Security crisis threatens Libya’s political transition

Libya is awash with weapons that embolden armed militias who control different parts of the country.(REUTERS)

A continuing security crisis continues to dominate the scene in Libya and poses a threat to the country's political transition.

That is the view of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General to that country while briefing the Security Council.

Tarek Mitri has pointed to the risks of a growing security void in the country as hundreds of citizens, mainly security personnel, have been victims of a systematic and unrelenting campaign of targeted assassinations and acts of aggression.

More than two and a half years since the ouster of Muammar al-Gaddafi, the country is at risk of being embroiled in an armed conflict in the absence of a strong central government.


Libya is awash with weapons that embolden armed militias who control different parts of the country.

Mitri says there is a continuing sense of concern among Libyans. The past few weeks witnessed significant security developments.
He says: "Foremost among these has been the move by retired General Khalifa Haftar in mid-May to mobilise some units of the Libyan National Army, as well as other tribally-affiliated armed elements, against groups he has labelled as terrorists and blamed for much of the violence and targeted assassinations in Benghazi and other areas of eastern Libya."

As the country stumbles from one political impasse to the next; with real fear of greater instability and violence in the immediate post Gaddafi era

While the security situation continues to impede the proper functioning of the justice system. Mitri says: “Courts have stopped working in for prolonged periods in Derna, Benghazi and Sirt in protest at the continuing attacks on prosecutors and judges, among other state officials.”

He says: “ Figures collected by the Ministry of Justice with UNSMILs assistance indicate that in early March, around 6200 inmates remained held in facilities under the authority of the Judicial Police, of whom only about 10% had been tried.”

Mitri says despite the concerns raised the constitutional drafting process has made considerable progress since his last briefing in March, while the UN is supporting the country with technical preparations for legislative elections on June 25.”

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General adds: “We have called on all parties to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere and not delayed. It is hoped that these elections will augur with confidence and popular interest a third phase of the transition process, before a new constitution in approved.” Libya has been administered by a General National Congress since 2012, set to be replaced by a Council of Representatives after the election, as the country stumbles from one political impasse to the next; with real fear of greater instability and violence in the immediate post Gaddafi era.