Libyan Crisis

Why in news?

The Tripoli  based government of Libya has decided to launch a peace initiative.

What is the post-independence history of Libya?

• Libya is mostly desert and oil-rich country in northern Africa.

• Libya gained independence in 1951.
• Colonel Gaddafi seized power in 1969 and ruled for four decades until he was toppled in 2011 following an armed rebellion assisted by Western military intervention.
• The civil war in Libya may lead to a new migrant crisis from Africa.
• Libya has the largest oil reserve in Africa and one of the largest oil producers in the world.
• Instability in Libya may increase oil prices globally.

What is the political status of Libya?

• Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was toppled and killed by rebels in 2011..
• Today there are two governments in Libya, one based at Tobruk and the other in the capital Tripoli.

• The capital city Tripoli was captured by the Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj is called the Government of National Accord (GNA)
• It has international recognition.
• The self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by
• Mr. Haftar, backs the Tobruk government.
• Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are backing Mr. Haftar’s forces.
• Turkey and Qatar backs the Tripoli based government.

What is the need of the peace talk?

• The recent tipping point of the crisis was the attempts by Mr Haftar led LNA to oust the government of Mr. al-Sarraj (GNA) and to capture Tripoli.
• The U.S. had also taken a favorable view.
• Hundreds of people have already been killed, but both sides have refused to agree to a ceasefire despite international calls.
• So the UN recognized Tripoli based government (GNA) has decided to launch a peace initiative aimed at stabilizing the war torn country.
• The Tripoli based government has proposed setting up a national peace forum with help from the UN, to be followed by simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.

What needs to be done?

• The world powers, including the U.S., Britain and their Gulf allies should look beyond their narrow geopolitical interests and use their influence to establish order in the country.
• Prime Minister al-Sarraj’s offer could be a new beginning only if a ceasefire is reached, and respected, by all sides.

Source: The Hindu