Erstellt am: 26. 8. 2011 - 14:48 Uhr

A new beginning?

Reality Check: Libya's Transitional National Council moves to Tripoli, and the 5th prime minister in 5 years resigns in Japan.

Although there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding conditions and events in Libya, one thing is crystal clear. If the country is to get back on its feet fast, and a humanitarian disaster is to be avoided, a new government needs to be established very quickly indeed. That looks as though it may be going to happen. In contrast to other countries where there has been a power vacuum following a revolution, Libya's Transitional National Council appears to be very well organised and ready to step into the shoes of government. Even as rebel fighters comb the city for Gaddafi and his family and aides, around half the members of the council have already moved to the capital from Benghazi, and are busy setting up shop to provide security and basic services for the residents.

Recognition urgently needed

So far, so good, but regional analyst Shashank Joshi casts a few words of caution; while the TNC may have the best intentions, it is still a loose alliance of different interest groups and factions, and establishing long term stability may still be a major obstacle to the long term security and prosperity of the new Libya. He welcomes the move by the United Nations to release funds for Libya, but warns against too much being provided too soon, as that could have a destabilizing effect, as it did in Afghanistan. He also warns that international recognition of the new government will be needed quickly to enable new systems to be put into place.

5 years, 5 prime ministers

Ever since the retirement of the charismatic Junichiro Koizumi in 2006, Japan seems to have been unable to hang on to a prime minister for more than a year. Nevertheless, Japan remains stable and successful - so why do the prime ministers keep changing? Our Tokyo correspondent, Martin Fritz looks at the political system that makes prime ministers a dispensable commodity.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to friday from 12 to 14. And after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.