October 28, 2011 - 11:27 AMT
OPINION
Sharia Winter comes to replace Arab Spring

The Islamist Ennahda party was officially declared winner of Tunisia's election, setting it up to form an Islamist-led government, as poll violence erupted in the town where the Arab Spring uprisings began. The Islamists will get the biggest say on important posts. They have already said they will put forward Hamadi Jbeli, a former political prisoner, for the post of prime minister.

Foreseeing a possible response of the Western Islamists, Ennahda party announced to have chosen Turkey's ruling AKP party as a role model, since, despite pro-Islamist moods of current Prime Minister Erdogan, Turkey remains secular state. Whether a reference to Turkey can be construed as an attempt to appease the civilized world by making a semblance of a secular state, is hard to tell.

Meanwhile, the head of Libya's interim government, Mustafa Abdul Jalil, said that the system of Islamic Sharia will be the fundamental source of legislation in the new Libya. It's notable, though, how a ban on polygamy was the first law to be announced void in new Libya.

Seems like Arab Spring will soon be replaced by Sharia Winter, which will, without doubt, contradict the principles of democracy and human rights, the reason for West's active assistance to demonstrators in Arab countries.

EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton's warning that the introduction of Shariah law in Libya must respect human rights comes as clear proof of the above.

The ousting of longtime Tunisia President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early 2011 led to several weeks of riots, rise of unemployment and corruption in the country.

Mass protests broke out in Libya in mid-February, with demonstrators demanding departure of the President. In late August, the demonstrators seized the capital Tripoli, supported by NATO air force. On October 20, Libya's National Transitional Council announced the capture of Muammar Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte and the ousted President's death.

Gohar Karapetyan / PanARMENIAN News