Libyan quagmire continues in Sirte, despite initiatives and demand for truce

Allied forces in the Libyan national unity government in neighborhood number 2 of Sirte, August 16, 2016. REUTERS / Ismail Zitouny

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A race against the clock has started in Libya. On the one hand, international diplomatic efforts for a truce, on the other, the continuation of the fighting on the ground. On Monday June 8, military operations continued while the call for a truce decreed in Cairo to accompany the Egyptian initiative was to enter into force at 6 am Monday morning. The Government of National Union (GNA) seems determined to take over the city of Sirte and the military base of Al-Joufra further south, before any discussion.

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Tripoli has already responded with a refusal to accept the Egyptian initiative announced Saturday from Cairo, in the presence of Marshal Khalifa Haftar weakened by his latest losses and Aguila Saleh, the head of the Parliament, who has always favored dialogue.

For the GNA, Cairo is a support for its adversary Khalifa Haftar and one cannot be judge and party. Fathi Bachagha, the Interior Minister of the GNA, therefore announced the continuation of military operations, as Turkish officials claim from Ankara.

Tripoli continues to assemble its troops around Sirte , but the recent air strikes with, for the first time of Russian Mig-29, have caused heavy losses to the forces of the GNA. These strikes, combined with foreign diplomatic pressure and the red lines drawn by Russia, should prompt the GNA to revise its positions.

Monday night, Ahmad al-Mismari, spokesman for the Libyan national army (ANL), threatened to adopt a new strategy based on the multiplication of air strikes around Sirte if the GNA did not apply the truce.

Moscow pushes Egyptian initiative

Several ANL strikes were carried out again Monday, increasing the casualties in the ranks of the GNA and cutting the roads leading to Sirte but also to al-Joufra.

Moscow and Cairo are "  resolutely committed to launching talks  " between the belligerents, said a press release from the Russian Foreign Ministry. Moscow, moreover, has asked for a "  rapid and constructive response  " from the GNA for the resumption of talks. According to her, the Egyptian initiative would form "  a serious basis for future discussions ".

The Egyptian initiative announced last Saturday does not bring much new to that already proposed by Aguila Saleh, on April 23 for a way out of the crisis. Moreover, the Egyptian initiative takes up several points already proposed, such as the necessary separation between the post of Prime Minister and the President of the National Council. It is currently the same post occupied by Fayez al-Sarraj.

The initiative also consists in renewing this Council, in reunifying all the institutions of the State and so that the three historic regions of Libya: the east, the west and the south are equitably represented in the high institutions of the 'State. It also consists in adopting a new Constitution which will lead to general elections.

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