File:RSIS Libya.pdf

File Provenance

A report by the International Centre for Violence and Terrorism Research, S Rajaratnam School of Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, dated 20 March 2011.

Combating Terrorism in Libya Through Dialogue and Reintegration

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On 23 March 2010, Libya released 214 terrorist detainees from the Abu Salim Prison Complex, Tripoli. Among those released were the leadership of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The role of detainee rehabilitation has increased in prominence. This report seeks to document the lessons learnt from the team’s visit to Libya. The visit was aimed at understanding the programmes that had been initiated in Libya through the efforts of the Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation to rehabilitate terrorist detainees.

This report provides a preliminary understanding of the work done in Libya which culminated in the release of several terrorist detainees including the key leadership of the LIFG. This report also documents the one day conference that was held in Libya on detainee rehabilitation entitled “Swords into Ploughshares: Combating Terrorism in Libya through Dialogue and Reintegration”. In addition, the report documents the interviews with the leadership of the LIFG.

There is still much to be understood about the processes involved in the rehabilitation programme in Libya. However, with the strength and the ardour of the political will in Libya embracing terrorist rehabilitation, in principle the efforts undertaken are indeed a step forward in the right direction. It is a necessary strategy to mitigate the threat posed to Libya.

Continued.....