Various social and political groups, as well as key security figures, have condemned or protested against the mobilisations and war-footing of the pro-Dabaiba armed groups in and around Tripoli, while UNSMIL has called for de-escalation.
On 27 August, Misrata hosted a large-scale gathering under the banner ‘Misrata Against War,’ uniting city elders with prominent public figures, actors, and activists in a shared stand against armed conflict in Tripoli. Attendees underscored the importance of prioritizing dialogue among all parties and called for efforts to safeguard social cohesion and uphold national stability.
In the evening of 29 August, tribal elders and community leaders from western Libya gathered in front of the UN HQ in Janzour to condemn recent military movements, including the arrival of military convoys in the outskirts of Tripoli. They asserted that these actions were an attempt to create chaos, disrupt the UN’s efforts to unify the government, and derail the electoral process. The leaders accused the government of mobilizing militias to destabilize Tripoli and urged the international community to hold those responsible accountable. Additionally, local youth groups warned that residents would resist any outside forces attempting to enter the city.
On 30 August, UNSMIL expressed serious concern about the ongoing mobilization of forces and heavy weapons around Tripoli and called for de-escalation. The mission described it as a ‘dangerous development’ and warned that any use of force could quickly escalate into violent clashes, potentially harming civilians in the densely populated capital. While acknowledging that progress has been made in recent security arrangement discussions, UNSMIL urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and continue dialogue to de-escalate the situation. The mission affirmed its commitment to supporting mediation efforts and said it is engaging with key stakeholders to maintain the current truce.
Various Western international actors have been meeting with key Libyan stakeholders throughout the week, stressing the need for parties to resolve their differences peacefully and to de-escalate tensions. In addition, several statements were issued by Libyan political and social actors – including the House of Representatives, the National Accord bloc in the High State Council, and the Social Council in the Western Region among many others – condemning the military tensions in the capital and blaming the Government of National Unity (GNU) for these developments.
On 2 September, just after midnight, UNSMIL expressed grave alarm over reports of rapidly escalating tensions and military mobilization, warning that these actions could lead to a devastating armed conflict. The mission said it is aware of ongoing negotiations led by the Presidential Council and is urging all parties to continue these talks in good faith to protect the civilian population of Tripoli. UNSMIL emphasized that renewed conflict would be a ‘lose-lose’ situation with devastating consequences, not only risking the safety of Tripoli but also potentially spreading to other parts of the country. The mission called for an immediate halt to all preparations for violence and stressed the need to protect civilian lives and infrastructure at all costs. UNSMIL stressed its readiness to bolster its support for the mediation efforts to help resolve all outstanding issues at the negotiating table rather than on the battlefield.
The eastern Government of National Stability (GNS), led by Osama Hammad, warned about the deteriorating security situation in Tripoli. It accused the ‘outgoing government’ of inciting war and trying to throw the capital into chaos with unauthorized military movements. It claimed these actions are meant to ‘threaten the security of civilians, cause widespread chaos, and spread terror.’ The GNS sharply criticized the international community’s ‘negligence’ and UNSMIL’s ‘farcical play,’ holding them responsible for the slide into violence due to ‘flimsy negotiations.’ The GNS concluded by affirming its commitment to protecting Tripoli’s residents and urging all parties to abandon escalation for political dialogue. It also appealed to the people of the western cities not to let their sons become ‘fuel for a war that only serves the narrow personal interests of those clinging to power.’