Libyan cleric announces new party on lines of 'moderate' Islamic democracy

[tabatha]

Libya's Islamists are forming a new party that is almost certain to dominate the country's new politics on the "moderate" lines successfully pursued first in Turkey and now in Tunisia, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

In an exclusive interview, the cleric seen as the figurehead of Libya's Islamist movement said a provisional manifesto had already won support from some of the country's most important political and religious leaders.

Ali al-Sallabi, who spent eight years in Col Gaddafi's most notorious prison Abu Salim, denied reports that he would stand for president himself but confirmed his long-predicted move into secular politics.

He said his movement supported basing Libya's constitution on Sharia law, but that it would be moderate and pursue democratic politics on the model of similar parties in Turkey and Tunisia.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8879955/Libyan-cleric-announces-new-party-on-lines-of-moderate-Islamic-democracy.html

[msongs]

1. warning to non-Islamics - government by and for religion can never be truly moderate nt

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Indeed, pull his other finger...