Another mystery jet bombs Libya Dawn positions, reports
An unidentified military jet launched an air strike on Monday against a military base in western Libya held by anti-government militias, Libyan media reported.
The raid hit a munitions depot held by a militia in the town of Gharyan, southwest of the capital, state news agency LANA reported.
Last month forces belonging to the mostly Islamist Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) alliance were targeted by warplanes near Tripoli airport before they defeated nationalist militia rivals at the site. Washington initially said that the UAE and Egypt were behind the night raids, but later backtracked on its comments. The August raid followed a similar incident on 18 August, which was eventually claimed by rogue general Khalifah Haftar although Libya Dawn sources also blamed outside powers for the strike.
Monday's strike left "a number of casualties" LANA said without elaborating, while private television station al-Nabaa said 11 people were wounded.
Militias in Gharyan are members of the Libya Dawn alliance which rejects the legitimacy of the elected parliament and blames it for allegedly allowing air raids to be carried out against its fighters at the airport.
The government, in turn, has accused Sudan and Qatar of supplying weapons to its Islamist opponents.
"Unfortunately they [the planes] reached [Tripoli] Matiga airport," Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni told UAE-based Sky News Arabia.
"We will consider ... breaking off relations if this interference into Libya's internal affairs continued."
He added: "We confirm that we have official reports that these war planes carried weapons and ammunition. What does Qatar want to give to the Libyan people?"
Tensions have been at boiling point for months. The violence has pushed the HoR to relocate to Tobruk 1,500 kilometres east of Tripoli while a rival parliament in Tripoli - based on the previous General National Congress - continues to meet in Tripoli and accused the HoR of favouring the so-called nationalist militias and siding with Haftar against Libya Dawn.
Libya’s House of Representatives confirmed on Sunday that it has dismissed the head of Libya’s Central Bank, al-Sadiq al-Kabir.
Isa al-Aribi, a member of the house which is currently based in the far-eastern city of Tobruk, said that Kabir is also being referred to the general prosecutor for investigation on “a number of issues”, according to Libyan daily al-Wasat.
Kabir was dismissed after a HoR motion passed with a majority of 94 of the 102 votes cast.
However, it is initially unclear how the Tobruk-based government will implement its decision to dismiss Kabir, who is now based at the central bank headquarters.
There have been persistent rumours that Kabir had been running the central bank from Malta, after fleeing an upsurge in violence in the capital Tripoli, where the bank was based.
However, Kabir recently returned to Libya and took over the hands-on running of the bank.
Ali al-Habri, formerly deputy head of the bank, has been appointed head of the central bank on a temporary basis, until a new administrator is chosen.
After his return from Malta, Kabir accused his deputy of transferring 80m Libyan dinars (approx. $65.3m) in funds from the account of the General National Council (GNC) to that of the HoR in Tobruk without his permission.
Libya’s central bank has become caught up in the power struggles of recent months, as two opposing parliaments battle it out for influence in the battle-raged country.
On Saturday, the bank announced that Kabir had halted the transfer of funds from the GNC, the transitional body whose mandate officially expired two months but which still sits in Tripoli, to the rival government of the HoR.
Both parliaments, the recently-elected HoR based in Tobruk and the Islamist-dominated GNC in Tripoli, have demanded funds from the central bank to implement their rival budget packages.
Calls for dismissal of grand mufti
As the HoR took action against the central bank head over his perceived support for the GNC, it also warned that the country’s grand mufti could be next in the firing line.
HoR spokesperson Faraj Hashem announced on Sunday that a motion to dismiss the head of the Fatwa Council, Sadiq al-Gheryani, has been tabled in their parliament.
Hashem said that the motion was tabled due to Gheryani’s “irresponsible stance” on Libya’s bloody conflict, which has seen rival militias vie for superiority in the country’s major cities.
The HoR accused Gheryani of making statements “inciting violence.”
The sanctions come after Gheryani allegedly addressed crowds gathered in Tripoli after noon prayers last Friday.
The city has been under the control of Misrata-linked fighters calling themselves Libya Dawn since late August, and the move was widely seen as a statement of support to the militias.
Calls for outside help
As the HoR appeared to be attempting to wrest control of key institutions from the Islamist-backed GNC in Tripoli, they also appealed for outside help in tackling what they called “terrorism.”
In a press conference in Tobruk on Saturday night, Faraj Hashem told journalists that the HoR is waiting for help, including military assistance, from the international community to help establish stability in Libya.
The HoR used its first sitting in August to call for foreign intervention in Libya, and reiterated this stance on Saturday night.
There are attempts to find an international mediator to arbitrate between the warring parties in Libya.
Most recently, Jordan had been suggested as a possible neutral party able to act as a mediator.
However, Libya Dawn fighters on Sunday rejected the suggestion, telling Arabic news site Arabi21 that they consider Jordan to be an active party in the conflict.
A source from within Libya Dawn told Arabi21 that “unfortunately, Jordan has become embroiled in the conflict through its support for [General] Haftar’s forces.”
Rogue General Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign in May with the stated aim of rooting out rival militias.
Airstrikes launched by unidentified military aircraft in Tripoli last month raised the suggestion that foreign forces were aiding Haftar’s forces.
On Saturday a group of Libyans living in London staged a protest outside the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, protesting against what they see as foreign intervention in Libya.
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/libyas-house-representatives-fires-central-bank-chief-threatens-grand-mufti-1283501275#sthash.vnRP0ECr.dpufLibya’s House of Representatives confirmed on Sunday that it has dismissed the head of Libya’s Central Bank, al-Sadiq al-Kabir.
Isa al-Aribi, a member of the house which is currently based in the far-eastern city of Tobruk, said that Kabir is also being referred to the general prosecutor for investigation on “a number of issues”, according to Libyan daily al-Wasat.
Kabir was dismissed after a HoR motion passed with a majority of 94 of the 102 votes cast.
However, it is initially unclear how the Tobruk-based government will implement its decision to dismiss Kabir, who is now based at the central bank headquarters.
There have been persistent rumours that Kabir had been running the central bank from Malta, after fleeing an upsurge in violence in the capital Tripoli, where the bank was based.
However, Kabir recently returned to Libya and took over the hands-on running of the bank.
Ali al-Habri, formerly deputy head of the bank, has been appointed head of the central bank on a temporary basis, until a new administrator is chosen.
After his return from Malta, Kabir accused his deputy of transferring 80m Libyan dinars (approx. $65.3m) in funds from the account of the General National Council (GNC) to that of the HoR in Tobruk without his permission.
Libya’s central bank has become caught up in the power struggles of recent months, as two opposing parliaments battle it out for influence in the battle-raged country.
On Saturday, the bank announced that Kabir had halted the transfer of funds from the GNC, the transitional body whose mandate officially expired two months but which still sits in Tripoli, to the rival government of the HoR.
Both parliaments, the recently-elected HoR based in Tobruk and the Islamist-dominated GNC in Tripoli, have demanded funds from the central bank to implement their rival budget packages.
Calls for dismissal of grand mufti
As the HoR took action against the central bank head over his perceived support for the GNC, it also warned that the country’s grand mufti could be next in the firing line.
HoR spokesperson Faraj Hashem announced on Sunday that a motion to dismiss the head of the Fatwa Council, Sadiq al-Gheryani, has been tabled in their parliament.
Hashem said that the motion was tabled due to Gheryani’s “irresponsible stance” on Libya’s bloody conflict, which has seen rival militias vie for superiority in the country’s major cities.
The HoR accused Gheryani of making statements “inciting violence.”
The sanctions come after Gheryani allegedly addressed crowds gathered in Tripoli after noon prayers last Friday.
The city has been under the control of Misrata-linked fighters calling themselves Libya Dawn since late August, and the move was widely seen as a statement of support to the militias.
Calls for outside help
As the HoR appeared to be attempting to wrest control of key institutions from the Islamist-backed GNC in Tripoli, they also appealed for outside help in tackling what they called “terrorism.”
In a press conference in Tobruk on Saturday night, Faraj Hashem told journalists that the HoR is waiting for help, including military assistance, from the international community to help establish stability in Libya.
The HoR used its first sitting in August to call for foreign intervention in Libya, and reiterated this stance on Saturday night.
There are attempts to find an international mediator to arbitrate between the warring parties in Libya.
Most recently, Jordan had been suggested as a possible neutral party able to act as a mediator.
However, Libya Dawn fighters on Sunday rejected the suggestion, telling Arabic news site Arabi21 that they consider Jordan to be an active party in the conflict.
A source from within Libya Dawn told Arabi21 that “unfortunately, Jordan has become embroiled in the conflict through its support for [General] Haftar’s forces.”
Rogue General Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign in May with the stated aim of rooting out rival militias.
Airstrikes launched by unidentified military aircraft in Tripoli last month raised the suggestion that foreign forces were aiding Haftar’s forces.
On Saturday a group of Libyans living in London staged a protest outside the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, protesting against what they see as foreign intervention in Libya.
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/libyas-house-representatives-fires-central-bank-chief-threatens-grand-mufti-1283501275#sthash.vnRP0ECr.dpufLibya’s House of Representatives confirmed on Sunday that it has dismissed the head of Libya’s Central Bank, al-Sadiq al-Kabir.
Isa al-Aribi, a member of the house which is currently based in the far-eastern city of Tobruk, said that Kabir is also being referred to the general prosecutor for investigation on “a number of issues”, according to Libyan daily al-Wasat.
Kabir was dismissed after a HoR motion passed with a majority of 94 of the 102 votes cast.
However, it is initially unclear how the Tobruk-based government will implement its decision to dismiss Kabir, who is now based at the central bank headquarters.
There have been persistent rumours that Kabir had been running the central bank from Malta, after fleeing an upsurge in violence in the capital Tripoli, where the bank was based.
However, Kabir recently returned to Libya and took over the hands-on running of the bank.
Ali al-Habri, formerly deputy head of the bank, has been appointed head of the central bank on a temporary basis, until a new administrator is chosen.
After his return from Malta, Kabir accused his deputy of transferring 80m Libyan dinars (approx. $65.3m) in funds from the account of the General National Council (GNC) to that of the HoR in Tobruk without his permission.
Libya’s central bank has become caught up in the power struggles of recent months, as two opposing parliaments battle it out for influence in the battle-raged country.
On Saturday, the bank announced that Kabir had halted the transfer of funds from the GNC, the transitional body whose mandate officially expired two months but which still sits in Tripoli, to the rival government of the HoR.
Both parliaments, the recently-elected HoR based in Tobruk and the Islamist-dominated GNC in Tripoli, have demanded funds from the central bank to implement their rival budget packages.
Calls for dismissal of grand mufti
As the HoR took action against the central bank head over his perceived support for the GNC, it also warned that the country’s grand mufti could be next in the firing line.
HoR spokesperson Faraj Hashem announced on Sunday that a motion to dismiss the head of the Fatwa Council, Sadiq al-Gheryani, has been tabled in their parliament.
Hashem said that the motion was tabled due to Gheryani’s “irresponsible stance” on Libya’s bloody conflict, which has seen rival militias vie for superiority in the country’s major cities.
The HoR accused Gheryani of making statements “inciting violence.”
The sanctions come after Gheryani allegedly addressed crowds gathered in Tripoli after noon prayers last Friday.
The city has been under the control of Misrata-linked fighters calling themselves Libya Dawn since late August, and the move was widely seen as a statement of support to the militias.
Calls for outside help
As the HoR appeared to be attempting to wrest control of key institutions from the Islamist-backed GNC in Tripoli, they also appealed for outside help in tackling what they called “terrorism.”
In a press conference in Tobruk on Saturday night, Faraj Hashem told journalists that the HoR is waiting for help, including military assistance, from the international community to help establish stability in Libya.
The HoR used its first sitting in August to call for foreign intervention in Libya, and reiterated this stance on Saturday night.
There are attempts to find an international mediator to arbitrate between the warring parties in Libya.
Most recently, Jordan had been suggested as a possible neutral party able to act as a mediator.
However, Libya Dawn fighters on Sunday rejected the suggestion, telling Arabic news site Arabi21 that they consider Jordan to be an active party in the conflict.
A source from within Libya Dawn told Arabi21 that “unfortunately, Jordan has become embroiled in the conflict through its support for [General] Haftar’s forces.”
Rogue General Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign in May with the stated aim of rooting out rival militias.
Airstrikes launched by unidentified military aircraft in Tripoli last month raised the suggestion that foreign forces were aiding Haftar’s forces.
On Saturday a group of Libyans living in London staged a protest outside the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, protesting against what they see as foreign intervention in Libya.
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/libyas-house-representatives-fires-central-bank-chief-threatens-grand-mufti-1283501275#sthash.vnRP0ECr.dpufLibya’s House of Representatives confirmed on Sunday that it has dismissed the head of Libya’s Central Bank, al-Sadiq al-Kabir.
Isa al-Aribi, a member of the house which is currently based in the far-eastern city of Tobruk, said that Kabir is also being referred to the general prosecutor for investigation on “a number of issues”, according to Libyan daily al-Wasat.
Kabir was dismissed after a HoR motion passed with a majority of 94 of the 102 votes cast.
However, it is initially unclear how the Tobruk-based government will implement its decision to dismiss Kabir, who is now based at the central bank headquarters.
There have been persistent rumours that Kabir had been running the central bank from Malta, after fleeing an upsurge in violence in the capital Tripoli, where the bank was based.
However, Kabir recently returned to Libya and took over the hands-on running of the bank.
Ali al-Habri, formerly deputy head of the bank, has been appointed head of the central bank on a temporary basis, until a new administrator is chosen.
After his return from Malta, Kabir accused his deputy of transferring 80m Libyan dinars (approx. $65.3m) in funds from the account of the General National Council (GNC) to that of the HoR in Tobruk without his permission.
Libya’s central bank has become caught up in the power struggles of recent months, as two opposing parliaments battle it out for influence in the battle-raged country.
On Saturday, the bank announced that Kabir had halted the transfer of funds from the GNC, the transitional body whose mandate officially expired two months but which still sits in Tripoli, to the rival government of the HoR.
Both parliaments, the recently-elected HoR based in Tobruk and the Islamist-dominated GNC in Tripoli, have demanded funds from the central bank to implement their rival budget packages.
Calls for dismissal of grand mufti
As the HoR took action against the central bank head over his perceived support for the GNC, it also warned that the country’s grand mufti could be next in the firing line.
HoR spokesperson Faraj Hashem announced on Sunday that a motion to dismiss the head of the Fatwa Council, Sadiq al-Gheryani, has been tabled in their parliament.
Hashem said that the motion was tabled due to Gheryani’s “irresponsible stance” on Libya’s bloody conflict, which has seen rival militias vie for superiority in the country’s major cities.
The HoR accused Gheryani of making statements “inciting violence.”
The sanctions come after Gheryani allegedly addressed crowds gathered in Tripoli after noon prayers last Friday.
The city has been under the control of Misrata-linked fighters calling themselves Libya Dawn since late August, and the move was widely seen as a statement of support to the militias.
Calls for outside help
As the HoR appeared to be attempting to wrest control of key institutions from the Islamist-backed GNC in Tripoli, they also appealed for outside help in tackling what they called “terrorism.”
In a press conference in Tobruk on Saturday night, Faraj Hashem told journalists that the HoR is waiting for help, including military assistance, from the international community to help establish stability in Libya.
The HoR used its first sitting in August to call for foreign intervention in Libya, and reiterated this stance on Saturday night.
There are attempts to find an international mediator to arbitrate between the warring parties in Libya.
Most recently, Jordan had been suggested as a possible neutral party able to act as a mediator.
However, Libya Dawn fighters on Sunday rejected the suggestion, telling Arabic news site Arabi21 that they consider Jordan to be an active party in the conflict.
A source from within Libya Dawn told Arabi21 that “unfortunately, Jordan has become embroiled in the conflict through its support for [General] Haftar’s forces.”
Rogue General Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign in May with the stated aim of rooting out rival militias.
Airstrikes launched by unidentified military aircraft in Tripoli last month raised the suggestion that foreign forces were aiding Haftar’s forces.
On Saturday a group of Libyans living in London staged a protest outside the embassy of the United Arab Emirates, protesting against what they see as foreign intervention in Libya.
- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/libyas-house-representatives-fires-central-bank-chief-threatens-grand-mufti-1283501275#sthash.vnRP0ECr.dpufSmall window of opportunity
The top UN official in Libya said today urged the Libyan people to take advantage of a “small window of opportunity.”
“The small window of opportunity before us for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis should not be missed,” Bernardino León, head of the UN Support Mission (UNSMIL) told the Security Council in New York. “Libya’s leaders will have to act quickly, and seek a political solution through a meaningful and inclusive dialogue.”
“Given the urgency I intend to follow up shortly with further visits to Libya,” Mr. León said.
The envoy, who is also the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, briefed Council members on his first visit to Libya since his appointment, and said he conveyed to all his interlocutors there the Council’s commitment to Libya, expressed in a new resolution, by which the 15-nation body would hold accountable anyone actively undermining the country’s political process, or responsible for a continuation of armed conflict or for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Council last week adopted resolution 2174 (2014), which also tightened the arms embargo and expanded the categories of people and entities to which sanctions may apply.
Mr. León told the Council today that despite repeated calls for an immediate end to the violence, the situation on the ground “remains extremely volatile and precarious” and that “efforts aimed at resolving the current crisis and resuming the political process cannot make progress against the backdrop of continued fighting.”
He reported that in eastern Libya, renewed military confrontations in Benghazi threaten to exact an increasingly heavier toll on the civilian population, while in the west, an unrelenting campaign of indiscriminate shelling continues to target parts of Tripoli, causing untold suffering on the part of the civilian population.
“Tens of thousands of civilians are now known to have fled their homes; many have also lost their lives as a result of the shelling including women and children,” he reported. “We also have credible reports of severe shortages of medical supplies.
Despite the initial sense of optimism that accompanied the Mission’s establishment, three years ago tomorrow, “We find ourselves at a critical moment in Libya’s democratic transition: a faltering political process that has brought the country closer to the brink of protracted conflict and civil strife,” he said.
“In all my meetings, I warned of the dangers of creating parallel political institutions and processes, which can only contribute to further division and polarization,” explained Mr. León.
“I impressed upon my interlocutors the need to refrain from taking any action that would further exacerbate current divisions, and stressed that any solution to the current crisis would have to be negotiated within the framework of the current political legitimacy that emanated from the elections.”
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