Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

Forum: SC (Security Council)

Issue: The issue of finding measures for lasting peace in Libya. ​

Student Officer: Selin Ersoy, Leon Reinhardt, Eleanor Waite

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Introduction In 1969 Colonel Muammar Gaddafi successfully carried out a coup d’état putting an end to the monarchy in Libya. After the abdication of King Idris an authoritarian regime was established under the reign of Gaddafi himself. The Arab Spring eventually reached Libya in February 2011. Initially the regime reasserted their control through censorship of social media and the forcible dissolution of protests. The violent dissolution of the protests by the military caused further uprisings by the Libyan population. Civil war ensued. Due to the indiscriminate ways in which the Libyan military dispersed the protesters, the United Nations called for the protection of the civilian populus. Members and partners of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) followed that call. With the adoption of Resolution 1970 by the Security Council, NATO operations began. With the help of NATO forces the civil war ended by October. The number of loyalists diminished and Muammar Gaddafi was killed by the rebels. The National Transitional Council (NTC) was the de facto and international recognized governing body of Libya during the last stages and after the civil war. It was replaced by the General National Congress (GNC) after a popular vote. After the initial civil war ended many armed groups continued to exist including forces with terrorist links. The ensuing violence between the armed groups and the government led to another civil war for political power and monetary gain which is the topic at hand.

Definition of Key Terms

Arab Spring The Arab Spring is a collection of revolts in the Arab world starting in 2011. Encouraged by uprisings in other countries the citizens of Libya started to protest against their respective leader Gaddafi as well. The people had the desire to establish a democracy, and simultaneously protested against corruption inside the government.

Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

QIPs (Quick Impact Projects) QIPs are set-up projects to help creating stable conditions in the longer-term while fostering social cohesion. Those help by strengthening the resilience of communities plus nurture a community spirit. QIPs might also assist people with concerns and certain needs to be part of community.

Militias Militias might be identified as an army or some other fighting organizations. Often these ​ ​ militias build up of deserters or citizens of a nation. Militias are called upon for military service during a time of current crisis.

Background Information

Muammar Gaddafi Muammar Gaddafi was a military officer in the Libyan Army who, in September of 1969, ​ lead a group of young officers and ousted the then King Idris the first. After the king had fled the country, Gaddafi seized control, forming a new government (the Revolutionary Command Council or RCC) and abolishing the monarchy and old constitution. Gaddafi’s foreign relations were sporadic and controversial. He supported terrorism in other parts of ​ ​ Africa and bribed many western nations with promises of Libyan oil (the oil sector represents 95% of Libyan export earnings), however his relations with the US depleted quickly and culminated in the US Bombing of Libya in 1986, in retaliation to a nightclub bombing in Berlin.

The 2011 Civil War In 2011, the “Arab Spring” saw civilians in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and ​ ​ Yemen rise up against the Authoritarian regimes in each country. These pro-democracy protests strongly influenced and inspired the Libyan people to start thinking critically about their own dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. In most countries, the overthrow of the regime by ​ ​ rebels took a matter of weeks, but in Libya the conflict lead to civil war and ultimately international intervention. Uprisings and protests began in Benghazi on the 15th of February 2011, in protest against the government and condemning the arrest of civil rights lawyer, Fethi Tarbel. These protests escalated and ended with the government using violence and lethal force against protesters. Rebel groups began to form and conflict began between Gaddafi loyalists and Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

rebels wishing to oust him and his Authoritarian regime. The rebels were making progress, however it was unclear whether or not they had the military strength and experience to fully oust the dictator and his supporters. As both international support and support within Libya for Gaddafi wained, a US-led multinational coalition intervened on March 21st 2011. The ​ ​ conflict officially ended on October 20th, when Gaddafi was assassinated in his hometown ​ ​ ​ ​ of Sirte.

Political Power Struggle after Death of Gaddafi

After the fall of Gaddafi in 2011, there was a power vacuum left behind. Multiple military Militias seized different regions of Libya and multiple governments were formed. The main problem in Libya is that there are multiple centres of power, each not quite strong enough to overthrow the other. One of the main forces in Libya is the “Libyan National Army” (LNA) ​ ​ lead by General Khalifa Haftar. He was a Gaddafi loyalist, who was abandoned by Gaddafi ​ ​ and then moved to US. Once the rebellion was in full swing, he returned to Libya and took over command of an army. His forces control the main oil ports and much of western Libya. ​ ​ The LNA refuses to recognise the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is ​ ​ ​ ​ another power centre, based in the capital, Tripoli. The GNA is lead by Prime Minister ​ Fayez al-Sarraj and is recognised by the UN, however many wonder whether or not the ​ GNA has the power to govern Libya, as it still struggles to impose it’s authority. The opposing government, the “House of Representatives” is allied with the Libyan National ​ ​ Army and headed by President Aguila Saleh Issa and Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani. ​ ​ ​ ​ On top of this, Islamist Militias also have control of some of northern Libya. The main players, “Daesh” and “Al Sharia” are in constant competition with each other for both members and territory. In the south, multiple tribes fight against each other for territory. Until June of 2017 there was also a third government, the General ​ National Congress, which was ​ based in Tripoli and controlled the airport there for a significant amount of time. However, the airport was ​ ​ captured on June 2nd, 2017 by the Government of National Accord, signalling that the GNA once again had full control of the capitol. Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

Major Countries and Organizations Involved

Libya The country that is split into three parts, all controlled by a respective power that have different aims and different beliefs. Therefore, unrest among the citizens is not a rare occurrence.

USA Already before 2011 the US was actively fighting Islamist groups. Three years later, the US seized an oil tanker bound for anti-government militias and returned it to the Libyan national government. A few months later however, the US embassy in Tripoli was evacuated ​ ​ because of the military presence in the capital. One year later the US managed to kill the head of the Islamic State.

Gulf States: Qatar & UAE While Qatar supports Ali Salabi, an influential Islamist in Libya, UAE hosts Mahmoud Jibril, its leading nationalist politician. Both countries provided military/financial aid to their favoured Libyan militias. The air strikes in the past were the first sign of military intervention.

UNHCR Supports people that are displaced within the country (IDPs) and provides them shelter kits, ​ ​ core relief items and cash assistance. Use of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) through ​ ​ cooperation to help unaccompanied underaged refugees.

Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

Egypt Egypt and Libya have a significant relationship because of arm deliveries and simultaneously by sharing the same political project: eradicating political Islam and to enhance the autonomy in the eastern part of Libya (LNA).

France Happened to acknowledge its presence in 2016 in Libya when three of her soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in the region ruled by the GNA. French military intervention steadily causes unrest and protest among the Libyan citizens.

Italy Italy’s government is pressing for a new military intervention because of the rising influence of the so-called Islamic State, which is also threatening Italy. Nevertheless, one should keep in mind that Italy has a major interest in oil and business in Libya

Timeline of Events

February 17th, 2011 Major protest erupt in Libya March 19th, 2011 NATO-led intervention begins October 20th, 2011 Muammar Gaddafi is killed by rebels July 7th, 2012 GNC elected by popular vote May 16th, 2014 Fighting erupts between government forces and islamist militias August 4th, 2014 House of Representatives replaces GNC after election

Relevant UN Treaties and Events

● United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970, 26 February 2011 (S/RES/1970) ​ ● United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, 17 March 2011 (S/RES/1973) ​ ● Libyan Political Agreement, 17 December 2015

Previous Attempts to solve the Issue

Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

● The Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) was signed on the 17. December 2015 and was brokered by the UN, in Skhirat Morocco. It calls for a Presidential Council to lead a unified government. However, multiple groups on both sides did not agree with the terms, and so implementation of the measures outlined did not get very far. Simply getting armed groups on the ground to comply with the terms is near to impossible, as they see the agreement as harming their own interests. Haftar later called the organs that were called into power by this agreement illegitimate.

● It is generally agreed upon, that measures to find peace have been undermined by Haftar, because he seeks ultimate military and political control ​ ​ of Libya and because he isn’t very committed to democracy.

● Talks in May of 2017 were held in Paris and hosted by the French President, Emmanuel Macron. Both Sarraj and Haftar took part in the talks and agreed to a cease-fire, however the same issue arises as with the LPA. The multiple armed groups aligned with each government although allied, do not necessarily take orders from either, and so it cannot be guaranteed that these groups will also lay down their weapons.

Possible Solutions As shown by previous attempts to solve the problem at hand, one of the most important factors to consider is the enforcement of the agreements made by the representatives. A state only holds power due to its ability to enforce state policy. If the state does not hold the monopoly over the executive power it will not be able to govern.

Furthermore, a middle ground between the factions must be established. Not every party agreed to the LPA thus no cooperation between them can be guaranteed. The UN can function as a mediator for this issue as it has done in the past for over.

Lastly the human rights of the Libyan citizens must be protected. During Gaddafi’s reign freedom of speech and other human rights were limited. It must be ensured there will be no infringement upon the basic human rights after the civil war ends.

Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

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Elephant Model United Nations 2018 | 6th – 8th of June 2018 ​ ​ ​

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