Eastern commander gives opponents 6 months to reach an agreement

Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the House of Representatives (HoR) government based in eastern Libya gave the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) 6 months to reach a reconciliation.

If there is no agreement based upon a modification of the Skhirat Libya Political Agreement (LPA) of December 2015 then Haftar will take action to forge a military solution. In a meeting with eastern tribesmen and elders on Tuesday Haftar suggested that he would overthrow the GNA and end the suffering of the people: "December is very near. All these officials on the scene now will go down in the ash heap of history once we decide that enough is enough in Libya. Only the coming six months or even less will define what Libya would be like. We will act tough when we feel fit and we will never listen to any party."

Both Haftar and his spokesperson Ahmed Al-Mismari gave the six-month ultimatum. HoR member Ziad Daghi wanted to know exactly what was meant by the threat and why it was not carried out right away.: "Why not act now and end the suffering of the people if there are some solutions on the table? Why wait for December." Haftar said that efforts were underway to form a committee coming from all Libyan cities to study and analyse all the current initiatives to put an end to the present unrest and end the suffering of the cities. There is no mention of the LPA or a meeting of the Dialogue committee already chosen by both the GNA and HoR to discuss amendments to the LPA. The former envoy Martin Kobler was to set up a meeting but nothing ever happened and the new envoy has not yet said anything.

The last GNA government was rejected by the HoR back on August 22 of 2016 and at the time there was to be a meeting within ten days. Ten months later there is still no meeting.

Haftar said: "We have liberated the oil facilities and all the money of the oil is going for the Central Bank of Libya and for foreign entities to the best interest of certain agendas in the current fight for power in the country instead of going to ordinary people standing in lines in front of banks." One can be sure that the money also goes to fund the House of Representative (HoR) salaries and also to fund Haftar's LNA. Haftar would not allow the National Oil Company to operate if this were not the case. If there is no resolution, Haftar promises: "A force from western Libya, another from southern Libya particularly from Sabha and a third one from the eastern region will enter Tripoli."

This is just another of several earlier announcements by Haftar that he would liberate Tripoli. Back in December of 2016 Haftar called for war in Tripoli and asked groups loyal to him west of Tripoli to help him. As far back as 2015 Haftar said he was betting on a milltary solution. While he had what some described as a breakthrough meeting with head of the Presidential Council of the GNA back in May there was no real agreement that came out of it. It probably was a ruse to make it look as if Haftar would accept a political solution. Haftar was likely forced into the meeting by pressure from his powerful supporters.

The Libya Herald and mainstream media have yet to say anything about Haftar's pronouncement. Nor has the UN or the GNA. However, there are several tweets on the issue. One tweet claims: " Haftar gives politicians 6mos to end #Libya conflict. Given his successful obstruction of talks, he's really saying: do what I want in 6mos." Another says: "Hafter We already have troops inside #tripoli Our Army will enter the capital soon. We r building strong army now To make all respect #libya." Probably for now nothing much may happen. We will see what reaction if any the UN and GNA have to Haftar's threats. I expect it will be muted as more and more countries which claim that they are solely in support of the GNA are actually changing their tune including most recently France. Suddenly the LPA as the sole basis for negotiation appears to be vanishing as if it were reduced to the grin of the Cheshire Cat. Everone is now to see Haftar as part of the solution even though he has been such an obstruction to the dialogue process that he was once listed to be sanctioned by the EU back in July of 2015. Haftar claimed the sanction threats were meaningless. In this case, he was correct.

Eastern commander Haftar bombs a number of sites in south central area of Libya

(May 25) In response to the Third Force associated with the Libyan Government of National Accord's(GNA) attack on the Brak Al-Shali air base, forces of Marshal Khalifa Haftar have been bombing a number of sites in the south.

The earlier attack was launched by the Third Force in alliance with others on the Al-Shati base which is 37 miles northwest of the Tamanhent base the headquarters of the Third Force. The mayor of Brak Al-Shati claimed that 95 bodies had been bought to the hospital there although the Libyan National Army claimed that as many as 141 people had been killed. The attackers did not try to hold the base. The attack was widely condemned with many accusations of war crimes including throats being slit. The Government of National Accord claimed that it had not ordered the attack and suspended its defense minister and also the head of the Third Guard.

It now appears that the Third Force has voluntarily left its headquarters at the Tamanhent base and it has been taken over by forces loyal to Haftar, the eastern commander: "Forces loyal to the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) posted videos and pictures showing them driving into Tamanhent air base, which had previously been controlled by the Third Force, early in the morning. Tamanhent appeared to be empty as LNA forces entered." This takeover extends the reach of Haftar's Libyan National Army into the central desert region. Tamanhet is about 20 miles northeast of the major southern city of Sabha. There are reports that the Third Force has also withdrawn from Sharara oil field.

In contrast to the Third Guard retreat, Haftar's air forces have carried out a series of air strikes in the Jufra region about 175 miles northeast of Sabha where GNA forces are still in control. The GNA condemned the strikes claiming they intimidated and injured innocent citizens in a region it claimed was neutral between the two rivals:"We call for an immediate end to this bombing in order to preserve civil peace and to prevent bloodshed." So while Haftar expands his reach using military might, the GNA has its forces retreat and uses a mild verbal onslaught as a counter-attack.

An article in the Libya Observer claims that the withdrawal from Tamanhent was aimed at reducing tensions in the south after the attack on the Brak Al-Shati airbase. The Third Force withdrew to the Al Jufra district according to local sources. A source from the Third Force said: “We decided to withdraw to save blood after Dignity Operation militias’ incitement of civilians to attack the Third Force.” Dignity Operation is the name of a military operation started back in May of 2014 to clear Libya of Islamist opponents of Haftar whom he consider terrorists. This includes many loyal to the GNA. Media outlets associated with the Dignity Operation posted a video of Mohamed Ben Nayal commander of Haftar's southern forces inside the base.

The Mayor of Al-Jufra Municipality, Emad Rasheed was angered at the Dignity Operation bombing campaign: “Dignity Operation jet fighters have continuously bombed the district indiscriminately, hitting civilian homes and warehouses, killing civilians and livestock. We have never built any military bases in our district and any buildings that are here are the ones we inherited from the previous regime, even those buildings are but unfinished camps that are not occupied by any forces. What is happening in Al-Jufra over the past days breaks all national and international laws, now instead of people struggling with their daily needs without cash, they are dealing with the destruction of a bombing campaign too.” Don't expect anything other than moral condemnation and pleas for Haftar to stop from the UN and international community.

There were bombing attacks by Haftar in other areas such as Hun as well. A tweet claims:" Protesters in Hun gather to call for a stop to air strikes and military operations. #Libya http://alwasat.ly/ar/news/libya/142912/ " Haftar has often claimed that there is a military solution to the political crisis and that he would eventually free Tripoli from militia he sees as opponents. Haftar has not accepted the GNA government or agreed to the terms of the GNA. Recent statements by a member of the House of Representatives whose armed forces Haftar commands, Ali Al-Gaydri claims only a military solution is possible counter to the opinion of the UN envoy Martin Kobler and many others: " We believe only in military institutions and military solutions for the current conflict." Al-Gaydi even said that it would rather use force and kill a million Libyans in order to see two million others living in luxury, repeating that he believed only in military institutions and military solutions to the current conflict.

In the past, Haftar has made equally radical statements as a recent tweet notes: "#Haftar: "we would rather have 6 thousands living w/ dignity, than have 6 million living without dignity", March 2014." GIven Haftar can represent himself as a champion against terrorism and the incompetence of his rival GNA with its Presidency Council, Haftar could soon gain the support of the international community and continue his military battles for a final solution to Libya's crisis.

Southern Libya may become battleground between forces of competing governments

The Defense Ministry of the UN-brokered Libyan Government of National Accord(GNA) announced today that a new military operation titled Awaited Hope would fight forces loyal to the eastern commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

Spokesperson for the Ministry Mohammed al-Ghasrisaid the operation was aimed at eradicating the forces of Mohammed Ben Nayel, who is loyal to Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army of the east-based House of Representatives(HoR) government. Just four days ago, Ben Nayel militants attacked the Third Force, loyal to the GNA at the Tamnihint air base in Sabha.

Last Thursday, Misrata Political Bloc, a group of Misrata city MPès and politicians requested the Presdidency Council (PC) of the GNA to crush the operations of Haftar in the south. Haftar operations are often referred to as Operation Dignity, and they are meant to clear out all Islamist opponents of Haftar from Libya. The operation began in May of 2014. The Misrta group said that immediate action had become imperative. Preparations to send troops south were said to be in full swing.

Meanwhile, the Operations Room of the Presidential Council's air force said in a statement that last Wednesday their warplanes had responded to air attacks of Dignity Operation on the Third Force positions and personnel at Timnahent air base. The Operations Room said that fighter aircraft had targeted warplanes of the Dignity Operation that were at the Barak Al-Sahtea air base.

Colonel Mohammed Ganono reading from the statement said: "This is a message for all those who cherish messing with the fortunes of the Libyans or acting away from the legitimate Government of National Accord. The die is cast. Our air force will no longer tolerate such actions by Dignity Operation command and our personnel and warplanes will target any illegal movements across the entire country." Early Wednesday morning Dignity Operation fighter aircraft had bombed locations around the Tamniint airbase according to Third Force commander Jamal al-Treki. He confirmed that the group had engaged in heavy clashes with Ben Nayel's forces.

The commander of the DIgnity Operation in the region, Shareef Al-Awami, threatened to attack Misrata airbase if any more attacks were made on the Barak Al-Shatea air base. Al-Awami said: “We have the ability to intercept and down their L-39 jet fighters". The Brak Al-Sahti air base is about 60 kilometers north of Sabha a main city in southwestern Libya.

The radical group Benghazi Defense Brigades(BDB or SDB)) have decided that they will turn over the Jufra air base to central government forces creating a situation where there could be more clashes with Haftar forces. A tweet notes: "#Libya- #SDB statement on willingness to handover Jufrah Airbase to "General Staff of the Libyan Army" (#GNA-#Misrata)"

The prime minister of the eastern-based rival HoR government, Abdullah al-Thinni, has now rejected the view of international leaders, including the UN envoy Martin Kobler, that dialogue is the only way forward and there is no military solution. Al-Thinni insists that divisions in the country can only be resolved by military means. This is the position of Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar as well. An outright civil war is in danger of starting.

Islamist leader's body exhumed and displayed in Benghazi Libya

The Libyan National Commission for Human RIghts (LNCHR) has condemned the exhumation and apparent mutilation of the Islamist leader Jamal Makhzoum in Benghazi as a heinous war crime.

According to the Libya Herald there is a widely shared social media video showing the decomposing body of Makhzoum strapped to the front of a car. It was kicked and then paraded by LNA fighters. They also shoot guns in the air in celebration. The LNA just recently captured a 12-building apartment complex from Islamist opponents as shown on the appended video. Article 15 of the 1949 first Geneva Convention says that parties to a conflict must prevent dead bodies from being despoiled. The LNCHR claimed the treatment of Makhzoum's body was a "despicable and heinous crime incompatible with human values". Makhzoum was the former leader of the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council (BRSC). He had been killed last week in the Ganfouda area which has just recently been completely taken by the Libyan National Army (LNA). Other photos show dead BRSC fighters thrown on top of each other and LNA fighters pose with the bodies taking "selfies". LNA spokesperson Ahmed Mismari said that a mass grave of Islamist militants had been found yesterday that included the body of Makhzoum and also that of several Ansar al-Sharia commanders. Many on social media found the footage disgusting and compared the behavior to that of the Islamic State that showed beheadings on line. During the time of Qaddafi images of hanged and mutilated corpses were often displayed. The LNCHR also called for an immediate investigation.

The Libya Observer, which is anti-Haftar, also covered the event. It notes that this was not the first desecration of bodies by Haftar in which members of the Sahawat units set fire to the bodies of dead BRSC fighters while shouting insults. The bodies were apparently taken out of the Benghazi Medical Centre and burned in the garden of the center while people watched.

In another incident a radical Salafist group that fought alongside Haftar's Libyan National Army showed a video in which a rival fighter was executed in Benghazi. The Tariq Ben Ziyad Fighting Brigade released the video of the execution of Randa Al-Abad a day after his arrest in the city of Ajdabiya. He was accused of belonging to the Islamic State (IS). Al-Abad was killed by a machine gun blast at close range.

The Observer reports that Makhzoum had been buried 5 days ago on March 14 in the Ganfouda area where BRSC controlled the 12 apartment complex. The Observer claims that the BRSC broke through the siege by Haftar's forces and managed to escape but 20 were killed and others became prisoners. According to the Observer, Makhzoum's body was not only paraded through the streets but also hung outside the Saiga Camp on display. The Observer claims that the crime was committed by Mahmoud Al-Wirfalli whom they claim is under instruction from radical Salafist scholars.

The head of the Presidential Council, Faiez Serrage reacted with a tweet: Serraj: "We condemn the exhumation of graves & regional slogans, #Libya will not be under military or individual rule". Another tweet compares the event to the treatment of Gaddafi who was savagely killed after being captured and eventually his body was put on display. A tweet says: Just like what happened to Qaddafi, LNA soldiers parade BRSC leader Jalal Makhzoum's corps."Not a good sign … #Libya." Another tweet argues the events aren't that comparable: @Eljarh just don't equate the2, both are awful, but to dig up a dead body, mutilate it and then parade it around town?No different form Isis. Another tweet notes that Haftar's forces call themselves a national army and should be expected to behave as such and follow the rules of war.

Libyan Field Marshal Haftar's forces launch air strikes agianst opponents

Air strikes were carried out by forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar associated with the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) government a rival to the UN-supported Government of National Accord(GNA) based in the west in Tripoli.

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Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesperson for Haftar's Libyan National Army said the strikes were against a camp of LNA opponents, the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) in the central Jufra region. The BDB are a radical Islamist militia who are opponents of Haftar and have clashed with Haftar's forces before. Recently, they unsuccessfully attempted to take the Oil Crescent Oil ports from Haftar who had captured them from another opponent Ibrahim Jadhran, former head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard(PFG) in the east. Two earlier counter-attacks also failed. Haftar's Operation Dignity started in May 2014 was meant to clear Islamist militias opposed to him from Libya. Haftar has even threatened to liberate Tripoli by attacking his Islamist militia opponents there. So far there has been no attempt to actually enter Tripoli. Any attempt to do so could unite those opposed to him who are presently divided between those who support the coup attempt of the General National Congress(GNC) and former Salvation government and those who support the GNA.

Al-Mismari claimed: "This was a pre-emptive strike against militias that are mobilising for an attack against the Libyan army." Local media sites have shown thick smoke rising from the oasis town of Hun where the attack took place. The BDB has made no statement on the attack and has reported no casualties as yet.

The Libya Observer gives a more detailed account of the airstrikes quoting the Misrata Military Council as saying that the attacks were against the 9-19 Brigade in Hun town, Al-Jufra. The Council said that there were injuries and material damage as a result of the raids. The Council said: “The brigade that was targeted in Hun is part of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos and part of the war against IS terror groups in Sirte. It had sacrificed many of its fighters in the war on IS radicals." The Council said that at the right time and place it would strongly react to the attacks and warned the LNA forces of doing anything that could destabilize the country. Unlike other sources, the Observer does not describe the units as part of the BDB.

The media office of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous or BAM, also condemned the bombing. BAM is the Operations Room that ran the Sirte offensive that just recently completed the recapture of Sirte from the Islamic State. Haftar has been dismissive of the operation which has seen hundreds of BAM forces killed and thousands wounded. A Haftar official said:The Chief of staff of Dignity Operation militia groups Abdul-Razzaq Nadouri has denied the previous control of ISIS group of Libya's Sirte, indicating the presence of the radical group in the coastal city was drama....." In fact, there was no ISIS group in Sirte," he told UAE-funded Libya Channel.

He claimed that all Misrata forces had left Sirte and handed it over to Ansar Sharia group, which is in full control of the city now, according to him.Although, Haftar had at one time announced an operation to liberate Sirte, he ended up not doing so and instead took control of a number of oil fields. One wonders who killed and wounded so many BAM forces if there were no Islamic State fighters in Sirte.

Although the 9-19 brigade was involved in the Sirte offensive, the GNA has not come to their defense or denounced the airstrikes against them. The GNA has denied any involvement in the recent failed counter-attack against the oil ports. The Libya Herald also reports on the airstrikes. The article claims the attacks were on the Tagrift base, a former police headquarters, located in Hun, about three hours drive from oil fields controlled by the LNA. The 9-19 brigade is described as being one of the Benghazi Defence Brigades by LNA spokesperson Ahmed Mismari. Mismari also said that soon there will be an endorsement for the LNA to enter Tripoli "to protect civilians". He did not say who would endorse an attack on Tripoli. So far the LNA allies, the Zintan Brigades have refused to agree to join in a military action against Tripoli.

The LNA has warned of impending attacks against the eastern oilfields. However, the LNA has also warned that it will engage in pre-emptive action. Omar Laswad from Zintan, a boycotting member of the GNA Presidency Council warned that an attack was being planned against the eastern oil terminals now controlled by Haftar. According to the Libya Herald:The BDB are supported by the proposed Defense Minister of the GNA Mahdi Bargathi and are deemed loyal to the Grand Mufti Sadeq Ghariani. Ibrahim Jadran as well as PC member Mijibri are also believed to be in support of the BDB.Note that some claims in Libyan media may be disputed by one side or the other in the conflict. What seems clear though is that there could be a dangerous escalation of the Libyan conflict if Haftar carries through with his threat to try to occupy Tripoli.

Eastern military in Libya fear attack on oil ports

Haftar's spokesperson, Ahmed Al-Mismari claims that forces supporting the Libyan Government of National Accord(GNA) and its defense minister Mihdi Al-Barghathi are gathering near Al-Jufra in the south to attack the Oil Crescent export ports.

The four main export ports in the Oil Crescent were recently seized by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) associated with the House of Representatives (HoR) based in the east of Libya in the city of Tobruk. The HoR does not support the GNA nor does Haftar. Mismari said that along with the GNA forces were the forces of Ibrahim Jodhran. Jodhran was head of the Petroleum Forces Guards from whom Haftar seized the oil ports. Mismari also claimed that an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group was involved which he did not specify.

Mismari told an Egyptian newspaper:“All those forces are positioned there and they are trying to advance toward the oil terminals after they have formed an operations room headed by Al-Barghathi – dubbed as Operations Room for Liberation of Oil Terminals. Fight between our forces and those of the UN-proposed government is drawing nigh.”

Mesmari also claimed that the LNA and Haftar's Dignity Operation control most western cities and that all Tripoli residents support their operation. This is stretching the truth to put it mildly. Militia opposed to Haftar and loyal to the GNA or at least opposed to Haftar control much of the west and have considerable support in Tripoli and Misrata.

Mesmari said that several scenarios were possible. He said that LNA forces had taken all necessary measures to stop any advance on the ports. There have been several reports from eastern sources that the defense minister of the GNA Al-Barghathi has gathered some brigades together to regain control of the oil ports from Haftar's LNA forces. Claims have been made by Barghathi that the LNA forces guarding the ports are actually mercenaries.

Barghathi, formerly a Haftar ally supporting Operation Dignity, is now a strong opponent since he became designated defense minister for the GNA. He formerly headed the 204 Tanks Brigade. Haftar forces recently kidnapped and killed a number of Brigade members still loyal to Barghathi. Forces loyal to Haftar have also abducted a number of men from Ran Lanuf and the town of Ben Jawad whom they claim were plotting to seize the oil terminals. It remains to be seen if there is any truth to the report by Mesmari. The UN has urged the GNA not to resort to violence to regain the ports. Neither the GNA nor Barghathi have said publicly that they are planning to do so. Haftar has been cooperating with the National Oil Company(NOC) based in Tripoli and associated with the GNA. He has allowed the export of oil from the ports and the NOC to operate them. However, control of the ports gives Haftar considerable leverage in negotiating with the NOC.

Libyan state oil company releases positive statement after seizure of oil wells by General Haftar

The seizure of the four oil export ports in the Libyan Oil Crescent has resulted in a positive statement from the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation in contrast to the response of the UN which complained it could hinder expansion of exports.

The Tripoli-based National Oil Company(NOC) said that it would begin work immediately to restart exports from Oil Crescent ports. NOC chair Mustafa Sanalla said:

“We welcome statements from the Libyan National Army allied with House of Representatives and the president of the HoR, Aguila Saleh, that the ports should be placed under NOC’s control, our technical teams already started assessing what needs to be done to lift force majeure and restart exports as soon as possible. As Libyans we have a common interest in keeping our oil flowing. By raising oil production and exports we can reduce our budget deficit and pay for vital services.”

There are actually two NOC's one based in Tripoli and associated with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the other in Bayda associated with the Al-Thinni government of the House of Reprersentatives (HoR). These two were supposedly merged in an agreement in July but the HoR rejected the agreement: Speaking to Dignity Operation's Alhadat TV last Monday, Al-Thanni said the agreement will not be accepted until certain preconditions are met. Based on regional interest, Al-Thanni demanded that 40 percent in net oil revenues must be allocated to the eastern region and the remaining 60% goes to the western and southern regions.Operation Dignity was launched by Haftar back in May 2014 and is to a considerable extent responsible for the present conflict with the GNA. There is no mention of this division in most analyses, including in reports by "experts". An excellent analysis of the situation in this article which argues that the port takeover could provide an opportunity to export more oil also does not mention the issue. Both Haftar and the Tripoli-based NOC speak just of the NOC. But which does Haftar mean?

Back in July Haftar and the HoR recognized only the Bayda NOC: "Abdulraziig al-Nadori, Chief of the General Staff of the House of Representatives, warned foreign ships not to enter Libyan territorial waters without a permit from the Bayda-based National Oil Company (NOC) or risk being targeted by air or ground forces." However there have been exports from Hariga port that is under the control of forces loyal tol Haftar according to this article. Sanalla appears to welcome the replacement of Jadhran whom he hated by Haftar as controller of the ports. Sanalla was outraged by the deal with Jadhran and is no doubt happy it was sabotaged by Haftar. However, Haftar does not accept the GNA but the HoR as the legitimate government. What is left out of all accounts of what is happening is that the NOC merger still needs to be finalized.

This will involve the GNA again dealing with parallel institutions this time the Bayda-based NOC. A tweet makes it clear that the merger still has to be finalized: "#Libya | Chairman of eastern NOC says he'll meet Tripoli NOC chairman next week to unite the two corporations & re-open oil ports." In other words the Bayda-based NOC now backed by Haftar who occupies the ports will be able to drive a hard bargain with the NOC if it wants to open the ports. You will find nothing of this in reports — at least those I have seen. The NOC statement said: "Under a unity agreement signed in July, ‎NOC recognizes the Presidency Council as the highest executive authority and the House of Representatives as the highest legislative authority. A central aim of the agreement is to ensure that Libya’s oil wealth is used for the benefit of all Libyans." Not a peep about the fact that the HoR never approved the unity agreement. Is this meant deliberately to mislead or is it incompetence? It is in Haftar's interest to seem to go along with the Tripoli-based NOC, but if the HoR does not achieve a deal that it approves, he will not hesitate to act.

A tweet says: "Khalifa Haftar: I will make sure the Army does not interfere w/ oil business,which is a civilian matter. Army complied w/ its national duty." He may very well keep his promise but he will let the HoR take care of the issue not the GNA. He will cooperate as long as he thinks the HoR managed to arrive at a good deal. Otherwise he may as part of his "patriotic duty" stop oil production and exports.

Maybe Haftar hopes things will not work out. This can provide a rationale for continuing on with Operation Dignity by defeating militias associated with the GNA. As a recent tweet explains: "Spokesperson of Dignity Operation Ahmed Mismari threatens to invade Tripoli, saying their troops are very close to Tripoli and Zawia." The UN and the GNA have shown themselves to be hopelessly weak. Haftar has successfully weakened them even further. Oil interests don't care what happens as long as they can have access to Libyan oil on reasonable terms for them. Haftar will become more and more attractive as an alternative to the LPA and the GNA. He can always be praised and promoted as a champion of the war on terrorism. All his opponents will become terrorists. Other leaders have made similar claims: Gadaffi, Assad, El-Sisi.

UN does not directly condemn Haftar for seizure of Libyan oil ports

In response to the seizure of four oil ports in the oil crescent by the Libyan National Army commanded by General Khalifa Haftar, Martin Kobler, the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) has issued several statements.

After the attacks began Kobler tweeted: " worried about reported fighting in the oil crescent. will add to division and further restricting oil exports. oil belongs to ALL libyans." Notice that he does not mention Hafter and the Libyan National Army(LNA) as attacking and seizing the oil ports nor mention that those holding the port are the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) who have an agreement with the UN-backed Government of National Accord to open up the ports to export. Haftar does not recognize the GNA nor its national oil company (NOC) based in Tripoli. While many may be happy to see the deal with Ibrahim Jodhran fail since they consider him a renegade who has robbed Libya of millions if not billions in oil revenue, the situation is now that the GNA lacks any agreement at all and must bargain with Haftar.

After the LNA had cemented control over four oil crescent ports, Brega, Ras Lanuf, Es Sidra, and Zuwetina, Kobler issued a news release on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) website. His statement calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in the oil crescent, respect for the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) and recognition of the Presidency Council and GNA as the sole executive authority in Libya. Haftar could very well reply that Kobler and the UN show no respect for the LPA since without a formal vote of confidence by the HoR they activated the GNA and still prate on about its legitimacy after the defeat of a vote of confidence in the HoR on August 22. They are supposed to have presented a new cabinet to the HoR over a week ago but have not done so and show no signs of being near ready to present a new slate. Kobler knows that Haftar and the HoR do not recognize the GNA and PC as legitimate, demanding that it be regarded as such will make no difference. The UN has constantly ignored Haftar's continual and successful attempts to derail the UN process. He is even stronger now. Why should he pay the least attention? A demand that has no force to back it up is worse than useless, since it reveals the weakness of those making the demand.

The demand that hostilities cease is a huge plus for Haftar. After all he has control of the ports. If the PFG and the GNA counter-attack, Haftar can complain that the GNA and PFG are acting contrary to what the UN demands. If Kobler really supported the GNA he would support their call for the defense minister to mount a counter-attack. He would also support the counter offensive announced by the PFG. A tweet says: "news#PFG regained control of #Sidra, fighting to retake #RasLanuf is ongoing w/ #JEM's militias." This remains to be verified. The GNA called on forces to protect the ports against "flagrant aggression" by the rival HoR administration.

Another tweet also announced counter attacks by the PFG: "PFG launches military ops, code-name: Dispersing Dellusion, to regain control of Oil Crescent Terminals. #Libya". Kobler says nothing about taking measures against Haftar and retaking the ports. Equally silent on the matter are the many powerful players who constantly serve as cheerleaders for the GNA, the EU and the US. They have not yet decided how to react. They also seem to fear any confrontation with Haftar. This can only encourage Haftar to demand more in any accommodation with the UN, EU and U.S.

Kobler notes that the attacks threaten stability and lead to greater division of the country. However he does not call the attacks an aggression by the LNA under Haftar. The attacks further restrict oil exports and add to people's suffering. So why does Kobler not suggest taking the ports under GNA control as before and not simply acquiescing in Haftars blatant seizure of the ports?

Kobler concludes:“I urge all parties to avoid any damage to the oil facilities. Natural resources belong to all Libyans and preserving oil infrastructure is in the national interest. He joins the Presidency Council’s calls for a comprehensive national consensus and expresses his support for consultations that would lead to the formation of a new Government of National Accord.No reference to the LPA nor the demand of the HoR that the PC come up with a new cabinet to be formally approved by the HoR as required by the LPA. No reference to the GNA demand that the ports be defended by force. There is division within the PC itself. It remains to be seen if there is any truth to the reports of a counter-attack. The media is agonizingly slow in reacting to events in Libya. Kobler is obviously desperate for a deal with Haftar even as Hafter positions himself to make greater and greater demands. However, Haftar's idea may simply be to see the GNA self-destruct and he will emerge as the champion fighter against terrorism and the strong man who is the only viable alternative. The west and other power brokers will come to accept him just as they accept el-Sisi in Egypt.

Libyan National Army and Petroleum Facitilies Guard may clash at oil port

There are conflicting reports about the intentions of the Libyan National Army forces which the other day entered the town of Zuetina just 10 kilometers or six miles from the oil port.

A headline in the Libya Herald claims that Major General Abdul Al-Nazhuri of the Libyan National Army (LNA) predicts that the LNA will take over terminals at Zuetina, El Sidra, and Ras Lanuf. A battalion of the LNA entered the town of Zuetina yesterday. General Khalifa Haftar is commander in chief of the LNA, the armed forces of the House of Representatives (HoR)) government.

The three ports are under the control of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) headed by Ibrahim Jadhran a foe of Haftar. Jadhran supports the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and recently signed a deal with them to reopen the ports for export. However, Haftar does not recognize the GNA. He will no doubt not allow the export of oil until there is an agreement satisfactory to him. There is supposed to be an agreement between the rival eastern-based and Tripoli National Oil Companies (NOCs) creating one merged oil company but the HoR government will not accept the deal until changes are made. That does not seem to have happened yet. The HoR is demanding that any tankers exporting oil should have permits from the eastern NOC.

In a recent article, Jason Pack, points out that Martin Kobler, UN envoy to Libya, fails to note that part of the reason that the GNA is losing support is that he has failed to implement the flawed plan of former UN envoy Bernardino Leon, the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). He accuses Kobler of sticking to the letter of the LPA rather than realizing that it was meant to bring the two key power blocs together but had failed to do so. Kobler has not stuck to the letter of the LPA but has violated it in a number of different ways first and foremost by activating the GNA before a formal vote from the HoR. But Pack is correct that following the LPA has so far not resulted in bringing the two power blocs together. It is difficult to see how it can. The LPA demands that the Presidential Council (PC) of the GNA be commander in chief of the new GNA armed forces, while Haftar wants to remain as commander in chief. He will not accept a government with Islamist opponents in it and will not accept being under the command of the PC.

The division between the LNA and GNA is exemplified in the threat of clashes between the PFG and Haftar forces over the oil ports in the oil crescent. Haftar is trying to take support from Jadhran and by doing so weaken the power of the GNA in the east. He already has control of feeder oil fields giving him considerable leverage over any attempt of the GNA to export oil without his and HoR approval.

Final victory for the GNA over the Islamic State in Sirte is likely to result in conflict between militia that are for and those against the GNA. He points out that there is already conflict between militias in Tripoli as reported recently in the Digital Journal.

The Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades have attacked intelligence headquarters of the GNA and apparently seized personnel. There has not been a word from the GNA or the UN about what has happened even though the same militia took over other ministry buildings earlier. It is possible IMHO that some militia now fighting the Islamic State in Sirte will move to help defend the PFG against Haftar if there are clashes over the ports. Pack suggests that the victorious militia in Sirte could "defy GNA rulings and expose the fact that the GNA is not actually a unity of anything."

Reuters reports that Abdulrazak al-Nazhuri the chief of staff of Haftar's LNA said:"We have said that in the event that permission is not sought from the National (Oil) Corporation that answers to the (eastern) parliament, we will target the ships with our air force as we deem them militias or smugglers. The goal is not to threaten any nation but to protect the Libyan people's assets."This is a clear threat to the GNA and its agreement with the PFG to begin exports. Nazhuri said that the LNA would enter the ports of Zuetina, Es Sidra, and Ras Lanuf. All three are occupied by the rival LFG under Jadhran. Nazhuri said: "Our entry into the ports is to protect them, not to occupy them or to be substitutes for the mercenaries or thieves who preceded us." Instead of marching on Sirte as he originally promised, Haftar seems to have decided that instead he would secure oil fields and now ports controlled by the PFG. So far outright clashes between the PFG and Haftar forces have been avoided but it is not clear that this situation can last very long.

UN envoy to Libya suggests the Libyan army could be decentralized.

In an interview in Cairo with the Associated Press (AP), Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Martin Kobler suggested a new reconstituted army of the Government of National Accord (GNA) could be decentralized.

Kobler sees a decentralized armed forces as a way of helping to prevent political gridlock that seems to be gripping the country now, as he is unable to convince the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) to vote confidence in the GNA and become its legislature. Kobler spoke to the AP after he had talks in Cairo with a number of Libyan officials aimed at finding a solution to the political impasse. Egypt is a strong supporter of Haftar. Haftar and his allies insist on his remaining commander-in-chief of any new Libyan National Army (LNA). Haftar is now just commander-in-chief of the LNA associated with the Tobruk-based House of Representatives(HoR) government of PM Abdullah Al-Thinni.

Kobler has been discussing the formation of military councils from the three historic regions of Libya: the west (Tripolitania), the east (Cyrenaica) and the south (Fezzan). The leadership of the armed forces is a point of contention between the GNA and the HoR. Haftar has considerable support in the east, including support for his Operation Dignity, aimed at ridding Libya of Islamic extremists whom he regards as terrorists. Haftar appears to consider any group with Islamist tendencies who oppose him as terrorists. This would include groups such as the Misrata brigades who are leading the offensive against the Islamic State (IS) in Sirte.

Many in the west consider Haftar a war criminal and do not want him to have any position in new GNA armed forces. The Misrata brigades would be among those in strong opposition to Haftar.

Any regional decentralization would be complicated by the fact that there are groups in the east who support the GNA and in the west who support Haftar. The Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) headed by Ibrahim Jodhran support the GNA and are opposed to Haftar, while the Zintan brigades in the west are loyal to Haftar. The situation is complicated in the south as well where different areas are held by different groups.

The Kobler plan seems fraught with difficulties. What makes the situation even worse is that there is no sign that Haftar is interested in what Kobler is trying to do or would agree to a reduced role in the GNA as a commander of a region. As Kobler points out his requests for a meeting with Kobler have been denied.

In a rare admission of the problems he faces, Kobler said that although the GNA had international recognition and backing it lacked "national legitimacy." Until Kobler manages to get the HoR to vote confidence in the GNA, it is not clear how the GNA can serve as a credible interim government for up to two years while a new constitution is approved setting guidelines for parliamentary and presidential elections. It is not clear either how setting up regional military councils would help advance this process.

Chris Stephen tweeted recently: #Libya UN envoy army plan seems to mean single command Zintan-Misrata in Tripolitania and Benghazi Shura Council-army in Cyrenaica.

As I noted, earlier, any unified command even within the western or eastern areas is complicated by divisions within them. In the case of the Benghazi Shura Council, Haftar and the LNA are not about to share a command with them but intend to eliminate them, and the same appears to be the case with the Shura Council of Jihadists in Derna. It is not likely Haftar would agree to unite with the PFG either. The Zintan brigades and those of Misrata are also completely at odds, with Misrata supporting the GNA and opposing Haftar, while Zintan brigades are loyal to Haftar.

Kobler notes that the GNA army cannot be formed until the various militias disband and turn in their weapons. This should be done through negotiations he suggests, to avoid a possible civil war. However, there appears no movement towards reaching this goal and the GNA is dependent upon various militia groups for security. However, as clashes and protests have shown, the GNA often has little control over the actions of different militia groups. Kobler thinks that forming regional councils may encourage militias to disband. Given the divisions within the three areas, it is not clear why or how this would happen.

However, Kobler claims he is still in favor of a unified Libyan army structure. This was his aim prior to the offensive against Sirte but Haftar refused to join even though he himself claimed he was marching to liberate the city. Kobler claimed: "You can't have a united Libya with two or three armies." However, it is not clear how this view is consistent with having three military councils in three different regions. If Haftar were commander of the Cyrenaica region he might not accept a commander of all three regions chosen by the GNA. He appears to have no interest in Kobler's scheme in any event. He would probably agree with Kobler that you need one army for a united Libya — one army with Khalifa Haftar as commander-in-chief.

Forces of Haftar's Libyan National Army clash with those of Petroleum Facilities Guard

A spokesperson for the Oil Facilities Guard condemned what he described as a criminal act by warplanes of Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA). The LNA is the armed forces of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR).

Neither Haftar nor the HoR recognize the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). The PFG and its head, Ibrahim Jhodran, support the GNA and oppose Haftar. The planes attacked a training camp for the PFG in the Sham district that lies just to the west of Ajdabia on the road to the oil port of Brega. There were no casualties but there was material damage.

There are battles going on in Ajdabia between an Ajdabia Liberation Operation Room joined by Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) and Haftar's Operation Dignity forces. The PFG has remained neutral in the fight while the PC condemned the BDB attacks. However, some members of the PC did not agree. Ibrahim Jodhran is perhaps best known for closing three export ports in the east for almost two years causing an estimated $60 billion loss. However, he has fallen out with Haftar and has thrown his support behind the GNA creating a situation where he could come into direct conflict with Haftar as seems to be happening now.

Spokesperson for Haftar's Operation Dignity, Ahmed Al-Mesmari said that the PFG are terrorist militias and outlaws. He said that Dignity forces would fire on any forces that provide any support for the "terrorist groups".

Al-Mesmari said: “Our warplanes bombed Sham camp, where Oil Facilities Guard forces were positioned near Ajdabia, after receiving a tip-off that said a number of terrorist groups had set off from there heading toward Ajdabia city.” Apparently, the BDB and the Ajdabia Liberation Room forces have already seized most of Dignity Operation's camps and locations in the city of Ajdabia in the last couple of days. The Libya Herald also reported on the attack noting that MiG fighters of the Libyan National Army of Haftar attack the PFG site claiming it was a terrorist target.

A recent tweet describes clashes south of Ajdabiya with many wounded: 18 wounded in clashes south of Ajdabiya b/w Libyan army supported by area residents against newly formed "#Benghazi Defense Brigade" militia. Attacks on Ajdabiya began a couple of days ago as reported in this article.

Divisions begin to appear in the eastern Libyan National Army forces of Khalifa Haftar

Divisions appear within the LNA, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, as the unity government defense minister Barghathi supports the Solid Structure forces, mainly Misrata militia, and also the Petroleum Facilities Guard led by Haftar's foe, Ibrahim Jodhran.

The Defense Minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), Mahdia Barghathi said that his ministry will provide full support for the Solid Structure forces and also the Petroleum Forces Guard (PFG) in their fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Sirte and elsewhere.

In a meeting with Jodhran in Ras Lanuf, as well as Colonel Bashir Budafira of the Ajdabiya-Sirte operations room, Barghathi called on Libyan forces to end their divisions and fight against IS and other extremists in the country. At the same time, he reportedly ordered Jodhran's PFG to secure oil fields in the area. Some are said to be in the hands of pro-LNA forces loyal to Haftar. This order is likely to cause combat rather than heal divisions. Barghathi also visited the towns of Ben Jawad and Nufliya recently liberated from IS by the PFG.

There is a battle between Barghathi and Haftar to gain support among eastern tribes. No doubt, Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of the UN and the GNA are encouraging this division in an attempt to isolate Haftar and gain more power for the GNA. While Barghathi is believed to still have considerable support within the Libyan National Army in the east, Haftar appears to have even more. Both he and Barghathi have had meetings to gain support. Just last week Haftar held a meeting with the Supreme Council of Tribes of Benghazi. They pledged support for Haftar and the Al-Thiinni House of Representatives (HoR) However, it also decided it would try to build bridges between Haftar and Barghathi.

Haftar has not participated in the offensive against IS in Sirte although he announced more than three weeks ago that he was marching to liberate the city. He has had no battles with IS in the area. Instead he has been attacking the city of Derna and the Shura Council of Derna Jihadists, who recently were instrumental in ridding Derna of IS. He has come under considerable criticism for the civilian casualties that he has caused.

Recently, Haftar dissolved two militias that were part of his Dignity Operation. They are the Special Tasks Force and Military Intelligence. Both had taken the side of Barghathi against Haftar. Haftar launched Dignity Operation back in May of 2014 to clear Libya of Islamist militia. He includes many loyal to the GNA including the Mistrata militia who are part of Solid Structure.

Faraj Egaim, the head of the Special Tasks Force, said that a ring aligned with Haftar's military command, had been arrested for committing murder. During a meeting of the Awagir tribe in Benghazi, Egaim said his force had arrested a 15-member cell in downtown Benghazi who were plotting assassinations of a number of people including himself and GNA defense minister Barghathi. Egaim said:"We seized guns with silencers with this ring, they have underground secret detention centers where torture is practiced, they are hiring 6 Bengalis to commit torture and cut off limbs of their victims, We recorded 137 cases of murder committed by groups loyal of Haftar."He said that there was no army just senior military leaders doing business with their ammunition and equipment. He claimed the government and military officials were involved in corrupt business deals. He claimed he had to buy ammunition for his own militia. He said that Haftar wants a defense minister submissive to his will.

The House of Representatives (HoR) has still not voted confidence in the GNA as yet as required under the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). After the vote, the HoR would become the legislature of the GNA. Until it does, the HoR does not recognize the GNA. A meeting was to be held last Monday in Tobruk but there was no quorum. There have been numerous meetings with either no quorum or a disrupted meeting with no vote. Another meeting is supposedly scheduled for this Monday.

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Khalifa Haftar refuses to merge his forces with those of UN-backed Libyan GNA

In an interview on TV, General Khaifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army(LNA) of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR), said it was "unthinkable" for his eastern forces to join those of the UN-backed Government of National Accord.

Before he could even consider doing so, he said the militias supporting the GNA should be disbanded. Many of these militias are headed by Islamists, Haftar considers his enemies. The enmity is mutual. There are some members of the LNA who support the GNA, including the defense minister, but for the most part the GNA depends upon various militia groups for security and also for the operation against the Isamic State. Militia groups from Misrata have taken the lead in the costly offensive against the Islamic State, as they advance towards Sirte.

Haftar has launched his own operation against Sirte with a two pronged attack from the east and south. He has had not clashes with the Islamic State but forces loyal to him clashed with militia associated with Misrata in the south near Zilla. He secured a number of oil fields in the area. He has been over two weeks and advanced as far as Ras Lanuf only a few miles from the eastern border of IS territory. Instead of attacking IS and helping the GNA forces in the west, he launched Operation Volcano to capture Derna from the Shura Council fighters who were instrumental in driving the Islamic State from the city.

The western-backed UN-brokered GNA under PM Faiez Serraj urged that there be a unified command center to coordinate efforts against IS but Haftar refused to join. A meeting of foreign ministers in VIenna called for exceptions to be made to the UN embargo against arms shipments to Libya to supply the GNA.. This could happen soon but Haftar's forces will remain embargoed. He still will no doubt get illicit deliveries from friendly Arab nations supporting him such as the UAE and Egypt.

Haftar pointed out in his TV interview: "Firstly, We have no links with Mr Seraj and the Presidential Council which he leads is not recognized by the parliament (in the east). Secondly, on this unified command center, I would like to stress that Mr Seraj relies on militia and we refuse them. An army cannot unify with militias so they must be dismantled. It's unthinkable to work with these armed factions."

Haftar has been carrying out his Operation Dignity since May 2014, designed to rid Libya of Islamists he considers his enemies. This includes many of the militia fighters associated with the GNA. Haftar has always tried to convince international powers that he would be the best hope for a successful fight against the Islamic State and other radical jihadists. He makes this pitch in his interview: "Daesh does not have the capacity to face the Libyan armed forces, but the battle could take time, If the international community supports us, and I ask it to do so by lifting the embargo on weapons, then we could eliminate Daesh in Libya definitively and quickly,"

"Daesh" is a synomyn for the Islamic State, also called ISIS. The international community, however, is banking on the GNA, and giving it support, probably much more support than it has in Libya. There is a constant stream of media reports of important foreign figures meeting with the Presidential Council of the GNA at their naval base headquarters on the outskirts of Tripoli.

Under the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) the HoR is the sole legislative body of the GNA. The present GNA is operating with no legislature as the HoR has yet to give it a vote of confidence or amend the constitutional declaration of 2011 as is required. There is no indication yet when or even if this will happen. The Libya Herald notes: Haftar has repeatedly expressed his disregard for the Libyan Dialogue, the United Nations, and the new unity government, which was established to aid in establishing national reconciliation and unite Libya’s various political and armed factions vying for power and control of the country since the ousting of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.I believe that the GNA was established to further the interest of foreign powers primarily. The aim was for the GNA to ask for foreign intervention to fight the Islamic State and help stem the flow of immigrants to Europe.

The Herald rightly notes that under the terms of the LPA, the PC assumes the function of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army. However, the HoR is unlikely to vote confidence in the GNA unless the section is removed, forgotten, or "frozen." Even those supporting the GNA in principle demand that Haftar remain as commander in chief of the Libyan National Army. Unless some way is found to get around these demands that conflict with the GNA there seems to be no hope of a unified national army or a legislature for the GNA.