Libya: Libyan National Democratic Organization and how it is perceived by the government
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBY31561.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Libya: Libyan National Democratic Organization and how it is perceived by the government, 1 April 1999, LBY31561.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aabc90.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a Professor of Government at Dartmouth College, who has had a book on state-building in Libya published in 1998, the Libyan National Democratic Organization no longer exists (31 Mar. 1999). He thought that it had become part of the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL) in 1994 or 1995. He claimed that many of the opposition groups "are now just shells." He described them as "one or two people who call themselves an organization." He said that in the past there were many opposition groups but now "90 percent of these groups don't exist." He added that "anybody who belongs to any opposition group would be suspect to the government."
However, during a 7 April 1999 telephone interview an Executive Committee member of the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL), who is responsible for media, said that the NFSL believes that the Libyan National Democratic Organization is a "front" established by the Libyan government. He said that the group has not published a manifesto or provided contact names, but on the basis of statements the group has released, the NFSL believes it is trying to "create conflict" among the parties opposed to the current Libyan government. He said that the NFSL first became aware of the Libyan National Democratic Organization in about 1995 or 1996.
A 25 August 1997 report from the Arab Press Service Organisation refers to the Libyan National Democratic Organisation which it describes as "close to the deposed Sanoussi royal family" and one of several other opposition groups outside of Libya that include the NFSL. However, the article claims that "these groups have no base of significance within Libya. This is why they remain in exile" (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Arab Press Service Organisation. 25 August 1997. "Libya: The Opposition." (NEXIS)
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. 31 March 1999. Telephone interview with Professor of Government.
National Front for the Salvation of Libya, Columbia, Missouri. 7 April 1999. Telephone interview with Executive Committee member responsible for media.
Additional Sources Consulted
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1960 - 1998.
Middle East International [London]. January 1997 - March 1998.
The Middle East and North Africa 1998. 1997.
Political Handbook of the World 1998. 1998.
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).
Two non-documentary sources contacted could not provide information on the requested subject.