A letter from the Chairman of the UK government’s Foreign Affairs Committee asked the Foreign Secretary to confirm two reports: Firstly that the new Libyan government was about to ask the UK to launch airstrikes against ISIL in Libya. Secondly that Britain would, this week, offer a thousand troops to support the Libyan Government.
However, a source in the Foreign Office claimed that the GNA was still “weeks if not months” from being formed. Only when the GNA is formed and operating will the UN then talk to the UK about what type of assistance was needed. Sources in the Ministry of Defense (MOD) said an Italian-led training and assistance meeting was under consideration. The same sources said the UK might contribute about 1,000 troops to the mission if asked. A spokesperson for the government said: “What members of the Foreign Affairs Committee heard on their recent visit is wrong on a number of counts. There are no plans to extend airstrikes to Libya nor are there plans to send British troops to provide security on the ground in Libya. It is therefore also wrong to suggest the Defence Secretary will agree any UK contribution this week.”
The media has been stressing the threat posed by Islamic State attacks and advances in Libya, but at the same time authorities appear to be waiting for a functional GNA so they can ask for foreign military aid and legitimize any foreign intervention. Some of the sources cited are anonymous so one cannot be sure of their accuracy.
The Libya Herald reports that Haithem Tajouri a Tripoli militia commander has taken over the Hall of the People, which is at the entrance to the suburb of Hay Andalus in west Tripoli. The takeover is said to be a security measure amid expectations of a visit by GNA PM Faiez Serraj and other members of the Presidency Council. Perhaps the GNA is attempting to establish a symbolic presence or is sending a few top figures to find out what the response will be. Serraj has agreed that the group will go this weekend. This appears to be just a first step.
Apparently Tabour, the head of the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, is angry that the Presidency Council security team and the UN security officials have been negotiating with several other militias in Tripoli without consulting him. The UN and others continually complain about the role of militia groups in Libya but are now ending up hiring them for security. The Hall of the People housed Gadaffi’s parliament; Tabour may think that by taking over the hall he will be able to dictate terms when Serraj and other members of the GNA arrive.
The Herald notes that it may be difficult for Serraj and other members of the GNA to get to Tripoli. Members of the Presidency’s own security team were arrested when the flew into Tripoli’s Mitiga airport over a week ago. To come by land from Tunisia would be dangerous. The 3 security members were released but their passports were impounded and they were told they could face treason charges. The GNC does not recognize the GNA and did not approve the LPA.
There is little sign that the HoR or the GNC are winding down their operations as governments. The GNC has just replaced members that it expelled or who left. The HoR plans to begin exporting oil on April 1. The GNA is now supposed to be the sole legitimate government of Libya and countries should recognize it as such. There is no sign that suddenly diplomats from the HoR are no longer operating. Khalifa Haftar is still commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army(LNA) even though section 8 of the LPA gives that role to the Presidency Council. There is even a report that pro-Haftar MPs in the HoR are calling for a military council to rule Libya led by Haftar.
Here are some of the terms of reference of the Presidency Council as set out in Article 8 of the LPA: 2. Terms of Reference of the Presidency Council of the Council of Ministers: a. Assume the functions of the Supreme Commander of the Libyan army b. Appointment and removal of the Head of the General Intelligence Service upon the approval of the House of Representatives. e. Declaration of states of emergency, war and peace, and adoption of exceptional measures upon the approval of the National Defence and Security Council. The matter shall be presented to the House of Representatives for endorsement within no more than ten (10) days of its issuance. f. Conclude international agreements and conventions provided that they are endorsed by the House of Representatives.
Notice that several of the functions require the approval of the HoR. Will the GNA be forced to bypass or ignore these further provisions of the GNA? The GNA and the UN seem to be ignoring already the fact that there should be an amendment of the Constitutional Declaration of 2011 before the GNA will be incorporated in the constitution.
