Libya's Liberals Seem to Have Advantage Over Islamists in Vote

INDIA: A coalition of nice activities exposed up to make a highly effective showing against well-organized religious groups in Libya's first free choice since Moammar Gadhafi got power in 1969, according to unofficial results exposed by party government bodies and choice professionals.

Official tallies aren't expected for days, but authorities from rival groups including the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated party and the secular coalition headed by former rebel leader Mahmoud Jibril say the liberal coalition appears to be so far in the lead.
The novelty of elections in Libya—no political parties or free polls were permitted during Gadhafi's 42 years in power—and the complex election rules made it difficult to identify clear front-runners.

Unlike Egypt and Tunisia, where Islamic parties like the Muslim Brotherhood dominated those countries first post-Arab Spring elections, Libya's vote is expected to curb the sway of Islamic groups.

"Ideology is dead," Mr. Jibril, a U.S.-educated former Gadhafi-era economic official who defected to become the international face of Libya's revolution last year. "Libya is not Tunisia or Egypt. We want to build a country…without classification and barriers."

The new 200-seat National General Congress has 120 seats reserved for independent candidates, the vast majority of whom have no prior political experience, and 80 seats for parties, which have only organized themselves over the last few weeks.

That seat allocation means any strong party bloc would likely need to form a coalition with the patchwork of independent politicians who are largely focused on local issues, rather than religious ones, in order to choose a new prime minister and conduct business.

Speaking to a news conference in Tripoli late Sunday, Mr. Jibril didn't declare victory, and he refused to comment on the early predictions. However, he did make an open invitation for the dozens of other parties who contested their first election to join in a national dialogue and government.

"We stand for inclusiveness," he said of his coalition, a group of 55 small parties. "We are nationalists with a priority of national sovereignty and development. The only way this can happen is to work together."

The mood across much of Libya was celebratory after citizens' first chance to participate in their country's future in modern history.
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