From Charles Levinson, the Wall Street Journal:  Libya’s rebels disbanded the group’s de facto cabinet on Monday in an effort to ease the worst internal crisis following the assassination of their top military commander. . . .

The killing exposed rifts within the rebel organization as it dealt with its first major leadership crisis since the uprising began in February. Gen. Younis‘ powerful Ubeidat Tribe and his loyal special forces fighters at first appeared poised to take justice into their own hands and possibly even turn against rebel leaders and fellow commanders, sparking fears that the rebel group may unravel amid violent infighting. . . .

Many of those supporters have blamed senior rebel officials for first ordering Gen. Younis’ arrest, and for mishandling the aftermath, which gave the perpetrators the window needed to kill him. . . .

Two ministers in particular, the executive committee’s deputy chairman Ali al-Essawi and Defense Minister Jalal al-Dugheily, have been singled out by critics for their roles in the Younis crisis. Mr. Essawi is widely alleged to have signed the warrant ordering Gen. Younis’ arrest. Mr. Dugheily, meanwhile, has been taken to task for leaving for Egypt just hours after Gen. Younis’ arrest.

The NTC member said that Mssrs. Essawi and Dugheily, in addition to oil and finance minister Ali al-Tarhouni and health minister Naji al-Barakat, would not be reappointed to their posts.

Who killed Gen. Younis and how it happened while he was supposedly in rebel custody remains a mystery.  (photo: AP)

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