The anniversary of the September 11 attacks has spawned such a deluge of reminiscence and polemic that it is likely to overwhelm almost anyone. Instead of looking at the whole decade, it may be more useful to narrow the focus and concentrate on the experience of a single man.
That man is Abdul Hakim Belhaj, a former fighter in Afghanistan and victim of CIA rendition who is the hero of the liberation of Tripoli. His life story bears the scars of the mistakes of the post-September 11 decade, but also it might provide a hopeful sign for the future.
As commander of the Tripoli military council Mr Belhaj (he has not so far given himself any military rank) does not have time to dwell on the significance of anniversaries. His office is besieged by citizens who view him, in the absence of any meaningful government in Tripoli, as the man who can get things done.
Mr Belhaj's biography is extraordinary. He joined the US-backed rebellion against the Soviet-installed government in Afghanistan in 1988. He returned to Libya in 1994 where he joined the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, an organisation dedicated to killing or overthrowing Col Muammar Qaddafi, and was later acclaimed as its emir.
This group was penetrated by Libyan authorities, forcing Mr Belhaj to flee. He made his way back to Afghanistan, and after the US bombed the Taliban government out of Kabul after the September 11 attacks, he wandered the world. In 2004 he was arrested by the CIA in Malaysia as a suspected Al Qaeda terrorist following a tip-off from British intelligence. He says he was tortured by the CIA for a few days and sent back to Libya, where he spent six years in solitary confinement.
While in jail he took part in a jihadist rehabilitation programme fronted by Col Qaddafi's son and putative heir, Saif Al Islam. The dialogue resulted in a document entitled "Corrective Studies on the Doctrine of Jihad" in which the detainees renounced the right to use violence against a government they felt was insufficiently Islamic. Mr Belhaj was released along with hundreds of other prisoners.
This was not a unique phenomenon. In Egypt in 1998, 2,000 members of Al Gamaa Al Islamiya were released from prison after the group renounced violence, although this led to a split with diehard factions.
With such a biography, it is hardly surprising that Mr Belhaj has set alarm bells ringing in the western countries backing the anti-Qaddafi uprising. There is a theory going around security-focused websites that the US is nurturing a new Osama bin Laden in Mr Belhaj. Just as US dollars funded the Afghan mujahideen who went on to harbour bin Laden, the argument goes, so western support for the Libyan rebels is going to turn that country into a jihadist-led state.
This is simplistic: the original sin of the US campaign to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan was letting Pakistan control the flow of money and arms. Pakistan insisted that it should be an exclusively Islamic jihad, and channelled the arms to the factions which best suited its interests. Nothing of the sort is happening in Libya. This was a spontaneous uprising, involving a broad section of the population in the east of the country.
Mr Belhaj captured the Qaddafi headquarters at Bab Al Aziziya for a simple reason: his Tripoli Brigade consisted of disciplined fighters with experience of war in Afghanistan, unlike the common run of Libyan revolutionaries, who brought only bravery and enthusiasm to the battle.
This is not to dismiss the very real tensions both inside the National Transitional Council, headed by exiles and former members of the Qaddafi regime, and between it and the fighters in Tripoli. Every day that the council delays establishing itself in Tripoli will tilt the balance of power further in favour of the men who captured the city.
Mr Belhaj's style is to speak slowly and deliberately and not to say very much. After four decades of empty rants from the deposed dictator, his tone and natural authority are a welcome change.
In speaking to the foreign media he says he is a democrat, and insists he never allied himself with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, although he admits to fighting alongside its forces. His only interest, he says, is toppling the Libyan regime and setting up a constitutional government, not killing Jews and Christians as part of a bin Laden-style global jihad.
For years Mr Belhaj has been tagged with the "Al Qaeda affiliate" label, but that was a label that Qaddafi would often stick on his opponents as a way of gaining favour with the Americans.
The first lesson of September 11 is surely that President George W Bush's division of the world into those "with us" and those "against us" only served to create more enemies. It certainly turned Mr Belhaj, who at the time of his arrest was applying for asylum in Britain, into an enemy. He says that is all in the past, and now he is a grateful ally of the Americans.
The second lesson is that the Nato alliance cannot choose the next leader of Libya. Washington's record of picking leaders - Ahmad Chalabi in Iraq, Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan - is poor. As this choice is going to be watched closely throughout the whole Arab world it is more important than ever that the leadership emerges in a transparent way.
Finally, this weekend we should be studying not the post-September 11 wars but the Arab world's experience of social engagement with jihadists. This is not a panacea - it has not worked infallibly. But the history of the past two decades will show that the engaging with jihadists, and drawing out through dialogue the lessons of their failure, has had more positive effect than the $4 trillion (Dh14.7 trillion) spent on war.
If Mr Belhaj can prove a worthy addition to the Libyan leadership, it will show what a terrible mistake it was for the US and Britain to go around the world turning such people blindly into enemies. But we should be looking forward, not back.
aphilps@thenational.ae
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
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Teaching in coronavirus times
Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
The specs: 2018 Kia Picanto
Price: From Dh39,500
Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Four-speed auto
Power: 86hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 122Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.0L / 100km
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
The%20specs
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Spec%20sheet
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.7%22%20Retina%20HD%2C%201334%20x%20750%2C%20625%20nits%2C%201400%3A1%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20P3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EChip%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20A15%20Bionic%2C%206-core%20CPU%2C%204-core%20GPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012MP%2C%20f%2F1.8%2C%205x%20digital%20zoom%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%2B%40%2024%2F30%2F60fps%2C%20full%20HD%2B%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%2B%40%2030%20fps%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EFront%20camera%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7MP%2C%20f%2F2.2%2C%20Smart%20HDR%2C%20Deep%20Fusion%3B%20HD%20video%2B%40%2030fps%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%2015%20hours%20video%2C%2050%20hours%20audio%3B%2050%25%20fast%20charge%20in%2030%20minutes%20with%2020W%20charger%3B%20wireless%20charging%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Touch%20ID%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP67%2C%20dust%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%201m%20for%2030%20minutes%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C849%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Top tips
Create and maintain a strong bond between yourself and your child, through sensitivity, responsiveness, touch, talk and play. “The bond you have with your kids is the blueprint for the relationships they will have later on in life,” says Dr Sarah Rasmi, a psychologist.
Set a good example. Practise what you preach, so if you want to raise kind children, they need to see you being kind and hear you explaining to them what kindness is. So, “narrate your behaviour”.
Praise the positive rather than focusing on the negative. Catch them when they’re being good and acknowledge it.
Show empathy towards your child’s needs as well as your own. Take care of yourself so that you can be calm, loving and respectful, rather than angry and frustrated.
Be open to communication, goal-setting and problem-solving, says Dr Thoraiya Kanafani. “It is important to recognise that there is a fine line between positive parenting and becoming parents who overanalyse their children and provide more emotional context than what is in the child’s emotional development to understand.”
