Name of head of Libyan unity government's state council appears on terror list

The Defence and National Security Committee of the eastern-based House of Representatives has issued a terrorism list that includes 75 lawmakers, politicians, military officers, clerics, activists, and journalists.

While not everyone would agree that all on the list are terrorists, they all are foes of the commander of the HoR military the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. A prominent member of the rival UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Abdul-Rahman Al-Sawihili who heads the GNA's High Council of State was on the list. The Libya Observer describes Sawihili as an advocate of reconciliation with the HoR. Some time ago Sawihili met with the head of the HoR Ageela Saleh in Rome, a supposedly breakthrough meeting, but it appears that any attempt to amend the Libyan Political Agreement may be in jeopardy as the HoR can hardly negotiate with anyone they deem a terrorist one would think. Sawihili is identified as one of the commanders of the Qatar-funded Libya Dawn Operation.

The terror list includes 9 entities including several Shura Councils, Alnabaa/Tanasuh TVs, Libya Shield Forces, and also senior leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Libyan Fighting Group. The Muslim Brotherhood support the GNA and are represented on its Presidential Council. Those on the list are all said to have links to Qatar. The Committee urged the foreign ministry of the HoR to forward the list to KSA, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain to to add to their own list of terrorists.

Tensions have been further aggravated by an HoR threat to arrest the GNA education minister Olman Abdul Jalil if he ventured into territory controlled by the HoR. The situation is further complicated by the reported release of the second son of Gadaffi, Saif. While some groups celebrated the news of Saif's release others condemned the release including authorities in Zintan itself where he had been imprisoned. In other centers such as the southern city of Sebha celebrations were reported.

Spokesperson for Khalifa Haftar and his Dignity Operation, Ahmed al-Mismari said on TV that Said is now free as per the HoR amnesty law:"He is outside Zintan city now and he can take part in any political process if no legal hindrances existed to obstruct that." A recent tweetremarks: "The much talked about Libya's HoR amnesty law excludes murder and embezzlement of public funds". The issue of Saif's release is further discussed on the appended video..

Second son of Gaddafi Saif freed from jail in Libya

The second son of former Libyan leader Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, is reported to have been freed under an amnesty. Saif is believed to have been the son Gaddafi preferred as his successor.

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Saif has been held by a militia group in the town of Zintan for the last six years. The militia one of the Zintan brigades are allied with the eastern commander of the Libyan National Army(LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The group just announced he had been released. However, previous reports of his release have turned out to be incorrect. In 2015 a Tripoli court sentenced Saif to death in absentia as the Zintan group refused to surrender him. Saif is wanted by the International Criminal Court(ICC) and is charged with crimes against humanity during his father's attempts to put down the rebellion against him in 2011..

Saif, now 44, was captured back in November 2011 after he had been three months on the run. Saif played a key role in building relations with the west after 2000 and according to the BBC was considered to be a reformist within his father's regime. However, during the uprising in 2011 he was accused of murdering protesters and inciting violence. No one from the UN-supported Government of National Accord(GNA) has confirmed that Saif was released.

The Libya Herald reports that Zintan is in an uproar after the reported release. Al-Ajmaj al-Aitiri who commands the Zintan Abubakr Al-Siddiq brigade that had been holding Saif, reported that he had been released and had left town. The brigade had captured Saif as he fled through the desert six years ago A statement from the brigade said that it was responding to an amnesty for political prisoners from the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) government. The statement added that human rights organizations and the courts should oversee the release of political prisoners. Reports about Saif have in the past turned out to be false. The Herald reports: "Last month, the Zintan military council dismissed as completely false claims by the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Fateh Bensouda that Saif had survived an assassination attempt and that he had been handed over to it by Al-Atiri’s brigade."

Saif was visited at the end of last month by the under-secretary for justice from the HoR government, Eisa Alsaghuit who insisted then that he was already a free man. He also said that the view of the eastern HoR government was that Saif was free to go where he wanted. There are numerous unconfirmed reports of where he might have gone including Algeria, Beida in the east or to the south.

While some Zintanis appear angry at Saif's release in the southern city of Sebha there was celebratory gunfire. A recent tweet confirms the Sebha reaction: "Celebratory gunfire can be heard throughout Sebha news that Seif Al Islam AlGafdafi is free.". Another tweet is from the Zintan Elder's Council: "Zintan Elders Council: We refused to use Saif al-Islam #Gaddfi as a political pawn. #Libya" A final tweet suggests that Gaddafi went to Bani Walid in Libya: "Jamahiriya News Retweeted Jamahiriya News The article states that Saif left Zintan to live in Bani Walid. He is now free." We will soon see how much of this is confirmed.

28 reported killed in militia clashes in Libyan capital of Tripoli

(May 26)According to the Ministry of Health of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) 28 people were killed and another 130 wounded in clashes between militia in Tripoli on Friday.

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The most casualties were reported in the Abu Salim neighborhood which saw some of the fiercest clashes. The Ministry noted that the figures are not final and that some of those injured could die. The fighting appears to have been between groups loyal to the Faiez Serraj government with rival militia loyal to the former Salvation Government of Khalifa al-Ghawiel. The Presidency Council(PC) of the GNA condemned the attacks and asked residents to support the government and repel the attackers.

Haytem Al-Tajouri's Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade associated with the PC took control of Hadba Prison where many senior former Gaddafi regime officials are held after hours of fighting with the prison guards. The house of the director of the prison was bulldozed. The prisoners appear to have been moved elsewhere to a safe place. In the clashes Salah al-Barouni a commander of the First Security Squad, a close aide of Haytem, was killed. The clashes set several fires including one at the Abu Salim carpet. The Mellitah Oil Company building in Al-Dahra was hit by a stray shell staring a fire in the upper stories. Another oil company building was damaged in the Ban Ben Ghashir neighborhood.

Al Jazeera reporter Mahmoud Abdelwahed in Tripoli said: "It seems there is no end to this confrontation at least today and every party is just mobilising their forces against the other. Hospitals told us the fighting is so heavy that they can't even get in the area to collect bodies." Some families who want to get out of areas where the clashes are cannot be evacuated in some cases because of the clashes. Tanks, armoured vehicles and pickups with mounted anti-aircraft guns were seen driving toward the battle from the north of the city. An Al Jazeera article has an unusual take on the situation:The clashes appear to pit forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) against fighters who opposed a political deal establishing the GNA that was signed in the Moroccan town of Skhirat in 2015. The fighters, mostly from the Awaqir tribe in Benghazi, are demanding an investigation into how supporters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group were able to leave Benghazi and Derna undetected in 2015.They say the ISIL supporters were intentionally smuggled out.The fighters claim to be members of the Libyan National Army (LNA) who would not allow anyone to exploit their sacrifices for personal gain.

The article suggests there may be a split in Haftar's ranks. I have not seen this account elsewhere.

According to the Libya Herald, the attack started when Salah Badi the main militia commander of the forces of the Salvation Government or General National Congress(GNC) attacked the Abu Sleem Central Security Forces led by Ghneiwa in an attempt to recapture the Rixos Hotel complex which had been held before and also nearby Camp 77 which was formerly his headquarters. He called his operation "Pride of Libya". He claims his actions are necessary to preserve the 17 February Revolution that overthrew Gaddafi. Badi also attacked the nearby Salahaddin and Khala Furjan districts as well as the airport road before moving into other areas. A pro-PC militia commander Hashm Bishr said that the Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades had nine men killed and another 22 injured. Another 12 were killed from the Abu Sleem Central Security Force with 7 injuured. Two other allied groups also lost one each.

The rival House of Representatives called for an immediate ceasefire and all miliias to withdraw from Tripoli. UN envoy Marin Kobler said he was gravely concerned about the situation and urged that political aims not be pursued through violence. A statement from the UN Support Mission in LIbya said that the GNA remained the sole legitimate government in Libya. According to a recent tweet: " Salah Badi forces have fled acc. to Kara sources. Tractors are being sent to demolish their camp. #Tripoli #Libya Quiet evening now." We will know better tomorrow what the outcome will be.

Head of Libyan Unity government Faiez Serraj meets with opponents

(May 14)Faiez Serraj, head of the Presidential Council of the UN-brokered Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), along with Fathi Majbri the deputy president, had talks in Tunis with a group of House of Representatives (HoR) members mainly from the east.

The Tunis talks focused on possible developments from the meeting Serraj had earlier with the commander of the forces associated with the HoR, the Libyan National Army (LNA), Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The talks were held over a week ago in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The meetings were described by many as positive and a breakthrough although there was no joint statement after the meetings. Separate statements were made by each side emphasizing quite different aspects of a proposed agreement. Nothing has been signed. There were to follow up talks this week. An interesting article analysing the situation can be found here. It emphasizes that there is no deal yet.

Issa-Al-Araibi a member of the group who is from Benghazi said the members told Serraj to hold more meetings with Haftar. Up until now, Al-Araibi has been an opponent of the Presidency Council (PC) and GNA that Serraj heads. The talks followed upon those two days ago at which Serraj head briefed about 50 members of the HoR on his meeting with Haftar. One member of the HoR said he was disappointed that Serraj had flown to Tunis rather than Cairo to meet Serraj. He wanted Haftar to meet Serraj in Cairo. He blamed hard-liners in Tripoli and Misrata for the cancellation of further second round talks scheduled to be held this week in Cairo.

While the details of any agreement still appear unclear, it seems certain that Haftar must be offered a significant role in any new unified government before the HoR will implement the terms of the LPA and vote confidence in the GNA government. There must also be agreement on amending the LPA by at least deleting section 8 that deprives Haftar of leadership of the armed forces of the unified GNA. This is a non-starter with many in the PC and certainly within the State High Council as well. There has been considerable reaction opposed to any such agreement. An important militia group demanded the resignation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs:A powerful brigade from Tripoli demanded Tuesday Foreign Minister-designate of UN-installed government, Mohamed Sayala, to resign for his recognition of Khalifa Haftar as “the General Commander of the Libyan Army.” Haitem Tajouri-led Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, which protects HQ of the ministry, said work will be suspended inside the ministry in protest against Sayala’s recognition.

Nevertheless UN Special Envoy, Martin Kobler, expressed his optimism with his usual type of tweet with almost no substance or detailed information: "Very positive mtg w/ PM Serraj in #Tripoli. Discussed recent developments & way fwd. Strong international support for the political process." Another tweet indicates that Haftar is meeting again with Egyptian president Sisi: "Sisi meets Haftar in Cairo today. Egyptian president's office says he 'stressed the need to lift the arms embargo'." Sisi has been a strong supporter of Haftar. Perhaps next week an actual agreement will be signed although any agreement that gives Haftar a significant role in a unified GNA could very well cause an outright war against Haftar.

Libya Political Dialogue claims to have amended the Libyan Political Agreement

(January 26) According to a report from the Libya Observer, the Libyan Political Dialogue committee agreed to six proposals amending the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) that had been agreed to by an earlier Dialogue group at Skhirat Morocco back on December 17, 2015.

The Skhirat agreement has already been twice rejected by House of Representatives (HoR) which by the LPA is required to vote confidence in the UN-brokered Government of National Accord( GNA) set out in the LPA. The HoR government and the head of its armed forces the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, refuse to recognize the GNA and its Presidency Council (PC).

The Dialogue members are at the invitation of the UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya UNSMIL arranges accommodations and air transportation, Kobler usually calls for a Dialogue meeting when he wants to push through something not strictly in the LPA. He called the group together when he wanted the GNA to move from Tunis to Tripoli even though strictly speaking the GNA did not yet exist as an operating government, since it had not received a vote of confidence by the HoR. It still has not had such a vote and there is yet no sign of it being held although it was supposed to be ready to be held within ten days after the August 22 rejection last year.

The present meeting was twice postponed but even when it last met it was reported that representatives from the HoR were not present. The HoR was to send a new delegation. According to the Libya Observer, the HoR did not send any representatives to the meeting today at which the amendments were made.

The High Council of State (HCS) a part of the GNA composed of former members of the General National Congress and a mostly advisory body is claimed to have rejected any discussions of the reshuffling of the government members by the dialogue members. The group claims that it will only agree to discuss the issue with HoR representatives. An HCS delegate to the meeting was reported to have said: “The only legal mechanism to discuss amending the political agreement the bodies working under its authority is via an agreement between the HoR and the HCS as included in the Skhirat-signed agreement.”

Apparently, the Dialogue group agreed to include only three members in the Presidential Council rather than the present nine. Each member would be from a different part of the three main areas of Libya. In its final statement the Dialogue members said: “The Head of the Government of National Accord will be picked from outside the Presidential Council and he will be responsible for the executive authority along with the ministers.” A new council has been added that will be appointed as the Chief Commander of the Libyan Army:“The council will consist of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Head of the High Council of State, and a member from the three members of the Presidential Council,” Decisions would be made by consensus. It seems highly unlikely that Khalifa Haftar, will agree to any such Council. He wants to remain head of the armed forces of any new government. The membership of the HCS would also be expanded. The Constitution Drafting Assembly was required to finish its work within a period of one month from the day the amendments get signed. However, the amendments are not yet signed.

The dialogue committee said that the HoR should approve the Government of National Accord before the signing takes place to ensure that the amendments will be included and dealt with seriously. Whatever makes the committee think that the HoR will vote confidence before the amendments were signed even if they accepted the amendments? What makes the committee think that the HoR will accept amendments that they had not been involved in creating? It is possible that perhaps the HoR did send a delegation at the last minute but the Libya Observer report suggests this was not the case. One would expect that if the HoR had been there, the amendment about a new council being commander of the Libyan Army would have been rejected. According to the Observer, the Presidential Council spokesperson has said that the Dialogue Committed is not entitled to amend the LPA. Perhaps that is in effect recognized by the group as they suggested that the HoR should first vote confidence in the GNA before the amendments were signed. This just appears to be another scheme dreamed up with the help of Martin Kobler, Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG), to try and have the HoR vote confidence in the GNA. It seems it is being attacked already by the existing GNA and is quite unlikely to be accepted by the HoR or Haftar.

An earlier report by the Libya Herald, said that the dialogue team, meeting in the Tunisian resort town of Hammamet had been unable to make any decisions because of divisions in the HoR. The members could not agree on the number of members to be nominated by the HoR to the committee. Some HoR members insisted that any changes had to first be agreed to by a committee of five HoR members and five from the High State Council of the GNA as is set forth in the LPA. They argued that the Dialogue meeting in Tunis should be ignored since they could not amend the LPA. The meeting had to be suspended until Tuesday after a row. The Herald account concludes:It is due to reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday, but there is no guarantee that HoR members will agree on a new dialogue committee, let along that some of the committee (if not all of them) will go to Hammamet and join the Libya Dialogue.The Herald claims that without the HoR new representatives turning up nothing can be done. It seems that something was done but it seems highly unlikely that HoR representatives were involved.

The Libya Express also covered the Dialogue committee meeting. The account follows closely that given by the Libya Observer but does not say that there were no HoR representatives present. Neither does it mention any criticism by the Presidency Council nor the High State Council but has a separate article on the HSC criticism.

"Branch" of eastern House of Representatives set up in western Libya Tripoli

(January 12) Another weird development is taking place on the Libyan political scene. Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) who support the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) and Libya Political Agreement (LPA) set up a branch in Tripoli.

The GNA is situated in Tripoli in western Libya whereas the HoR government is situated in Tobruk in the east. Apparently the group has been trying to organize a meeting with a quorum to vote approval of the GNA for a year now. The HoR met in Tobruk, its headquarters on August 22, and voted not to approve the GNA.

News of the new branch first broke this morning when employees of the Minister of Tourism noticed a long banner in Arabic and English announcing that it was a branch of the HoR. The building is near the main entrance to Tripoli port.

Whoever put up the banner did not bother to notify the Tourism Ministry and put it up during the night. In the morning a small protest opposing the banner took place in front of the banner. at what protesters called the takeover of their building. Apparently an entire floor of the building is to be taken over by HoR members. Later on the Ministry took photos of the banner but it was folded with its message not visible.

The Libya Herald contacted a member of the HoR who confirmed there had not been official support for the move from the HoR in Tobruk. However, the move was apparently sanctioned by Deputy Presidency Council member Ahmed Maeteg from Misrata. The member contacted by the Herald condemned the move. It is not clear that a majority of the HoR would ever support the GNA or the LPA unless the GNA allows Marshall Haftar to remain commander of the Libyan National Army. As the LPA is now the Presidency Council serves as commander in chief.

Mohamed Raied a boycotting member of the HoR from Mistrata said that steps were "underway to hold a full session of the HoR with a full quorum in Tripoli within two weeks". This may be wishful thinking. Although the HoR does accept the LPA in principle it is only with amendments that leave eastern strong man Haftar as commander in chief and change the makeup of the GNA. Even if the meeting somehow manages to take place, there will be objections to the Tripoli meeting if it is not sanctioned by the leadership of the HoR.

The Libya Observer also reports on the move to takeover the Tourism building. The paper also notes that the move sparked anger among employees when they discovered the banner on coming to work this morning. The English portion said: ""The HQ of House of Representatives". The Herald claims the staff decided to go on strike to protest the seizure without any prior notice.

Other GNA ministries had their problems as well, as Khalifa Gwell the prime minister of the Salvation Government claimed that it has taken over the buidings of the Minister of Defense, Martyr's, and Labor. Gwell executed a partial coup some time ago taking over the Rixos hotel complex which had been the headquarters of the High Council of State of the Government of National Accord. However, the complex had been seized by the GNA while it was the headquarters of the Salvation Government. The situation in Libya is becoming immensely complicated but it seems that the GNA is being exhibited more and more as ineffectual and unable to deal with its many problems. However, Italy has decided to reopen its embassy as shown in the appended video.

Two-day meeting on Libya crisis produces few positive results and no new plans

(November 11) After a two-day meeting of members of the Libyan Political Dialogue that discussed the political process and obstacles to implementing the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) no new suggestions were made to resolve the political crisis.

The GNA together with the UN envoy Martin Kobler have been trying for months to have the House of Representatives pass a vote of confidence in the GNA as required by the LPA. So far, the HoR has rejected the GNA twice, the last time on August 22. The GNA was to present a new slimmed-down cabinet of 8 members. Well over two months later, there is still no sign of members having been chosen. There is no date set or deadline for any vote in the HoR on the issue.

A key reason why the HoR will not accept the GNA and LPA as things are, is that the LPA has a provision that makes the Presidential Council (PC) of the GNA commander in chief. Neither the HoR nor Field Marshal Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army of the HoR government, will accept this and want the section deleted. Haftar wants to remain commander of the armed forces. Kobler has insisted that the LPA can be amended only after it is passed as it is. I thought that the meeting in Malta might result in the amendment of the LPA by the Libyan Dialogue Members who originally signed it. This obviously did not happen. Without such a move it seems difficult to see how the GNA will be able to obtain a vote of confidence from the HoR.

In the statement following the meetings found on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) there is not even a mention of the need for the GNA to obtain a vote of confidence from the HoR. There is no mention either of the PC presenting a new list of cabinet members to the HoR. The statement only calls on the HoR to amend the Constitutional Declaration as required by the LPA. This would incorporate the GNA into the constitution. It seems unlikely that the HoR would do this since they do not recognize the GNA. Until they are willing to vote confidence in the GNA it seems unlikely that they would agree to incorporate it in the constitution.

The statement urged the PC "to improve its performance to address the stifling security, social and economic problems that face Libyan citizens across the country." This is a recommendation that probably met almost universal agreement among members. The group also calls upon all parties not to use violence or weapons to solve conflicts.

The group also commended the progress in fighting and defeating terrorism in Libya without mentioning specific actions such as the offensive against Sirte or naming any person or groups responsible for the progress, Nothing which could be the least bit offensive to anyone is allowed to appear in most of the statement. The group also welcomed local attempts at reconciliation.

The group decided that they would continue to discuss obstacles to peace at a further meeting to take place in mid-December. The Libya Herald in its coverage notes that many of the proposals in the statement are unlikely to be implemented. There is another meeting on the situation in Libya sponsored by the African Union. At the meeting, Idriss Déby Itno, President of Chad, who chaired the meeting said, “there is no military solution” for Libya. So far there is no solution of any kind. Khalifa Haftar has claimed that there is a military solution.

Libyan unity government and political agreement under fire

For ages now there has been a constant refrain from supporters of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and the UN envoy Martin Kobler that the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) is the only way forward in Libya.

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All of a sudden, the narrative is changing. Even though at a recent conference in London there were moves made to bolster the GNA and help it out with some of its many problems, there appears to be a concerted attempt to wean international support away from reliance on the LPA and the process of having the GNA present a new cabinet before the House of Representatives for a vote of confidence as required by the LPA. The HoR voted against approving the GNA last August 22nd. There is still no sign of a new cabinet being chosen nor any new deadline for when the HoR will vote. Faiez Serraj, the PM of the GNA claims in a recent interview that the HoR is not even asking that a new cabinet be submitted for approval:

Now the HoR does not even want us to propose a third GNA. Mr Ageela Saleh has taken a prior decision to reject any proposed GNA. How can you work with this as a legislative partner? ‘I will not propose a new GNA for HoR approval prior to the HoR passing a constitutional amendment. If the HoR does not pass a constitutional amendment it abrogates its responsibilities in the LPA.If Serraj's claim is correct it is not surprising that the PC is in no hurry to create a new cabinet.

What should be clear is that the HoR and the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshall Haftar, will not accept the LPA as it stands because it has a section that sidelines Haftar and makes the Presidency Council(PC) commander of the GNA armed forces, at least temporarily. There have been numerous attempts at negotiation to get around this but none so far have been successful. There now appears to be a growing body of opinion that is suggesting that the LPA is part of the problem and must at the very least be changed and renegotiated. The Libya Herald reports: "The International Crisis Group says the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) signed in Skhirat last December has to be changed. In a hard-hitting and lengthy report published today, it says that as it stands it cannot be implemented."

The International Crisis Group is described here.Crisis Group raises funds from mainly western governments, charitable foundations, companies and individual donors. In 2011/2012, 49 percent of its funding came from governments, 20 percent from philanthropic organisations, and 31 percent from individuals and private foundations...Crisis Group has an Advisory Council composed of three groups named the President's Council, the International Advisory Council, and the Ambassador Council, which includes corporations like Chevron and Shell, as well as some members listed on its website as 'Anonymous'.[6] Crisis Group has been criticised for serving the interests of its corporate and government funders.It has at times been criticized as serving western interests. That the group should come out with such an extensive hard-hitting critical account of the LPA and the GNA as well indicates that there could be a shift towards a new policy that tries to accommodate Haftar by moving away from or negotiating the LPA.

The country needs the following:To save the country, the calls for new negotiations to create a united government “involving especially key security actors not at Skhirat” – a reference to Khalifa Hafter and the Libyan National Army. Not only has the agreement altered the conflict, the conflict has altered the circumstances. Hafter’s successes in Benghazi and in the oil fields have upset the international community’s calculations and changed the situation on the ground. As a result, the international community’s instance in implementing the LPA as its stands is wrong. The peace process has to be “reset”.

Note that this position not only accepts the seizure of the oil fields and ports by Haftar but warns against any attempt to take them back by other forces as the Crisis Group report says: "The Presidency Council and allies should not take over the Gulf of Sirte facilities; the HoR and its forces should not move further west; the sides’ foreign backers should push hard to avoid an escalation." This in effect freezes the situation with Haftar having the upper hand and the greater leverage in any negotiations. Haftar already moved further west after he captured the ports taking towns further west on the way to Sirte.

The report suggests that the UN and other states supporting diplomacy should promote a forum for Haftar and major armed groups from the west to discuss de-escalation in the Gulf of Sirte, Benghazi and elsewhere. Presumably this would include Derna. Such a proposal makes little sense. Haftar's Operation Dignity is not about to make peace with western militia it considers its enemy or with the jihadists in Benghazi and Derna. What evidence is there that Haftar wants to take part in such a forum or that his supporters are willing to put enough pressure on him to do so?

The report notes that countries such as Egypt, the UAE, an Russia are giving Haftar overt and covert political and military support. While publicly subscribing to the peace process they at the same time undermine it but offer no concrete alternative. Why should they as long as they see their interests being served by supporting Haftar? The report notes the danger that the forces that liberated Sirte could begin to clash with Haftar's forces and that there needs to be a reset to the peace process to avoid new clashes over oil and gas.

The Crisis Group claims that the PC should negotiate with the HoR a new unity government. The report sums up some of its recommendations in the light of the crisis situation:“The prospect of Libya in free fall should give all pause, especially the vulnerable neighbours. Regional and global actors involved in the diplomatic process over Libya should converge on common goals, push for a renegotiation of the accord, use their influence to restrain the belligerents and nudge them toward a political solution and participation in a security track.”Among the common goals the international community are supposed to have are a unified army command and a reunified security structure. However, Haftar does not want to be within the chain of a political GNA command and it is not clear how the necessary security track of unifying the security structure is to be achieved.

As this report comes out, other articles critical of the GNA and western policy are also multiplying. There is one in the Middle East Eye and another as well. There is an Alarabiya article on the Crisis Group report. The Crisis report is well worth reading in its entirety.

Interview with Marshal Khalifa Haftar reveals his policies

In written responses to questions from the Associated Press, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, said that his armed forces only recognized the authority of the Al-Thinni House of Representatives (HoR) government.

The HoR government, based in Tobruk, is a rival to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli. Haftar refuses to recognize the GNA government and no doubt helped ensure that the GNA has never been able to win a vote of confidence in the HoR as required by the Libya Political Agreement (LPA). The term of the GNA is supposed to start after the vote and the HoR would become the legislature of the GNA.

The HoR has twice rejected the GNA the last time being on August 22. The Presidency Council (PC) of the GNA is to present a new list of eight ministers to the HoR to vote and also to amend the constitutional declaration to incorporate the GNA in the constitution. However, although a recent joint statement of many nations reiterated the need for the vote, there is no sign yet of the list or any date set for a vote, more than a month later. Meanwhile, Haftar has taken over four key oil ports from his rival Ibrahim Jodran, who heads, or did head, the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG). It appears that lip service is still being paid to the long-standing policy of having the HoR vote confidence in the GNA and thus join the GNA as its legislature. At the same time, Haftar is gaining more power and more external support from countries such as Egypt, Russia, Jordan and the UAE. He has advanced to within about 50 kilometers of Sirte, taking over former Islamic State territory to the east that had been captured by the PFG. The UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler, and the PM of the GNA Faiez Serraj appear desperate to negotiate a deal with Haftar to join the GNA. However, Haftar gives no sign of even wanting to negotiate. Certainly, he will not join a GNA in which the PC rather than he serve the role of commander in chief.

Haftar's tactics are simply to continue with his Operation Dignity which aims to clear Libya of Islamists or at least those who oppose him including militias who at present are allied with the GNA. In his interview, Haftar claims that the country would be better served by a leader with a high-level of military experience. No doubt Haftar has himself in mind for the role. As the problems of the GNA multiply and it is unable to extend its power in the east and other parts of the country, Haftar is seen increasingly as a strong leader able to defeat terrorists and restore order and stability to Libya. This would enable foreign powers to have safe access to Libyan oil resources and profitably develop them. Egypt's president Abdel el-Sisi is highly regarded by Haftar and the feeling is mutual with el-SIsi strongly supporting Haftar, in spite of pledging along with other countries to recognize and support only the GNA.

In his interview, Haftar specifically cites Egypt as a success: "Military people who were elected to lead their country achieved remarkable success." Actually Egypt is still plagued by terrorist violence, has a horrible human rights record, and its economy needed to be bailed out not just by rich Arab neighbors but by the IMF. Haftar would not say whether or not he would seek the highest office in Libya. He said Libya first needed security with political and social stability.

Haftar blames Libya's problems on the Muslim Brotherhood and claims that Tripoli has been hijacked by armed gangs whose expansion has created rogue militias and Islamist factions. Certainly, the Brotherhood does have some influence in the GNA. The militias are a problem, and so far the GNA has not developed its own separate armed forces to provide security and control them. However, militias loyal to Haftar also cause havoc and are involved in clashes.

Haftar also lashed out at UN envoy Martin Kobler whom he accuses of meddling in Libyan affairs. Kobler allegedly tried to set up a meeting between Haftar and Serraj to discuss the makeup of the Libyan army. At first, when Haftar seized the four oil terminals at Ras Lanuf, Es Sidra, Zuwetina, and Brega a number of nations including the U.S., France, Italy, Germany, the U.K. and Spain demanded Haftar withdraw. After Haftar announced the ports would be handed over to the National Oil Company (NOC) and oil exports resumed, there were no more demands to withdraw.

Haftar has no plans to withdraw from the area and said: "The Libyan National Army's priorities are to protect the oil fields and ports of export." Haftar also called for the UN to lift the arms embargo on Libya. The UN has agreed to partially lift it but only to provide arms to groups vetted by the GNA not to the LNA which is not under GNA control.

There is considerable evidence that during some periods Haftar was helped by the CIA to flee to the U.S. where he became commander of the armed wing of the Libyan National Salvation Front. In the 1990's he claimed that he was building an armed force with U.S. help to topple Gadaffi. Haftar claimed in his interview that he has never worked with the CIA: "If I was working for U.S. intelligence they would be my first supporters with weapons and money." Up until now the U.S. has been a strong backer of the GNA so it is quite possible that he is getting no money from the CIA. If he does, it is probably through the UAE or other supporters. Perhaps the CIA may decide it should compete with Russia to curry Haftar's favor, especially if they think he will eventually win out over the GNA. A recent tweet provides a warning for the west to perhaps notice that it should support the military horse Haftar rather than that plodding technocratic horse Serraj: "Khalifa Haftar has requested #Russia to end its arms embargo on #Libya, begin supplying weapons & military equipment".

Libyan High State Council makes controversial decision

In a rather bizarre move the State Council of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord(GNA) has said that it will take over full legislative authority of the GNA until the House of Representatives (HoR) votes confidence in the GNA.

According to the Libya Herald, the Council declared what it terms the "non-existence" of the HoR as it was envisaged by the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). What this seems to mean is simply that the HoR has not yet voted confidence in the GNA. It has twice rejected the GNA as presented to it. It has met many times to vote without achieving a quorum and had two meetings disrupted without a vote. The last rejection was on August 22nd and a new cabinet was to have been presented long ago with several weeks having passed since the deadline.

A recent statement by over 20 countries on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) website, reaffirms the position of most of the international community that the HoR remains the sole legitimate legislative authority of the GNA even though it has yet to actually become the legislature of the GNA. It will do so only when it amends the constitutional declaration of 2011 to incorporate the GNA and vote confidence in it.

The Council claims that it is acting in accordance with articles 16,17, and 18 of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). The articles referred to have nothing to do with the GNA but are all about the HoR and some of its duties. There is nothing in the LPA about the State Council taking over the legislative functions of the HoR. In fact, the State Council is clearly intended to be a mainly consultative body. The members of the Council are former members of the Salvation Government of the General National Congress (GNC) a former rival government to the HoR government of Abduallah Al-Thinni. The Salvation Government no longer exists as an actually functioning government with any power.

The second deputy president , Mohamed Muazeb said the actions of HoR president Ageela Saleh in helping the military take power in eastern Libya obliged the State Council to take its action. He said a military takeover, had been made evident when General Haftar's Libyan National Army began to replace elected mayors by military officials. He claimed this forced the State Council to assume legislative power.

At a press conference at the State Council's offices, Muazeb, together with Council president Abdulrahman Sewehli, and first deputy president Saleh Makhzoum, claimed that the refusal of the HoR to vote confidence in the GNA resulted in Libyans suffering from serious economic hardships and lack of security. Sewehli, while insisting that the LPA presents the only viable solution to the Libyan crisis also called on Libyans to close ranks and resist the military's attempted coup. He rejected any attempt by the HoR to change the LPA. Sewehli is no doubt making indirect reference to Article 8 that makes the PC serve as commander of the Libyan armed forces. He also said that Libyan allies should prevent "some countries" from interfering in Libyan affairs. He specifically mentions that some countries are helping Haftar's Operation Dignity campaign and violating the arms embargo.

It makes little sense to speak of the LPA as the way forward when the State Council move has no basis whatsoever in the LPA. Of course, everyone on the GNA side speaks of the LPA as the way forward including a recent declaration of more than 20 countries mentioned earlier who also reaffirm their position that the GNA is the only legitimate government and that countries should not recognize any parallel governments or institutions. The declaration is signed by among others, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arabe Emirates all of which have relations with and support Khalifa Haftar, or officials of the HoR government of Abdullah al-Thinni. The entire declaration of the State Council can be found on the Libya Herald's website.

Not all State Council members agreed with the statement. Belgassem Igzeit, a Council member from Misrata, said the move would escalate current divisions and for this reason was unacceptable. Even the UN envoy Martin Kobler was critical in a tweet: "Kobler: Concerned w/ unilateral decision of state council. LPA clear on separation of powers. HoR is the legislative authority of the state." He also said that there could be no unilateral action "politically or on the ground." Of course Kobler now accepts the unilateral action on the ground of Haftar's seizure of four Oil Crescent oil ports and his advance towards Sirte. He has said nothing about Haftar replacing elected authorities by military officials.

The HoR Deputy President Shouaib and HoR spokesperson Abdullah Bulaihak described the Council move as a coup. Shouaib also said that the move escalated the crisis in Libya and did nothing for dialogue. So far it seems as if dialogue has not done anything either. Shouaib said that Sewehili should be ignored. Bulahaik accused Sewehli off attacking the basic principles of the LPA which sets out the HoR as the sole legislature. That is true enough but as long as the HoR has not voted confidence in the GNA and amended the constitutional declaration the GNA as it exists has no legislature. Indeed, legally, I expect it could be argued that the GNA does not exist lawfully. So far the Presidency Council (PC) has not made a statement on the issue. It is not clear what practical effect if any the declaration by the Sate Council will have aside from making the situation even more divisive and complicated.

General Khalifa Haftar criticizes UN envoy Martin Kobler

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) , Martin Kobler, has been criticized by Khalifa Haftar and Ageela Saleh president of the House of Representatives (HoR) and rival government to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The two said that Kobler also chief of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, was a failure and should be fired. Haftar told the Egyptian news source Al Ahram that Kobler was "meddling in very sensitive issues." Haftar has repeatedly refused requests by Kobler to meet with him. Nevertheless Kobler has gone ahead arranging meetings to try and accommodate Haftar and have him approve the GNA. Haftar said that he respected the UN and secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

In the east especially, there have been demonstrations supporting the seizure of four Oil Crescent oil ports by Haftar and his Libyan National Army. The demonstrators were particularly angered that some EU states and the U.S. had condemned the seizure. There was a recent counter-attack that was repelled and Haftar has advanced east towards Sirte defeating forces of the Petroleum Facilities Guard.

In an interview with Russia Today TV, Saleh, who is subject to sanctions, said that Kobler was acting as if he were the ruler of Libya. Saleh claimed Kobler had deepened divisions within Libya rather than bringing people together. Just last week, Kobler had met Saleh in Cairo in an attempt to forge an agreement for a new GNA with Haftar on board. Kobler said that there had been "an open and frank exchange of views," but clearly there was no agreement. Saleh said that he was preparing a letter to the UN asking that Kobler be replaced. There is speculation that Norwegian Espen Eide has already been chosen to take over from Kobler.

Sputnik also reports on Saleh's criticism of Kobler. Saleh told Sputnik that Kobler is unable to do good for Libya and should be replaced if he does not change his ways. He said that a letter was being drafted to be sent to the UN asking that he be replaced if he did not change his approach saying: "This man intervenes in everything, but he will be incapable to do any good for Libya."

Kobler was named UN special envoy to Libya in November of 2014, replacing former envoy Bernardino Leon, who took a position in the UAE immediately after leaving.

The GNA presidency council (PC) was to have come up with a new reduced cabinet of eight ministers after a vote of confidence in the GNA was defeated in the House of Representatives on August 22nd. The deadline for submitting the new list has long passed but there is as yet no sign that the list has been prepared and no date has been set for an HoR meeting on the issue. Until the HoR votes confidence in the GNA, the GNA is without a legislature. Apparently, the State High Council of the GNA has decided that it can serve the function of a legislature for now. A recent tweet says: "#Libya: High Council of State will exercise full legislative powers in accordance with #LPA's articles 16, 17 & 18." Critics claim this is illegal.

General Haftar's forces seize Libya's four Oil Crescent Ports

The Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by General Khalifa Haftar, made a lightning strike on the oil ports of Es Sidra, Ras Lanuf, and Zuwetina in the oil crescent. He is reported to have captured Es Sidra, and Ras Lanuf so far.

The ports have up until now been controlled by the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG), headed by Ibrahim Jodhran an opponent of Haftar. Haftar does not support the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) while Jodhran does and has made a deal with the GNA to open the ports to export. The GNA will now have to negotiate with the rival House of Representatives (HoR) government of PM Al-Thinni which is supported, or maybe controlled, by Haftar.

Colonel Ahmed Al-Mismari, spokesperson for the LNA, said that there was still fighting in Zuwetina. He also said that the LNA had seized the south and east gates of the city of Ajdabiya. Al-Mismari said that there had been virtually no resistance by the PFG with no casualties suffered by the LNA and one killed from the PFG. The PFG guards fled leaving all their weapons, including 3 tanks, 2 armoured vehicles as well as mortars. PFG spokesperson Ali Al-Hassi admitted there had been clashes but denied that the LNA had taken over any oil ports.

Tweet accounts differ. One confirms the LNA account: "Tripoli NOC sources: Ras Lanuf & Sidra now under control of Hiftar's forces, Zweitina still under PFG control, fight continues there #Libya" Coming from the National Oil Company of the GNA the report is probably accurate. Not surprisingly, another tweet denies the ports were captured:" Spox of PFG Ali Hassi denies to BBC that Gen. Hefter's forces have 'taken control' of Sidra and Ras Lanuf. "clashes started 7:00 am" #Libya"

The LNA operation is called Operation Al-Barq Al-Khatif (Sudden Lighting). This could easily be a sarcastic take-off of the US bombing missions on Sirte that are called Operation Odyssey Lightning, but it is an appropriate name. Haftar has opposed the US bombings as a violation of Libyan sovereignty--since HoR did not give permission for them.Al-Mismari claimed that the operation had been in the works for some time: “We worked on it. It was not a sudden move." He said that the four separate advances were under the direct control of General Khalifa Haftar.

The reaction of Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, was astonishing. He tweeted : "worried about reported fighting in the oil crescent. will add to division and further restricting oil exports. oil belongs to ALL libyans." What is astonishing is that there is no mention of Haftar nor any condemnation of the attack. You would think that he would condemn the attack on an ally of the GNA government that was unprovoked and now sabotages any attempt to increase oil production unless the GNA comes to terms with Haftar and the rival HoR. Kobler has bent over backwards to try to accommodate Haftar while being snubbed by the general who refuses to even talk to him. He has better things to do such as consolidating his power by militarizing the administration of the east and gaining control of oil fields. Meanwhile, Kobler poses for photo-ops and entertains anyone who is a cheerleader for the GNA.

The Libya Observer report on the attack claimed the operation was called "East Shield". The report also claims that PFG members say that the Haftar troops were backed by rebels from the Sudanese Justice and Equality movement. There were plumes of black smoke coming from the Es Sidra terminal. A port engineer said that a tank had been set afire during the clashes.

Libya's oil production has dropped from about 1.6 million barrels a day before Gadaffi was overthrown to about 200,000 barrels per day now. Haftar's move will give him more power over the GNA and threatens attempts to restart and increase production. The GNA made no move to reinforce the LFG fighters. The UN and GNA must have known that Haftar was making preparations for an attack and he said as much. The Tripoli-based NOC is moving oil in storage at Zuwetina as it feared the oil might be destroyed in clashes. As of now, Haftar and the HoR are winning the fight for control of oil while Haftar also is cementing his power over the eastern area of Libya through military appointees in place of elected civilians.

Libyan Presidency Council meets with only 4 of 9 members attending

The nine member Presidency Council (PC) of the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord has only until Wednesday to select a new Cabinet of just 8 members, 9 fewer than the present 17.

The Presidential Council met yesterday as well with five present. Those missing included the two boycotters who had said they would rejoin the Council. Attendance was even worse today, August 29, with only four of nine members present. Again, the former boycotters did not show up. The PM Faiez Serraj, Ahmed Maetig, Musa Koni, and Ahmed Al-Ammari were the only members present. A Libya Herald report points out that Abdulslam Kajman could not be there as he is at a conference in Nairobi on African Development. It is not clear why Fathi Majberi, Ahmed Mahdi or Omar al-Aswad were not there. The Herald claims that Ali Gatrani will not go to any meeting in Tripoli as long as it was still controlled by militia.

While the meeting yesterday was supposed to be working on the new list, apparently Koni was angry with Serraj and Maetig because southern Libya, which he represents was not being assigned a fair share of ministers and officials. There were rumors he might boycott the PC, but obviously these were not true, as he was present today. A list produced by less than half of the PC will surely lack credibility.

Meanwhile Haftar seems to be busy extending the power of the military in the east. He suspended the Benghazi municipal council and replaced it by a military colonel. Mustafa Shaqour, a member of the HoR, criticized appointment of military governors in place of civilian mayors and councils in several cities. He said that the goal of these moves is to militarize Libya . He said that gradually Libyans would be faced with a military coup. However, this appears to be happening only in the east of the country.

Speaker of the HoR, Ageela Saleh has asked that Serraj step down as head of the GNA and PC. Since no confidence was voted in the GNA by the HoR, Saleh claims that all his decisions are void and he should step down from his post in the GNA. Saleh did say that the new eight member cabinet should be chosen by an agreement among the nine member PC. He said that CVs of the members should be sent to the HoR within 10 to 15 days, allowing for a bit longer period than the original 10 days.

Saleh was also critical of UN envoy Martin Kobler claiming that he could no longer play a positive role in Libya and that he wants to be governor of Libya. He said he was interfering in oil sales and also in choosing the high commander of the army, which increased the divisions within the country. The function of commander in chief of the GNA armed forces is assigned to the PC until a new commander is chosen, according to the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement.

Given that less than half the PC are involved with choosing the new cabinet and the divisions within the HoR, it seems unlikely that a new vote of confidence can be passed or perhaps even held. There is no solution offered concerning the status of General Haftar and no mention of the crucial amendment to the Constitutional Declaration of 2011 that is necessary before the GNA can be legitimate

Libyan Presidency Council meets to select new cabinet

The Presidency Council (PC) of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) is meeting today (August 28) to choose eight new ministers to present for a vote of confidence to the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR)

There had been earlier reports that the list of new members had already been presented to the HoR as discussed in a recent Digital Journal Article. The meeting today was discussed yesterday by the Libya Herald :

Tomorrow it will be back to the drawing board when Faiez Serraj and his fellow members of the Presidency Council sit down for the third time to produce a cabinet for the Government of National Accord acceptable to the House of Representatives. Their second attempt, drawn up way back in February, was finally thrown out this week by parliament. It has demanded that the PC come up with a smaller cabinet with no more than eight ministries.This report confirms the fact that the HoR has demanded a cabinet of just 8 ministers. Achieving such a reduced number may be difficult as there are 17 ministers now although 4 have resigned. The report notes that Omar Al-Aswad from Zintan had ended his boycott so he could take part in selecting the new reduced cabinet. The Libya Herald claimed the other boycotter Ali Gatrani, a close ally of General Haftar, commander of the HoR forces, was unlikely to rejoin even though he had been urged to do so by Martin Kobler the UN envoy to Libya.

There are conflicting reports about whether Gatrani will rejoin the PC. Koblerhimself tweeted: "long, positive meeting w/ PC member Ali Qatrani. happy that he intends to re-join the Presidency Council". On the other hand the Libya Heraldreports: "Boycotting member of the Presidency Council (PC) Ali Gatrani is refusing to rejoin it, ostensibly on the grounds that that it is meeting in Tripoli." Another tweet claims that he has rejoined conditionally: "Deputy PM Ali Gitrani announces his conditional return to #GNA PresidencyCouncil but says PC should leave Tripoli." The return of the two boycotters, especially Gitrani, will ensure that the demands of the HoR and Haftar have more weight in determining the makeup of the new cabinet. The present defense minister is unlikely to be on the list since he is an opponent of Haftar.

Even though the two boycotters have rejoined, they along with two others of the nine member PC are not present at today's meeting, according to a recent tweet: "4 members are absent from the meeting: Musa al-Koni, Ali al-Gitrani, Omar al-Aswad, & Abdessalam Kajman (the latter3 are out of the country)." it is surprising that the PC is meeting with just over half of the members present. If decisions are made today then the others will be angry. No doubt more meetings will be required. PM of the GNA, Faiez Serraj, said that the meeting was crucially important: “It is taking place at a fateful and difficult time as the country suffers serious crises. This imposes on us the duty to forget our differences and make the country’s wider interests a priority”.

No mention is made of any solution to the status of General Khalifa Haftar. He rejects the role of the PC as commander in chief of the GNA armed forces and wants himself to be in that role. The present Libya Political Agreement(LPA) requires that the PC not Haftar be commander in chief. Until this issue is solved a new cabinet will not unify the country. However, it is quite likely that there will be continual problems even getting a vote of confidence from the HoR in a new cabinet and one can expect divisions within the PC on the issue.

LAT