EXCERPT OF WEEKLY SUMMARY

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Fall of the Libyan Monarchy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06809341
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: August 20, 2019
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2019
• Publication Date: September 5, 1969

Approved for Release: 2019/08/15 C06809341
SCCRCT
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
WEEKLY SUMMARY
RETURN TO RECORDS awn%
124(EDIATELY AFTER USE
BOX
Secret
- 44
5 September 1969
No. 0386/69
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KOFI BUSIA TO LEAD GHANA'S NEW CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT
A landslide victory by Busia's Progress Party in
last week's elections should ease the transition to
civilian rule, but the long-term prospects for sta-
bility are less certain.
ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT MOVES TO CONTROL TRIBALISM
Presidential action has averted an open break in the
national leadership, but the long-term reconstruc-
tion of national unity faces uncertain prospects.
MILITARY JUNTA SEIZES CONTROL IN LIBYA
The new military regime is consolidating its posi-
tion, but its leadership and its political ideology
remain unknown. US oil interests do not seem to be
immediately threatened, but the future of Wheelus
Air Base is not clear.
SUDAN'S "ARAB" REVOLUTION
The small, obscure group of army officers that over-
threw Sudan's elected government in May will probably
survive for the foreseeable future primarily because
there now is no opposition force capable of ousting
it. The new regime has committed itself to major
"socialistic" economic reforms and firm adherence to
the Arab cause in the dispute with Israel. (Pub-
lished separately as Special Report No. 0386/69A)
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20
21
Western Hemisphere
THE WEEK IN PERSPECTIVE 23
MILITARY TRIUMVIRATE TAKES OVER IN BRAZIL
Military opposition to the triumvirate that took over
last week following Costa e Silva's severe stroke is
already threatening military unity and will probably
undercut the triumvirate's ability to govern effec-
tively for more than a short period.
DISSENSION SURFACES ON CHILEAN LEFT
The Socialist Party has nominated Salvador Allende
as its candidate in the presidential election next
year, but he will have trouble uniting his party
behind him and forging a broad leftist electoral
coalition.
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MILITARY JUNTA SEIZES CONTROL IN LIBYA
Following the pattern of
military take-over that has be-
come traditional in the Arab world,
junior officers of the Libyan
Army moved early on the morning
of 1 September to topple the
monarchy of King Idris and estab-
lish the Libyan Arab Republic.
To forestall any possible
opposition as it consolidates
its power, the new regime imposed
a curfew, suspended a number of
newspapers, and dissolved all
constitutional bodies. Power
will be exercised through a mili-
tary-dominated Revolutionary Com-
mand Council. The membership of
this group--aside from its head,
Saad ad Din Abu Shuwayrib--is
unknown at this time. Abu Shu-
wayrib, a lieutenant colonel who
retired from the army two years
ago, may be serving as a figure-
head, much as General Naguib did
in the early days of Nasir's revo-
lution, until the actual coup
leaders feel confident enough to
step forward.
The success of the coup re-
sulted in large measure from the
almost immediate collapse of the
civilian security forces--a de-
velopment arising from the nature
of Libya's government. In a cul-
tural milieu that emphasizes
strong patriarchal leadership,
King Idris had concentrated all
political power and decision-
making in his own hands. When
the coup occurred, Idris was
vacationing in Turkey, having
been away from Libya since June.
It appears that the civilian
security forces, whose manpower
is almost twice that of the army,
were either unable or unwilling
to act unless given direct orders.
The timing of the coup was un-
doubtedly intended to take advan-
tage of the King's absence, for
had he been on the scene it is
likely that he would have taken
personal command of the security
forces and put down the coup.
The political coloration of
the new regime is unknown at this
time. But the use of character-
istic slogans and the labeling
of the new republic as "social-
ist" indicates the new govern-
ment will probably not follow
the conservative policies of its
predecessor. It is likely, for
example, to adopt a much more
militant stance in the Arab-
Israeli conflict. The secrecy
surrounding the membership of
the Revolutionary Command Coun-
cil may result from a jockeying
for control among various factions
representing a wide spectrum of
political ideologies.
The chances that King Idris
will regain his throne are slimmer
with each passing day, and he
does not appear to be seriously
considering an immediate return.
Crown Prince Hasan al-Rida,
around whom Idris' supporters
might conceivably have gathered,
quickly renounced all rights to
the throne. Idris' own tribes
and the members of the religious
brotherhood he heads do not seem
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5 Sep 69
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-S-EreitEr
to have the arms necessary to
challenge the army seriously,
although a few isolated pockets
of resistance may appear.
The junta has promised to
honor all existing treaties and
agreements. US oil interests,
therefore, are apparently In no
danger for the immediate future.
Reports indicate that, except
for a few momentary stoppages,
oil operations have continued
as usual. The new regime seems
likely to be as interested in
continuing oil revenues as was
its predecessor. Wheelus Air
Base is another matter, howeveT,
and it is doubtful that the junta
will long agree to a continued
US presence at the base. (SEL1NT)
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5 Sep 69
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