National Reconciliation Conference suffers from divisions

A National Reconciliation Conference was held in the city of Nalut in western Libya near the Tunisian border. The conference was sponsored by the Nalut City Council.

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The conference attracted about one thousand delegates from throughout Libya. According to Wikipedia: "Nalut is the capital of the Nalut District[4] in Libya. Nalut lies approximately halfway between Tripoli and Ghadames, at the western end of the Nafusa Mountains coastal range, in the Tripolitania region." It is a Berber community.

The conference got off to a rocky start on Friday when a number of delegates objected that the national anthem was not played or the Libyan flag displayed. Organizers explained that the opening was held in a mosque where it was thought to be inappropriate to display the national flag and sing the national anthem. The solution was to break up into smaller meetings in the homes of their hosts. According to a tweet: "2/4 Objections by supporters of former regime to start conference w/ National Anthem & display National Flag delayed the start."

The official opening took place on Saturday. Delegates were from such diverse groups as pro-Gadaffi supporters, the Benghazi Shura Council, and federalists from Barqa (Cyrenaica). There were no forums held but there was a five point closing statement issued:1-The communique underscored the assurance of the integrity of the unity of Libya’s territory. 2-It rejected external interference in Libya’s internal affairs. 3-It rejected any meeting regarding Libya being held outside Libya and supported the Libya-Libya dialogue. 4-It supported state institutions in the form of the army, police and judiciary under the legitimacy of the state. 5-It announced comprehensive de-escalation measures and the formation of committees to draw up a roadmap for national reconciliation.

A tweet from the Fezzan Libyan Group said: "Southern tribes have withdrawn from the #Nalut tribal dialogue. One representative said it was just chaos and a waste of time. #Libya"

Another incident marred the gathering. A speech by the Tobruk parliament's envoy Abu Al-Ghazali began by fulsome praise of the Libyan National Army commanded by Haftar. The speech was interrupted a number of times and many participants simply walked out as a protest. An organizer rebuked Al-Ghazali saying: "Did you come here to spoil the conference or speak about the army? We are here to reconcile, we are all against terrorism, you divide us because of a person (Haftar).” A tweet noted: "3/4 Today, speech by #HoR member from #Sirte el-Ghazali angered the rest of delegations, prompting #Mayor of #Nalut to stop him." The conference ended shortly after with the statement quoted earlier.

General Haftar trying to oust his opponents in Libya

General Kahlifa Haftar commander in chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the Tobruk-based government of PM Abdullah al-Thinni has completely broken off relations with the defense minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Although  Al Mahdi Al-Barghathi joined Haftar's Operation Dignity, he is an opponent of Haftar who objected to his becoming defence minister in the UN-backed GNA government. Haftar opposes the GNA and its armed militias. Al-Barghathi is also an ally of Ibrahim Jadhran head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard who also supports the GNA. Jadhran has recently reached an agreement to open a number of exporting ports with the GNA.

As commander of the 204 tanks brigade, Al-Barghathi was quite popular among his troops as a commander who joined them and led them into battle. However, Haftar has now broken off all relations with him and renamed the 204 tanks brigade to the 298 tanks brigade. He appointed Abd Al-Karim Barghouti as the new leader. As well as indicating an attempt to consolidate power in the east, the move represents an escalation of the conflict between the GNA with Haftar and the House of Representatives (HoR) government. Al-Barghthi had earlier been the target of an unsuccessful assassination attempt.

In what may be part of a propaganda campaign. Ahmed al-Mesmari, spokesperson for the LNA accused the US air force bombing the Islamic State in Sirte of hitting vehicles belonging to forces allied with the GNA by mistake. Neither the US nor the GNA have commented on the accusations. Al-Mesmari claimed that Sirte would be liberated by the LNA and not by the US or any other country. However, after announcing a march on Sirte ages ago, the LNA avoided any clashes with the IS in the Sirte area. It is still fighting the remnants of the Benghazi Shura Council fighters in Benghazi and lately also the recenty formed Defend Benghazi Brigades west of Benghazi. He also is carrying out a siege of Derna, Operation Volcano,. against the Derna Shura Council of Mujahideen. The Council fighters had earlier this year been instrumental in expelling the Islamic State from Derna their former stronghold.

The PFG under Ibrahim Jadhran are reported to have repelled an attack by Haftar's forces on Zuetina oil port, about 180 km south west of Benghazi. Haftar had appointed Muftah Shagloof who led the attack as head of the PFG according to Chief of Ajdbiya Borders' Guard, Bashir Bodfairah. Bodfairah explained that the port was attacked because Haftar refuses to resume oil exports through the GNA. LNA troops are said to be just 12 kilometers east of Zuetina. Apparently, Shafloof has been given the task of occupying oil ports in the oil crescent region as well as the oil fields in Wahat, Maradah, and Zallah regions. The conflict between supporters of Haftar in the east and his opponents who support the GNA appears to be escalating.

Libyan General Khalifa Haftar continues his siege of the city of Derna

Air strikes carried out on Derna as part of Khalifa Haftar's Operation Volcano begun back in May injured two civilians and destroyed two houses at the western entrance to the city.

Operation Volcano is a siege of the city of Derna by sea and land begun last May to try to remove the Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna from power. This group was instrumental in driving the Islamic State (IS) out of the city. However, Haftar considers them to be associated with Al Qaeda, even though they claim not to be. In any event he considers them terrorists and is trying to remove them from power as part of his Operation Dignity begun way back in 2014 with an attack on two Islamist camps in Benghazi and after that an attack on the parliament in Tripoli. Ever since the IS was driven out of Derna the city has been under constant bombardment as well as having supplies cut off by the siege.

Earlier attacks which hit civilian targets were widely condemned. The UN special envoy to Libya Martin Kobler called for an end to the bombing some time ago after a number of civilian deaths, including children. Ahmed Maetig a deputy of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord said that the targeting of civilians areas of Derna was intolerable and unacceptable and damaged attempts at national reconciliation. Maeitig said at the time: “There can be no justification for the bombing of innocent civilians in this way. We share with our people in Derna the pain caused by these irresponsible attacks.”

Yet the bombing continues and the press has largely ignored the continued siege as attention turns to such matters as the US bombing of IS in Sirte. In the most recent attack in Derna, a young man and a six-year old were sent to Al-Harish Hospital. A mosque was also damaged by the attack which hit two houses.

Recently, the Shura Council fighters have clashed with the forces of Haftar's Libyan National Army that are besieging the city. A tweet reports: "DMSC says that they have repelled Haftar's forces attack on #Derna's western outskirts. LNA retreated to karsa." DMSC stands for Derna Mujahideen Shura Council. The UN and the GNA have not taken any action to discourage Haftar from his continued siege of the city. Some special forces from France have helped Haftar and there are US and UK units in Benghazi as well. It could be they are helping out in attacks on Derna.

Saudis may be attempting to reconcile competing parties in Libya

There appear to be a number of efforts to bring about a reconciliation between the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR).

Saudi Arabia is said to be trying hard at the diplomatic and security level to develop a plan for the comprehensive reconciiation of the GNA and the HoR, no doubt also dealing with relationship of the GNA with General Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief, of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the HoR. The Saudis are planning a meeting after Eid celebrations around the fifth of July, the end of Ramadan. Sources told the Libyan Express: “Saudi government is opening contact channels with the biggest Libyan tribes in all of the country’s regions because it knows that he tribes in Libya can influence the political track in it.” According to the sources, many political parties both in the HoR and the GNA, and elders in both east and west welcomed the Saudi efforts and would concur with them. The sources also said that GNA Prime Minister Faiez Serraj also hailed the efforts to hold the meeting and said that he would be attending the meeting. However, I could find only one report about the meeting. So far there has been no announcement about it from the GNA itself or any other news outlet than the Libya Express.

Meanwhile there are other moves that appear related to bringing Haftar on side to support the GNA. Khalifa Haftar has arrived in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt's President Sisi is a strong supporter of Haftar. Media sources said Haftar came to Egypt with a nine-member military delegation on a private jet. He was to discuss the latest situation in Libya. Haftar is expected to meet with a Russian delegation while he is in Cairo.

It appears that the UN and the GNA are desperate to have the armed forces of Libya under a unified command. To achieve this, they need the co-operation of Haftar and the Libyan National Army. Haftar has suddenly changed his mind about working with some western militias loyal to the GNA as noted in a recent article. Faiez Serraj said recently: "We are convinced that the only way to end this organisation (IS) is through a united military command that brings together all Libyans from every region of the country." Serraj makes this claim just as the remnants of the Islamic State are surrounded in their stronghold Sirte and could very well be over-run in the next few days. This was all done with no unity with Haftar who has done nothing to help with the offensive against Sirte in spite of announcing more than three weeks ago he was going to liberate Sirte. Serraj noted that the forces on the offensive, mainly Misrata militia were receiving limited assistance from foreign countries. He no doubt intended to reference special forces of the UK and the US. However, foreign special forces are also providing help to Haftar in Benghazi, in spite of the fact that those forces are not associated with the UN-recognized government.

There is supposed to be a meeting of the HoR in Tobruk tomorrow to vote confidence in the GNA. The last two Mondays the HoR also met to vote but there was never a quorum. However a tweet from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) by Martin Kobler, the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General was optimistic:"Martin Kobler: I'll be in tobruk tomorrow to encourage everyone to vote on the Govt of National Accord #GNA". If there is no vote at the meeting perhaps the next advance will be at the meeting with the Saudis in July.

General Haftar adopts more conciliatory position on working with militia loyal to GNA

In Benghazi yesterday, speaking to activists, General Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR), said he could work with some militia groups in western Libya.

Up until now, Haftar has insisted he cannot work with the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) until all its militias had been disbanded. Indeed, Haftar said it was "unthinkable" that his LNA join with the GNA forces in their present state. Neither Haftar nor the HoR have so far recognized the GNA. This is a sudden change of position. It may be designed to split the Misrata militia. Haftar specifically mentioned that he could work with the Rada security force, Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, and Abdul; Ghani Al-Kiki, "but in a limited way" in establishing security in Tripoli. However, he said that it would never be possible to make peace with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group whom he described as an extension of Al Qaeda under another name. Many Tripoli militia might not accept the presence of the LNA under Haftar in Tripoli.

Haftar said that the majority of Misratans wanted peace: “We all have relatives, friends and business partners in Misrata, and we will never let them down”. After earlier charging the Misrata militia as being terrorists, he now describes Misrata as a peaceful city and even says he can work with some leaders of militia opposed to Haftar's Operation Dignity. Mentioning some leaders of such militia, Haftar said: "Kikli, Kara, Tajouri, Bishir are all Libyans and they wanted to defend their streets so that people enjoy good life." The anti-opposition figures are all commanders of militia from Tripoli. Earlier this year, Haftar threatened to move his LNA against Misrata and Tripoli in order to liberate them from terrorism. In 2014 his air force struck Misrata's airport.

The LIbya Observer sees Haftar's U-turn as attempting to build support for his Dignity Operation begun in May of 2014 after he has lost support from several groups in the east. It is not clear to me how his move will gain any support among the militia mentioned. What may be happening is that Martin Kobler, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) is cooking up some deal to bring Haftar on board with the GNA. In a recent tweet, Kobler says: " Martin Kobler: I'll be in tobruk tomorrow to encourage everyone to vote on the Govt of National Accord #GNA"

The HoR has had many meetings to vote confidence in the GNA but two meetings were disrupted and the others failed to reach a quorum, including meetings on the last two Mondays. If Kobler is going to Tobruk, he probably has assurances from Haftar about his security. He may also have assurances that the vote can go ahead without any disruption. Kobler may have worked out a deal with Haftar for a place in the new GNA forces that is acceptable to him. However, many members of the GNA want Haftar out of the picture completely. We will know soon what is happening.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/politics/op-ed-general-haftar-changes-stance-on-cooperation-with-libya-militia/article/468603#ixzz4DIiDLmig

Two-front attack shrinking territory held by Islamic State in Libya

After advancing very close to Sirte and threatening to surround it, forces loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord from the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous operation seem to have paused and may be consolidating their positions.

The apparent pause in the advance from the west happens at the same time as the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), Martin Kobler, is visiting Misrata the home of most of the militia involved in the fight against IS. This has prompted the following tweet:"GNA force progress in #sirt stopped after @KoblerSRSG visit to #Misrata Any body explain?" It may be that the forces are just consolidating their gains and also that the IS plants many mines that must be cleared. Perhaps there are discussions about what the next steps may be. The advance had been rather rapid until recently.

An IS senior leader, Khaled Al-Shayeb, was apparently killed in recent clashes with the Misrata militia. His body was identified by IS prisoners held in Tripoli. He had long been regarded as already dead: Al-Shayeb is a prominent IS senior leader in North Africa and the commander of IS militants in Algeria and Tunisia. He is also the main suspect in the attack that killed many European tourists in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, last year.

On the eastern front, the Petroleum Forces Guard (PFG) appear to be continuing to advance.They have now cleared Bin Jawad completely . They have moved on to another town to the west according to the Libya Oberver. All Al-Hassi, spokesperson for the OFG said that the group took control of the town of A-Naufileya, which lies just 120 kilometers from the IS stronghold of Sirte. He claimed that IS has retreated to Harawa which is only 50 kilometers, about 30 miles from Sirte. He said that there were no casualties when the town was taken. Engineering units are busy defusing mines. The Libyan Express also reports on the advance.

Ibrahim Jodhran, who at least until recently headed the PFG, is a supporter of the GNA and an opponent of Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). He was fired by the HoR but the firing never seems to have taken effect. There is a recent tweet that claims he has been replaced by the GNA, but apparently he does not object: "#GNA appoints Ali Alahrash head of #OFG (Oil field guard) #Libya " This could be very bad news for Haftar since it will place the PFG and the territory they guard firmly under the control of the GNA, which Haftar does not recognize. Haftar would like to ensure he has control of the three main ports in the oil crescent that the PFG guard.

Haftar is busy with a council of war. One of the topics is plans for liberating Sirte. He has been advancing on the IS for weeks and has yet to have a single engagement with them. His latest actions in his Operation Volcano against the Shura Council of Derna, is to bomb headquarters of Korean and Turkish companies in the city. The Shura Council of Derna Jihadists were instrumental in clearing out IS from Derna. However, the Council includes Ansar al-Sharia branded as a terrorist group and responsible for the attack on the US embassy. Haftar chooses to pick his terrorists to attack on strategic grounds but all his enemies are branded as Islamic terrorists. Westerners laughed when Gadaffi said that. If Haftar does not act soon, those loyal to the GNA may have already captured the IS stronghold of Sirte.

GNA forces mostly from Misrata make further gains against IS and approach Sirte

Misrata militia, part of the forces of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) made more gains against the forces of the Islamic State as they retreat towards their stronghold, Sirte.

General Mohammad al-Ghusri, spokesperson for Operation Strong, as it has been named, claims that Al-Baghla checkpoint has been secured, which is 60 kilometers from Sirte. The Libyan Gazette must be referring to whole area, not the city itself in its claim:

The Libyan army made significant gains against ISIS forces on Wednesday after troops fighting in the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) military campaign against ISIS, called Operation Strong Foundation, killed 100 ISIS fighters in Sirte.Islamic State administrative offices in Sirte are reportedly shut down.

Al-Ghasr reported that the militia were advancing rapidly toward Sirte after they had captured 12 IS fighters subsequent to securing Al-Baghla. Al-Ghasri claimed: “We are making remarkable advances against the radical groups of ISIS and we are eyeing advance toward Sirte, ISIS’s stronghold.” He said a large number of IS forces had fled the city after they suffered heavy losses in Wednesday's battle. The Libyan air force carried out half a dozen air strikes on key IS positions after Al-Bagla checkpoint was taken causing them to abandon their positions. Eight IED's planted by retreating IS forces were defused. The Libya Observer reports that Operation Strong had also secured the Al-Khamseen checkpoint on the coast road just 50 kilometers from Sirte.

While General Khalifa Haftar, commander in chief of the House of Representative (HoR) claimed he was launching an offensive against Sirte almost three weeks ago he so far has not engaged with them at all. He is rumored to be attempting to secure the oil ports at present controlled by the Petroleum Forces Guard. Representatives of Hafter's GNA have met with the PFG in Ras Lanuf but there are conflicting reports about what transpired. Ras Lanuf is not far from the eastern border of territory controlled by IS. Instead of moving against Sirte, Haftar has launched Operation Volcano against the Shura Council of Derna a group of jihadists who were instrumental in driving the Islamic State out of the city of Derna.

His commander-in-chief in the west in Zintan, Abdul Razak Al-Nazhuri, far from helping to attack the Islamic State, has threatened to liberate the capital Tripoli from militia who support the GNA and provide security for the city. There is no response from Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary General, or from the PM of the GNA, Faiez Serraj.

In the recent battle against IS, UK special forces reportedly fired a missile at an IS suicide truck loaded with explosives and blew it up. This helped stop the IS from advancing against GNA forces. Mohammed Durat, a troop commander in Misrata said: “My unit works just with English. I have met with them personally and they have destroyed two suicide vehicles that were targeting my fighters.” This report comes just two days after the UK defence secretary Michael Fallon to told the UK House of Commons:“We’ve made it clear that we are not planning any kind of combat role either for our troops or for the RAF in Libya. That is not part of our planning. If we considered further military action against the Daesh [IS], wherever it was – whether in Libya or anywhere else – we would of course come to this house to discuss it first.”

Many critics claim the UK government has been less than candid about its role and plans for participation in an intervention in Libya. US special forces are also reported to be carrying out patrols and observations in Misrata. There are also reports of French, Italian, and Jordanian special forces being in Libya.

Libyan National Army in Zintan threatens to liberate Tripoli

There are now several reports that the Libya National Army (LNA) has warned it is only 10 kilometers from Tripoli and will soon be liberating Tripoli.

First reports of the warning came in a tweet yesterday: " Khalifa Hafter's top aide Abdul Raziq Nadouri: Our forces are 10km away from Tripoli, liberating it is very soon." Today there is a report in the Libya Herald.

The warning came from Chief of Staff Abdul Razak Al-Nazhuri during the graduation ceremony of 1,600 House of Representatives (HoR) Ministry of the Interior Special Forces in Zintan. He also conducted a tour of forces loyal to the LNA in the region. The recruits are said to have come from all regions of the country.

The LNA and General Haftar, the commander-in-chief of the LNA, have warned a number of times that as part of Operation Dignity they would be liberating Tripoli. The ZIntan brigades burned the parliament buildings after Haftar started his operation in Benghazi as shown on the appended video This happened back in May of 2014. The Zintan brigades were later driven from Tripoli and the airport they were protecting by the Libya Dawn militia associated with the rival Salvation government of the General National Congress (GNC). The fighting completely destroyed the Tripoli International Airport and some planes. The airport is still not open.The Zintan brigades are loyal to Haftar as well as the HoR and consider themselves part of the LNA, even though they're in the west. They reject the GNA.

Nazhuri said that there must be one unified Libya with one Libyan army and police. He said the LNA would not accept ministers in the GNA who he claimed had been supplying terror groups in Benghazi with weapons to fight the LNA. He said that the LNA wanted to send a message that there would be no "Karzai"- the former head of the Afghan government often viewed as a puppet- in Libya. The graduation ceremony was meant as a show of strength of the LNA in the west and meant to make it clear that pro-GNA militia are not in control of all of western Libya.

While Haftar started a move towards Sirte with many troops and vehicles from the south and east almost three weeks ago, he has not yet attacked the Islamic State as promised. He is busy attacking the Shura Council.fighters in Sirte, fighters instrumental in driving IS from Derna, with his Operation Volcano, The Zintan brigades have been idle bystanders. As the Herald reports: Equally, Zintan’s Presidency Council (PC) representative, Mohamed Al-Aswad has been boycotting the PC while the rest of the PC based in the Bu Sitta Naval Base have continued without him. The High State Council, dominated by former members of the GNC and led by Zintan-arch enemy Abdelrahman Swehli have also continued to impose itself while Zintan seems to be side-lined from the new power share-out.The Special Representative of the Secretary-General Martin Kobler, and the PM of the GNA government Faiez Serraj have so far not responded to the threat from the LNA. The main stream media have yet to pay much attention either.

Misrata militia gain back territory from the Islamic State

Military forces from Misrata have recaptured a key checkpoint south of Misrata from the Islamic State (IS) reversing some of the gains made by the IS earlier this month.

The Islamic State(IS) had taken the checkpoint at Abu Grain back on May 5, advancing while the Misrata group were waiting for the GNA to form a unified command. They also took several surrounding villages. In recapturing Abu Grain, seven members of GNA forces were killed and 19 wounded according to Aziz Issa, a spokesperson for Misrata hospital. The hospital claims it is running short of supplies. Some of the wounded with critical injuries have been flown by the Italian Air Force to a military hospital in Rome for treatment.

Abu Grain is 140 kilometers or about 85 miles from Sirte the last larger city stronghold of Islamic State, and the former home town of Gadaffi. Mohamed al-Gasri a spokesperson for the GNA Operation Room noted that the area was not yet under full control of GNA forces: "There are skirmishes from time to time against the militants. We will keep making progress to clean Abu Grain town of those militants".

The Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by Khalifa Haftar announced over two weeks ago that it was launching a two-pronged attack on the eastern borders of the IS and intended to liberate Sirte. So far its only battle has been near Zilla in the south, with a militia associated with Misrata. The IS has been free to concentrate on fighting with the Misrata militias. Haftar is busy launching Operation Volcano, trying to drive out the Shura Council of Derna Jihadists who had been fighting the Islamic State for ages and helped defeat them on the outskirts of Derna. Even after IS retreated, Haftar still launched air attacks on the city. He now is surrounding the city and launching more air attacks. He has no time to launch air attacks on Sirte or attack IS even though his troops have advanced as far as Ras Lanuf, not far from IS territory.

The media bureau of the Operations Chamber of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos a GNA force said that it is now at Al-Wishka a town 25 kilometers east of the Abu Grain district. Their forces are also said to be clashing with IS militants at Al-Khamseen checkpoint which is just 50 kilometers to the west of Sirte. They are said to be receiving air cover from the air force of the General Staff. Among those killed in recent clashes was colonel Ibrahim Abdel Alli who was chief of the military engineering brigade. While Haftar has an excellent opportunity to attack IS from the east, there is no sign of his doing so. His actions are helping the Islamic State who apparently have no fear of an attack from the east allowing them to concentrate on fighting with the Misrata militia. Perhaps if the Islamic State starts to give up much ground suddenly Haftar will join the fray to capture territory for the House of Representatives (HoR) government.

Official statement after Vienna meeting on Libya

The Joint Communique issued after the Ministerial Meeting in Vienna has been published by a number of sources including the U.S. Department of State.

The statement starts out by welcoming Faiez el-Serraj, the prime minister of the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) and commending him for his leadership in moving the GNA to Libya which is said to be a turning point in the Libyan political process. It is a turning point in that it represents a concerted attempt to ensure that the wishes of many countries to create just one unified administration are met. The GNA can ask for foreign intervention to fight the Islamic State and help solve the problem of waves of immigrants using Libya as a taking off point to cross the Mediterranean and enter Europe. It is not surprising that Italy co-hosted the meeting along with the United Sates.

The statement says: "We express our strong support for the Libyan people in maintaining the unity of Libya." Yet the GNA is taking actions that do the opposite. The GNA has claimed that under the LPA, it is the commander-in-chief of the Libyan armed forces. However, it knows that Khalifa Haftar claims this role and that he will keep the HoR from voting confidence in the GNA as long as it continues to claim this. Both those who would not vote confidence in the GNA and the majority that are claimed to support it are united in demanding section 8 of the LPA, which gives the function of commander in chief of the LNA to the Presidential Council (PC), be deleted. The actions of the GNA thus ensure that the HoR and Haftar will not join with the GNA and so that there will be no unity of Libya. The statement finds it impossible to mention the name Haftar, a key player in all this, but the subject is taboo.

There is not the slightest thought that perhaps the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) signed in Skhirat on December 17 might not be workable. There is no mention of the fact that two members of the nine member PC group are boycotting meetings. There is no mention of any criticisms of the formation and operation of the State Council. The GNA is supported as the sole legitimate government of Libya. The statement notes: " We urge all parties to work constructively towards the completion of the transitional institutional framework, particularly by enabling the House of Representatives to fully carry out its role as outlined in the LPA." Right. The GNA could use a legislature, which is the HoR under the LPA. No mention of the sanctions against the head of the HoR Ageela Saleh. No mention of the attempt to avoid a full meeting of the HoR by having a meeting of just those who support the GNA in Ghadames. There are many important events that are just not mentionable or worth mentioning in such an important document.

The document encourages authorities of the GNA "to strengthen their outreach inside Libya and seek effective mechanisms for a dialogue to support reconciliation." Kobler said long ago after the LPA was signed that the time for dialogue is over. Even before the LPA was signed he said the LPA could not be amended. What is now called dialogue are carrots such as jobs and aid, and sticks such as sanctions and cutting off funds to those opposed to climbing aboard the GNA bandwagon. The communique commends the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General(SRSG), Martin Kobler.

Claiming that security is the key to Libya's future, the ministers salute the creation of the Presidential Guard by the PC to protect national institutions, members of the PC, and other members of the government. So far security is being provided by militias. Militias have always been regarded as part of the problem in Libya and were to be disarmed according to the LPA or integrated into the regular forces. The problem is that the largest regular forces in Libya are those of Haftar and the Libyan National Army.

The communique says:We recognize the necessity of enhanced coordination efforts between legitimate Libyan military and security forces and urge them to work quickly to implement a unified command in accordance with the LPA, to coordinate the fight against Da’esh and UN-designated terrorist groups in Libyan territory. Ensuring security and defending the country from terrorism must be the task of unified and strengthened national security forces. Libyans must fight against terrorism with unity.The group does not explain how there can be "enhanced coordination" between the forces of Haftar and the LNA and the GNA when the GNA is not recognized by Haftar or the HoR. There is already a unified command but it does not include Haftar. How can it include Haftar, commander in chief of the LNA, when the unified command is a function of the GNA which claims it is the commander in chief? Impossibility is no bar to positive rhetoric.

Part of the GNA's expected role is to ask for foreign intervention. As of now the intervention is not to be called "intervention" but military aid to fight against the Islamic State and other terrorists:The Government of National Accord has voiced its intention to submit appropriate arms embargo exemption requests to the UN Libya Sanctions Committee to procure necessary lethal arms and material to counter UN-designated terrorist groups and to combat Da’esh throughout the country. We will fully support these efforts while continuing to reinforce the UN arms embargo.The group must be pleased that the GNA is doing what they wanted it to do fight the Islamic State with their help. This position is bound to create outrage among the supporters of Haftar and his loyalists whose Operation Dignity is designed to fight terrorism. From their point of view by supporting the militias loyal to the GNA they will.be helping terrorists even if not those associated with the Islamic State. The group makes it clear that the GNA is "the sole legitimate recipient of international security assistance." However, this will not stop countries such as Egypt, the UAE, and perhaps others who were among the signatories of the agreement from providing arms for Haftar I expect.

The group also reiterated their commitment to cease support and official contact with "parallel institutions." Yet there have been positive meetings between rival officials from the two central banks and from the two oil companies. It is good that many officials pay no heed to the directions in this august document. Among the signatories of the document are countries such as Egypt, the League of Arab States, Jordan, and the UAE all of whom support Haftar, a position inconsistent with supporting the document they have signed.

US special forces operating in Libya near Misrata and Benghazi

There have been a number of reports that there are special forces from the United States and several other countries already in Libya. Details about some of the U.S. forces and their mission are now surfacing.

The U.S. Special Operations troops are stationed near the city of Misurata in the west and near Benghazi in the east. The U.S. may be hedging its bets by maintaining relations with militia loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) in the west and with the Al-Thinni Tobruk-based government in the east, with its forces of General Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army. The two outposts in total are said to have less than 25 troops. The two groups are lining up partners in advance of a possible offensive against the Islamic State, according to anonymous US officials.

According to the Washington Post, sending the personnel to Libya reflects the Obama administration concern about the power of the Islamic State in Libya. The US is already expanding its operations against the Islamic State both in Syria and Iraq. The Pentagon has been developing plans for potential action against IS in Libya. The Islamic State has thousands of fighters in Sirte and the surrounding areas they control. The Post sees the deployment as a sign of another military campaign in LIbya and as a good example of Obama's reliance on elite units to advance counter-terrorism goals using operations that have low visibility to the public.

The work of these small groups known as "contact teams" often takes place parallel to those of allied forces. The French are known to have had advisers in Benghazi helping Haftar's forces. UK and Jordanian forces are known to be working together.

U.S. officials hope that the special forces groups will help make local forces more effective. Williiam Wechsler, a former Pentagon officials who oversaw special operations claims: “These types of activities can be the difference between success and failure in what the administration refers to as areas outside of active hostilities. You’re mapping local networks, both friendly and unfriendly.”

The two US groups have been cultivating relationships with the forces that are mobilizing for an assault against the IS Sirte stronghold. Peter Cook, spokesperson for the Pentagon declined to give any specific information. He did say that the troops met with a variety of Libyans "in an effort to help them reestablish a safe and secure environment". Instead of information one gets nice-sounding rhetoric.

One task of the group is to identify which factions align themselves with the GNA. However, the group in Benghazi is obviously working within a force it must know is not allied with the GNA and is hostile to it. Paul Scharre, a former Defense Department official said: “How do you avoid Libya becoming like Syria. This is one of the tools in your toolbox to stave that off.”

Any broader U.S. campaign in Libya is likely to be on a smaller scale than in Iraq or Syria and will be a cooperative effort involving a number of European countries. Since 2015 the U.S. has launched two air strikes on Islamic State targets in Libya. However, dozens of other targets have been identified.

The situation is complicated for the U.S. in that Haftar's troops of the Libyan National Army (LNA) over two weeks ago started out towards Sirte from the east and south. Haftar does not recognize the GNA nor its new unified command and he regards militia from Misrata as his enemy. While the Misrata militia do recognize the GNA and its now unified command it has had to counter the effects of a strong Islamic State advance that took place during the time that the PC asked them to not attack until the united command was formed. The western forces centered in Misrata are already starting an offensive against the Islamic State but so far they seem to be receiving no help from any foreign sources in terms of troops or air support.

Meanwhile, Haftar and the LNA have not engaged with the Islamic State. IS has been able to concentrate upon fighting against Misrata. This should be a perfect time for Haftar to launch an attack from the east. The Islamic State would find it difficult to muster the resources to fight back effectively on the two fronts. Instead, Haftar has launched an new military operation, Volcano, directed against those Islamists who were mostly responsible for driving the Islamic State out of Derna.

Some U.S. officials are beginning to complain that support for Haftar's forces from countries such France and Egypt as well as the UAE and even Russia is making it more difficult to centralize power in the GNA. The head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Martin Kobler, has been unable to get a formal vote of confidence in the GNA through the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). This is required under the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) signed in Skhirat on December 17 last year. One section of the LPA makes the GNA Presidential Council the commander in chief of the army. This section was referenced when the PC formed a unified command. The HoR and Haftar supporters demand that Haftar remain as commander in chief of the Libyan Army under the GNA. This would be anathema to many Islamists within the GNA. No solution to this problem is in sight. What appears to be developing is a situation where Libya can become a locale where there are proxy battles between countries such as the US, UK and Italy supporting the GNA, and Egypt, UAE, the Arab League and perhaps Russia supporting Haftar and the HoR. The end result could be the breakup of Libya.

Haftar attacks Islamists instrumental in driving ISIS out of Derna

The spokesperson for Haftar's militias, Ahmed Al-Mismari, said their forces were besieging Derna from four directions. They are ready to advance into the city at any moment to liberate it from terrorism.

Most media are deafeningly quiet about what is happening. According to the Libya Observer, the Derna Operation is called "Al Burkan," the volcano. The spokesperson claims they do not aim to enter the city but of isolate it and control its entrances. However, there are already reports of clashes between Haftar militias and revolutionaries of the Derna Shura Council who run the city. The Observer reports that the clashes took place in the A-Heela district which previously saw the revolutionaries fight with the Islamic State. While Haftar's Libyan National Army forces claimed credit for driving the Islamic State from Derna, the Shura Council of Mujahideen said that Haftar forces actually hindered their fight against the Islamic State. The Observer says:

 It is worth mentioning that Derna Shura Council revolutionaries announced on April 20 the liberation of the city from IS, as they were killed and fought out of their last hideout in Al-Fatayeh after months-long clashes without any help from Haftar’s militias, which call whoever does not pledge allegiance to them “terrorists”.In addition, the remaining militants of IS who were fighting in Al-Fatyeh escaped through five checkpoints and locations for Haftar’s militias when they were retreating from Derna toward Sirte without ever being intercepted by them, knowing that the IS militants attacked the Oil Facilities Guard on their way, which was regarded by the latter s a clear coordination between IS and Haftar’s militias to control the oil fields and ports.

Reporting on events in Libya often takes the form of narratives supporting one side or the other, that may or may not be true. In a recent article I gave an account of events that included an agreement between Haftar's forces and the Petroleum Forces Guards(PFG) that the LNA, Haftar's forces, could go through Ras Lanuf and that the PFG was at their disposal. However, Commander of Ajdabiya Border Division, Colonel Bashir Budhifra, has denied that Haftar's forces have been given permission to pass through the area. Of the deal that LNA Colonel Wanis Bokhmada was supposed to have made he said: "Colonel Wanis Bokhmada came to show support to the army and Petroleum Facilities Guard in the oil crescent region, and to express condolences and check on the health conditions of the wounded fighters,

Whatever the reason, Haftar appears not be in the process of attacking Sirte even though he started out for the area well over a week ago. Instead he is attacking the forces that did most of the fighting that drove the Islamic State out of Derna. This is not the first attack on those forces. As long ago as February unidentified planes had bombed the revolutionaries and Haftar kept on with air attacks after the Islamic State had withdrawn from Derna. It will be interesting to say what if anything Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General(SRSG) has to say about Haftar's operations in Derna. No doubt, Haftar thinks that his operations come within the exceptions to the supposed cessation of hostilities that is part of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). The war on terrorism can continue. For Haftar all his opponents are terrorists. In the case of Derna one group within the Shura Council, Ansar al-Sharia are actually characterized by some countries including the US as terrorists. However, other Islamists often cooperate with them as happens in a number of Shura Councils.

Most reports of what is happening come from tweets. For example, about the clashes between revolutionaries and the LNA there is this tweet: "#Libya-#Derna: #MSCD claims to have destroyed 3 military vehicles of #LNA/Haftar forces in al-Hila & Budhahak" MSCD is the Mujahideen Shura Council of Derna.

General Haftar refuses to meet with head of UN mission in Libya Martin Kobler

General Khalifa Haftar, commander in chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA) of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR), refused a meeting requested by Martin Kobler head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Colonel Ahmed Mesmari, LNA official spokesperson, made the claim on his official Twitter and Facebook accounts. His tweet said: "LNA General Command rejects a meeting request by @Kobler SRSG." The message did not say when the request was made.

UNSMIL Public Information Officer Jean Alam said, when asked for a comment:" ...the United Nations is and will continue to engage everyone in the search for peace in Libya..We will knock on every door and we will meet with anyone we believe can help end the conflict and bring stability to Libya’’. The ”only people and organizations we will not talk to, are the groups designated as terrorist by the United Nations’.’

When comments were made that such a meeting might be a waste of time, Alam replied that, "the only time wasted is when we don't discuss peace. UNSMIL's had is always stretched to reach out to all sincere Libyans who want an end to the suffering of their people". The statement concluded:”(UNSMIL) will stop at nothing to seek and achieve what all Libyans want – peace and unity for the country’.’ When one removes all the rhetoric, Alam's reply simply confirm's the statement of the LNA General Command.

Haftar last met with Kobler in his eastern headquarters in Marj on December 16 last year. Kobler said the meeting had been a fruitful one. It had been just before the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) in Skhirat, Morocco, the next day. The Herald describes the agreement as between the two warring factions, the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) and the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC). This is a misleading description. The agreement was between members of both factions who agreed to the LPA. None of the signatories were authorized to sign by their respective parliaments nor did either parliament approve of the LPA. The agreement was a strategy used by the UN to avoid having the two parliaments agree.

According to the Herald:At that meeting, it was believed that Kobler had convinced Hafter to support the LPA in return for support of a Libyan National Army, fighting terrorism and supplying arms to the LNA after the approval of and a request by the Government of National Accord (GNA).I do not know who the people are who believed this. Haftar did not issue any statement saying he supported the LPA, and his supporters have consistently tried to avoid having the HoR vote on the issue. The Herald notes that relations between the two have cooled. I am not sure they were ever warm. The Herald claims:However, it seems that relations between the two have cooled as the Presidential Council and a large number of members in the HoR seem to be determined to avoid appointing Hafter as the General Commander of the unified GNA-led LNA.This is reflected in the refusal of HoR president Ageela Salah to convene the HoR for a meeting to approve the GNA prior to dropping article 8 of the LPA. Article 8 stipulates that upon the approval of the GNA by the HoR all main sovereign positions, including Hafter’s position, all revert to the PC/GNA.

While a large number of PC members and also the State Council members want to avoid appointing Haftar as commander of a unified LNA under the GNA, there is no evidence that a large number of HoR members want to avoid this. They want Haftar to remain as commander of the LNA, both those who support the GNA in principle and those who are against supporting it. Those, such as Salah, who oppose approving the GNA want Section 8 removed so that Haftar will remain. But so do those who support the GNA. Neither group in the HoR is reluctant to have Haftar inslalled as commander in chief of the LNA. Both parties demand he remain as commander in chief not just the minority who support Haftar. Both factions support Haftar.

There are more and more irritants developing between the HoR and Haftar and the GNA. The pro-active role of the State Council headed by Abdulrahman Swehli has enraged many in the east. The PC has, all of a sudden realized that they are commander in chief according to Section 8 under additional provisions, and requested there be no attack on Sirte until they had established a unified command. The GNA has established its own Operations Room for the battle against IS. President, Ageela Salah of the HoR has reacted with vigorous criticism of the move. The Presidential Council (PC) has appointed a unified leadership that excludes Haftar, ignoring the fact that their unified leadership excludes the strongest military forces in Libya. Perhaps, the GNA intends to supplement their own military forces by foreign troops.

Over a week ago, troops loyal to Haftar advanced towards Sirte from the south-east and east. He has stood by while the Islamic State launched successful attacks on Misrata militia on the west and south edges of the territory they hold. He seems in no hurry to attack the Islamic State — perhaps he wants to ensure that he has control of the oil ports being guarded by the Petroleum Forces Guard. As relations between the HoR and the GNA become progressively worse, it is not clear that Kobler will be able to get the HoR to sign on to the GNA.

There was a meeting planned in Ghadames of HoR members who support in principle the GNA but it did not happen. There is now a new initiative planned by some members of the HoR but no details were given as to what it involves.

Libyan Petroleum Facilities Guards said to reach agreement with Libyan National Army

Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) head Ibrahim Jadhran has apparently agreed to support the Libyan National Army (LNA) under commander-in-chief Khalifa Haftar in its plan to liberate Sirte from the Islamic State, according to the Libya Herald.

This decision follows negotiations in the oil export port of Ras Lanuf with the commander of the Saiqa Special Forces, Wanis Bukhamada. The LNA forces had just arrived earlier in the day in Ras Lanuf. The town is only 60 kilometers from Bin Jawad, the eastern limit of control of the Islamic State. There are also said to be a number of LNA aircraft at the Ras Lanuf airport. The PFG will be put at the disposal of the LNA under the agreement.

There is a two-pronged operation from the south and the east. LNA-allied forces are now in Zillah about 140 kilometers to the south of Ras Lanuf. There were clashes near Zilla between Islamist militia associated with Misrata and rebels from Sudan loyal to Haftar. The objective of Haftar and his allies may be to secure nearby oil fields.

Jadhran has been a bitter foe of Haftar and many had feared that there would be battles between the PFG and the LNA for control of the oil fields. Apparently Bukhamada who is highly regarded was specifically sent to head off such a battle. He earlier had talks with Salah Al-Ataiwish head of the Magharba tribe to which he belongs. Al-Ataiwish favors the LNA offensive against Sirte adding pressure on Jadrhan to come to terms. A Magharba delegation in Benghazi also had talks today with boycotting Presidential Council member Ali Gatrani in which they affirmed their support of the LNA. Gatrani is a Haftar loyalist.

The position of Jadhran is not clear. He had recently been fired by the Al-Thinni HoR government and also Haftar, but he and the PFG ignored the order. Jadhran supported the GNA and the Presidency Council led by PM Faiez Serraj. He also supported the Tripoli-based National Oil Company. Perhaps he has changed his position and reconciled with the HoR. Perhaps the LNA has agreed that he remain as head of the PFG as long as he does not support the GNA and its NOC. The Herald article does not clarify these aspects of the situation.

The PC had demanded that any attack on the Islamic State be under the auspices of a unified command set out by them as commander in chief of the army as described in this tweet:Mohamed Eljarh

‏@Eljarh #Libya PC takes 1st decision as Commander in Chief of Armed Forces to form Joint Ops Room for #Sirte western frontThe description of the PC as "Commander in Chief of Armed Forces" as set out in the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) in section 8 of the additional provisions will infuriate members of the HoR and Haftar loyalists. Even those members of the HoR who support the GNA wanted the section deleted. Now it is activated there will be even more conflict between the HoR and the GNA. Kobler has not explained how he hopes to get the HoR to vote confidence in the GNA. Until he gets the vote of confidence, there is no legislature of the GNA since the HoR is its legislature. There was to be a meeting of the HoR in Ghadames on Wednesday but it appears not to have taken place. Recent developments are creating even more conflict between the GNA and the HoR with no sign of any reconciliation.

The decision of the PFG will be a blow to the Presidency Council. The Misratan forces have said they will obey the PC order. They were planning a separate assault to liberate Sirte. While they paused the Islamic State launched its own offensive towards Misrata and the South driving back Misrata militia. There is supposed to be a counter-offensive today. So far there have not been clashes between the LNA and the Islamic State in the areas west of Sirte controlled by the Islamic State but that should happen soon. Haftar may have been anxious to control the oil ports guarded by the PFG before venturing further to the west.