2016 Libyan coup d'état attempt

2016 Libyan coup d'état attempt
Part of Libyan Crisis (2011–present), post-civil war violence in Libya and second Libyan Civil War
Date14 October 2016 – present
(1 month, 2 weeks and 5 days)
LocationLibya
Result
  • The Rixos Hotel, the Government Palace, and some ministries located in Tripoli are seized by the Presidential Guard
  • The GNA maintains control of Tariq al-Sikka Palace and the Abu Sitta Naval Base
  • Al Khums seized by GNS
Belligerents

Libya Government of National Accord

  • Ministry of Interior
  • Al-Bunyan al-Marsous

Libya Government of National Salvation

  • Presidential Guard
  • Misrata Brigades[1]
  • Tripoli Revolutionary Brigade[2]
Libya High Council of Revolution (from December 2016)
Commanders and leaders

Libya Fayez al-Sarraj
(Prime Minister-designate)
Libya Ahmed Maiteeq

Libya Abdulrahman Asswehly

Libya Khalifa al-Ghawil
Libya Awad Abdul Saddeq
Libya Ali Ramali[3]

Libya Omar al-Hassi
Casualties and losses
9 killed, 26 wounded[4]

Libyan coup d'état attempt took place on on 14 October 2016. The attempt was conducted by the former head of the Government of National Salvation Khalifa al-Ghawil against Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.

Background

Following the ousting of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by NATO forces in 2011, the country had been in discord and in the midst of a civil war. As of April 2016, two rival governments exist, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk. In April 2016, the UN brokered an agreement to create a Government of National Accord, thus effectively disbanding the Government of National Salvation (GNS). The latter's former leader, Khalifa al-Ghawil, rejected the proposal and became the subject of EU sanctions.[5]

Other factions in the East led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar also opposed the GNA. His forces have taken over four key oil ports but are cooperating for the moment with the GNA to permit oil exports.[6]

In August 2016, a 94 member rival to the High Council of State was proclaimed in Benghazi and its members wanted to join the official body.[7] On 10 October, the HCS's headquarters was attacked by unknown gunmen.[8]

Coup d'état events

Late on 14 October, al-Ghawil proclaimed the former GNS reinstatement after the offices of a key consultative body of the GNA at the Rixos Hotel,[6] complex of administrative buildings and television station, with GNA forces pulling back in the late afternoon without violence. The GNS supporters said the GNA was "void" and that they had replaced it.[9] He also declared all members of the GNA "suspended from their duties."[5] He also said: "The presidential council was given chances one after another to form the government, but it has failed...and has become an illegal executive authority." He called for a new administration to be formed by the former Tripoli and Tobruk governments. He further claimed that all institutions including banks, the judiciary, and local authorities were under their jurisdiction.

The following day, the GNS-supporting militiamen in pickup trucks with mounted machine guns remained in place,[9] though Tripoli was calm after the events. Meanwhile, the GNA posted images on social media showing its presidential council and ministers holding a meeting in the main offices of parliament in a different part of Tripoli,[6] although, earlier reports suggested they may have been in neighboring Tunisia.[9] The GNA then riposted by threatening to arrest "those politicians who... attempt to create parallel institutions and destabilise the capital," while also condemning "efforts to sabotage the political agreement" and denounced the seizure of the Council of State building by an "armed group."[5]

In 16 October, forces loyal to al-Ghawil sent reinforcements to protect the parliament building.[10] They also seized the Government Palace.[11]

On 16 October, fighting near a refugee camp in the area of Fallah, near the road to the airport, led to the death of at least one woman, and six other people, including a child, were wounded.[4] The Presidential Guard then also pledged allegiance to the GNS.[12] It was reported by Jeune Afrique that the Presidential Guard dropped the GNA because of unpaid wages.[13] On 17 October, Ghwail claimed on television that the GNS fully took control of the capital.[14] Clashes between Ghawil forces and policemen also occurred.[15] Its members say they fear the integration of Khalifa Haftar in the GNA.[16]

On 5 November 2016, GNS seized Al Khums.[17] Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades issued a statement calling on the Presidential Council to commit to Skhirat agreement or declare it as a failure while blaming GNA for deteriorating living and security conditions in Libya. It also urged Khalifa Haftar to be stopped from carrying out a possible coup.[18]

On 28 November, representatives from HoR and GNC met in Tripoli to reach a deal and form a new government.[19]

On 1 December, Omar al-Hassi announced the formation of the High Council of Revolution, who is a parallel executive body.[20]

On 2 December, clashes occurred between the two sides.[21]

Reactions

Domestic

On 15 October, al-Ghawil was accompanied by Awad Abdul Saddeq, the GNC’ first deputy president, and the former head of the Presidential Guard, Ali Ramali, in calling upon Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the interim government in Beida, to join him in forming a national unity government.[3]

On 19 October, Abdulrahman Asswehly, the head of the High Council of State, urged al-Ghawil's loyalist forces to leave the buildings that they had taken over from the GNA.[22]

On 24 October, Fayez al-Sarraj said that he could use force to oust Ghawil forces from Tripoli.[23]

On 5 November, a militia calling itself “The Brigades of Revolutionaries in Libya” rallied in Tripoli's Martyr Square, calling for a national dialogue while rejecting foreign moves to resolve the country’s political crisis. It accused the Presidential Council of deteriorating the situation in Libya while also criticizing attacks on and seizure of governmental institutions during the coup.[24]

International

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Misurata-based brigades parade their military might in Tripoli to support GNC - Libyan Express". 22 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Op-Ed: Coup plotters still have control of their headquarters in Tripoli". 17 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/10/14/gnc-and-ghwell-stage-coup-declaring-themselves-back-in-powe/
  4. 1 2 "Libya: media, anarchy in Tripoli over failed coup". ANSAMed.it.
  5. 1 2 3 "Libya's UN-backed government narrowly survives coup attempt".
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Rival faction challenges Libya's UN-backed government in Tripoli".
  7. ↑ "Al-Sweihli sends three High Council of State (HCS) members to investigation". The Libya Observer.
  8. ↑ "High Council of State evacuated over rift with its security guards". Libyan Express. 10 October 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 Stephen, Chris (14 October 2016). "Libya coup attempt as Tripoli militias seek to topple UN-backed government" – via The Guardian.
  10. ↑ "Shells fell on IDPs camp while anticipation builds in Tripoli". The Libya Observer.
  11. ↑ Yeranian, Edward. "Rival Governments Vie for Control of Libya".
  12. ↑ "Presidential Guard defects and pledges allegiance to Al-Ghweil Salvation Government". 16 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Libye : un rival du gouvernement d'union affirme avoir repris le pouvoir" (in French). JeuneAfrique.com. 16 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Al-Ghweil says his govt. controls the entire capital, Tripoli's Attorney General orders arrest of Presidential Guard defectors". Libyan Express. 17 October 2016.
  15. ↑ "Drums of War Beat in Libyan Capital". Asharq Al-Awsat. 18 October 2016.
  16. ↑ "Presidential Guard says no longer supports Libyan political agreement". The Libya Observer.
  17. ↑ "Salvation Government opens Khums Power Station, PC denied access - The Libya Observer". Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Leaders of Tripoli revolutionary brigades blame PC for low living, security conditionspublisher=Libya Observer". Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  19. ↑ https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/11/28/libya-libya-dialogue-working-on-its-own-unity-government/
  20. ↑ http://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/former-sg-prime-minster-forms-high-council-revolution
  21. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38189609
  22. ↑ "Al-Sweihli and Peter Millett urge Salvation Government to leave peacefully". Libyan Express. 19 October 2016.
  23. ↑ "Sarraj Hints Using Force to End Ghawil's Tripoli-Based Government - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English". Asharq Al-Awsat. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  24. ↑ Ali, Moutaz (5 November 2016). "Revolutionaries in Tripoli call for new national dialogue, warn of dangers to the city". Libya Herald. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  25. ↑ "Libya: As situation worsens, UN envoy calls for pause in fighting near Benghazi". Indiablooms.
  26. ↑ https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/10/22/sewehli-slams-rixos-plotters-saying-the-real-thuwar-are-dying-in-sirte/
  27. ↑ "Turkey condemns GNC coup on legitimate High Council of State in Tripoli". Retrieved 3 November 2016.
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