Report: Libyan government army declares ceasefire

Sunday 18 January 2015

Report: Libyan government army declares ceasefire

 
Aljazeera reporters says Libya's internationally recognised government has declared a ceasefire, with UN-brokered peace talks set to resume in Geneva next week.

Sunday's announcement by the Tobruk-based government came two days after rival factions agreed to a truce.

Tripoli's self-declared government, Fajr Libya (Fajr Dawn), an alliance of a number of militia groups, added a clause to their truce saying on Sunday they would not attend the talks unless they are held in Libya, but that they were willing to negotiate.

"We declare a ceasefire from midnight (22:00 GMT) Sunday," the army said on Sunday, adding that it would continue to pursue "terrorists".

The opposing factions have been meeting in Switzerland in what has been touted as a last chance for peace in the country.

About 600 people have been killed in three months of heavy fighting between Libyan pro-government forces and Islamist groups in Libya's second-largest city Benghazi, medical staff have said, according to Reuters news agency.

The fighting is part of a wider struggle in the oil producer where two governments and parliaments, allied to armed groups, are vying for control almost four years after the ousting of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
 
Jason Pack from Libya-Analysis.com, speaking to Al Jazeera from London, said that the ceasefire agreement was only moderately promising, adding that while Fajr Libya had agreed to a truce, many other militia groups operating in the country had not.

"We also do not have both sides of the political leadership of Tripoli represented in Geneva," Pack said, but added that the current situation in Libya was not necessarily a result of the toppling of the Gadaffi regime but rather as a result of decisions made by role-players since Gadaffi was toppled.

The army said it would monitor the situation on the ground "to prevent any change in front lines or transportation of weapons and ammunition," which it would consider a violation of the truce.

Soldiers "have been given the right to defend themselves if they come under fire", the statement said.

On Friday, the Fajr Libya alliance said it had agreed to "a ceasefire on all fronts" on the condition that "the other parties respect the truce".

It also pledged to open up "safe passages to channel humanitarian aid", especially in Libya's second city of Benghazi.

Fajr Libya did not take part in a first round of UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva last week, during which the rival factions agreed on a road map to form a unity government and to further discussions.

The army's announcement came after the UN Security Council welcomed the Fajr Libya ceasefire and threatened to impose sanctions on any party that obstructed peace efforts.

"There can be no military solution to the crisis in Libya," the council said in a unanimous statement on Saturday.

It warned it was "prepared to sanction those who threaten Libya's peace, stability or security or that obstruct or undermine the successful completion of its political transition."

Deepening conflict

Libya has been sliding deeper into conflict since the 2011 overthrow of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, with rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of its main cities and oil wealth.

Fajr Libya took control over Tripoli in August, forcing the Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni to leave the capital.

The alliance has since set up their own government and parliament, but these have not been recognised by the United Nations. Both sides fight each other on several fronts.

Libya has failed to build up a national army and efficient state institutions since Gaddafi's ousting as the country is effectively run by former rebel brigades who use their weapons to fight for control.

Thinni is accusing Libya Dawn of relying on Islamist armed groups but has allied himself with former general Khalifa Haftar, a Gaddafi-era officer commanding his own irregular forces.

Haftar's forces have now become part of the official army in the east, a move analysts say might complicate building up state institutions as his own political goals are unclear.

Bernardino Leon, the UN special envoy to Libya, had said at the start of the Geneva talks last week that they were a last-ditch effort to prevent all-out chaos.

[Al Jazeera and agencies]

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