The Obama administration on Monday treaded carefully around the announcement that Sharia law will be enforced in post-Muammar Qadhafi Libya, refraining from expressing disapproval of Islamic law as the foundation of the country’s new legal system.

“We’ve seen various Islamic-based democracies wrestle with the issue of establishing rule of law within an appropriate cultural context,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters on Monday when quizzed about Libya’s National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil’s declaration on Sunday that Sharia law will shape the country’s legal system.

Nuland added that the “number one” priority for the U.S. was that universal human rights, as well as rights for women, minorities, due process and transparency, be fully respected in Libya.

Pressed on whether this meant the administration had no objections to Libya’s new government using the Sharia law as a basis for the country’s legal system, Nuland responded: “The term has broad application and is understood differently.”

“Our concern is that constitutions of new and emerging democracies, constitutions of democracies around the world, meet international standards of human rights,” she added.

The State Department’s cautious response follows Abdul-Jalil’s announcement on Sunday, when the country formally celebrated its liberation from former ruler Qadhafi following his death last week, that Sharia would be the basis for the country’s legal system.

“Any law that violates sharia is null and void legally,” the NTC’s leader said in Benghazi on Sunday, according to the AFP. “The law of divorce and marriage … this law is contrary to Sharia and it is stopped.”

Abdul-Jalil also said Libya will follow banking laws that conform to Sharia, which prohibits earning interest, the AFP said.

From one monster to another. Wetin concern us sef?

dem never see anything.

It would be hilarious if these daft Libyans get the proper-proper uncompromising type of sharia, a la the Taliban variety . Then they'd know they've goofed big time.

Maybe being spoon-fed and not having to work all these years has made them stupid and incapable of rational thought.

Of courses that is what is all about,islamization-the backward spin of evolution. The west acts on the spur of the moment,they can indiscriminately support monsters just to sell arms and get good deals. Same way they instituted the talibans that seem to be the torn in their flesh today

GBAM @ Redsun

Sharia law may run contrary to the tenets of true democracy especially on issues of rights, women and legal redress by the accused.

Its a dicey one for the west who supported libyan expecting democracy, an easy part to sure oil.

Democrazy in action.

Soon their women will be required to have 4 male witnesses to report a ra.pe - as required by Sharia.

Am sure their trouble will be worst as Gaddaffi will not even be there to be invited back.