Libya’s inability to resolve fundamental political questions feeds into a climate of instability, reflected in some of the most serious episodes of violence in Benghazi and Tripoli since the official declaration of liberation from the Al-Qadhafi regime more than two years ago. In this gloomy environment, a critical question is whether the early November massacre of civilians in Tripoli by militias linked to Misratah, and the confrontation between special forces units and Ansar Al-Sharia in Benghazi later in the month, mark another stage in a downward spiral towards anarchy; it is just possible they could signal a shift in favour of the state.