Libya – A Battleground for half a dozen Countries

Libya, an Oil-rich country located in North Africa, is battling with two Crisis simultaneously: An Ongoing Civil war and Coronavirus. Muammar Gaddafi (1969 – 2011) became a de-facto-leader after the victory over King Idris in a Non- Violent and Bloodless Military Coup. Gaddafi headed the Libyan Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) which abolished the King Idris’s monarchy and the old constitution and manifested the new Libya. Gaddafi as a Supreme Libyan leader envisaged goals for Free Education, health and housing for all.

The Libyan Crisis relates to 2011 Civil war, which had Foreign Military Interventions followed by Muammar Gaddafi death. The aftermath of Gaddafi’s death, the Libyan citizens, observed a nationwide spread of Armed groups leading to violence and instability, which turned into a renewed 2014 Civil war. Under Muammar Gaddafi regime, Libyan people enjoyed free Education and Healthcare for all. And, Libya was amongst the top 5 per capita income countries of Africa with $11,000 per capita. But, the whole system of Libya’s oil-rich economy was collapsed gradually after Gaddafi’s death in 2011.

UNSC meeting over Libya Crisis

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had a virtual meeting over Libya Crisis yesterday where Foreign Affairs Minister from several countries discussed the Libyan Crisis. The United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres warned the Countries: “We are running out of time”.

He said, the Military units of U.N. recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) with significant foreign support have pushed back – Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).

Guterres added, almost 30,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to continuing fighting in Tripoli’s southern suburbs, laid siege to by the LNA more than a year ago, and Tarhouna, bring the total of internally displaced persons in Libya to more than 400,000.

Between 1 April and 30 June, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) recorded at least 356 casualties and includes 102 civilian deaths and 254 civilian injuries – a 172 per cent increase compared to the January-to-March period.

U.N. Intervention and Current situation of Libya

Libya accounts for a massive shortage of testing kits; the exact number of deaths and cases are likely to be more. Antonio Guterres urged all the Libyan authorities to strengthen the Coronavirus task force and support the people as much as possible to combat the virus.

The United Nations is ready to help and would keep working with both parties (Khalifa Haftar and PM Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj) to reach a ceasefire and bringing peace talks to an end of the Crisis.

U.N. also wants to investigate the mass graves discovered when GNA forces retook control of Tarhouna, a former Libyan National Army’s occupied area about 100 km South-east of Tripoli. Mr Guterers briefed that he has spoken to Prime Minister Fayez Mustafa Sarraj and Field Marshall Haftar, and appealed them to ensure an effective ceasefire and to hold peace talks.

The UN Chief acknowledged that the Government of National Accord wants to go for national elections. Cautioned, it is not possible in the current situation as prospects for Libya-wide polls are fragile, considering the military developments and support from external forces.

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia and Egypt are supporting Khalifa Haftar because Haftar is fighting against the -Government of National Accord (GNA) has ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ affiliate factions which they list as a Terrorist Organization. On the other side, Turkey and Qatar back the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated GNA as they have their interests. Ankara and the al-Sarraj government recently signed a contentious maritime boundary agreement that would benefit Turkey in the long term and claim eastern Mediterranean parts, an area full of natural oil and gas reserves.