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.

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.

	1 of 2
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.

Commander of eastern-based Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar threatens to attack Tripoli

(May 18)The international community applauded the move by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar to join the political process after he met with the head of the Presidential Council (PC), Faiez Serraj, of the UN-back Government of National Accord in Abu Dhabi recently.

In spite of the fact that an agreement was said to be reached, and was to be confirmed in talks last week, no agreement has been reached. Doubts were raised about the agreement. Some of Haftar's remarks to a crowd celebrating the third anniversary of Operation Dignity show that Haftar is determined to carry on with that military activity designed to rid Libya of Islamists whom he considers terrorists. Haftar includes among such groups militias supporting the GNA. To a considerable extent Haftar's Operation Dignity represented the start of a continuing conflict between many militia groups that continues to this day. Haftar's Operation Dignity or Karama started in May of 2014 by attacks upon rival Islamist militia groups in Benghazi. It also included attacking and burning the parliament buildings in Tripoli.

At the third anniversary celebration Haftar threatened to drive the forces some of which protect the GNA out of Tripoli: “We will not leave Tripoli, our capital, a safe haven for terrorists; our people will only be at rest when the capital returns to the homeland." This is entirely inconsistent with the pursuit of a political settlement based upon an amended Libyan Political Agreemetn( LPA). In fact it represents a military solution that supporters of the GNA and the UN envoy claim is impossible. They claim that everyone agrees that a solution must be based upon the LPA.

Haftar also criticized the international community for not lifting the ban on arms sales to his Libyan National Army even though the House of Representatives government (HoR) that appointed him is not the recognized government of Libya by the UN but rather the rival GNA. He also describes the LPA a conspiracy: “The army will not sell the blood of our martyrs, we will not submit to the international conspiracy, we will not be part of it.” Yet he is said to be negotiating an agreement on the basis of this conspiracy.

The above account is based on reports from the Libya Observer that is anti-Haftar and still refers to him as a "renegade general" but the Libya Herald, which is not in general anti-Haftar, also reports on the anniversary speech by Haftar. The report speaks of Haftar claiming that he would not leave Tripoli to the "rogue criminals and abusers" running rampant in the city a description that fits in with the Observer claim he threatened to drive them out and return the city to the "homeland". The Herald describes the celebration as a well-organized impressive display of parades, heavily armed vehicles and an air show. It involved 12,000 members of the LNA. Although PM of the HoR was present early in the celebration he was not present at the main event where Haftar made his speech. The UN special envoy Martin Kobler was not there nor were any foreign officials.

It should be clear that Haftar was more or less forced into his political activity and meetings with Faiez Serraj head of the Presidential Council of the rival GNA. He is using it as a means to build up his support. He no doubt knows that Serraj will never be able to convince most members of the PC and State High Council that he should remain head of the LIbyan Armed Forces or a member of the PC as his side has demanded. The failure of negotiations he hopes will gain support for his own solution and "fight against terrorism". A key part of the agreement with Serraj is a ceasefire but there are still clashes in the south between troops loyal to the rival governments.

Mass demonstration in Tripoli against militias in the city

Thousands of Libyans have mounted a mass demonstration against the powerful militias that dominate Tripoli. The demonstration was in the Martyr's Square.

The demonstrators shouted slogans against the militias and demanded a unified army and police. The city has been rocked by clashes the last few days. Khalifa Ghwell who was attempting a coup lost his headquarters at the Rixos hotel complex. A ceasefire was reached yesterday but some key militia rejected it and there have been further clashes since.

There were some who shouted support for Khalifa Haftar commander of the rival Libyan National Army linked to the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR). Haftar is opposed not only to the Tripoli militias but the UN-brokered Government of National Accord as well. Mohamed Zein, a 27-year-old protestor said: "We won't go home until our demands are met. We ask for all militias that have come from outside of Tripoli to leave immediately."

The protesters marched peacefully demanding that all illegitimate militia leave Tripoli as was also part of the recent ceasefire agreement. They demanded the activation of police and army institutions in the capital. The Libya Observer claims that supporters of Khalifa Haftar had infiltrated the protests and started to shout slogans in support of him as well as racist slogans against the city of Misrata. Some militia in Tripoli come from Misrata.

After this happened gunmen in pickups stormed the square and fired shots into the air in order to intimidate the protesters and disperse the protestors. In spite of the gunfire, there has as yet been no report of casualties. The Grand Mufti, Al-Sadiq Al-Gharyani, accused Khalifa Haftar as being behind recent clashes. He denounced the silence of the official authorities toward the ongoing clashes. The PC was able to reach a ceasefire as mentioned earlier but it does not include some key militia. There appear to have been a number of different causes of the clashes among militia with varying agendas.

There have been numerous tweets on the demonstrations and related events. One tweet notes that 22 militia announce that they support the GNA government: "22 Local militias in Tripoli announce (for the first time) that they are part of Libyan UN backed gov. UN gov supporting militias officially." No doubt this sudden loyalty to the GNA is related to a desire not to be ordered out of Tripoli. Another tweet reports on the gunmen who broke up the demonstration: Witnesses: "3 vehicles fired shots in the air to intimidate protesters against militias in Tripoli. #Libya." The gunmen have yet to be identified.

Rival militia groups clash in Tripoli Libya

( Febrruary 24) The clashes are said to be between the Deterrent Forces led by Eghnaiwa Al-Kiki and the forces of the Al-Burki battalion. The Libyan Red Crescent(LRC) said that its efforts to communicate with both sides failed.

The LRC has been trying to evacuate civilians from the area where the fighting is happening. Sources told Libya Prospect that each side accuses the other of not being willing to reconcile. A spokesperson for the LRC said the the fighting groups did not respect the emblem of the Red Cross resulting in their failure to respond to the cries for help from local residents. The Salvation Government led by Khalifa Al-Ghwell claims it has been talking to the warring parties urging them to cease fighting but said also that it is ready to intervene to stop the clashes.

There have been numerous tweets about the conflict. One tweet calls the Al-Kikli militia, Ghneiwa militia:"Ghneiwa militia led by Al-Kikli launched an offensive to take control of Salah Al-Burki HQ in Abu Salim, Tripoli. " Another tweet notes that the Al-Burki militia is associated with the newly formed Libyan National Guard(LNG) that in turn appear to be loyal to Al-Ghwell: "Yes Al-Burki has joined the LNG." It seems that the large Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades of Haytem Tajouri have sent help for the Ghneiwa militia according to another tweet: "Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades by Tajouri sent 5 tanks in Abu Salim to help Ghneiwa militia. Casualties reported in both side." The Al-Burki brigade contains fighters mostly from Misrata. Locals report the use of tanks and heavy artillery.

According to the Libya Herald some sources say that at least 8 dead bodies had arrived at the Abu Sleem hospital. However the number of casualties has not been confirmed. A Burki commander Najib Ghurthab was named as being killed. There are differing views as to what caused the clashes. The Al-Burki militia may have been intending to eject Ghneiwa from the area.

Residents in the area are trapped in their houses. Kamal, a resident of the area told the Herald: “It’s hell. The explosions are so strong. I have gathered my wife and kids in a relatively safe room in our house. My wife has had to block the ears of our one-year-old baby because the loud gunshots have panicked him. " Elders from Tarhouna, 65 kilometers southeast of Tripoli are reported to be mediating between the two sides but without success so far it would seem. The LRC has told residents of the area not only to stay at home but keep away from windows while it attempts to negotiate a safe corridor for them. Sources told the Libya Observer that the clashes are caused by abduction of fighters on both sides.

The clashes could escalate to become an outright fight between militia loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National

Accord (GNA) and those loyal to Al-Ghwell who is leading a coup against the GNA and heads the Salvation Government. Any divisions between anti-Haftar forces in Tripoli will only help rival commander in eastern Libya, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

UPDATE: Apparently a ceasefire has been negotiated by Tarhouna elders https://twitter.com/?lang=en

Six anniversary of Libyan 17th February revolution celebrated in Tripoli not in Benghazi

Friday the 17th of February marks the sixth anniversary of the Day of Rage that helped begin the revolt that overthrew the regime of Muamar Gaddafi. Many Libyan cities are preparing ceremonial activities to commemorate the event.

Tripoli municipality has been preparing Martyr's Square in downtown Tripoli for a ceremony marking the anniversary with thousands expected to gather in the historic square to chant support for the 17th of February revolution. The celebrations actually began yesterday with the opening of part of the Tripoli International Airport that was destroyed in conflict between the Zintan brigades loyal to eastern commander Haftar and Libya Dawn forces as described in a recent DJ article. The Libya Observer says:

In line with bringing happiness to Libyans in good times as these of the revolution anniversary, the Libyan Salvation Government of the General National Congress, headed by Khalifa Al-Ghweil, inaugurated the reopening of the Tripoli International Airport on Thursday amid a ceremony celebrating the anniversary of the revolution in the presence of several officials and businesspersons as well as revolutionary fighters.Given that Al-Ghwell is a coup leader against the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) supporters of the GNA are unlikely to be happy at seeing this opening part of the celebrations. There are already some tweets describing the celebrations in Tripoli. One tweet says: "Thousands of people flock to #Tripoli’s Martyrs Square to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the 17th February Revolution"

In the east of the country the situation was entirely different. One of the key cities in which the revolution began had no celebrations at all. Alaraby reports: "In Benghazi, pictures being shared on social media show that the Freedom Square, an area where gatherings usually centre, remained completely empty on Friday. " Two other cities Bayda and Tobruk the seat of the House of Representatives (HoR) government also banned demonstrations. All are under control of General Haftar who at one time supported Gaddafi but turned against him after he was double-crossed and abandoned by him. Haftar said the celebrations were canceled for security reasons. Marwan Younis, spokesperson for the Tobruk city council said: "Celebrations of the anniversary of the February revolt are canceled until all Libyan lands are liberated from the grips of terrorism." The HoR, however, did issue a statement on the anniversary saying it served to remind Libyans of the sacrifices they made for freedom.

The Libya Herald published a rather pessimistic article on the celebrations. The Herald claims that even those who supported the revolution are in little mood to celebrate and that , "they are struck by the constant recurrence of negativity pervading the capital." The Herald quotes Tripoli resident, Khalil Gharghum, who opposed the revolution as saying: “I never loved Qaddafi, but I thought from the start it was just a conspiracy shared by other countries to destroy Libya and take over its resources.” Mohamed Sultan, a freelance journalist from Tripoli who supported the revolution said: “The revolution is a principle I will never give up. But I will not celebrate due to the awful circumstances we are seeing that include women being raped and the kidnapping of children. All the beautiful things we created have been destroyed in the name of revolution and religion.”

There is an obvious split in Tripoli between those who support Ghwell and those who support the GNA and PC head Serraj. Residents are also disappointed in the failure of the UN-brokered GNA's inability to provide basic necessities. There is a fear that conflict could break out between anti-Haftar and Haftar forces. It is also possible that there will be conflicts between forces loyal to Ghwell and those loyal to the GNA. Nevertheless as the appended video shows many celebrated in Tripoli.

.

Clashes break out between rival militias in Tripoli

(Febbruary 12) There were clashes between the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade (TRB) led by Haithem Tajouri and a group of mostly Misratan fighters based in Tripoli commanded by Mahmud Baiyu who goes by the name Sharikan.

The Libya Herald reports that there were clashes between the two groups on Saturday in a southern part of Tripoli in the suburbs of Wadi Rabih, Ain Zara, Khala Al-Furjan, and Salahedeen. The clashes involved heavy weapons and tapered off only in the evening.

Locals claim that Sharikan moved to take a number of positions in Wadi Rabih that were held by the rival TRB. In fact it appears to be a turf war among rival militias. Sharikan was successful in the Khala Al-Furjan area. Sharikan is an ally of the Libyan National Guard formed just recently from brigades that are mostly but not all from Misrata. The group appears to be supportive of Khalifa Ghwell who was PM of the former Salvation Government and mounted a coup attempt some time ago. He has headquarters in the Rixos hotel complex. The group is discussed in a recent DJ article. Vehicle convoys of the Guards have entered Tripoli. Not surprisingly, the group is not welcomed by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) or it Presidency Council (PC). A recent tweet says: "PC statement on National Guard " Outlaws and not Legitimate " "

The Herald reports:Today’s clashes mainly took place along the Wadi Rabih highway linking Swani and airport road in the southwest with Tajoura to the northeast of Tripoli. Sharikan’s area of influence extends from Swani and airport roads to the headquarters of the Man Made River complex at Wadi Rabih which he using currently as one of his bases. Tajouri’s zone extends from Tajoura down to the junction on the Wadi Rabih highroad leading to Ain Zara. The latter is also under Tajouri’s control.

The TRB has been involved in clashes before. On December 1st it clashed with and defeated an armed group associated with the Interior Ministry:The brigade said the reason of the attack is that the armed force was involved in murders, banditry, kidnap and smuggling the illegal immigrants despite the fact that the armed group is part of the Central Security Department of the Interior Ministry.

Just back on January 23rd, the TRB had warned that Tripoli could not bear further armed conflict. Tajouri's TRB is said to be the most powerful militia in Tripoli. At the time the TRB said the political process based on the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) is irreplaceable. However, there appears to have been no sign of much progress since the eastern-based House of Representatives (HoR) rejected the UN brokered Government of National Accord(GNA) on August 22 last year. On its media page the TRB wrote: “We demand everybody keep Tripoli away from their struggle, as its residents cannot bear any new armed conflict inside the city. We announce, as Tripolitans, that we have never assigned anyone to represent us at talks and we confirm that anyone who attempts to act in such a way is just a liar.” The group appears to want to retain a degree of independence from the UN-brokered GNA while at the same time expressing support for the LPA which spawned the GNA. With the new Libyan National Guard entering Tripoli in force and having a number of militia linked with it there is a grave danger of an outright war between groups. Khalifa Haftar and his eastern-based Libyan National Army would no doubt be quite pleased to see his opponents at each others throats.

"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.

Eastern Libya commander Haftar threatens to attack capital Tripoli

(December 16) The head of the Libyan National Army(LNA), Field Marshal Khaifa Haftar called on his forces to be prepared for an offensive to free the capital Tripoli. Haftar is head of the armed forces(LNA) of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) government.

The HoR government is a rival to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord(GNA) based in Tripoli the capital. A top LNA official confirmed the call to the Libya Herald after Haftar made it during a talk to members of the LNA. There are reports that he has been in contact with some forces in the capital. The Herald claims that many believe that if Hafter were to try and take Tripoli it would unify Tripoli's divided militias against him.

A report in the Libya Observer also cites the spokesperson for Haftar's Dignity Operation, Ahmed Al-Mismari as calling for the liberation of Tripoli. Al-Mismari said: "All military personnel in Tripoli must be ready. Girls have been abducted and raped on daily basis during the past three months in Tripoli." A video of a rape of a woman by a Tripoli area militia group has been widely circulated. Al-Mesmari also claimed that he would reveal the location of 30 Islamic State camps in Tripoli. The Observer claims that within Tripoli itself there are no groups loyal to the Dignity Operation. The LNA would need to depend on Zintani miliita and some militia in Wirshiffana both of whom have their own agendas.

An article in AlAraby says that the offensive against Tripoli is motivated by recent reports of gang-rape in the capital and as spokesperson for Haftar Mismari put it the offensive was a duty to "preserve the dignity of the Libyan citizen." The article reports:Last week a video emerged purportedly showing members of the al-Awashr Brigade taking turns to rape a woman as she pleads for mercy in front of her young daughter, sparking outrage. A rival militia, the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, who uploaded the video, said that the clip was found on the phone of an al-Awashr commander. Outrage over the video led to protests in Tripoli on Friday December 9 and during the weekend.The GNA has promised that it will makes those responsible for the rape, accountable.

The Libyan Center for Freedom of the Press (LCFP) has condemned calls for violence that it claims are being made by the TV presenter, Mohammed Emtalel who works for Libya News Channel. The LCFP claims the channel is a mouthpiece for Khalifa Haftar and his Operation Dignity. The LCFP claimed that Emtalel had targeted seven journalists from the city of Derna which is under siege by Haftar. The journalists were accused of being members of terrorist groups. The LCFP said: “We hold the channel’s administration and owners responsible for the safety of the journalists, whose names were mentioned by the presenter, and we condemn its systematic advocating of violence and threats live on TV.” The LCFP noted that Emtalel's statements had led to the arrest and torture of journalists and activists in 2014 in Egypt. Emtalel has received much attention at times on social media:The notorious journalist’s political analysis is sometimes noticed for his naive sarcastic conclusions, which have gone for the most time viral on social media, such as the time when he said that the distinguished characteristics of Muslim Brotherhood members include wearing jeans, medical glasses, watch football and support Argentina, Brazil and Manchester United teams.

Clashes in Tripoli today appear to have nothing to do with Haftar. Libya Herald reports on the clashes. There are often clashes in Tripoli between rival militia. An appended video is from early December.

Militias clash in Libyan capital Tripoli

Fighting has broken out in the Libyan capital Tripoli between various militia groups. The Libya Observer describes murky clashes sweeping through the city. There are many competing tweets describing the situation.

	1 of 2
Descriptions of what is happening should be treated with some caution until confirmed. There are several articles however reporting on events already. The Libya Observer reports that there is a heavy presence of tanks and armed vehicles on the streets with both heavy and medium weapons in the areas of Bengashirf, Abu Salim, Sidi Al-Masri and near the Rixos Hotel where those who are part of the recent attempt at a coup from the former Salvation Government are in control. Eyewitnesses said: “Violent clashes between armed groups took place in those areas and the sounds of explosions were heard in there as well, plus there was a thick cloud of smoke above Bab Benghashir and Abu Salim areas, making the residents near the clashes panic.” They added that some houses and stores had been damaged by the clashes but did not know whether there were injuries or deaths from the clashes. Given there are clashes near the Rixos hotel, it would seem that at least some of the clashes are between forces loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National Accord and those loyal to the former Salvation Government. However, sources close to that government claim that they were not involved in the clashes and were simply taking up positions close to their headquarters to secure them.

There are still clashes ongoing and some roads are still closed. Other clashes in the east of the city between the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigades (TRB) and another armed militia that controls the area's military camps is ongoing in the Arada area in eastern Tripoli. The armed group attacked has been involved in murders, banditry, kidnapping and smuggling of illegal immigrants according to the brigades. The brigades claimed that they killed the commander of the militia and three of his fighters. The group is associated with the GNA Central Security Department of the Interior Ministry. Nevertheless, the brigades led by Haitham Al-Tajouri said: “This armed force is a hub for criminal cells and organized murders in Tripoli.” The brigades have taken over buildings they used to control. In August they took over the Libyan intelligence headquarters.

The Libya Herald claims that the clashes are pre-emptive strikes by militias who are loosely associated with the Presidency Council (PC) of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) designed to crush militants loyal to the Grand Mufti Sadek al-Ghariani, Khalifa Ghwell PM of the former Salvation Government and to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG). The Herald claims a number of civilians have already been killed in the Abu Sleem area. Local militia, led by Abdul al-Kikli, also known as Ghneiwa, were fighting against a number of Misratan and other units who support Ghwell. Seven bodies were taken to a local hospital. Fighting was said to be still going on in the evening.

The Herald also reported clashes around the Rixos hotel complex. It claims that a convoy of the Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades which is allied with RADA (Deterrence) forces led by Abdul Kara was seen to be heading for the complex occupied by the Salvation Government supporters. It was thought that they were aiming to eject those holding the complex but if the Libya Observer is correct, then this never happened.

The TRB has apologized on Facebook to Tripoli citizens but claimed that given the situation there had to be a fight in the city. The TRB has gradually been expanding the area it controls in the city. A unit of RADA headed by Kara, took over the Mahary Radisson Blu hotel that had been occupied by hardliners and also seized the headquarters of another hardline group the 6th Division. The Central Bank of Libya and the foreign affairs ministry appear to have been secured by RADA and the TRB.

Other clashes near the Tripoli International Airport appear to be a completely separate fight between a Misratan unit and one from nearby Wirshefana but this is still not clear. Reports that the Mitiga airport was under attack are apparently untrue but nearby yesterday RADA forces attacked a camp held by Benghazi Defence Brigades allied with Ghwell and Ghariani.

Tension had been rising between groups allied with Ghariani and Ghwell and RADA and its allies, since the murder of Ghariani associate Sheikh Nadir Al-Omran. Ghariani and his allies blamed the murder on a section of RADA. There have been many tweets on the issue. Here is one: "once-united militia coalition consisting of militias supporting political Islam factionalized&fight 4 control" Another claims: Clashes renewed in #Tripoli after few-hours halt. So far today 2 civilians killed, homes + a hospital hit & multiple road blocks #Libya. A third tweet explains:"‏@HtewishM #Tripoli based #Militias takes offensive approach to secure their stronghold inside the city by destroying inside "enemies""

Militia group takes over Libyan unity government's intelligence headquarters

Two different sources report that Haitham Tajouri's militia, the Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigade(TRB) attacked predominantly Misratan intelligence personnel associated with the UN-backed Government of National Accord.

	1 of 2
The Libya Herald reports that in early morning raids armoured cars and members of the TRB took over the intelligence headquarters in Fornaj, a building in Salahedding, a site in Ain Zara and intelligence offices at Mitiga Airport as well. It is thought the group want to arrest Sheikh Sadek Ghariani, Grand Mufti. Mohamed Nuh, the head of intelligence, from Mistrata is thought to be visiting Turkey.

There are unconfirmed reports that one person was killed in the attack on Fornaj. In Ain Zara three portable cabins used by intelligence officers came under heavy fire and all three were burned down. The militia also stormed apartments nearby seeking certain individuals. Although there are no precise figures, many intelligence personnel are said to have been seized. Apparently, the TRB had the support of some intelligence officers who see the intelligence system as being too much dominated by Misratans and Islamists.

Nuh is said to be close to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group(LIFG) and his appointment of Misratans to key positions has caused resentment among some of the intelligence establishment. The LIFG no longer exists as such but members are associated with Libya Shield apparently. Ghariani is the Grand Mufti and supports the Defend Benghazi Brigades. Posters had been appearing in Tripoli with a photo of Ghariani reading "No to the Muslim Brotherhood" and "Stop the bloodshed"".

For some reason, the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA) has been silent about what is happening although it is an obviously serious attack on key elements within the GNA. Last week the same militia took over the health ministry building and there was no public reaction. It is not clear why Tajouri is acting in this way at this time. Last November, Tajouri briefly seized prime minister of the Salvation Government Khalifa Ghwell. At one time Tajouri said he favored the monarchy. He has been accused of murdering Gadaffi regime personnel in an illegal prison at his camp in Tajoura.

The Libya Observer report on the attack says that the TRB attacked the headquarters of General Intelligence Department (GID) in the Al-Firnaj area: “The armed brigade sent all the employees and workers in the headquarters out and then it attacked the Study Scholarships HQS, which is located next to the GID.” The report also noted that the same group had seized the Health Ministry headquarters in the same area the week before. Two weeks ago the same brigade took over the Ministry of Telecommunications. The Observer claims it unclear whether the PC knows about the incident. How could the GNA not know when one of their own ministries is occupied? It now has happened at least three times! The TRG is one of the largest armed groups in Tripoli. Obviously, the GNA lacks the most rudimentary control over security and almost no control of the actions of competing militia groups.

Libyan unity government moves into new offices amid protests

While a red carpet was rolled out to welcome the 7 members of the Presidency Council (PC) of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) to new quarters in Tripoli, elsewhere in the city, protesters were setting tires on fire and blocking roads.

The GNA Presidency Council has finally moved away from the Tripoli naval base that had been its headquarters since March 30 — a total of 103 days. The new headquarters were formerly occupied by the Salvation Government associated with the General National Congress (GNC). The buildings were defended by a militia loyal to the Salvation Government, but in April another militia loyal to the GNA and its head, Faiez Serraj, seized the headquarters. The defending militia claimed they did not resist in order to avoid bloodshed.

While the Salvation Government has virtually ceased to exist with many members now part of the GNA State Council, the PM Kalifa Ghwell and a few others meet from time to time in Tripoli and MIsrata. Ghwell warned that the Presidency Council will be required to pay for any damage done to the complex.

The protesters in Tripoli were angry at the GNA's inability to solve shortages of electricity causing constant blackouts. There is also an acute shortage of cash with long queues at banks. The banks claim that people are hoarding cash and not depositing it. However, there have been large shipments of new banknotes both from the UK and from Russia. There is also a shortage of water, and prices of goods rise as the value of the Libyan dinar declines. Residents are also angry at the lack of security within the city with the militia not under the control of the GNA.

Just one day after the GNA was relocated from the Abu Sitah Naval Base, protesters stormed the Libyana Mobile Phone Company, Libya's largest phone provider, and also Libya Telecom and Technology, the largest internet provider. Some reports even claim that the naval base was stormed. The armed demonstrators demanded that phone services be cut to Misrata and Zawiya as they are alleged to have been hogging the electricity supply.

The banks apparently are worried about inflation, and as a result issue the new banknotes in small quantities creating huge lineups. A Tripoli engineer said: “My father spent six hours waiting in a line outside his bank, and all he was given was 300 dinars (Dh780)." The US dollar is trading at 4.35 dinars on the black market compared to the official rate of 1.3 dinars.

Security and the rule of law have yet to come to Tripoli. Twelve former Gadaffi troops were ordered released by a court only to be murdered. Although an investigation was immediately ordered, after a month no one has been charged.

Serraj and the GNA have yet to impose their will on the entire nation and in particular have not been able to convince the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) to vote confidence in the GNA and become its legislative body. Neither have they been able to have the commander in chief of the Libyan National Army of the HoR join a unified command under the PC. According to the Libya Political Agreement (LPA) the PC is the commander in chief of the armed forces until a new one is chosen. Haftar wants to remain as commander in chief of the LNA under any new unity government. Haftar refuses to meet with Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Kobler has been meeting with various officials in Cairo prior to a meeting of members of the Libyan Dialogue to be held this Sunday In Tunis. It is not clear what Kobler has in mind but it seems as if he might try to find some way of avoiding having a vote of confidence by the HoR. It is not clear how this will be possible without violating the HoR. Perhaps he intends to amend it even though he constantly warned both the GNC and the HoR previously that it could not be amended.

Militia determine how electric power is distributed in Tripoli

 In a speech last night, Prime Minister-elect of the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA), Faiez Serraj admitted that militias are controlling the distribution of electricity in Tripoli.

Faiez Serraj

In a short 15-minute TV speech, Ferraj said that " many challenges started prior to our (GNA's) arrival in March." He claimed the challenges had accumulated over the years.

On the electricity shortage, he described the problem as multifaceted. Many power stations were damaged since the revolution. The foreign technicians performing maintenance have left the country. It is not clear why the GNA is not able to get them back to help the electrical company and the new government. As a result many stations are not performing at full capacity. There are rolling blackouts.

The Libya Herald then reports: He then admitted that his GNA still had no control in Tripoli, let alone the whole of Libya, outside its Baghdad-like ‘’green zone’’ of the Bu Sitta Naval base by confirming that Tripoli militias were coercing the employees of the electricity company to distribute the electricity supply according to their wishes.

Serraj called on Libyans to be patient but had no new or radicals ideas on how to improve the situation although he promised to solve problems.

The inability of the GNA to provide security in Tripoli was made evident bythe recent murder of 12 former Gadaffi soldiers who had been released from jaii. All 12 had been shot and some bodies showed evidence of torture.

The power situation in Tripoli is so bad that the General Electricity Company of Libya (GEOCOL) has warned authorities that the power supply to Tripoli could collapse completely due to certain areas of the city such as Abu Sleem and elsewhere refusing to accept power cuts. Power cuts in the city are over 12 hours per day. In a statement the company said that it could not be held responsible for what might happen to the electricity supply throughout the west of Libya. It claimed that militia had physically threatened its employees forcing them, to leave the power on in certain areas. The areas mentioned included Misrata, Zawyia, Khoms and Jebel Nafusa mountain as refusing to share in the same power cuts as Tripoli. Also in certain parts of Tripoli such as Abu Sleem the cuts have not taken place.Kamal, an Abu Sleem resident, told the Libya Herald: “We are enjoying full time power with not even a single hour of cuts for three days now. Many thanks to our strong man Ghenaiwa,”

Libyan National Army in Zintan threatens to liberate Tripoli

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

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

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

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

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

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