often oppose dictatorial government in the Middle East, the Madkhalist movement is openly supportive of such regimes.[9][28][29][30] Madkhalists argue that the governments of Arab countries rule by divine right, otherwise God would not have allowed them to take power..

Madkhali is now quite old. I enclose a video describing him attending a prayer at a mosque in Saudi Arabia.

The confession of Zintani goes into considerable detail as to what happened to Omrani and why. He claims that a colleague had placed Omrani in a hole in the ground after accusing him of misleading the public with false religious views. He then shot and buried him. Zintani also claimed that the colleague was head of the Esbiaa branch of the anti-crime board, and that Omrani was held at the headquarters of the board for a month before being murdered. Zintani explained that Omrani had been singled out because his views of Islam contradicted those of Madkhali and his kidnapping and death were ordered by a top Egyptian Madkhali cleric. He claimed other members of Ghariani's group were also on a death list. Some claim that many members of Rada led by Abdulauf Kara are Madkhali supporters. Rada has denied any involvement in Omrani's death saying: “The force condemns strongly this crime but also condemns suggestions that it was involved in it. We call all relevant bodies including the General Attorney to open an urgent investigation into the incident.” Rada also denied that the person appearing in the video worked for Rada or had any connection to the group.

The Libya Observer also comments on the video. So far all the evidence appears to be based upon this one video and the confession of Zintani. According to Zintani the command to kill Omrani was from the Egyptian cleric Mohammed Saeed Raslan. He added: “AL-Omrani was killed by the chief of the supposedly Interior Ministry’s Crime Fight Apparatus, Abdelhakim Emgaidish, and Ahmed Al-Safi, who is the mufti of the group in Libya and who received the fatwa from Egypt.” A mufti is a Muslim religious authority who interprets Sharia law. Zintani claimed that a group from Rada, the Special Deterrent Forces, held meetings in which they plotted to kill a number of clerics and sheiks whom they considered members of the Muslim Brotherhood or Libyan Fighter Group. The Libya Observer claims most members of Rada are accused of having links to Madkhalism, but are also said to be linked to Khalifa Haftar whom they consider to be leader of the country and not to be toppled at any cost. The Observer also notes that there are said to be a number of brigades in the eastern region who are fighting alongside Dignity Operation forces.

A number of recent tweets also refer to the confession and murder. One says: "A man detained in connection w/ Omrani's abduction alleges it was done on the advice of leading Egyptian Madkhali sheikh Mohamed Raslan #pt". Another claims: "Leading anti-MB figures in #Libya (incl Sufis) privately admit rise of Madkhali Salafis worrying but 'common enemy' reasoning holds for now." MB stands for Muslim Brotherhood.

PM-designate of GNC, Faiez Serraj claims that GNA will move to Tripoli within days

According to Faiez Serraj, prime minister-designate of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), a deal has been worked out to relocate the GNA from Tunis to Tripoli within a few days.

Faiez told the Jordan-based Libya HD TV police and some armed groups in the capital agreed to a security plan. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) was involved in the deal. Armed groups have agreed to confine themselves to their bases until there is an agreement as to how their members will be reassigned to the police or helped to return to civilian life. No mention of payment is mentioned. I expect that there was probably monetary compensation to the groups or promises they would continue to receive their salaries. Serraj was not asked for details of security arrangements. Speculation is that the forces will include some local Misratan militias and the Rada security force of Abdul Kara.

When Serraj was asked about the role of the international community, he said the GNA would accept assistance at every level, but insisted that any military support should be channeled through the GNA. Serraj said: “Direct intervention is completely unacceptable and we have sent this message very clearly to the international community.” There has already been considerable intervention including air strikes by the US and special forces from several countries already on the ground. The UN and many in the international community are anxiously awaiting for the GNA to be up and running, so they can be asked to intervene militarily and thus justify foreign military operations in Libya.

However, there are ongoing threats against the GNA attempting to establish a presence in Tripoli. The leaders of the Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room, a coalition of well-armed brigades, has warned the GNA about any attempt to establish a presence in Tripoli. The group issued a statement saying: "Our preparations for any confrontation in Tripoli have ended, we are ready to launch a protracted war against the group of so-called Fayaz Sirraj if it came to Tripoli or against any group that protects it or helps it." The group pledged full support for the GNC. They were critical of Siddiq Al-Kabir, head of the Libyan Central Bank, and accused him of being behind the financial problems in the city. The group statement said: "The governor of Central Bank of Libya, a member of Justice and Construction Party, has invented these crises as a means of political pressure to accept Skhirat agreement." The Justice and Construction Party is associated with the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood. The party supports the GNA so presumably Al-Kabir may be cooperating with the GNA officials.

GNC Prime Minister Khalifa Al-Ghwell also warned that any GNA attempt to establish itself in Tripoli would be regarded as an illegal step and any members who come could face arrest. He said he cannot transfer power to a UN-imposed government not endorsed by the GNC. Al-Ghwell said: “If they want to enter Libya as normal citizens, then they are welcome, but we hope they do not venture to enter as members of government as we would consider it a violation of laws.” Al-Ghwell supports the Libya-Libya dialogue between members of both rival parliaments, designed to be a purely Libyan solution to the crisis without foreign interference. The dialogue plan for a transition government should be announced within two weeks. Critics claim the dialogue is meant to derail the UN process.

Even the rival HoR government has objected to the UN move. The HoR has warned any of its institutions of dealing with the GNA until it receives a vote of confidence from the HoR. Ibrahim Dabbashi, Libyan envoy to the UN, complained about the EU sancftions against the HoR PM Abdullah al-Thinni and two GNC officials. Dabbashi told a TV Channel: "These sanctions may provoke many Libyans. Imposing sanctions on the spoilers is a limited decision that depends in general on the authorities which can implement it on the ground."

HoR MP Jaballah Al-Shibani lashed out at the EU decision to impose sanctions on some Libyan figures: "We are not members in the EU and we do not follow it, I refuse the EU threats against all Libyans."

He said the EU was interfering in Libyan affairs. He also accused the UK of being behind failure of HoR members to vote on the GNA: "Britain is working on a plan to divide Libya by putting obstacles and encouraging MPs not to go to Tobruk to practise democracy in the parliament." Al-Shibani then accused UNSMIL of creating chaos in Libya and dragging it into a civil war:"They are not working for the sake of Libya; they want to impose a government that meets their interests.All Libyans should be aware that that UN envoy (Martin Kobler), his staff, and the EU ambassadors are dragging Libya into complete chaos."Perhaps the UN may soon find out that it was not a good idea to support a government not approved by either of the two rival Libyan governments.