Western war on Libya

[angelburst29]

Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj of the Government of National Accord of Libya and Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar have agreed to create a presidential state council and hold early presidential and parliamentary elections in the country in six months, according to the Arab satellite channel Al-Hadath.

From Civil War to Civil Rule: Libya's Army, PM Take Steps Towards National Unity
https://sputniknews.com/africa/201705051053317963-libya-presidential-council-elections-agreement/

The Arab news network Al-Hadath reported that an agreement on holding early presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya in six months had been clinched between the country's Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj and Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar.

During this week's talks in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, the sides also agreed to establish a presidential state council, which they said "will be far from any ideological movements." The details will be resolved by special working groups which will interact on a permanent basis.

In an interview with Sputnik, Libyan MP Abu Bakr Baeera expressed hope that "the Libyan army will eventually agree that the country's government should be a civil body."

The international community insists on this, and the US has more than once said that the Libyan army should also accept it. The sides have yet to agree on some basic provisions that will give the army guarantees of its future," he said.

Baeera recalled that "now, the army is facing unfounded verbal attacks which were also in place when the parties were signing a peace agreement in the Moroccan city of Skhirat in late 2015."

As for the organizational issues related to the upcoming elections, "first of all, it is necessary to neutralize armed groups in major cities, especially in Tripoli," according to him.

A ceasefire and restoration of security are impossible without a joint agreement of the main political forces, such as the presidential council, the army and the parliament," Baeera said.

Meanwhile, Khalid Mahmud, editor-in-chief of the Libyan newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat, pointed to Fayez Sarraj's inability to cope with armed groups in Tripoli all by himself, something that Mahmud said "is understandable to everyone in the world except Sarraj."

Libya has been in state of a civil war since its longtime leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was overthrown in 2011.

Since then, political power in the country has been split between two rival governments: the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress.

 

[angelburst29]

Africom documents shows 'contngency' base in 2015 in al-Wigh, Saharan airbase near borders of Niger, Chad and Algeria.

US boosts Libya presence with base in Sahara, files show
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-base-libya-africom-1120684962

The US has established a military base in the southernmost reaches of Libya, documents reveal, as Washington cements its presence in Libya and beyond amid claims by Donald Trump it has "no role" in the country.

Documents released under a freedom of information request show a US "contingency location" was set up around 2015 at al-Wigh, a Saharan desert oasis near Libya’s borders with Niger, Chad, and Algeria.

The base is positioned near smuggling routes from Niger and Chad, used by thousands of migrants attempting to reach the African coastline, and in a region where gun-runners move weapons between Libya, Niger, Chad and Mali.

It is listed as a "non-permanent" facility and its current status and force size is unknown. However, the documents show that the US command structure in Africa, Africom, set out plans to convert many "contingency locations" into semi-permanent bases for use by rapid US reaction forces.

The report, by TomDispatch, reveals the projection strategy of Africom, based in Djibouti, and shows dozens of permanent and semi-permanent installations across the continent.

The locations include bases in Mauritania, as well as a network of sites across Africa's tropical belt.

While it is not known if the Libyan base is still operational, the outgoing Africom commander, Darryl Williams, said last year such sites were central to strategy: "We have very austere, lean, lily pads, if you will, all over Africa now."

The documents were released weeks after the US President Donald Trump said that the US had no business in Libya, despite multiple reports of US troops and aircraft stationed in northern Libya, and battles to dislodge Islamic State militants from northern cities including Sirte.

"I do not see a role in Libya. I think the United States has right now enough roles. We are in a role everywhere," Trump said on 21 April, adding that his country's priority in Libya was the Islamic State.

The document obtained by TomDispatch concentrates on 2014 plans for operations in 2015, where Africom lists 36 outposts in 24 African countries.

According to the report, an Africom spokesman said the number had in fact risen to 46 in 2017, including "15 enduring locations".

Mattia Toaldo, a senior research fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations, said the base's existence if confirmed would be no surprise, "given that that specific triangle between Libya, Niger and Algeria is a key location to control both jihadist movements and smuggling routes".

He said other international powers had a presence in the area: "The French have an important base in Madama, just across the border in Niger," he said, an area rich with people-smuggling routes.

"The timing of the creation of the base is also interesting - 2014 saw the meltdown of the Libyan government, extensive fighting and eventually the rise of IS."

Africom's 2017 "posture statement" states the greatest threat to US security in Africa is "violent extremist organisations" - but also notes the presence of China and Russia on the continent.

"Parts of Africa remain a battleground between ideologies, interests, and values: Equality, prosperity, and peace are often pitted against extremism, oppression, and conflict," it says.

"The strategic environment includes instability that allows violent extremist organisations to grow and recruit from disenfranchised populations.

"Flexible posture through our cooperative security locations and contingency locations, provide response options during crises."

The reports come after Middle East Eye revealed the US had stationed military personnel at a base outside Benghazi, where it formed part of a multinational force aiding Khalifa Haftar, a Gaddafi-era general who opposes the central unity government based in Tripoli.

A series of intercepted transmissions, reported by Middle East Eye, showed US, British and UAE pilots flying over Benghazi.

However, some coordinates mentioned in the transmissions suggested a much wider area of operations than the northern coast.

The US has also aided the unity government with air strikes on the Islamic State in Sirte, helping to drive the group out of its stronghold in the country.

 

[angelburst29]

Italian Police seized a huge drug shipment bound for Libya in the Northern city of Genoa, saying multi-ton psychotropic medications were destined for ISIL terrorist group.

Italy Police Seize Huge Drug Shipment Destined for ISIL in Libya
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960219001048

The shipment contained 37.5 tons of tramadol, a synthetic opioid used in treating pain and also actively used across the Middle East as a narcotic substance, La Repubblica reported.

The haul also included Captagon, known as the “fighter drug”, an amphetamine-containing substance used by jihadists in several Middle Eastern war zones to enhance battle performance, Russia Today cited the Italian daily as reporting.

The drugs were stored in three freight containers that docked in Genoa from India and were bound for Libya. It was initially shipped from India to Sri Lanka, where it was “hidden,” Italian Ticino News broadcaster reports. The drugs were disguised as shampoo and synthetic fabrics.

The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be around € 75 million, the paper reports. The drug money would likely go on financing terrorist activities and particularly ISIL, the investigators said.

The investigation and the seizure was led and coordinated by the district prosecuting attorney of the anti-terrorist department, Federico Manotti. From Libya, the drugs would be sent to other regions controlled by Islamic State, particularly to Mosul and some districts of Tobruk, according to the investigators.

The seizure has led investigators to suspect that some terrorist supporters involved in drug trafficking are now hiding somewhere in Italy, the Liguria Notizie media outlet reports.

In March, a maritime analytics firm Windward warned that cargo ships which ‘go dark’ in European waters could be involved in arms, drugs or human trafficking and eventually pose a terrorist threat.

Windward claims that vessels from other home ports went ‘dark’ on 2,850 occasions before entering European waters in January and February 2017. Some 300 ships reached European shores with invalid shipping documents.

 

[angelburst29]

Libya's Foreign Minister Mohammed Siyala, has named Khalifa Haftar, the long-time opponent of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the chief of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), as the head of the country's military on the condition that he recognize the UN-backed GNA as the sole governing authority.

Political Unity in Libya One Step Closer as General Haftar Named New Army Chief
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201705111053513924-libya-unity-khalifa-haftar/

Field Marshall Haftar, whose LNA took control of a number of Libya's key oil ports in the country's east back in September, is a popular figure. However he has always rejected the legitimacy of the UN-backed GNA which was established as the "sole legitimate executive authority in Libya."

The success of Haftar and his LNA in taking the oil crescents out of the control of a GNA-backed rebel group, and his success in repelling Islamist groups from parts of the east of Libya, have contributed to his widespread popularity. This however, dealt a serious blow to the legitimacy of the GNA in the same region, including in Libya's second city, Benghazi.

In an unprecedented move at a press conference in the Algerian capital of Algiers on Monday, May 8, Mohammed Siyala, who is an official in the GNA, referred to Haftar as the "commander-in-chief of the Libyan army." Later on, Siyala attached the disclaimer that Haftar must first recognize the Tripoli-based GNA as Libya's "sole authority."

The UN-brokered deal of 2015 gave no political role to Haftar and his LNA forces, but the GNA and its international backers have had little choice but to recognize the authority Haftar commands, as he has slowly but surely become a force to be reckoned with on the Libyan political scene.

The Algiers conference was attended by a number of influential characters from the region, including Abdelkader Massahel, Algeria's Minister of Maghreb (North West Africa) Affairs, African Union and Arab league members, and UN envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler.

The announcement comes on the heels of a meeting early May, that took place in the United Arab Emirates, between the GNA's head, Fayez al-Sarraj and Haftar. The meeting was spearheaded in the hope of ending Libya's political deadlock by bringing both sides together to forge a power-sharing agreement.

The international community, including Russia and Egypt, have been pushing for months for Serraj and Haftar to sit down at the negotiating table to discuss hashing out the main issues with the UN-mediated agreement.

After the meeting in the UAE, both leaders made a joint statement that Libya must reach a political resolution. Serraj also added that they had agreed to "form a unified Libyan army."

Libya has been tormented by chaos since the 2011 ouster of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, with rival militias and political factions engaging in fratricidal war for the oil-rich country.

 

[angelburst29]

Some 140 people have died in an attack by Libyan militia loyal to UN-backed government on Brak al-Shati airbase.

Death Toll From Libya Airbase Attack Rises to 140, Defense Chief Suspended
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201705201053802243-libya-airbase-attack-death-toll-rises/

Some 140 people, including civilians, have died in an attack by Libyan militia loyal to UN-backed government on the opposition-held Brak al-Shati airbase, a spokesman for the opposition has said.

The BBC broadcaster said Saturday the government of national accord (GNA) had denied ordering the allied militia to strike on Thursday the southern base manned by the Libyan National Army (LNA).

The outlet cited a militia spokesperson who said their troops had wiped out all forces inside. An LNA spokesperson accused pro-government forces of summarily executing unarmed soldiers.

"The soldiers were returning from a military parade. They weren't armed. Most of them were executed," the LNA member said.

GNA's defense minister and militia's commander have reportedly been suspended pending the probe.

UN special envoy for Libya Martin Kobler condemned what he said was an unprovoked attack. He said he was outraged by reports of fatalities that included civilians and possible summary executions and urged the sides not to push into further conflict.

 

[angelburst29]

Forces loyal to Libya’s unity government said Saturday that 52 of its fighters were killed as they repelled rival forces in fierce clashes in the capital Tripoli.

52 Dead in Clashes between Rival Forces in Libya Capital
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960306001405

Apart from sporadic gunfire in southern Tripoli, calm returned to the city on Saturday, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Ghana Star reported.

Among the 52 killed in Friday’s clashes which centered on the Southern district of Abu Slim, said Hashem Bichr, a security official of the Government of National Accord, were 17 members of pro-GNA forces who had been “executed”.

There was no immediate confirmation from medical or other independent sources of the death toll, updated from Friday’s health ministry figures of 28 dead and more than 100 wounded that did not give a breakdown of the casualties.

UN special envoy Martin Kobler condemned the fighting in which heavy artillery and tanks were used, urging restraint from all sides.

Forces of the UN-backed GNA announced on their Facebook page they had defeated rival militias and taken control of a prison holding key leaders of the ousted regime of Moamer Kadhafi including his last premier, Baghdadi al-Mahmudi, and former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi.

Al-Hadhba jail had been under the control of the Fajr Libya militia coalition, which had seized Tripoli in 2014 and set up a government headed by Khalifa Ghweil.

The Libyan capital has been gripped by a power struggle ever since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Kadhafi in 2011.

The latest fighting started around a complex of luxury villas that until March served as headquarters of militias loyal to Ghweil, who was ousted when the GNA took office last year but refuses to recognise the new administration.

Loyalist forces seized the villas in four days of intense fighting in March that saw them expand their control over the capital.

Tripoli had been relatively calm since, but dozens of armed groups still operate and several parts of Tripoli remain beyond its control.

Relying on militia support and pitted against a rival administration in Eastern Libya, the GNA has struggled to assert its authority.

In a statement on Friday, the GNA blamed Ghweil and Salah Badi, another leader of Fajr Libya, for Friday’s violence.

“This is their gift to the people for the month of Ramadan,” it said in a statement.

A militant group loyal to the UN-backed government of national accord seized a prison in southern Libya that holds senior officials of ousted Muammar Qaddafi’s government, local media said Friday.

Gunmen Capture Libyan Prison Holding Gaddafi-Era Officials
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201705271054034678-gunmen-capture-libyan-prison/

The Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade took control over the Hadba Prison after hours of gunfight with prison guards, the Libya Observer news website reported.

The outlet said attackers lost two senior militants. After capturing the jail, they tore down the house of the prison chief, Khaled Sharif.

The assault took place a week after pro-GNA militants killed 140 people, including civilians, in an attack at the opposition-held Brak al-Shati airbase in the country’s south, outraging UN’s special envoy Martin Kobler who said the violence was unprovoked.

 

[Voyageur]

Just to add from the Moriartys to date:

by JoanneM on Sun, 05/28/2017 - 3:16pm

http://libyanwarthetruth.com/zionist-destruction-libya-continues

The last few months in Libya have been marked by increasing violence. Not that there has been any peace in Libya since 2011 when Clinton and Obama sent NATO and 250,000 mercenaries to destroy all security in the country and leave it a failed state run by puppet extremist governments and criminal terrorists who have robbed, raped and pillaged the country for over 6 years. But the last few months have shown a marked difference in their criminals tactics. The reason is, they see their hold on Libya weakening and they are desperate to maintain control of their fated calf.

Before I get into the internals in Libya, I would like to point out something about the UK bomber, Suleman Abedi. Mr Abedi, his brother and father are all part of the radical Islamic terrorist organization LIFG (Libyan Islamic Fighting Group). This terrorist group was founded in the East of Libya years ago by Abdulhakem Belhaj, probably the most hated man in Libya. Belhaj was fighting with the Taliban against the US before he was arrested and jailed in Libya under the old regime. Ghadafi was against radical Islam and these terrorists were not allowed in Libya, so they either lived in exile or in prison in Libya. Big point here, John McCain joined hands with Belhaj to overthrow the legitimate government in Libya. (see photo below of McCain receiving an award from Belhaj for helping destroy Libya). The terrorist attack in the UK is a direct result of the destruction of Libya. These terrorists would not have money or freedom to commit these crimes if the Libyan country was still in tact. Belhaj has stolen more than 1 billion dollars from Libya, consider how much terror he can create with that kind of money.

Last week there was a slaughter of approximately 180 Libyan army soldiers in the South of Libya a place called Brak (Wadi Shati, Fezzan). The Libyan national army headed by Khalifa Haftar had made a peace agreement with the puppet UN "so called Unity government". This was an agreement never meant to be kept by the criminal UN puppet government (GNA). This is a quote from the Human Rights Watch,

"Beirut) – Forces aligned with the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) attacked a military base and allegedly executed at least 30 captured soldiers, Human Rights Watch said today. A hospital official and an eyewitness told Human Rights Watch that soldiers from the 13th Battalion aligned with the GNA Defense Ministry attacked the base in Brak El-Shati, in southern Libya, on May 18, 2017, and executed troops from the 12th Battalion of the Libyan National Army (LNA)". Read the full article here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/05/21/libya-mass-executions-alleged-milita...

In the end, there were to be over 180 slaughtered, the soldiers were not expecting an attack as they had been assured that peace had been reached. The attackers killed and slaughtered civilian workers as well as soldiers. The soldiers were taken out to the desert, put on their knees, hands tied behind their backs and shot in the head execution style. The UN puppet government (GNA) attempted to disavow any knowledge of the attack, but the attack was made by the 13th Battalion. The 13th Battalion is under the command of Al-Mahdi Al-Barghathi, the GNA defense minister. The GNA, based in Tripoli, is the only Libyan government recognized by the UN Security Council. The UN puppet government (GNA) has now fired Al Barghathi and supposedly started an investigation, however Mr. Al Barghathi is disputing Serraj (head of the GNA) saying he will fight this dismissal as he has witnesses and taped recordings of the order to attack the military base by Serraj head of the GNA. These kind of war crimes have been ongoing in Libya since 2011, but this one is a particularly heinous committed by heartless men mostly mercenaries. Here is a link to more proof and photos by a good friend whose source is 100% proven authentic. http://www.leonorenlibia.com/web/actualidad/item/296-la-masacre-del-sur-...

Again you see the UN openly creating death and destruction in Libya.

Now we come to Tripoli. In Tripoli you have rival puppet governments and rival terrorist militias all attempting to maintain their control (meanwhile no one gives a thought about the suffering of the over 1 and 1/2 million civilians)

First, you have the puppet government of the UN (GNA Government of National Accord) appointed arbitrarily outside of Libya in Tunisia by the UN and rejected by the Great Libyan tribes (representing all the people in Libya) as not legitimate. The people of Libya had no say in the selection of this puppet government , whose leader is named Serraj. This government has assigned themselves a PC or Presidential Council that oversees the GNA. This puppet government is full of Muslim Brotherhood, Ansar Al Sharia and other radicals, this is a government that would never be accepted by the Libyan people.

Second, you have the GNC (General National Council also known as the National Salvation Government), this is the puppet government that was set up by NATO and Clinton. This government was thrown out after a UN supported election of all Libyans in 2014 put in to power non radicals to start a Libyan House of Representatives (Parliament) for the country. The GNC refused to accept the results of the election and began to attack those that were duly elected and their families. The GNC maintains its illegal position by force of armed militias in Tripoli, but no Libyans want them or support them. The GNC is made up of criminals, liars, thieves, terrorists, extremists, etc.

Third, you have the actual LEGITIMATELY ELECTED government of Libya in Tobruk headed by Prime Minister Abdullah Althni. This legitimate government should be seated in Tripoli but for their own safety they must stay in the east in Tobruk. Libyan election 2014 https://www.temehu.com/house-of-representatives.htm

Finally you have various militias that do not fall under any government. The most famous are the Misurata militias led by Salah Badi who is a leader of Fajr Libya (Dawn of Libya). The Fajr Libya coalition is a controversial movement, as it embraces some fundamentalist groups. Mr. Badi is a war criminal and his militias are made up of mercenaries, radical Islamists and other criminals, he supports neither of the puppet governments in Tripoli. Misurata is the home of many illegal prisons holding thousands of Libyans (men, women and children) since 2011, more than 20,000 have been tortured to death. Mr. Badi joined hands Clinton, Obama and NATO to overthrow the legitimate Libyan government in 2011. To date he has stolen more than 600 million dollars from Libya and the Libyan people.

The second militia with the most power is headed by Haitham Al Tajouri. Al Tajouri is not an extremist but he is a criminal, a rat. He supported the destruction of Libya by NATO and has been reaping benefits along with his gangs ever since. You could actually compare him to an old west gang. Now comes the interesting part. Tajouri does not support any puppet government and he has taken it upon himself and his group to fight against them. In the last few days, Tajouri and his men stormed the Al Hadba Prison in Tripoli. This prison was holding some very high profile people like Saudi Ghadafi (son of M. Ghadafi), Abuzaid Dorda (past Prime Minister of Libya a very good man), Abdullah (al) Senussi (past head of intelligence) and Al Mahmoudi Al Baghdadi (standing Prime Minister when NATO attacked). All, let me repeat that, all the prisoners were released or taken out of the Al Hadba prison. At this time no one knows where they are or what will happen to them. But understand that Tajouri is not a political animal, he is just a criminal so anything could happen but in my opinion all of the people in that prison are now in better hands.

The last event that I would like to report is that Egypt stepped up and bombed Daesh (radicals) in Derna a city in the east of Libya . Egypt is now stepping up because over 20 coptic Christians were killed by Daesh in Egypt earlier last week. Egypt understands the games being played in Libya and they will not stand for it any longer. The terrorists bleed into Egypt, commit heinous crimes and atrocities and then run back to Libya for protection. No more, Egypt is taking action and is fully supported by the great tribes of Libya.

So, there you have it - the Libyans continue to suffer in their own country whilst illegal occupiers fight over who gets to own their country. The most important point to remember in all of this mess is that the Great Libyan tribes could cleanse their country and create security for all in a couple of weeks if the West would just stop meddling in their country; stop arming and funding the puppet governments and terrorist militias. The agenda of the criminal New World Order Khazarian mafia has never been clearer than in Libya, the Libyan people have no say they have had their country stolen by power mongers, lies, war crimes and greed. The world had better wake up because we are all next on the list.

 

[angelburst29]

Muammar Gaddafi's followers seek to make a political comeback and revive the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, RIA Novosti contributor Igor Gashkov writes. They present themselves as the "third force" non-aligned with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar in the east and Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj in the west of the country.

The 'Third Force': Gaddafi's Supporters Making Political Comeback in Libya
https://sputniknews.com/politics/201706011054210842-gaddafi-libya-comeback/

Followers of deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi seek to revive the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, considering it the only way to break the vicious circle of bloodshed, RIA Novosti contributor Igor Gashkov writes in his recent article.

The journalist quotes Tahar Dehech, a former official of the Gaddafi government, who had managed to survive the catastrophe of the Libyan Civil War of 2011. The former official is a co-founder of the Supreme Council of the Libyan Tribes and Cities. Currently, he is gathering supporters under the Jamahiriya banner.

Dehech told RIA Novosti that he had experienced first-hand what it's like to be suppressed by Gaddafi's rivals and their US and European backers. He revealed that the Western powers' troops directly took part in ground operations in Libya aimed at toppling Gaddafi's government.

In 2011 Dehech was captured by Libyan insurgents with the assistance of the French intelligence services. The captive was tortured brutally. Fortunately, Dehech managed to escape; in 2013 he filed a lawsuit in the French court accusing the government of France of having a hand in his imprisonment and torture. Although the court accepted his appeal the legal proceedings are still pending.

"The trial is still going on, and no final decision was made," Dehech said, stressing that his visa was annulled by the French government soon after the trial began.

"Today, Tahar Dehech works in the tribal council, which set an objective of reviving the Jamahiriya. According to Franck Pucciarelli, the Council spokesman, the number of supporters of the deposed Libyan leader amounts to about 20 thousand people in Libya and as many abroad, in exile. Meanwhile, Gaddafists have no access to ports and oil, therefore their influence is limited," Gashkov elaborated.

The journalist noted that the Jamahiriya proponents pin their hopes on the population of the southwestern Libyan region of Fezzan, where Gaddafi's loyalist General Ali Kana is drumming up support.

Gaddafi's family members maintain continuity of the deposed Libyan leader's policies.

"By the decision of the Council, Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam was recognized as its general representative, while the Colonel's daughter Aisha [was appointed] as a representative for international affairs," Gashkov wrote.

Citing French magazine Le Point, the journalist specified that in 2017 Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who was earlier captured by one of the Libyan militant groups, gained his freedom. At the same time, the European Union lifted its sanctions against Aisha Gaddafi.

In his interview with RIA Novosti Pucciarelli also insisted that Saif al-Islam had managed to escape.

Meanwhile, Libya remains a war-torn country engulfed by terrorism and insurgency. Remarkably, Gaddafists have not aligned themselves either with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army, or Fayez Mustafa Al-Sarraj, the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya and Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya. In the eyes of Gaddafists both lack the necessary resources to unite the country.

Gaddafists suspect that the European Union is seeking to solve its refugee crisis at Libya's expense, by establishing numerous refugee camps in the country with the tacit approval of the Government of National Accord of Libya.

To add to the controversy, Al-Sarraj was not elected by the Libyans, Pucciarelli highlighted, adding that currently, the prime minister enjoys the Muslim Brotherhood's support in the country.

"As for Haftar, he is regarded as a man defending American interests," Pucciarelli told RIA Novosti, "Haftar's forces consist of former Gaddafi army officers, but they are interested only in obtaining weapons to fight against Islamists."

Gashkov noted that the Jamahiriya supporters present themselves as the "third force" which considers the Libyans' tribal self-organization as the major vital force of the country.

"The tribe in Libya is a kind of a social umbrella, our hope for security," Dehech explained.

Gaddafists also call attention to the fact that their movement is a secular one, not a religious. According to them, politics should be free of either moderate or radical Islamism.

Only time will tell whether the Jamahiriya proponents' strategy will prove efficient, Gashkov concluded.

 

[angelburst29]

Britain could have done more to prevent Libya’s slide into war and chaos, but was right to intervene against Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood has claimed.

More could have been done to prevent chaos in Libya – Foreign Office minister
https://www.rt.com/uk/390281-libya-war-gaddafi-manchester/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS

Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Ellwood defended the intervention, while accepting some of its failings.

The UK intervened as part of a US-led NATO operation in which Western jets provided top cover for local fighters on the ground.

We didn’t do it to try and transform Libya and do something else. We did it to support the people of Libya against a criminal and indeed a terrorist himself with what he did with the Pan Am flight and so forth,” he said.

“It was 40 years of misrule in a very complex society with huge tribal constructs across there, after 40 years all these tribes found they had a bit of space, a bit of elbow room, and, yes, perhaps we could have done more, but we were asked to leave, the international community was asked to take a step back from its involvement,” Ellwood said.

Also on the panel was Labour shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry, who said that “failure” in Libya had left parts of the North African state ungoverned, which, in turn, “directly leads to us being less safe” in the UK, she said.

Evidence emerging in the wake of the deadly Manchester suicide bombing carried out by British-Libyan Salman Abedi suggests that many fighters in the anti-Gaddafi militias were linked to Al-Qaeda.

Among these appears to have been Abedi’s father, Ramadan, who was part of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) – effectively the Libyan branch of the global terrorist group.

It appears that many LIFG fighters that had settled in Britain had control orders loosened and passports returned in 2011 with the connivance of MI5 – which was under the control of then-Home Secretary Theresa May – in order to allow them to return to Libya to oppose Gaddafi.

Ellwood and Thornberry appeared on Sky News shortly after their Rusi clash with the Conservative minister warning that this was not the time to pull away from the US, Britain's major ally.

Thornberry riposted by pointing out that the Tory manifesto mentioned no countries except the US and accused the Conservatives of waiting for Donald Trump to tell them what Britain’s foreign policy should be.

 

[angelburst29]

The son of toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was released by the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq militants who had been holding him, the group said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Saturday.

'Completely Free': Militants Release Son of Ex-Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201706101054518758-gaddafi-son-released/

Saif Islam Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, has been released and left the place of his imprisonment in the Libyan city of Zintan, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq militants, who kept him, said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Saturday.

"We have decided to free Saif Islam Gaddafi. He is completely free. We confirm that he left Zintan on the moment of his release on 14th day of Ramadan [June 9]," the statement read.

Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. Over the past year, Libya has particularly suffered from Daesh attempts to make advances in the country.

 

[angelburst29]

'Completely Free': Militants Release Son of Ex-Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201706101054518758-gaddafi-son-released/

Saif Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi, will have a crucial role in the country’s national reconciliation process, Khalid Zaidi, the lawyer of Saif Islam Gaddafi told Sputnik.

Son of Toppled Leader Gaddafi Has 'Defined Strategy' to Reach Libyan Settlement
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201706111054521078-gaddafi-son-strategy-libya-settlement/

Earlier in the day, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq militants, who captured Saif Islam Gaddafi almost six years ago, said in a statement obtained by Sputnik that the politician, who actively participated in his father's activity, had been released and left the place of his imprisonment in the Libyan city of Zintan.

Saif Islam has his own defined strategy of achieving national reconciliation and he will play decisive role at this stage, which will be encouraged by his great popularity," Zaidi said Saturday.

Presently Saif Islam Gaddafi is in Libya, Zaidi noted without specifying the exact location.

Libya has been in state of a civil war since Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011. From that point on, the country has been governed by rival governments, namely, the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress.

After the coup, Saif Islam Gaddafi was taken hostage and was kept in jail until Saturday release, although in July 2015 he was sentenced to death.

In December 2015, the warring parties signed the Libyan Political Agreement, also known as Skhirat agreement, which established a unity government between Libyan rival factions. As such, the rival governments agreed to create the Government of National Accord (GNA), form the Presidency Council and end the political impasse in late 2015. Backed by the United Nations, the GNA in Tripoli, presently headed by Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, started its work in late March 2016, despite the lack of support from the Tobruk parliament.

 

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The son of toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been released from captivity by the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq militants following a request from the Tobruk-based government in eastern Libya. Speaking to Radio Sputnik, senior Middle East expert Jacques Neriah explained why Gaddafi's release may have important implications for country's future.

Saif Gaddafi's Release Gives Greater Role to General Haftar in Reunifying Libya
https://sputniknews.com/africa/201706121054562397-gaddafi-son-release-implications/

Over the weekend, a statement by the militants obtained by Sputnik confirmed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Muammar Gaddafi's second son, left jail in the Libyan city of Zintan on Saturday. The militant group captured him six years ago, amid the collapse of the Libyan government in a NATO-supported operation to oust his father. Saif's lawyer confirmed that he had been freed, and told Sputnik that Gaddafi has his own strategy for achieving national reconciliation in the civil war-ravaged country.

It is rumored that Saif has been moved to the Tobruk area of eastern Libya. The leader had previously been sentenced to death in absentia by a court in Tripoli, the center of the Western-backed Government of National Accord.

Speaking to Radio Sputnik about the significance of Saif's release, Dr. Jacques Neriah, a Middle East expert who served as foreign policy advisor to the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, said that overall, it may be too early to say.

Still, Neriah admitted that "the fact that Saif has been released because of the so-called amnesty given by the eastern, [Tobruk]-based government…means that there may be a significance, [in that] that he has undoubtedly joined the forces of General [Khalifa] Haftar in the eastern part of Libya, which gives a bigger role for that part of Libya in the reunification of the republic."

The situation is complicated, Neriah said, because the figure of Saif al-Islam was not exactly a popular one in 2011, with the International Criminal Court accusing him of 'crimes against humanity', charges which the political figure has denied. "So I don't think that his release is an asset to the east, but it a symbol for the tribal structure of Libya," the observer said.

Asked what role Saif may now play in eliminating terrorism and restoring economic stability in Libya, Neriah admitted that the potential for this exists, but the country must first be reunited.

"This forty-five year old economist has a PhD from the London School of Economics; he could in fact be an asset in the economic development of Libya, but right now it's too early [to say], because Libya has to be reunited again, and as [things stand] today, there's still a lot to be done between the government in Tripoli and the alternative government [in Tobruk]."

As far as Saif's potential to help reunite the country, Neriah said that the potential was there, although the analyst noted that he personally prefers General Haftar.

"[Saif] belongs to the Qadhadhfa tribe, originating from Morocco centuries ago. This tribe has been the [rallying force] for most of the tribes in Libya.

As we know, Libya is a tribal structure. So in a way, it could be a rallying point – a symbol. But as I see things…I think the people of Libya would like to forget the name Gaddafi, and look for another future with other people, and I believe that General Haftar is the better option."

Asked whether Saif al-Islam, whose LSE PhD thesis was titled 'The role of civil society in the democratization of global governance institutions: from 'soft power' to collective decision-making?' could make him a kind of reconciliatory figure, Neriah said he was skeptical, given Libya's lack of democratic traditions. "I don't believe at all that democracy is something [inherent] in the Middle East, and in Arab countries, especially in countries that are very much ruled by Sharia and Islamic laws."

The adopted resolution seeks to decrease violence in Libya's internal conflict.

UN Security Council Extends Arms Embargo Off Libya's Coast by One Year
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201706121054561172-unsc-arms-embargo-libya/

The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Monday unanimously adopted a UK-drafted resolution to extend the arms embargo on the seas off the coast of Libya for another 12 months.

"Recalling its resolution 2292 (2016) concerning the strict implementation of the arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya," the resolution stated. "[The Council] Decides to extend the authorizations as set out in resolution 2292 for a further 12 months from the date of this resolution."

UK Deputy Ambassador to the UN Peter Wilson said during the meeting that arms smuggling to Libya by sea is "fueling and prolonging its internal conflict," and thanked the members of the UNSC for taking a united stand on the resolution.

Speaking after the vote, Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov said such measures can prove to be useful as the Libyan crisis remains a source of regional instability.

Safronkov called to increase the efficiency of inspections by sea and emphasized they should be conducted in accordance with international law.

A year ago in its resolution 2292 (2016), the Council authorized EU ships in Operation Sophia to carry out inspections on the high seas off Libya's coast and to stop vessels that are suspected of smuggling arms and seize illegal weapons. Operation Sophia also has a mission to seize migrant-smuggling vessels.

 

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Lyn's tribes gathered last Saturday, June 17, 2017 to celebrate with the hymn of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya the release of Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi.

Support for the return of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/06/support-for-return-of-libyan-arab.html

On the same date a meeting in support of Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi took place in Cairo, Egypt. The community of Libyans in exile, loyal to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya organised this event. Former senior Libyan officials have thus voiced their support for Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi in reviving the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya that was unlawfully occupied following the 2011 aggression carried out by NATO and by the Gulf monarchies. It has been recalled by various speakers that only Muammar Gaddafi’s son is capable of releasing Libya from the current chaos.

On June 16th a popular rally in support of Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi and the return of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya took place in Tobruk, East Libya.

After the announcement of Muammar Gaddafi’s son’s release, more and more Libyan people are organising demonstrations for the liberation of the country.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called for the immediate arrest of recently released Saif al-Islam, the second son of Muammar Gaddafi.

ICC calls for immediate arrest of Saif-al-Islam Gaddafi
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/06/icc-calls-for-immediate-arrest-for-saif.html

Through a statement, the Attorney at the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, said Saif al-Islam was to be arrested for crimes against humanity.

The arrest warrant against Saif al-Islam issued in 2011 "remains in force and Libya should immediately proceed to the arrest and handover of Gaddafi to the ICC, regardless of any alleged amnesty law," Bensouda said.

In a 2014 press release, Amnesty International had called for the “immediate surrender” of Saif-al-Islam to the ICC.

 

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Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar decided to create a roadmap on the issues of security and defense of the Libyan territory from threats and trafficking of all kinds.

Libya National Accord Government, National Army Agree on Security Plan
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201707251055871907-libya-sarraj-haftar/

Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord Fayez Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar agreed on Tuesday on a plan to ensure security in the country.

"We decided to create a roadmap on the issues of security and defense of the Libyan territory from threats and trafficking of all kinds. We shall seek adherence of all security forces and armed forces within the framework of the reunification of institutions to coordinate efforts to combat terrorism, to control the migration flow through Libyan territory, to control borders and to combat criminal groups," Sarraj’s and Haftar’s communique reads, according to the Elysee Palace.

The opposing sides in the ongoing conflict in Libya agreed to a ceasefire, further talks and holding elections to bring peace and stability to the divided country, local media reported Tuesday, citing sources.

Libya's Rival Leaders Reported to Have Agreed on Ceasefire
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201707251055867876-libya-leaders-ceasefire-agreement/

According to The National, Fayez Al Sarraj, the prime minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli, and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the eastern Libya National Army, have agreed to a ceasefire in the embattled country, while at the talks in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The news outlet added that both sides also agreed on further talks under the auspices of the newly appointed UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame. They also promised to ensure a unified government and elections to put an end to the crisis and bring stability to the country.

Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano claims that Italy supports territorial integrity of Libya and works on preserving the country's stability jointly with France.

Italy, France Jointly Working on Maintaining Stability in Libya – Italian FM
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201707251055845424-italy-france-working-stability-libya/

"Italy has been supporting integrity of Libya by developing ties with Libyan Government of National Accord headed by Fayez Sarraj over the last months while keeping channels for dialogue and humanitarian cooperation with the eastern parts of the country open," Alfano said at the Italian Ambassadors Conference.

Alfano stressed that stability in Libya is one of the key issue for the Mediterranean states. He noted that recent visits of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Italy proves the country's determination for joint work on the issue.

"The fact that the French Minister of Foreign Affairs has come to Italy for the third time this month shows how close Italy and France work together on Libya’s stability," the Italian minister said.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would visit Libya on Tuesday to meet with major sides to the Libyan conflict, namely, Sarraj and Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar.

 

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The opposing sides in the Libyan conflict have agreed to a ceasefire, further talks and even the prospect of holding elections. Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar emerged as the "clear winner" after the talks in Paris, an expert told Sputnik.

'Haftar Is the Clear Winner' After Libyan Rivals Agree to Ceasefire
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201707261055889637-libya-ceasefire-talks-haftar/

The eccentric and erratic former colonel, who came to power in 1969 when he overthrew King Idris, ruled the country with a rod of iron until February 2011.

Then the Arab Spring, which had begun in neighboring Tunisia two months earlier, led to his overthrow and his brutal murder in the streets of his hometown, Sirte.

But his death, like that of Saddam Hussein in Iraq, created a vacuum in the North African country which is overwhelmingly Arab and Muslim.

In December 2015 Libya's rival governments (the internationally recognized Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress) agreed to create a Government of National Accord (GNA) under Fayez Sarraj.

But Mr. Sarraj faced uprisings from various tribal militias as well as from a new group, the Libya National Army (LNA), which is based in Benghazi and led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

The UN-backed GNA operates in the country's west and is headquartered in Tripoli. The eastern part of the country is governed by its parliament, which is backed by Haftar's LNA.

Earlier in July Marshal Haftar, 73, said his forces had fully liberated the country's second biggest city, Benghazi, from the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council, an extremist Islamist group linked to Daesh.

He was congratulated on the operation by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

On Tuesday (July 25) the GNA and the LNA agreed to a ceasefire in the embattled country at talks in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. They also agreed on further talks under the auspices of the newly appointed UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame. They also promised to ensure a unified government and elections to put an end to the crisis and bring stability to the country.

​European Union leaders are desperately hoping to restore a strong central government which will be able to clamp down on the people smugglers who have used the Libyan coast as the starting point for hazardous voyages across the Mediterranean for migrants heading to Europe from various war-torn and impoverished nations in the Africa and the Middle East.

The talk is all very well but can the question is whether they can actually turn it into action and stave off the chaos which allows Daesh to use part of the country as a terrorist training camp.

Jalel Harchaoui, a Libya expert at Paris 8 University, said the talks were flawed because there were so many factions which would abide by what had been agreed on Tuesday.

"Sarraj and the entire UN-backed government are in a very, very weak position compared to the day on March 30, 2016 when they arrived in Tripoli. He was much stronger then," Mr. Harchaoui told Sputnik.

He said Haftar — a professional soldier who served under Gaddafi — would be happier with the outcome of the talks than Sarraj.

"Haftar has come to Paris looking for two things. He was looking for recognition and political prestige, and he got that, and he was also looking to buy time. So he is going away from Paris a happy person. I think he is the clear winner in this initiative,"

France's involvement in the peace process has antagonized Italy, the former colonial power which feels slighted. One opposition politician, Giorgia Meloni, criticized the government in Rome.

​Tweet: "The Libyan meeting organized by France shows the total failure of Italy's foreign policy"

The lack of a strong, unified government has led to chaos in Libya with up to 1,700 different groups, many of whom are armed to the teeth with weapons stolen from the former arsenals of the Gaddafi regime.

Tunisia, which is worried about its fragile tourism industry, has built a partial security barrier and trench along its border with Libya aimed at preventing attacks.

Mr. Harchaoui said the spirit of the December 2015 agreement was required.

"It compelled all political factions in Libya to speak to each other and what we have seen here in Paris is that France is officially sticking to that line but in practice it is happy to do what Egypt, the (United Arab) Emirates and Marshal Haftar have been doing, which is to ignore the actors they don't like. As long as we see major players taking the liberty of ignoring political opponents and forced them to use the military route we will continue to see violence in Libya," Mr. Harchaoui told Sputnik.