Renewed Fighting in Libya’s Capital in Aftermath of ‘Coup’ Attempt

Citizens of Libya’s capital Tripoli are once again facing dire uncertainty as violent clashes between two political factions have marred the country’s attempt at reconciliation.

Rabat – Citizens of Libya’s capital Tripoli are once again facing dire uncertainty as violent clashes between two political factions have marred the country’s attempt at reconciliation.

On May 18, the leader of the Tobruk-based government Fathi Bashagha arrived in Tripoli, in what was hoped to be a moment to show that politics, not guns, were the means to achieve proper Libyan reunification. A few hours later, however, fighting erupted on the streets of Tripoli.

Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU) declared that it had stopped what it described as a “coup project.” Hours after the leader of the eastern government in Tobruk had arrived in the country’s capital, Bashagha was again on his way to the east.

The new clashes followed the pattern of the decade-long conflict between eastern and western factions, and despite the insistence of both sides that renewed “bloodshed” should be avoided, fighting has continued in some parts of Tripoli.

Renewed clashes between rival militias on the streets of the capital have since claimed their first life, and local media have reported on a renewed sense of panic among the local population.

The new clashes appear to be the result of Fathi Bashagha and GNU interim prime minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s recent war of words over Dbeibah’s mandate as the county’s premier overseeing the hosting of since-postponed elections. The eastern faction claims that Dbeibah’s term has expired and that its leader should take over.

Dbeibah however claims that he will only relinquish power to a newly elected Libyan government.

This would mean he remains in power until the divided political landscape in Libya agrees on a mutually-accepted election process, holds successful elections, and inaugurates a new unity parliament.

The process could take a significant amount of time, prompting eastern claims that the GNU has little incentive to change the status quo, as it could threaten their current political power.