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Libya in chaos since 2011 overthrow of Kadhafi
TRIPOLI, Nov 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Libya has been mired in chaos since the
ouster and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with two rival
authorities and a multitude of militias still vying for control of the oil-
rich country.
The capital Tripoli is the seat of an internationally-backed government
led by Fayez al-Sarraj, while a parallel administration operates out of the
east supported by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Ahead of peace talks due to start Monday in Sicily, here is a timeline of
the Mediterranean country’s descent into anarchy:
– Kadhafi killed –
Triggered by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, demonstrations erupt in Libya
in February 2011. A coalition led by Washington, Paris and London lends its
backing to an armed revolt.
Kadhafi, who has ruled for 42 years, flees the capital. He is captured and
killed on October 20, 2011 during a battle for his hometown Sirte, east of
Tripoli.
Three days later, the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) declares
Libya’s “total liberation”.
In August 2012, it hands power to a transitional authority, the General
National Congress (GNC), elected a month earlier.
– Embassies targeted –
US ambassador Chris Stevens and three American staff are killed in a
September 11, 2012 attack on their consulate in Libya’s second city Benghazi.
An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group is blamed.
A car bomb in April 2013 targets France’s embassy in Tripoli, wounding two
French guards.
Most foreign delegations withdraw from the country.
– Rival governments –
MORE/MR/ 1150 hrs
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Dissident army general Haftar launches an offensive in May 2014 against
jihadist groups in Benghazi. He is backed by Egypt and the United Arab
Emirates.
Several military officers from the east join his self-styled Libyan
National Army.
As nationalists and Islamists vie for power, legislative elections are
held in June and the General National Congress is replaced by a parliament
dominated by anti-Islamists.
Islamist-led militias contest the results and group under the banner of
“Fajr Libya” (Libya Dawn) and storm Tripoli in August, installing their own
“national salvation” government and restoring the GNC.
The elected house, which has international recognition, takes refuge in
the eastern city of Tobruk near the border with Egypt.
Thus the country finds itself with two governments and two parliaments.
After months of negotiations and under international pressure, lawmakers
from the rival parliaments sign a December 2015 accord in Morocco to set up a
UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
In March 2016, GNA prime minister Sarraj arrives in Tripoli to set up the
new government. Haftar’s rival administration, however, refuses to recognise
its authority.
– Peace talks in Paris –
In July 2017, rival leaders Sarraj and Haftar meet for talks near Paris
where they agree to a ceasefire and commit to elections the following year.
They meet again in Paris in May 2018, weeks after Islamic State group
suicide attackers kill 14 people at Libya’s electoral commission, and commit
to holding parliamentary and presidential polls in December.
But the unrest continues. In June 2018, a militia attacks two northeastern
oil sites under Haftar’s control through which oil is exported.
After days of fighting, Haftar’s forces announce they are back in “full
control” and have also seized the city of Derna from radical Islamists.
– Month of deadly clashes –
The UN brokers a ceasefire in early September but fighting resumes within
days, with the capital’s airport attacked with rocket fire and rival militias
clashing nearby.
In nearly a month, the clashes around Tripoli leave more than 110 dead and
some 400 injured.
The GNA calls for UN “security and stability” support as the world body’s
envoy, Ghassan Salame, says in late September that the latest fighting has
made it difficult to hold elections before spring 2019.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1150 hrs