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Africa North

UN says Libya deteriorating ''rapidly''

2024-08-22

[NEWARAB] The United Nations
...a lucrative dumping ground for the relatives of dictators and party hacks...
expressed concern on Tuesday about the rapid deterioration of the economic and security situation in Libya, denouncing the "unilateral" moves by Libyan actors that have "increased tension."

The country of 6.8 million people has struggled to recover from years of conflict after the 2011 Libyan revolution that overthrew longtime dictator Muammar Qadaffy
...Proof that a madman with money will be politely received for at least 42 years until his people get tired of him and kill him...>
, and remains divided between a UN-recognised government based in the capital Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
and a rival administration in the east, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar

...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all. Actually, he is, but slowly...
Now, reemerging bloodshed and power struggles in the vast North African nation have raised fears of a broader escalation, threatening to deal a fatal blow to the UN-brokered political transition and push the war-torn country deeper into turmoil.

"Over the past two months, the situation in Libya has tanked quite rapidly in terms of political, economic and security stability," Stephanie Koury, acting head of the UN's political mission in Libya (UNSMIL), told the Security Council.

"Unilateral acts by Libyan political, military and security actors have increased tension, further entrenched institutional and political divisions and complicated efforts for a negotiated political solution," she added.

She cited a number of events since the beginning of August, including fighting between gangs on the outskirts of Tripoli and attempts to forcibly expel the governor of the central bank.

The American diplomat is acting head of UNSMIL pending the appointment of a successor to Abdoulaye Bathily, who threw in the towel in April, condemning a "lack of political will and good faith" by Libyan leaders.

"In the absence of renewed political talks leading to a unified government and elections, you see where this is heading: greater political, financial and security instability, entrenched political and territorial divisions, and greater domestic and regional instability," warned Koury.

"Libyans are frustrated with the status quo and the toll it is taking on their lives. People struggle to withdraw money from the banks and to meet their daily needs. Many express fear about war once again erupting," she said.

Posted by:Fred

#3 The miserable condition in western and southern Libya can be laid at the doorstep of Hillary Clinton. M. Qadafy had been (metaphorically) emasculated and was actually making some good economic and political changes in Libya when Washington's idiots backed by Paris and the EU, thought they could play petro-politics. They played "throw out the bastard and we'll take over." They forked-up, and to this day millions have suffered from their stupidity.

Posted by: Sligum Hupomoling9524 2024-08-22 14:05

#2 Libya was governed about as well as anyone could expect by Muammar Qadaffy. Sure, he was a scoundrel but Ronald Reagan rendered him harmless in 1983. The current state of that country is the legacy of treacherous meddling by America, Britain and France during the Obama administration. David Cameron and Nicholas Sarkozy headed the governments of Britain and France at the time. The question is: Are Libyans better off now than they were when Qadaffy was in power?

Miss me now?

Posted by: Abu Uluque 2024-08-22 12:13

#1 When Italy ruled Libya it divided the country in three parts Tipolitania to the west, Cyrenaica to the east, and the Fezzan to the south. It would be well to reintroduce that arrangement. The Libya that is "deteriorating" is Tripoli, which is basically ungovernable. Thus, create a new Cyrenaican polity with its capital at Benghazi and let Tripoli go to Hell. As for Fezzan, it is not worth governing.

Posted by: Sligum Hupomoling9524 2024-08-22 08:37

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