International actors

The main Western reaction to events in Libya last week was in response to the attempted ‘coup’ in Tripoli. A number of international statements were issued condemning the incident and reiterating support to the GNA.

The recent takeover of the oil ports by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National Army (LNA), who are aligned with the Tobruq-based House of Representatives (HoR), has significantly shifted the balance of political and military power away from PM Fayez Serraj and his Presidential Council, and towards Haftar. As a result, there is growing international pressure to find a way to bring Haftar within the Libyan Political Agreement, in order to reflect the realities on the ground.

The international community continues diplomatic efforts to help support a political solution for Libya that includes the GNA and Haftar.

A wide range of international and regional actors last week reiterated their support for the Libyan Political Agreement, called for de-escalation of the situation and welcomed the resumption of oil exports. U.S. AFRICOM also reported that the US has carried out 169 airstrikes to date in Sirte.

General Khalifa Haftar’s seizure of ports in the oil crescent on 11 September and the reopening of oil exports have dominated the international response to events in Libya over the last week. The Western response has shifted towards supporting Haftar’s control of the ports, so long as oil is being exported under the National Oil Corporation (NOC).

The international community has condemned the LNA takeover of the oil crescent ports and has called for a cessation of hostilities, as well as unity in fighting ISIS.

President Obama has extended the US military campaign in Sirte for an additional 30 days, while European nations continue to extend support for the Libyan Political Agreement.

On 24 August, the Presidential Council (PC) issued statement accepting the House of Representatives (HoR) vote of no-confidence in the current Government of National Accord (GNA), adding that it will draw up a new list of GNA ministers for its approval, while current ministers will continue in office in a caretaker role until the new government is voted on… UN Special Envoy Martin Kobler, US Special Envoy Jonathan Winer and British Ambassador Peter Millett all backed the PC’s position , showing that they are not willing to alter the LPA process because of HoR intransigence… On 25 August, a joint statement was issued by the France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States backing the PC and reiterating their recognition of the GNA as the sole legitimate government of Libya.

As of 22 August, US Africa Command press statements say that the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit has conducted 77 airstrikes in Sirte under Operation Odyssey Lightning. Meanwhile, the no-confidence vote for the Government of National Accord (GNA) dealt by the Libyan House of Representatives on 22 August creates significant issues for the international community’s attempts to provide support to the GNA. Further, it is not clear what affect this development will have on the West’s assistance package for the campaign against ISIS in Libya , which began on 1 August and was initiated at the request of the GNA.