Libyan Prime Minister resigns: Libyan crisis, Civil War, role of United Nations

The Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj is to resign by the end of October 2020. The United Nations has welcomed his resignation.

Government of National Accord

The current Libyan government under the leadership of PM Fayez Serraj is called the Government of National Accord. This government was formed under the initiative of United Nations in 2015.

Background

In 2011, the NATO forces toppled the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during the Libyan civil war. Since then Libya has been experiencing intense turmoil and instability. It has become a breeding ground for Islamist groups and armed militias.

Current scenario

Currently, Libya has no single government. Government of National Accord controls the Western parts of Libya from Tripoli. The Libyan National Army backed Tobruk based Parliament governs the Eastern parts of Libya.

What is the issue?

The United Nations backed government of national record failed to provide stability to Libya. Basically, the GNA has no security forces. The public administration does not exist under GNA. Very few banks operate in the regions. The regions are also facing abundant water, petrol and power shortages.

Libyan National Army

National Army has already taken control of most of the oil fields in the Eastern part of the country. The army is backed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia and France. The army is headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Aftar. He is a Libyan American Soldier. He served in the Libyan Army under the leadership of Gaddafi

Significance of Libya

Libya has the largest oil reserve in Africa. It is also one of the largest Oil producers in the world. Instability in the country might affect oil prices globally. It will also impact India directly.

International response

The United States had ordered evaporation of its troops that wears station in Tripoli the capital of Libya. India evacuated its peacekeeping forces that consisted of 15 CRPF personnel. In February 2020, the United Nations Security Council endorsed a 55-point roadmap to end war in Libya. This Resolution refrains all the countries from interfering in Libya’s internal conflicts. The Cairo declaration was proposed by Egypt in in June 2020. However, none of these resolution and declaration were adopted.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2020