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About Rhiannon Smith

Rhiannon Smith works to foster economic development as a trainer, researcher and translator in Tripoli.

Articles by Rhiannon Smith

Libya's political isolation law: confusion and charade

Rhiannon Smith 15 May 2013

How will this Political Isolation Law benefit Libya? The manner in which it was passed has set a precedent for rule by intimidation and has undermined Libya's transition towards democracy, justice and rule of law.

Attack on the French Embassy in Tripoli: what now for Libya?

Rhiannon Smith 30 April 2013

Foreign companies and investors already unsure about returning to Libya will be further dissuaded by this targeting of a foreign embassy in the heart of Tripoli.

Libya's 'complicated relationship' with alcohol

Rhiannon Smith 16 April 2013

Is the answer better law enforcement so Libyans are dissuaded from illegally consuming potentially poisoned alcohol, or should the Libyan government consider legalising alcohol so that those who choose to drink can do so safely?

Supply and demand: the paradox of private security companies in Libya

Rhiannon Smith 25 March 2013

While many foreigners working in Libya are genuinely interested in helping the country move forward towards a more stable future, it seems very unlikely that this is the case for these western mercenaries.

Holding Libya hostage

Rhiannon Smith 12 March 2013

By blackmailing the state and disrupting crucial legislative work, protesters are doing more to harm to the aims of the revolution than probably even the most diehard Gaddafi supporter could manage at this moment in time.

'Good news' doesn't sell

Rhiannon Smith 25 February 2013

There was much hype about Libya's deteriorating security situation. However anyone who experienced the celebrations in Libya this year would have been hard placed to match these descriptions to the reality. Martyrs' Square itself was incredible.

Libya 2013: A tale of two revolutions

Rhiannon Smith 10 February 2013

A year ago it was easy to draw a line between those who were for the revolution and those who were against it. Twelve months later and that line has been rubbed out and redrawn so many times.

Birthday with a Bang: celebrating Mawlid in Libya

Rhiannon Smith 28 January 2013

Young men seem to take particular delight in lighting fireworks and throwing them from their car windows at unsuspecting passersby.

Vigilantes or superheroes: tackling drugs in Tripoli

Rhiannon Smith 13 January 2013

Libyans want stability. They want to live in a clean, safe, free society where rule of law and justice is paramount. However given the turmoil of the past few years and the weakness of the government, opinion is clearly divided over the best way to ensure such a society can blossom.

Libya taxi talk: experiences and expectations of democracy

Rhiannon Smith 17 December 2012

Many are questioning why the congress appear to be doing nothing, while for their part parliamentarians seem reluctant to make the necessary decisions for fear of making the wrong ones.

The Syrian conflict through a Libyan lens

Rhiannon Smith 26 November 2012

Libyans asked for assistance during the revolution and they received it: the Syrian opposition has been asking for international assistance for eighteen months yet has received little or no response.

Changing perception and building trust: why Libya is losing patience with its politicians

Rhiannon Smith 12 November 2012

The GNC proposed moving to Bayda in order to avoid the deteriorating security situation in Tripoli when they should have been showing their strength and determination by trying to solve the root of the problem, notably the militias.

Anniversaries, rumour and conflict: a week to remember in Libya

Rhiannon Smith 29 October 2012

A year on from Libya’s liberation many aspects of life have improved. The Libyan public, however, still needs to use their new found voice to stop the militias from hijacking their revolution, and call for peace and reconciliation instead of force and violence.

Normal life in Libya and the manipulation of facts

Rhiannon Smith 15 October 2012

Now the inaction of the authorities is tarnishing Libya’s reputation worldwide and as a result, frustration on the streets is becoming palpable.

From revolutionaries to militia: the tables are turning against Libya’s ‘thuwar’

Rhiannon Smith 1 October 2012

These armed men think, act and make demands on the basis that they are revolutionaries, yet there is no longer a revolution to be fought. Once the heroes of the story, they have now become the villains.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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