Instability and Infighting Will Keep Libya's Government Weak

Libya's recently elected transitional legislative body, the House of Representatives, assumed control from the outgoing General National Congress on Aug. 4 in a ceremony in the eastern town of Tobruk. While some are already saying the new body is less Islamist than the General National Congress, the House's political leanings will not become evident until it forms a government — when internal political blocs become more transparent.

The House of Representatives will likely be a weak political body, following in the footsteps of the General National Congress. In the short to medium term, the formation of the new political body is unlikely to alleviate Libyan instability. It is also unlikely that the House of Representatives will have the necessary economic or military tools to bring regional militias and tribal groups back in line with government prerogatives. Finally, it is doubtful that the body will be able to bring oil production and exports back online in the near term.