Libya: Four Years Down the Road
Turbulent
events in Syria, the international community is closely watching,
deflect attention from the situation in Libya. In this circumstances,
the fourth anniversary of the murder of the Libyan leader Muammar
Gaddafi (October 20, 2011) went by virtually unnoticed. It dotted the
‘i’s and crossed the ’t’s in the internal Libyan conflict that commenced
in February 2011.
Had
it not been for the powerful NATO airstrikes sweeping through Libya
destroying its military facilities and killing personnel, the situation
could have been quite different. Back then, they were harping that
Gaddafi was allegedly the main obstacle in the way of the “nation
rebelling against oppression” and that once he was ousted, the blood
shedding would stop, and peace, prosperity and democracy would blossom.
it not been for the powerful NATO airstrikes sweeping through Libya
destroying its military facilities and killing personnel, the situation
could have been quite different. Back then, they were harping that
Gaddafi was allegedly the main obstacle in the way of the “nation
rebelling against oppression” and that once he was ousted, the blood
shedding would stop, and peace, prosperity and democracy would blossom.
But
life proved these statements wrong. After Gaddafi’s death, colonel’s
weak opposition fell apart and former military elite jumped to each
other’s throats in a fight for a “piece” of the “authority pie.”
life proved these statements wrong. After Gaddafi’s death, colonel’s
weak opposition fell apart and former military elite jumped to each
other’s throats in a fight for a “piece” of the “authority pie.”
In
the summer of 2014, Libya was plunged into a diarchy with two centers
of power: one — in Tripoli, the other — in Tobruk (in the eastern part
of Libya), each one with its parliament, government and armed forces.
the summer of 2014, Libya was plunged into a diarchy with two centers
of power: one — in Tripoli, the other — in Tobruk (in the eastern part
of Libya), each one with its parliament, government and armed forces.
Since
that time, combat operations between the two factions continue in some
regions in the east, west and south of the country. And these exchanges
of fire have transformed into a trench war over time. About 3.5 thousand
Libyan military personnel and civilians were killed in the combat
operations in the period from January 2014 to the end of April this
year.
that time, combat operations between the two factions continue in some
regions in the east, west and south of the country. And these exchanges
of fire have transformed into a trench war over time. About 3.5 thousand
Libyan military personnel and civilians were killed in the combat
operations in the period from January 2014 to the end of April this
year.
The
country is experiencing economic stagnation. Production of oil — the
main natural assets of the country — has dropped almost fourfold in
comparison with the times of Gaddafi’s rule, from 1.6 ml down to 440
thousand barrels per day.
country is experiencing economic stagnation. Production of oil — the
main natural assets of the country — has dropped almost fourfold in
comparison with the times of Gaddafi’s rule, from 1.6 ml down to 440
thousand barrels per day.
UN’s
mediation to bring the two conflicting Libyan blocs to a dialogue and
peace talks have proven to be ineffective. For over a year there have
been numerous attempts to reconcile the parties. There have been
different venues used for reconciliatory meetings held under the
auspices of a special envoy of UN, Bernardino Leon, ranging from Europe
to Morocco, Egypt and Algeria. During the meeting of representatives of
the conflicting parties held on October 9, 2015 in Morocco, Mr.
Bernardino announced the names of the government of the Libyan national
unity, which the parties had allegedly coordinated. But proposals of the
UN mediator were rejected by both the internationally recognized
parliament of Tobruk and the government in Tripoli.
mediation to bring the two conflicting Libyan blocs to a dialogue and
peace talks have proven to be ineffective. For over a year there have
been numerous attempts to reconcile the parties. There have been
different venues used for reconciliatory meetings held under the
auspices of a special envoy of UN, Bernardino Leon, ranging from Europe
to Morocco, Egypt and Algeria. During the meeting of representatives of
the conflicting parties held on October 9, 2015 in Morocco, Mr.
Bernardino announced the names of the government of the Libyan national
unity, which the parties had allegedly coordinated. But proposals of the
UN mediator were rejected by both the internationally recognized
parliament of Tobruk and the government in Tripoli.
All
those who tried to help Libya to untie this knot had to face its harsh
reality — an overwhelming power crisis. It expectedly broke out after
the former system of government and the balance of powers, which had
existed in Libya for the last 40 years, collapsed after the massive
external intervention.
those who tried to help Libya to untie this knot had to face its harsh
reality — an overwhelming power crisis. It expectedly broke out after
the former system of government and the balance of powers, which had
existed in Libya for the last 40 years, collapsed after the massive
external intervention.
