Libya: Clashes reported between rival militant factions in Sebha, Jan. 3

Event

On Jan. 3, clashes occurred between forces loyal to the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and militias aligned with the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) in Sebha, Libya. Specific details regarding the incident remain unclear. There have been no reports of casualties. Additional similar or related incidents remain likely.

The incident comes against the background of ongoing peace negotiations between GNA and LNA representatives to find a political solution to the country's conflict. Heightened security and localized transport and business disruptions are possible in the affected area. Security forces will likely remain in the area and could establish security checkpoints until the situation stabilizes.

Context

Delegates from Libya's rival political factions are engaged in ongoing peace negotiations, which are officially called the Libya Political Dialogue Forum. The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has been sponsoring the talks and aims to bring about a consensus on a unified governance framework, which can pave the way for national elections in December 2021.

A series of agreements between the UN-recognized GNA and the LNA, including a permanent ceasefire, was reached in Geneva, Switzerland, in October. The warring factions have since held talks in Tunis, Tunisia, Tangier, Morocco, and Libya in an effort to reach a permanent political solution to the country's fighting.

However, any peace deal will be tenuous in part because of the number of foreign countries that support competing factions in Libya. Despite the recent agreements, weapons continue to pour into Libya. While Egypt, France, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia back the LNA, Turkey, Italy, and Qatar provide support to the GNA. These countries' pursuit of divergent interests in Libya profoundly complicates efforts to arrive at a meaningful political settlement.