Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses. Share the link of this article with your facebook friends

 

Eastern Libyan Army Reaches Tripoli Outskirts in a Bid to Contro the Western Capital, 21 Killed in Initial Reports

April 7, 2019

 

Libyan Western President, Faiez Serraj, talking to his commanders, at KM 27 checkpoint near Tripoli, on April 7, 2019	Hafter's Eastern Libyan army units, April 7, 2019

 

Libya: Fighting flares on Tripoli outskirts, 21 dead

On Thursday, Haftar launched military campaign to recapture Tripoli from the GNA forces

aa.com, Walid Abdullah   | 07.04.2019

TRIPOLI --

Fierce clashes erupted Sunday between East Libya-based forces and government troops on the outskirts of the Libyan capital Tripoli. 

Gunfire was heard in southern and central Tripoli between forces led by commander Khalifa Haftar -- who reportedly seeks to wrest control of the capital-- and forces loyal to the UN-backed Government on National Accord (GNA), according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent. 

At least 21 people were killed and 27 others were wounded in armed clashes in Libya’s capital, according to the Health Ministry under GNA.

Health Ministry spokesperson Amin Al-Hashemi told Anadolu Agency that civilians were among the casualties.

Local media outlets reported clashes as well in the vicinity of the old Tripoli International Airport, which has been seized by Haftar forces. 

On Thursday, Haftar launched a military campaign to recapture Tripoli from the GNA forces.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of President Muammar Gaddafi after four decades in power. 

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power: one in the eastern city of Al-Bayda, to which Haftar is linked, and another in Tripoli.

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/libya-fighting-flares-on-tripoli-outskirts-21-dead/1444524

Haftar forces launch airstrike on Tripoli as Libyan, as government announces counter-offensive

The New Arab & agencies,  7 April, 2019

General Khalifa Haftar's forces have announced their first airstrike on a suburb of Libya's capital as government forces rush to launch a counteroffensive to defend Tripoli.

Forces loyal to rogue Libyan militia leader Khalifa Haftar on Sunday announced their first airstrike on a suburb of Tripoli, where troops loyal to the country's internationally-recognised government had announced a "counter offensive" to protect the loyalist stronghold.

The announcement of the air raid was made on the Facebook page of the "media office" of Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) as fighting raged around 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Tripoli. An air strike on the southern part of Tripoli was confirmed by a witness who spoke to Reuters.

Forces loyal to Haftar have pressed on with their assault since Thursday despite international calls to halt hostilities.

In the capital, the spokesman for forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), Colonel Mohamed Gnounou, said that counteroffensive "Volcano of Anger" was aimed at "purging all Libyan cities of aggressor and illegitimate forces".

The UN has called for an "urgent" two-hour truce in the southern suburbs of Tripoli to evacuate wounded and civilians amid the escalating violence.

Libya has struggled to counter unrest since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, leaving dozens of militia to fill the void and ally with either the GNA or a rival administration in the east backed by Haftar.

GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj on Saturday accused Haftar of betraying him and warned of a "war without a winner".

https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2019/4/7/haftar-forces-launch-first-airstrike-on-libyas-capital

Hafter advance towards Tripoli repulsed as ‘Wadi Doum 2’ operation launched by Western Region Forces

By Sami Zaptia.

Libya Herald, London, 5 April 2019:

The Khalifa Hafter Libyan National Army (LNA) and its regional allies seemed to have ben repulsed overnight in their thrust towards Tripoli. The newly-formed Western Region coalition of anti-Hafter forces launched the ‘‘Wadi (Ouadi) Doum 2’’ operation to counter Hafter’s attack on Tripoli.

Wadi Doum is a military airstrip build by Qaddafi in northern Chad where Hafter was defeated and captured by Chadian government forces fighting for the Qaddafi regime in 1986. Ironically, Hafter’s defeat and capture in 1987 was facilitated by French support for the Chad government at the time.

Yesterday, pro Hafter media circulated video footage purporting to show pro-LNA forces capturing the strategic KM 27 checkpoint on the main coastal road between Tripoli and Zawia. Later last night, anti Hafter forces displayed footage purporting to show that KM 27 checkpoint was back in their hands.

Moreover, reports, photographs and video footage widely circulated purporting to show a large number of pro-Hafter troops under arrest by the anti-Hafter forces. These are put at around 150 held in Zawia.

It was claimed they surrendered without putting up any fight. They also claimed to have captured the surrendering forces’ armour and vehicles. Faiez Serraj was also photographed by a fellow journalist today meeting troops at the KM 27 checkpoint, and the Tripoli-Zawia coastal road was reported to be normal this morning. There were brief clashes between the two forces reported in the Hira area at the foot of the Western Nefusa mountains yesterday. There are conflicting reports as to who controls the Witya airbase, near the Tunisian border and 75 km south of Zuwara.

More importantly, there were numerous reports and photos and video footage of of Misratan forces allegedly preparing to set off to Tripoli. There are still no confirmed reports this morning of their arrival in central Tripoli.

Petrol and diesel queues continue in Tripoli. In fairness, these started a few days prior to Hafter’s arrival at Gharian, but Hafter’s arrival has been the only topic of debate in Tripoli for weeks. Some would say for months and at least a couple of years. The NOC’s Brega has assured that there are plenty of fuel supplies. One black-market currency dealer reported to Libya Herald that the dinar spiked to 4.90 to the dollar briefly yesterday.

A quick unscientific poll of people in Tripoli by Libya Herald this morning is as split and polarized as the British Brexit debate. Half want Hafter while the other half absolutely detest him. Tripoli is calm with many residents carrying on as normal today – as they had done all of yesterday.

On the international stage, following the earlier statements by the EU and the UN yesterday, a Joint Statement on the Fighting Near Gharian was released by the Governments of France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States was released late last night.

It said that ‘‘The governments of France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States are deeply concerned by fighting near Gharyan, Libya and urge all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, which are hindering prospects for UN political mediation. At this sensitive moment in Libya’s transition, military posturing and threats of unilateral action only risk propelling Libya back toward chaos. We strongly believe that there is no military solution to the Libya conflict. Our governments oppose any military action in Libya and will hold accountable any Libyan faction that precipitates further civil conflict.

We stand united behind UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Ghassan Salamé as the UN seeks to break Libya’s political deadlock, improve transitional governance, and chart a path toward credible and peaceful elections. All Libyan actors should work constructively with SRSG Salamé as the UN finalizes plans for the national conference planned for April 14-16’’.

Meanwhile, the UK has called for a closed emergency UN Security Council session on Libya to be held today.

https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/04/05/hafter-advance-towards-tripoli-repulsed-as-wadi-doum-2-operation-launched-by-western-region-forces/

Serraj announces state of alert in response to Hafter’s LNA provocation – international community urges de-escalation

Libya Herald, By Sami Zaptia.

London, 4 April 2019:

Faiez Serraj, head of the Presidency Council and Government of National Accord, in his role as Supreme Commander of the Tripoli-based Libyan National Army, announced a state of alert yesterday in response to the encroaching Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and threats to enter Tripoli militarily.

Serraj, never mentions Hafter nor the LNA by name in his statement, but the message is clearly directed at them. He condemned the ‘‘provocative’’ and ‘‘escalating’’ language and statements made by Hafter and his LNA ‘‘to purge the western region’’ and to ‘‘liberate’’ Tripoli which he said did not help accord or reconciliation.

He said such language destroys Libyans’ hope for stability and, in a veiled threat, ‘‘underestimates’’ all other parties.

Serraj said that this escalation comes a few days before the UN-brokered National Conference (@multaqa.libya) set to be held in Ghadames from 14 to 16 April. He added that Libyans view the conference with a glimmer of hope and as an exit out of Libya’s current crisis, an opportunity to unify the country’s split institutions and as the means to elections. However, the LNA’s inflammatory and escalating statements will undermine all of this, Serraj added.

Serraj warned that he had in the past chosen to exercise restraint to such intended crisis-precipitating actions, but that in the face of such persistence to follow this aggressive policy that he thought had been long bypassed, he has ordered and announced a state of alert to all military and security forces to prepare to respond and deter any threats aimed at destabilizing security in any area of the country. This destabilizing threat could be terror or criminal organizations, rogue groups outside the law, mercenaries, or anyone who threatens any Libyan city.

In conclusion, Serraj repeated the oft quoted mantra that there is ‘‘no military solution’’ to the Libyan crisis. He added that ‘‘war only brings destruction to the country and suffering to the people’’, urging Hafter and the LNA to ‘‘stop the language of threats and menace and to take on the language of reason and wisdom’’.

It will be recalled that the Serraj state of alert announcement comes after a clear and deliberate ratcheting up by the Hafter LNA and their regional allies spanning from Sabrata to Gharian. In fact, critics and analysts would say that Hafter has been on a military campaign for months if not years. His manoeuvres in the south of Libya in February and March are seen as preparations for a military ‘‘liberation’’ of Tripoli – an aim Hafter has never made a secret of.  

The straw that broke the camel’s back was yesterday’s announcement by the LNA’s General Command issuing orders to move to the western region which the announcement said was ‘‘controlled by outlaw groups and militias’’. The announcement was accompanied by footage claiming to show heavily armed forces crossing the Brega area and the central Oil Crescent area and allegedly moving towards the west of the country.

The statement said that the ‘‘operation aims to cleanse the country, which remains with terrorist and criminal group found in its hideouts in the western region’’ It added that the Libyan armed forces are aware of the safety of citizens and public property in the country.

On the other hand, Tripoli’s and the Western Region Forces have not sat idle. On 31 March the Tripoli Protection Force (TPF), a coalition of Tripoli’s main militias aligned to the Serraj Presidency Council, had announced on 31 March the unification of the Tripoli and Western Region Forces. Video footage of its forces allegedly heading towards the south of Tripoli have also been circulating.

The Faiez Serraj Ministry of Interior (MoI) had also announced the readiness of its forces to protect the areas under its control. Today it also announced a state of alert and warned its employees not to take orders from any forces outside the authority of the Presidency Council.

Political manoeuvres ahead of Ghadames National Conference

As Faiez Serraj suggested in his state of alert declaration, these military manoeuvres by Hafter and his LNA and aligned forces in north western Libya come days before the 14 April Ghadames National Conference kicks off.

The military manoeuvres suggest they are a political dance and jostling by all the status quo parties ahead of any redivision of the power cake at Ghadames.  It is partly fear of loss of a strong position or even annihilation and part the laying down of a marker. None of the parties want to enter the Ghadames conference and come out worse off. There is no doubt a fear of a loss of power if elections are indeed agreed as it would throw the power chips up in the air with an unknown outcome.

From the point of view Hafter, the LNA and his allies, there is the need to posture and project a position of power and strength on the ground. Hafter has been on this campaign for months if not years. His south of Libya military campaign has been a well-orchestrated manoeuvre to position himself favourably for elections or Ghassan Salame’s National Conference which has been long announced as part of his Libya Action Plan. Hafter has often proclaimed that he controls 90 percent of Libya’s territory. He hopes this is reflected in his slice of the power cake in Ghadames.

International reaction – calls for restraint

All this has come to a head at the exact time that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, arrived in Tripoli yesterday.

In a tweet on his official Twitter account, announcing his arrival in Tripoli yesterday, Guterres expressed his full commitment to supporting the Libyan-led political process which would lead to peace, stability, democracy and prosperity for the Libyan people. “The United Nations aims to stabilize Libya and unite ranks of its army, governments and any other” he said.

In a tweet from Tripoli this morning, the military escalation meant that Guterres had to change his tone. He expressed his deep concern over the military movements 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, ” he said.

The British outgoing ambassador Frank Baker tweeted that he was ‘‘Deeply concerned by military movements in Libya and risk of rhetoric leading to miscalculation. Urge all parties to show restraint. Focus should now be on upcoming National Conference as best chance to achieve a better future for all Libyan’’

The US Embassy posted that it ‘‘Libya strongly condemns the increase in violence in Libya and reiterates the UN’s call for restraint’’.

The EU in a fuller statement said that it was ‘‘deeply concerned by the military build-up underway in Libya and the escalatory rhetoric which seriously risks leading to an uncontrollable confrontation. We urge all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions and cease all acts of provocation. There can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis.

The Libyan people deserve to live in peace and security. The current situation requires decision makers to act responsibly and finally put the national interest first.

The EU fully supports the mediating efforts of UN SRSG Ghassan Salame including the meetings recently held in Abu Dhabi. The upcoming National Conference scheduled in a few days offers an historic opportunity for all segments of Libyan society to agree on the political roadmap that will end the transition. We urge all parties to seize the opportunity of the visit of UN Secretary General António Guterres to engage in a spirit of compromise in order to avoid further bloodshed and build a better future for all Libyans”, it concluded.

https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/04/04/serraj-announces-state-of-alert-in-response-to-hafters-lna-provocation-international-community-urges-de-escalation/  

***

Share the link of this article with your facebook friends