How Qaddafi Stayed In Power

Divide and rule:

Throughout his 42-year reign, the “Brother Leader” has created a thicket of rival institutions, which he has played off against each other to prevent any competitor from emerging. And even though he initially made the abolition of tribalism one of the core tenets of his revolution, he has increasingly used inter-tribal rivalries to maintain his grip on power.

Sounds very close to what the Syrians do in Lebanon.