That alone would be enough to make people pay attention to the country’s political situation. Libya, Turkey is supporting a government formed under the UN and internationally recognized GNA. Haftar is making his play for Tripoli, and the fact that he has the best-equipped fighting force in the country means that he has a good shot at taking the city. The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, is recognized by the United Nations and backed by a host of militias. Two recent developments are of interest to us in the context of Libya. Libya is now in the midst of an electricity crisis, with frequent power outages that can last for days, with no warning. Amidst all the chaos, an ISIS branch sprung up in the country as well. OVER 30,000 PEOPLE have died in the violence that swept Libya since the start of 2011. He’s not wrong, but that’s a troubling statement coming from the person most likely to be leading Libya into the future. Libya was in no shape to transition to a functioning democracy so abruptly, and the last decade or so has made that all too clear. It is headed by Haftar. N.B. The answer is simple, that this answer will apply to all dictators of North Africa, middle east and the gulf that think and believe that the country and its wealth and people are all their property, therefore can do anything they want with it. More like for my Middle Eastern politics class, so you may feel a little bored reading this. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Water outages have also become a common occurrence for many. But the other story you need to be paying close attention to is the current push being made by General Khalifa Haftar to capture the Libyan capital of Tripoli. July 26, 2014, 8:22 PM • 4 … Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room and kidnapping of Ali Zeidan. First, on 20th March 2019, Greece, Israel, and Cyprus signed an intergovernmental agreement in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Pompeio establishing an East-Med pipeline to export gas to Europe costing Euro 6 … Ten years ago, protests swept across Arab nations that changed the course of history. In libya there are oil spills and the war going on right now about the government No, but there is a revolution happening. Haftar, a onetime Gaddafi ally, presents himself as a bulwark against extre… The youngsters there, well, let's just say, got inspired by the uprisings in Egypt and all and are now rising against Ghadhafi. This stands in stark contrast to the eastern half of the country, which is ruled by Haftar, who strategically sidelined and co-opted various local militias to his own cause. Water outages have also become a common occurrence for many. Renegade general Khalifa Haftar has declared Libya’s UN-backed government in Tripoli ‘void’, saying it has no mandate. There are at least 1500 people trapped in detention facilities in Libya right now, with the actual figure expected to be much higher. 3 Jan 2021 To understand what is happening in Libya today, we have to go back to 2011 and the protests that kicked it all off. Now, the war economy has sent costs skyrocketing, and there are widespread problems with … It is headed by Sarraj, who is from a Turkish family. The visit to hold talks with the UN-recognised gov’t was the first for senior Egyptian officials to Tripoli since 2014. That UN conference has now been postponed indefinitely. Now, the impact has spread to the other neighboring countries as well: Bahrain, Yemen, and Libya and more to come like Syria. April 7, 2019 . Mass graves have been found Tarhuna, a town 80km southeast of Tripoli formerly controlled by a militia. Part of the purpose of the conference was to establish a constitutional framework for those upcoming elections. Five facts you need to know. Ocean Viking ship rescues hundreds of migrants off Libya coast, Libyan navy intercepts more than 80 Europe-bound migrants: UN, Ten more bodies discovered in Libya mass grave, Dozens of migrants killed in shipwreck off Libya’s coast, Libya: UN chief urges foreign fighters to leave by Saturday, Libya talks make progress towards new temporary government: UN, UN Security Council approves new Libya envoy, Lockerbie bomber’s family lose appeal against his conviction, Libya’s rival governments discuss unifying 2021 budget, Libya minister: ‘Hopes greatly lifted’ by Biden’s victory, Libya starts using new exchange rate as economy struggles, Egyptian delegation visits Libyan capital for talks with GNA, Turkey warns Haftar against attacking its forces in Libya, Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. The GNC was challenged due to increasing security concerns in Tripoli. After years of instability, who are the main players fighting it out in Libya and why? Haftar faces an uphill battle to restoring the country to political health… if that’s even his goal. Al-Megrahi’s family and some relatives of the Scottish victims have always doubted his guilt. Relevance is automatically assessed so some headlines not qualifying as Libya news … 10 years ago. That’s when Haftar made his move, to everyone’s shock. 2 Answers. Currently the UN prevents the sales of arms to Libya. The big question is: what is happening inside Libya, behind the blurred coast line, which we can hardly identify in our binoculars on good days? As General Khalifa Haftar continues his advance towards Tripoli, Ian Bremmer breaks down what's at stake in the conflict in Libya. USIP previously partnered with UNDP to ensure their Stabilization Facility for Libya project in Sebha was sensitive to local conflict dynamics; the Institute is now working on the same project in Ubari. The GNA government is based in Tripoli. It helps that Haftar is an avowed opponent of Islamic extremism, too. Favorite Answer . But Libya’s story is much more complicated—and instructive—than its impact on energy markets. facebook shares. What’s happening in Libya? Haftar has repeatedly voiced the opinion that Libya is not ready for democracy. Q&A: What’s happening in Libya? Dictator Muammar Quaddafi is the cause. So it’s really no surprise that Libyans have simply had enough, and have decided now is the time to protest once more. Haftar used to be a close ally of Gaddafi before the two had a falling out in the 1980s; Haftar fled the country, and lived in Virginia for nearly 20 years (spending some of that time employed by the CIA) before returning to Libya to help in Gaddafi’s overthrow. On the other hand, the rebel group led by Khalifa Haftar has the backing of France, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Water outages have also become a common occurrence for many. April 7, 2019. After Haftar declared victory over ISIS in Libya in 2017, the international community has been talking about a political resolution to Libya’s current civil war, but seemed to accept that Haftar would be a major political player in Libya’s future and began orienting itself in that direction. Under Gaddafi’s brutal rule, Libya had one of the highest standards of living in Africa. As opposed to those militias in Libya’s east that Haftar was able to peel off to his side by playing them off each other and addressing their localized concerns, the ones operating in Tripoli have long-standing grievances against the Gaddafi era, and are more concerned that Haftar will simply end up being Gaddafi 2.0. Tripoli-based finance ministry says both sides will work on a final draft for the 2021 budget in the coming days. You can unsubscribe at any time. We aren’t. Ten survivors brought back to Libya after at least 43 migrants and refugees died on Tuesday, UN... Arab League also presses for a solution to threat posed by armed groups and militias as Libya strives for peace. People living in Tripoli are caught in the midst of clashes between heavily armed groups, putting them at risk of serious harm. The announcement of a date for elections in Libya comes as the House of Representatives, the High Council of State, and the Constituent Drafting Body reiterated that the draft constitution is now in the hands of the Libyan people, who have the sole right to accept or reject it through a public referendum. What Is Happening in Libya Fighting lead to the U.S. evacuating its Libyan embassy Saturday. At present, the Egyptian army is on high alert, security measures on the border with Libya have been strengthened, the necessary forces and equipment have been transferred to the Libyan border and the army’s air bases and field camps closest to Libya. Libya's deputy envoy to the UN: 'What's happening is genocide' Colonel Gaddafi's 40-year military rule is under increasing pressure amid more protests and defections from the regime. I can’t be the only one that’s happened to. After eight years of the factional violence in Libya, leader of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar has surfaced as the strongest war-lord, presently vying for the control of the Libyan capital in Tripoli. From the remnants of Libya’s army, he cobbled together a fighting force now known as the Libyan National Army, strategically adding personnel and equipment (some of which came from foreign powers looking to curry favor) as the force grew—no one knows the exact number of people or weapons in his command at present. UN Libya envoy Stephanie Williams says participants at peace conference reach deal on interim leadership ahead of vote. Libya’s powerful interior minister says he is relieved by Biden’s victory, ready to work with president-elect. The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent. Outside actors continue to become increasingly involved in Libya, and in many ways the ongoing conflict is beginning to become a proxy war. Currently, the western half of the country is being “led” by a UN-backed government based out of Tripoli, but it has struggled to actually assert control over the city as its been carved up by warring militias. That combined with the recent political developments in Algeria and Sudan, we are on the cusp of a new political “spring” of sorts. Nobody does political profiles like the New Yorker—read this one on Khalifa Haftar from 2015. “What in the world is happening in Libya?” you may be asking yourself as you surf through news stations. But holding onto it will be difficult—the militias operating in Tripoli have been fighting amongst themselves, but may be convinced to combine forces to repel Haftar’s assault. So it’s really no surprise that Libyans have simply had enough, and have decided now is the time to protest once more. As Haftar’s forces co… It is recognized by the UN. Could Amsterdam's New Economic Theory Replace Capitalism? Not only is Libya a popular transit route for migrants and refugees, but it is quickly becoming a region where many become trapped. Also, I wish more peace in the world and an end to this pandemic My first post this year will not be about crypto. By signing up you are agreeing to our, How War in Libya Became an Internationalized Battle, Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know now on politics, health and more, © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. PUBLISHED: 19:24, Mon, Aug 5, 2019 | UPDATED: 19:46, Mon, Aug 5, 2019. The GNA remains the UN-recognised government and therefore enjoys international legitimacy. Two governments are vying for control of Libya. Libyans had grown tired and frustrated with living under a tightly controlled and corrupt dictatorship. The One Thing to Say About It at a Drinks Party: Libya is a stark reminder that for all the soaring rhetoric, democracy works best when it is the culmination of genuine political reform rather than its starting point. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. They have been concentrating most of their bets on one key figure for almost half a decade. Is the low number of refugee boats arriving an indication for a shift of power in the struggle between different militia and smugglers? April 10, 2019. SHARE. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh explains what is going on. In recent years it has faced increasing diplomatic, and now material and military support from Turkey. What is happening in Libya right now? SHARE. Italian fishermen held in Libya freed after more than 100 days Published: 17 Dec 2020 Arab spring: 10th anniversary 10 years on, the Arab spring's explosive rage and dashed dreams Anyway, it’s confusing without a bit of research, so don’t fear, Maria is near and did the research for you. There’s been no shortage of drama in North Africa these last couple weeks following the ousters of longtime rulers in both Algeria and Sudan. Berber. Libya is now in the midst of an electricity crisis, with frequent power outages that can last for days, with no warning. In Libya, Ghadhafi had been ruling the country for decades like in Egypt. Last week, the UN Secretary General was in Tripoli for preparations for an upcoming peace summit ahead of elections slated for the end of this year. The LNA government has control over South and East Libya. What is happening in Libya 2020? But that does not seem to have stopped foreign powers like … Migrants returned to Libyan soil and are likely to be held in detention centres criticised by rights groups. The Quick Read About… What's Happening in Libya. NewsNow aims to be the world's most accurate and comprehensive aggregator of Libya news, covering the latest politics, sports, business news and more from the best online news publications. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar visits Libya, says Turkey will retaliate against any attack by rebel general Haftar. Slovakia’s former foreign minister Jan Kubis will succeed Ghassan Salame as the UN’s new envoy to war-stricken Libya. Sanaullah Khan July 15, 2020 What is Happening in Libya right now? Military situation in Libya as of April 2019. The National. Relevance. Fighting in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya, has been escalating since the weekend. The escalating violence explained . Donate Now. “Although none of the foreign sponsors behind Haftar is likely pleased with the dramatic deterioration, they have no option but to continue backing him. By GILLIAN MOHNEY. The Libyan Crisis refers to the current humanitarian crisis and political-military instability that occurs in Libya, beginning with the Arab Spring protests of 2011, which led to a civil war, foreign military intervention, and the ousting and death of Muammar Gaddafi. All Rights Reserved. But what is actually happening in Libya? By Kaisha Langton. As Libya knows all too well, getting rid of a brutal leader is only the beginning—the real question is what comes next, and this week’s developments in Libya provide a glimpse. These are all very different countries in different stages of political development. It’s been nearly a decade since Colonel Muammar Gaddafi was deposed, and after an initial burst of optimism from both Libyans and the international community—not to mention legislative elections held in the wake of Gaddafi’s ouster—the political situation in Libya has gone from bad to worse. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Two factions are fighting in a civil war, which started in 2014. 0 Link copied. Libya is now in the midst of an electricity crisis, with frequent power outages that can last for days, with no warning. Ian Bremmer breaks down the latest about what's happening Libya now. Making matters worse, the country’s descent into chaos and lack of governance also made it the de facto “gateway” into Europe during the continent’s migration crisis a few years back. First of all, I wish you all a Happy New Year, full with investments and big profits. Please try again later. In Libya’s south, Tebu, Tuareg, and Arab armed groups continued to clash for control of territory and resources. The rival administration in the country's east is allied with warlord General Khalifa Haftar, who commands the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA). France, which has historical ties to the county in addition to substantial oil interests, stepped up to help Haftar in his fight against ISIS, which ended up conferring him a certain amount of international legitimacy. Collective wisdom was that Haftar would wait and capture the country through the ballot box. A total of 374 migrants have been rescued in two days, said SOS Mediterranee, which operates Ocean Viking aid vessel. This cannot be walked back overnight.” –Jalel Harchaoui, Clingendael Institute research fellow. Here's a Formula That Explains Where We Need to Invest in Climate Innovation. A renegade Libyan general has ordered troops to advance on the country's capital Tripoli. Or is it only the pause that occurs again and again, before multiple boats leave at the same time? Please attempt to sign up again. Libya has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves and is also a player in the natural gas market. Every story from every site is brought to you automatically and continuously 24/7, within around 10 minutes of publication. What is happening in Libya? Libya starts using new exchange rate as economy struggles Central Bank devalues the country’s currency in a bid to save the faltering economy damaged by years of conflict. Following his appointment, Abusahmain was tasked with providing security. So far, 47 people have been killed according to the WHO and the violence shows no sign of stopping. Haftar launched an advance towards the Libyan capital on April 4 in order to capture power from Fayez al-Sarraj-led Government of National Accord (GNA) which is recognised by the United Nations. Answer Save. 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