Popular frustration is growing around Africa’s richest revolution. Although Libya’s Transitional National Council, now formally recognised by the United Nations, has inherited foreign holdings of over US$160 billion, it is struggling to meet local commitments such as delayed state salaries.

Most of the reserves have been frozen in foreign accounts, including about $65 bn. held by the Libyan Investment Authority, which is to reveal all its holdings next week. Western governments agreed on 1 September to unfreeze some $16 bn., which could bankroll Libya’s government for a year, but much less has been forthcoming, say frustrated officials in Tripoli. France, they claim, is reluctant to release funds unless they are used for business with French companies.

This week, Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril warned that Libya will not have a new interim government until its forces have consolidated control over Sirte and Bani Walid, which could take weeks, even months. The TNC pledged to maintain ten consumer subsidies and abolish import tariffs on foodstuffs. Almost a million lambs are being brought in for Eid el Adha on 7 November. This will do little to pacify the Berber fighters from the Nafousa Mountains or their comrades from Misurata who are leading the assault on Sirte. Both groups, along with the Islamist fighters under Tripoli’s military commander Abdel Hakim Belhadj, demand a greater share of power for those who did most to oust Moammar el Gadaffi’s regime.