Clashes reported south of the Libyan capital as UN prepares for peace conference
Forces loyal to Libyan military leader Khalifa Haftar edged closer to the capital Tripoli on Thursday, prompting the government to issue a call to arms just weeks before a UN-sponsored conference aimed at bridging the country’s political divide.
Dozens of militias have fought for control of the North African country since a Nato-backed uprising toppled long-time ruler Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
But Field Marshal Haftar’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army has emerged as a key player, opposing the government in Tripoli and backing a parallel administration in the east.
This comes just as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres arrives in Tripoli to prepare for the conference next week. He said he is “deeply concerned” by the latest developments and called for restraint.
I am deeply concerned by the military movement taking place in Libya and the risk of confrontation. There is no military solution. Only intra-Libyan dialogue can solve Libyan problems. I call for calm and restraint as I prepare to meet the Libyan leaders in the country.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 4, 2019
Field Marshal Haftar launched an offensive into oil-rich southern Libya in January that he said was aimed at wiping out “terrorists” and criminal groups. His expedited march on the capital a day after the UN chief landed in Tripoli is seen a way to increase his bargaining power ahead of negotiations in 10 days.
The LNA declared on Thursday that it was sending troops west from its eastern stronghold to fight “terrorism”. Hours later, its troops skirmished with opponents near Asabiah, roughly 110 kilometres south of Tripoli, killing one person, said Hamed Al Nuwaiser, an official in Gharyan.
The move raises pressure on the UN-backed government in Tripoli as Mr Guterres lays the groundwork for the April 14 conference. Prime Minister Fayez Al Sarraj met the LNA leader in Abu Dhabi inFebruary to negotiate a deal, and the international community had hoped to avert a march on Tripoli — and a repeat of the bloody battles that toppled Qaddafi’s regime in 2011.
Marshal Haftar might try to maximise territory under his control as a bargaining chip before the conference. But the LNA has consistently said that it views Tripoli as its ultimate prize.
Mr Al Sarraj, who commands far fewer troops than the LNA chief, said in a statement he had ordered forces to mobilise to “confront any threats aiming at disturbing the peace in any part of the country”.
A move by the LNA into the regions surrounding Tripoli — where militias nominally in Mr Al Sarraj’s camp recently announced a broad coalition — risks turning brinkmanship into a war as powerful militias elsewhere in north-west mobilise to confront LNA forces.
“As long as Haftar’s forces do not push into Gharyan, there is still the option they could withdraw and the crisis may blow over,” said Libya expert Wolfram Lacher of the German think tank SWP.
Field Marshal Haftar’s advance into southern Libya has been helped by some local support.
His forces have been able take certain locations, notably the southern city of Sebha and a key oilfield, without a fight.
But analysts say the LNA will face a much tougher challenge in the west, where groups such as the powerful Misrata militias bitterly oppose him.
Tripoli is divided between pro- and anti-Haftar militias. “If they enter Gharyan, they will trigger counter offensives from forces across western Libya,” Mr Lacher said.
Mr Guterres, who arrived in Libya on Wednesday, said that he is still “totally committed to support a Libyan-led political process leading to peace, stability, democracy and prosperity for the Libyan people”.
