Maghreb Edition

Libya: Lawmakers slam Haftar’s assault on TripoliF

Posted On 2 May 2019

Number of times this article was read : 378

Tripoli, May 2, 2019 (AFP) – Dozens of Libyan lawmakers supporting the internationally-recognised government on Thursday condemned an offensive by commander Khalifa Haftar on Tripoli, as they staged a meeting in the capital. The legislators have announced a boycott of the official parliament in the east of the country that is backed by Haftar to protest his military assault.

The fissure among lawmakers looks set to deepen rifts that have plagued the country since the ouster and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. “We are meeting with our colleagues from different cities to highlight the devastating effects of the unjustified war against the capital and to take a stand to end the fighting,” said one of the deputies Sadeq al-Keheli. “We will continue these meetings until all the military actions and the threat against Tripoli stop.”

Lawmaker Salem Ganan said the offensive launched on April 4 caught those in parliament by surprise as they prepared for a UN-backed national conference that has now been postponed. Weeks of clashes around Tripoli between Haftar’s forces and those supporting the unity government have left 376 dead and over 1,800 wounded, the World Health Organization says.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Faces Balancing Test Over Potential Gaza Security Role$

A reported plan for a Moroccan military outpost in Gaza is raising questions about Rabat’s regional strategy. While participation in a multinational stabilization force could be framed as humanitarian and security support, a visible troop presence inside an Israeli-controlled area risks political backlash at home and abroad. The proposal highlights the tension between Morocco’s ties to Israel and its longstanding positioning as a supporter of Palestinian interests.

Sudan’s Army Gains Ground in Kordofan as War Strains Power and Food Systems$

Sudan’s army is gaining ground in North Kordofan, securing key transport routes that could support a broader push west toward Darfur. But battlefield advances are unfolding alongside a deepening national crisis, with power grid failures, disrupted agriculture and local conflicts compounding the country’s instability. But this latest military momentum is unlikely to resolve Sudan’s widening humanitarian and infrastructure challenges.

Sahel: Niger Emerges as Key Battleground as JNIM and Islamic State Collide$

A defection, a blood feud, and overlapping territorial ambitions are pushing JNIM and the Islamic State Sahel Province into direct competition across western Niger. The outcome around the region of Dosso could determine whether Sahelian jihadist violence stays fragmented — or consolidates into a wider regional arc.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.