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DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Between chaos and democracy: Libya at crossroads again – DW – 05/30/2025
Recent violence in western Libya brought back the specter of renewed civil war. But observers say the fighting and ensuing protests may also offer a renewed chance to break the country's political gridlock. It may be comparatively calm this week but Libya's western capital Tripoli remains in turmoil. Earlier in May, violence broke out between armed groups and pro-government forces after Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah issued a decree ordering the dismantling of armed militias, including the influential Stabilization Support Apparatus, or SSA, militia. The head of the SSA was killed. According to the UN, the resulting violence killed eight civilians in Tripoli. Later another 58 bodies were found in a hospital under the SSA's control, "The latest fighting in Tripoli that resulted in civilian casualties is a strong indication of the fragility of the situation," Hanan Salah, Libya researcher and associate director in the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch, told DW. "The sheer recklessness of the warfare that Human Rights Watch documented in the middle of civilian neighborhoods shows the blatant disregard these armed groups have for the life and livelihoods of civilians," she said. Country split in half Since 2014, Libya has been split into two, with opposing governments located in the east and west of the country. A United Nations-backed administration known as the Government of National Unity is based in Tripoli in the west and headed by Dbeibah. Its rival, known as the House of Representatives, is based in the east, in Tobruk and headed by Prime Minister Ossama Hammad. He is supported by former warlord-turned-politician Khalifa Haftar. In the east, Haftar has managed to consolidate control over various armed militias under his command, ruling with an iron fist. In the west, Dbeibah has tolerated different militias competing. Observers say the recent fighting in Tripoli indicates that Dbeibah is now trying to do the same as Haftar and consolidate control over militias in the west too. In mid-May, the fighting ended after a few days with an undisclosed agreement between the militias and Dbeibah's administration. It was followed by popular protests. People demanded national elections as well as a return to the drafting of a constitution: Both were halted when a peace process under UN leadership failed in December also called for a Dbeibah's resignation. Dbeibah did not address those calls. In a televised speech he said, "we will welcome all those who choose to stand with the state… and we will sideline those who resort to blackmail and corruption. Our goal is a Libya free of militias and corruption." Observers agree that Dbeibah's key objective is likely to consolidate power and influence. In May, thousands of Libyans called for Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah's resignation Image: Ayman al-Sahili/REUTERS Unsolved problems "In recent years the conflict [in Libya] has been frozen as the spoils have been divided among the various actors," Tim Eaton, a senior research fellow with the Middle East and North Africa programme at London-based think tank Chatham House, said. Over time, "these groups had been competing against one another to grab ever greater parts of the Libyan state," he told DW. In a recent piece for the think tank's website, Eaton wrote that the contest had been exacerbated this May over "a dispute over control of a state institution, the Libyan Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Company, which operates valuable monopolies in the telecommunications sector." In his view, the current situation is very perilous. "There clearly is a threat of a slide into another bout of civil war," he told DW. But, Eaton and other experts say, there's also some hope. "There is a real shot for the UN to capitalize on this moment to make some political progress," Eaton told DW. "This set of actions also seems to present an opportunity to reinvigorate the political track. When there were other outbreaks of significant conflict in Tripoli in 2014 and 2020, political change did follow," he pointed out. In 2014, fighting in Tripoli ended with the country splitting in half. In 2020, a UN-led political process to appoint a new government was started. "So there is clearly an opportunity for such an occurrence to happen again," Eaton suggested. Libya's western Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has rejected any calls that he resign Image: Hamza Turkia/Xinhua/imago images New UN roadmap This month's crisis could well "represent a significant opportunity to begin changing the course of events by moving toward holding parliamentary and presidential elections," agrees Mohammed al-Dairi, a former foreign minister for the Tripoli-based government in the east. "The first step in this direction is the formation of a unified government that ends the institutional division currently plaguing our country," he told DW. Meanwhile, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, or UNSMIL, first launched in 2011 to help facilitate a political process that would lead to democratic elections in Libya, has published a new report that outlines four options which could serve as a roadmap towards ending the country's difficult transitional phase. The options include conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously or conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution. They also include adopting a permanent constitution before elections, or alternatively establishing a political dialogue committee to finalize electoral laws and define executive authority and a permanent constitution. "Libya's parties have to come to a consensus," HRW's Salah points out. "The human rights crisis and political divisions in Libya will not be solved overnight," she told DW. "Conducting free and fair elections is elusive today but at the end of the day, what option do the competing Libyan parties really have?"
Libyan Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
AU pushes for lasting truce after Tripoli clashes
BY Libyan Express May 24, 2025 - 23:45 AU demands truce after eight killed in Tripoli Libya has witnessed fresh armed clashes in its capital, Tripoli, this month, resulting in casualties and prompting the African Union to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities between competing factions. The confrontations involved the 444 Brigade and RADA Special Deterrence Forces, leading to eight confirmed fatalities. While active combat has decreased, Libya's Defence Ministry indicates that ceasefire discussions are continuing as authorities work to stabilise the situation. The African Union's Peace and Security Council (AU) issued a statement on Saturday condemning the violence and calling for an 'unconditional and permanent ceasefire' between all parties involved. The organisation reiterated its position supporting Libyan-led political solutions while discouraging foreign intervention in the country's internal affairs. The recent violence has coincided with public demonstrations in which citizens have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Libya's Presidential Council, Parliament Clash Over Naming New Prime Minister
A new political rift emerged in Libya on Wednesday as the Presidential Council and the House of Representatives publicly disagreed over who has the constitutional authority to appoint a new prime minister. The dispute comes as interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah seeks to solidify his support by rallying backing from local municipalities, while international stakeholders welcomed the latest proposals from the UN mission aimed at resolving the country's stalled electoral process. Mohamed al-Menfi, head of the Presidential Council, welcomed Egypt's call for renewed dialogue among Libyan political institutions to pave the way for national elections. In a statement posted on X, al-Menfi insisted that, under the 2018 constitutional amendment endorsed by the UN and incorporated into Libya's Political Agreement, the Presidential Council holds the authority to name the prime minister until a president is elected by popular vote. In response, Speaker of Parliament Aguila Saleh called for a formal session to be held in Benghazi next Monday, where lawmakers will hear proposals from candidates vying for the premiership. According to parliament spokesman Abdullah Bliheg, the decision followed a session discussing the situation in Tripoli, demands from demonstrators, and the formation of a unified government. The House also resolved to notify the United Nations mission and foreign diplomats of its decisions regarding the government formation. It reviewed reports from the public prosecutor concerning the eligibility of the prime ministerial candidates and called on the Government of Stability, led by Osama Hammad, to allocate emergency funds for municipalities affected by recent unrest in western Libya. In addition, parliament requested an investigation into the storming of the intelligence agency's headquarters in Tripoli, further highlighting instability in the capital. Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador Aydar Aganin met with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh to discuss recent developments, including the findings of the UN mission's advisory committee. The US Embassy in Libya welcomed the committee's published recommendations, calling them a chance for Libyans to engage in meaningful dialogue and reignite momentum toward a unified, peaceful, and democratic future. Similarly, the European Union and its member states praised the release of the committee's executive summary and urged all parties to de-escalate, protect civilians, and participate in the UN-led process aimed at restoring political stability.
Libya Observer
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Delegation from Zintan: Ready to be part of security arrangements for state building
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah received a delegation representing all tribal components of Zintan in a meeting that addressed the current political and security developments. The delegation stressed Zintan's clear and unwavering support for the state-building project and the path of legitimacy. According to the Hakomitna platform, the delegation emphasized Zintan's historical role and sacrifices, reaffirming its national alignment behind state institutions—primarily the army and police. They stressed that the city has always been, and will remain, a key player in safeguarding Libya from chaos and fragmentation. The delegation said that the blood of Zintan's martyrs from the February 17 Revolution must not be in vain and that a true state must be built upon those sacrifices. They expressed readiness for further sacrifices to continue building the army and police only under the umbrella of legitimacy. The delegation also conveyed Zintan's full readiness to participate in any security arrangements aimed at unifying efforts and enforcing security under state authority. They openly called on all armed groups to join the official path and fall under the army and police institutions without exception or delay. They also praised the Prime Minister's recent address, describing it as clear and resolute in its call to end armed disorder and reaffirm the commitment to a civil state. They said the speech accurately reflected the aspirations of the Libyan people. Dbeibah commended Zintan's patriotic stance, noting that the city has always been on the front lines in defense of Libya's unity. He highlighted the courage and patriotism of Zintan's people, who have earned historical recognition. Dbeibah added that Zintan represents an important stabilizing force in the national landscape, and its current position reflects high political awareness and a sincere commitment to supporting the state and blocking all chaos-driven agendas. He reaffirmed that the government remains a true partner to all who stand on the side of the nation.
Russia Today
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
UN and Libyan authorities form truce committee
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and Libya's Presidential Council affiliated with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah's Tripoli-based government have launched a joint truce committee to lay the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire, the UN reported on Sunday. Clashes broke out in Tripoli on 12 May following the assassination of Abdulghani al-Kikli—known locally as Ghaniwa—who headed the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), a powerful militia linked to the Tripoli-based and internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU). He was reportedly shot dead in southern Tripoli, sparking violent confrontations between rival factions. The newly formed body, chaired by General Mohammed Al-Haddad, Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army, held its first meeting on Sunday. According to a statement posted on X, the committee discussed lasting security arrangements for Tripoli and prioritizing the protection of civilians. UNSMIL has expressed alarm over reports of civilian casualties stemming from recent armed confrontations and called for an immediate end to hostilities. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah addressed the unrest in the capital in a televised speech on Tabadul TV, urging armed groups to disband and integrate into official state institutions. 'As for those who persist in blackmail and corruption, we will not be lenient,' he said. On 13 May, Libya's Defense Ministry announced it had re-established control over key flashpoints in Tripoli. However, violence resumed later between GNU-aligned forces and fighters from the Special Deterrence Force (Rada). The following day, Libya's Security Directorates Support Agency (DSA) reported that its deputy leader, Colonel Ali Al-Jabri, had survived an assassination attempt in a Tripoli neighborhood that had seen days of unrest. The clashes have also impacted maritime operations. On Saturday, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd announced a temporary halt to 'all vessel calls to and from Tripoli, and will not accept any new bookings related to this port.' Libya has been wracked by violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed overthrow and murder of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Factions control different parts of the once-prosperous African country, with two rival governments based in Tripoli and the city of Tobruk. UNSMIL has warned that the current situation could spiral out of control if urgent steps toward de-escalation are not taken.
