As Libya’s interim central government struggles to come to terms with the unilateral declaration of a semi-autonomous region by the eastern region of Cyrenaica, the feeling in Malta is that such news is “very worrying”.

Revolutions have a tendency to swallow up their founders. We’ll watch developments with trepidation

Tribal leaders and militia commanders in Cyrenaica announced a partial secession from the Tripoli-based National Transitional Council on Tuesday, saying that the eastern state would have its own police force, courts and capital in Benghazi.

The move was met with alarm by the NTC, which has struggled to maintain order throughout the country following the downfall of Muammar Gaddafi after 42 years in power.

It has vowed to stamp out dissent and quash any federalist bids, amid fears that the declaration is a precursor to greater demands eventually leading to the outright splitting of Libya as a nation.

“It’s undoubtedly another blow,” said businessman Mario Debono, who has interests in Libya and had a leading role in the humanitarian mission during the war.

He said it was too early to analyse the situation but felt that Malta’s business community was in for a rough ride.

“If anyone thinks getting back to normality is going to be a walk in the park, they can forget it,” he said.

Tripoli native and Malta resident Alaa Ben Mahmoud had mixed feelings about political developments in her homeland, saying that many of her compatriots were equally confused.

“Many people are suspicious of these calls for a federalist state but, on the other hand, most people don’t want a return to the old centralised system either,” she noted.

Benghazi, which during the reign of King Idris enjoyed a form of joint-capital status with Tripoli, suffered significantly under the Gaddafi regime, which opted to centralise power in Tripoli and neglect the country’s oil-rich eastern regions.

“Those against these federalist calls are afraid of the consequences. It doesn’t mean that they are against any decentralisation but they don’t want to end up with no Libya. Those who fought did so for the cause of all Libya,” she added.

According to opposition foreign affairs spokesman George Vella, the situation was not entirely surprising.

“Benghazi in many ways feels detached from Tripoli and there have been murmurs of discontent there for quite some time,” Dr Vella noted.

He voiced concerns that the political stalemate could lead to further nationwide upheaval, with pro-Gaddafi elements re-emerging if conflict were to break out.

Public concerns about the NTC leaders’ legitimacy also played a part in fostering uncertainty, Dr Vella felt.

“Revolutions have a tendency to swallow up their founders. We’ll watch developments with trepidation.”

But according to Middle Eastern academic Arsalan Alshinawi, most western analyses of Libya were misguided. “People presume that a 42-year political vacuum can be filled overnight. It is simply preposterous, even European political history teaches us that,” Dr Alshinawi said.

“For decades, Libya was run by a band of bandits who forced people in Cyrenaica to travel the 12 hours to Tripoli to get the smallest thing done. Of course they want some more autonomy now. What would you expect?”

To his eyes, Libya’s post-Gaddafi experience still set an example for many other countries. “Up to now, Libya is still an example to look at. We should be applauding Libyans for not butchering each other in the same way Syrians or even Egyptians have.”

He was optimistic that a political solution to the impasse would be found, saying that younger Libyans were more eager to see a united Libya than older generations.

Western observers concerned with Libya’s political situation had one reassurance, Dr Alshinawi said: “Libyans, unlike, say, Iraqis, are well aware of their need for maintaining good relations with the west. They know that if there’s any instability, they will be the first losers.”

No comment was forthcoming from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Egyptian Ambassador to Malta Abdelmawgoud Elhabashy later clarified that the Egyptian revolution was not a violent one and was rather characterised by its peaceful nature, as evidenced by its slogan Selmia [Peaceful].

“It was a movement made up of people from all walks of life who united in their struggle against oppression,” Mr Elhabashy said, noting that the Egyptian revolution continued to inspire millions around the world.