Author: Khaled Saffuri
Affiliation: President, National Interest Foundation
Organization/Publisher: The National Interest Foundation, Washington, DC.
Date/Place: June 24, 2020/ Washington DC, USA
Type of Literature: Analysis
Word Count: 2236
Keywords: Turkey, Libya, GNA, France, Egypt, War-lord Haftar, Civil war
Brief:
Turkey has been the lone country to defend Libyan democracy through its material support to the Government of National Accord (GNA), concludes this analysis. This detailed analysis notes that all other foreign powers in Libya are complicit in undermining the internationally-recognized GNA, referring to interventions by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia, and France. However, because Turkey has extended support to the GNA it has over turned tables in the conflict-ridden country. Libya was initially a success story of the Arab Spring which toppled its authoritarian government and “secured” democratic elections, but the ongoing Libyan conflict has undoubtedly been prolonged by the interference of malicious, foreign actors. Turkey has been the lone country to defend Libyan democracy through its material support to the GNA. Had the destabilizing actors never intervened and perpetuated the conflict, Libya would be heralded as an unquestioned success story of the Arab Spring, the report adds. The author identifies how Egypt has played a fundamental role in destabilizing Libya through the backing of warlord Khalifa Haftar by funneling money, weapons, and logistical support. The report exposes the duplicity of military dictator Sisi. “The (recent) Cairo Declaration has epitomized Egypt’s hypocrisy on the issue of Libya by essentially designating Haftar’s forces as the lone security apparatus in the country, despite their recent military defeats. Egypt is also willing to turn a blind eye to human rights violations committed by Haftar,” it explained.
By: Riyaz Ul Khaliq, Non-Resident CIGA Research Associate
