The Stream

Libya’s new unity government

Will the new UN-backed government find enough support to deliver stability to the country?

On Monday, April 4 at 19:30 GMT:

Libya’s new unity government has begun its work from a heavily guarded naval base in the capital, Tripoli, despite threats from rival factions. The government, formed in Tunisia under a UN-mandated peace deal, will attempt to end the political chaos and conflict that has plagued the country since the uprising that saw the fall of Muammar Gaddafi five years ago.

 

It is supposed to replace two opposing administrations in Libya, one operating from Tripoli, and the other from the eastern city of Tobruk. The country has been deeply fractured since 2014, when a new government was democratically elected, but the previous, outgoing administration refused to accept it.

 

The United Nations hopes this unity government will be able to deliver political stability and tackle growing threats from ISIL and al-Qaeda. ISIL has taken advantage of the security vacuum in Libya to establish a presence in the North African country. The groups is in a number areas, staging attacks against civilian, military targets and oil facilities. Al-Qaeda has also expanded its operations in Libya’s southwestern desert since the fall of Gaddafi.

 

The ongoing political instability, insecurity, violence and fighting between rival groups has made daily life very difficult for the average Libyan. But Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj said Libya’s new government “is coming to serve the citizen” and that their slogan is “reconciling and reconstruction among Libyans”. So will this government find enough support to deliver stability to Libyans? Join our conversation at 19:30 GMT. 

Joining this conversation:

Ayat Mneina @AMneina
Founder, ShababLibya
twitter.com/ShababLibya

Anas El Gomati @AGomati
Founder & General Director, Sadeq Institute
sadeqinstitute.org

Hassan Morajea @hassanmorajea
Journalist

Bilal Bettamer @bilalHB
Lawyer and activist

What do you think? Leave your thoughts below.