Libyan Militias' Struggle For Relevance

Libyan militias are struggling to carve out a role in Libya's post-revolutionary society. On May 1 militias continued to besiege government ministry buildings in Tripoli, and much of the tension underlying the standoffs has been attributed to an ongoing debate about the role of Gadhafi-era politicians and bureaucrats in Libyan government. The most important debate is about the hundreds of revolutionary militias in Libyan society, which have declared themselves defenders of the revolution. As the country's political transition slowly moves forward, the competing prerogatives of the militias and lawmakers in Tripoli will trigger increased conflict that risks further destabilizing the Libyan state.