Libya Country Report

Libya is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Sahara Desert encompasses the largest part of the country, with most of the population residing along the northern coast.

Since the 2011 uprisings that led to the ousting of former President Muammar al-Qadhafi, Libya has suffered from ongoing instability, armed conflict, and terrorism. The political stalemate between rival governments and the divisions in the international community have worsened the crisis. Despite diplomatic efforts led by the UN, a peaceful resolution to the conflict seems unlikely in the near future.

After four years of civil war, the Libyan Political Agreement, a UN-led initiative, was established in 2015 as an interim Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli. However, the House of Representatives (HoR) rejected the authority of the GNA and created the Tobruk-based government a few months later. The conflict between the two rival power bases was intensified when the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by Khalifa Haftar aimed to unify the country through force, seizing Benghazi in 2017 and attempting to march on Tripoli in April 2019. With the support of outside forces and militias, the GNA managed to stop the offensive in May 2020. Since then, LNA forces have retreated to Sirte in the east and to the al-Jufra airbase in the center of the country.

In March 2021, the UN brokered a ceasefire between all parties and established the Libya Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which aimed at fomenting a Libyan-led peaceful transition to democracy, paving the way for national elections in December 2021. The transitional Government of National Unity (GNU) was established, with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah serving as the country's transitional prime minister. Along with the National Elections Commission, the GNU was responsible for organizing the constitutional, political, legal, and security framework for the elections. However, Dbeibah indefinitely postponed the elections that were planned for December 2021.

In response, the HoR passed a no-confidence motion against the GNU and elected Fathi Bashaga in March 2022 to become Prime Minister of the Government of National Stability (GNS) based in Tobruk. The newly formed eastern-based government has the support of Haftar and the LNA. However, the High Council of State (HCS), an advisory body responsible for democratic transition, and the international community have denounced the controversial vote. Both the GNU and GNS are backed by various militias and former army units, ensuring a degree of territorial control in their respective regions.

The existence of disparate, competing government institutions has led to increased instability in the country, destabilizing the economy and complicating Libyan bureaucracy. The widespread prevalence of weapons, foreign forces, and the existence of militias of varying loyalties have exacerbated the conflict threat. In August 2022, Tripoli saw a resurgence of violence as armed militias loyal to the GNU and GNS clashed.

Early 2023, the UN Security Council launched the Libyan High-Level Panel for Elections (HLPE). This panel aims to facilitate the establishment of a legal framework and a roadmap for holding elections by the end of 2023. While some consensus was found on a constitutional framework for elections, the 6+6 Joint Committee, a constitutional body formed by an equal number of HoR and the HCS representatives, still has the legal authority to draft election laws.

Instability and the lack of a strong central government have rendered many areas of the country susceptible to crime. Terrorism remains an ongoing concern, with periodic airstrikes targeting remnants of the Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups, especially in the southern Fezzan region. Counter-terrorism efforts will suffer as long as Libya's political situation remains at an impasse, and groups could exploit any security vacuum. Previous attacks by IS and other groups have targeted the electoral commission, diplomatic missions, oil and gas facilities, aid organizations, hotels, and foreign travelers. The kidnap threat is significant, with various actors staging abductions for financial and ideological motives. Foreign nationals are considered high-value targets. Arms, drugs, and human smuggling in Libya are a significant threat.

National infrastructure and medical services are generally poorly maintained and below Western standards. Storms, heavy rainfall, and floods represent a significant safety concern in northeastern Libya, as damaged and outdated infrastructure may not meet the necessary standards to protect the population.

The security situation in Libya is highly unstable as the country is stuck in a political stalemate between two rival governments. The crisis is worsening as both the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the Government of National Stability (GNS), which is backed by the east-based House of Representatives (HoR), claim to be legitimate, despite lacking a clear mandate to govern.

The widespread prevalence of weapons and the existence of militias with varying loyalties exacerbate the conflict threat. The lack of a coherent security force in Tripoli has raised the threat of fighting between smaller armed groups as they compete for territorial gains and influence. Criminal gangs have exploited the ongoing conflict to conduct kidnap, extortion, and theft. Terrorism remains a concern, although the threat from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State (IS) has diminished due to ongoing counterterrorism operations. However, militant cells continue to operate in several areas of the country and can exploit any long-term security vacuum. Previous attacks have targeted the electoral commission, diplomatic missions, aid organizations, business hotels, and foreign travelers of all nationalities. The kidnap threat is a significant concern, with various actors staging abductions for financial and ideological motives. Foreign nationals are considered high-value targets. Other criminal gangs and activities are prevalent in southern and central areas where there are large swathes of remote unpatrolled terrain. Smuggling operations have led to armed clashes with security forces in Tripolitania region.

Protests related to socio-economic issues and security concerns remain prevalent throughout Libya.

Due to the political and security situation in Libya, safety concerns remain over air travel. Road conditions are fairly developed in urban centers but remain poor in rural areas. There is limited public transportation. Taxis are available, but many drivers have driving habits that do not meet Western standards.

Ports in Libya are considered inefficient.

Access to water is difficult in most parts of Libya. Access to electricity is increasing throughout Libya but remains weak in rural areas. In September 2023, storm system Daniel struck northeastern Libya, including Benghazi and Derna, bringing heavy rainfall and destroying critical infrastructure.

The country is considered an attractive target for cyberattacks. Its defenses against such an attack are weak.

Libya has a largely desert climate, with the exception of the north coast which has a Mediterranean climate. The Saharan desert has an extreme climate, experiencing extremely hot temperatures during the day and very cold ones at night. High summer temperatures can be a source of discomfort and potentially pose a threat to health. Dust and sand storms can occur in this area. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms can trigger flooding and associated travel disruptions in northern regions along the Mediterranean coast, where rainfall is more abundant. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) exists in many areas across the country.

Primary health care facilities, such as local clinics and district hospitals, are sparse and ill-equipped. Pharmacies are not well-stocked or regulated, and supply of important drugs may be limited or of unreliable quality. Tap water is not safe to drink. The primary healthcare sector has been impacted by worsening conditions and stability, and compounded by the emigration of a large percentage of skilled medical workers. The conflict is further deteriorating the already limited resources, including the deficit of public services, lifesaving medicines, and basic equipment.

In 2011, popular uprisings, supported by a NATO intervention, led to the ousting of former President Muammar al-Qadhafi. After four years of civil war, the Libyan Political Agreement, a UN-led initiative, was established in 2015 as an interim Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli. However, the House of Representatives (HoR) rejected the authority of the GNA and created the Tobruk government a few months later. The conflict between the two rival power bases was intensified when the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by Khalifa Haftar aimed to unify the country through force, seizing Benghazi in 2017 and attempting to march on Tripoli in April 2019. With the support of outside forces and militias, the GNA managed to stop the offensive in May 2020. Since then, LNA forces have retreated to Sirte in the east and to the al-Jufra airbase in the center of the country.

In March 2021, the UN brokered a ceasefire between all parties and established the Libya Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which aimed at fomenting a Libyan-led peaceful transition to democracy, paving the way for national elections in December 2021. The transitional Government of National Unity (GNU) was established, with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah serving as the country's transitional prime minister. Along with the National Elections Commission, the GNU was responsible for organizing the elections' constitutional, political, legal, and security framework. However, Dbeibah indefinitely postponed the elections that were planned for December 2021.

In response, the HoR passed a no-confidence motion against the GNU and elected Fathi Bashaga in March 2022 to become Prime Minister of the Government of National Stability (GNS) based in Tobruk. The newly formed eastern-based government has the support of Haftar and the LNA. However, the High Council of State (HCS), an advisory body responsible for democratic transition, and the international community have denounced the controversial vote. Both the GNU and GNS are backed by various militias and former army units, ensuring a degree of territorial control in their respective regions.

Early 2023, the UN Security Council launched the Libyan High-Level Panel for Elections (HLPE). This panel aims to facilitate the establishment of a legal framework and a roadmap for holding elections by the end of 2023. While some consensus was found on a constitutional framework for elections, the 6+6 Joint Committee, a constitutional body formed by an equal number of HoR and the HCS representatives, still has the legal authority to draft election laws. Elections were not held in 2023, and talks are still ongoing.

The existence of disparate, competing government institutions has led to increased instability in the country and has complicated the Libyan bureaucracy.