Khalifa Hafter’s Libyan National Army (LNA) rejected the ceasefire announced by the UN-recognized government of Libya. The Government of National Accord (GNA) announced a ceasefire in a statement on Friday.
Ahmed Mismari, a spokesman for Haftar’s LNA, denounced the ceasefire as a “marketing” stunt and said the GNA was planning a Turkish-backed offensive on the LNA-controlled city of Sirte.
“There is a military build-up and the transfer of equipment to target our forces in Sirte,” Mismari said. The spokesman took aim at the GNA’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. “If al-Sarraj wanted a ceasefire, he would have drawn his forces back, not advanced towards our units in Sirte.”
Libya has turned into a proxy battle for regional rivals, with Haftar’s LNA being backed by Russia, Egypt, and the UAE. The GNA receives support from Turkey and Qatar.
Although it was the US killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 that plunged Libya into civil war, it is not exactly clear which side Washington is on in the current conflict. The US nominally supports the GNA, but President Trump has expressed his support for Hafter in the past, leaving allies confused on where the US stands.
false—it is France that most supports LNA—Russia is largely neutral; the GNA is illegitimate–the UN mandate expired 3 years ago
France gave weapons to LNA? France is enforcing arms control in Mediterranean. It us Russian and Egyptian weapons supply that supported LNA. Unless US weapons are funneled through UAE — which I doubt.
The reason US will give only a lukewarm support to GNA — the only UN recognized Libyan government (time elapsed, but same as Yemen) — is simple. It is a loser. Possession is 9/10th of the law. And Heftar, LNA, has possession. GNA was left fir dead, insignificant piece of negotiable trinket.
Let us review reality. France is NOT a factor in arming LNA. Another reality. Without Egypt and Russia, LNA would not have been armed. France was safeguarding arms embargo, right? Now even Germany is rushing in — to support arms blockade! And you expect anything from UAE and their Israeli minders?
But while Hefter had momentum and Egypt/Russia behind, and Trump praising the general (once discarded as has-been), it caused Heftar BIG problems. He is US citizens and his family is a guarantor of Heftar’s good behavior.
Thus, another fact — Turkey and Qatar are coming in to help abandoned recognized government. So, Heftar is off hook, being suddenly a loser. Egypt is all over Libyan tribal areas — getting political deals cut, and working with the Parliament in Tobruk.
Does Heftar’s LNA have any authority outside of Parliament in Tobruk? No. Fact — Egypt’s work with the Parliament counts. Hefter will get arms and other assistance IF Parliament supports him.
Just as Turkey will remain presence in Tripoli, Egypt will come in Benghazi and Fezan — Egypt’s Parliament already approved the forces.
Fact — peace deals are being cut between the two sides, no Western broker with power to influence.
More facts — Egypt and Turkey will guarantee the peace, with Russia essentially supporting both in peace making effort. How will General Heftar negotiate his role with Tobruk paliament — is anyone’s guess.
And final fact — the prospect of peace caused panic in all Western capitals. And VOILA! Protests are breaking out in Libya — protesting poor living conditions! As if all these horror filled years conditions were good — just NOW are not good — when the two sides announced peace talks!
This is geopolitics of highest order. This is why venom is directed at Russia. Protest organizers and activists in Belarus, where a housewife who does not want to run for president is meeting with Pompeo, and a thoroughly washed up activist Navalny ihas already been pronounced poisoned — even though the ingredient found could be legitimately consumed in anti-anxiety drugs, while his low blood sugar emergency treated in Omsk is ignored. Poor Navalny, shoukd have remained in Russia. He is more valuable being Skripaled.