The United Nations mission in Libya expressed grave concern on Thursday over reports of armed forces mobilizing in Tripoli and threats of violence amid a dispute over the control of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).
Stephanie Koury, the deputy head of the UN Libya mission, briefed the UN Security Council on Monday about the worsening political and military situation in Libya over the past two months, which has seen increasing mobilizations by armed factions.
“The display of military power and armed confrontations in densely populated neighborhoods is unacceptable and endangers civilian lives and security,” the mission stated in its Thursday update.
The current tensions arose after political factions attempted to remove CBL head Sadiq al-Kabir, with rival armed groups mobilizing in support of opposing sides.
On Friday, Mohammed al-Shokri, the proposed replacement for Kabir, stated he would only accept the position if endorsed by both of Libya’s rival legislative bodies.
Libya, a significant oil producer in the Mediterranean, has experienced persistent instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising. The country has been divided since 2014 between warring eastern and western factions, with Russian and Turkish involvement adding to the conflict.
Although major fighting ceased with a 2020 ceasefire, political efforts to resolve the crisis have failed, leaving entrenched factions occasionally engaging in clashes and competing for Libya’s substantial economic resources.
Libya’s political leaders are either from bodies elected over a decade ago or appointed during periodic international peacemaking efforts that have led to failed transitions. Diplomatic attempts to hold national elections to replace all political bodies have stalled.
The eastern part of Libya, where the parliament is based, is under the control of Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). Meanwhile, Tripoli and the northwest, where the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) and major state institutions are located, are home to rival armed factions with a history of conflict.
In late July and early August, rival groups in northwest Libya mobilized against each other, while the LNA deployed forces in southwestern Libya, raising concerns of renewed east-west fighting.
Additionally, the eastern-based House of Representatives has renewed calls to oust the GNU and the Presidency Council. The High State Council, another internationally recognized legislative body, is also experiencing a stalemate following a contested leadership vote.
Tensions over the central bank intensified after Presidency Council head Mohammed al-Menfi attempted to replace Kabir and the board, a move that was rejected by the parliament.
