Libya: Security Crisis

Mohamed Hmouma

Location of Libya

General Background

- Capital – Tripoli- Population 6.5 million- Libya is about the size of Alaska- 97 percent is Muslim- Oil discovered in 1950- Ranked 17 in the world for oil production- Contains 9th largest oil reserves in the world- Classified as upper-middle income by WB

History of Libya

- Ruled by Romans .... - 1551- Ottomans 1551 – 1911- Italians 1911 – 1947 (Italian Libya)- France and Britain 1943 – 1951- Independence 1951- Kingdom 1951 – 1969- Gaddafi’s rule 1969 – 2011 (Arab Spring)- Transitional Governments 2011 - ongoing

Gaddafi’s Libya

- Dictatorship- Censorship, absence of political parties - No constitution- Poor human rights record- State sponsored terrorism and separatist

movements around the world.- Attempts to develop WMD- 2003 abandon WMD – sanctions removed

Gaddafi’s Libya and the International Community

- Gaddafi was anti-Western, broke off relations with Britain and the U.S.

- Libya-Chad war 1978-1987- By the 1980s, the U.S. was accusing Libya of

officially supporting terrorism.- Bombing of Discotheque in Berlin in 1986- In response, the U.S. bombed Libya in 1986.

Gaddafi’s Libya and the International Community

- Bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988

- Bombing of UTA Flight 772 over Niger in 1989

- UN placed sanctions and a trade embargo on Libya.

- In 1999 Gaddafi handed over the 2 suspects and in 2002 agreed to pay money to Lockerbie victims.

Libyan Revolution 2011

Libyan Revolution 2011

Libya after Gaddafi - NTC

- NTC declared liberation in October 2011.- Restored basic services – electricity, gas,

diesel, water, internet and telephones.- Spread of weapons.- Few clashes still occur between pro- and

anti-Gaddafi militias- Handed over power to GNC through

elections in July 2012.

Libya after GaddafiSpread of Weapons

Libya after Gaddafi - GNC

- Assassinations in Benghazi and Derna- Shelling U.S. Consulate in Benghazi- Separation movements in Eastern part- Oil blockade in the East- Elections for Writing Constitution Committee- Dispute over power – Islamists camp vs.

secular camp- Regional intervention

Two GovernmentsParliament held in Tobruk backed by:

Two Governments

Former Parliament, GNC, in Tripoli backed by:

Recent Developments

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