BRIEFING TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE LATEST

DEVELOPMENTS IN LIBYA

AUGUST 2011

MAP OF LIBYA

POLITICAL SITUATION

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– The situation in Libya has reached a stalemate, with the country having descended into a civil war.

– The landscape of the conflict has shifted dramatically with NATO now focusing on toppling Col Gaddafi and force “regime change”.

– The international community and the UN remain concerned at the dire level of humanitarian needs, and the increasing shortage of basic necessities like food, fuel and medicines

– Benghazi remains the stronghold for anti government forces. However, the rebels have advanced from Benghazi through Misrata,Zlitan until they recently reached Zawiya

– NATO forces using the UNSC resolution 1973(2011) which was approved for the imposition of a no-fly zone, continue to bombard Col Gaddafi’s forces. Bombing raids have been in effect on government anti-aircraft capabilities and government ground forces attacking rebel fighters.

– Several hundred deaths have been reported as a result of coalition air strikes. No signs of a cease-fire are evident as both sides continue to clash in cities across Libya.

– The UNSC has imposed sanctions resolution 1970(2011) on Libya and has referred the atrocities and extreme violence used against protestors to the ICC.

– Diplomatic talks continue about a possible negotiated solution to the conflict although no proposal appears to have gained the support of the TNC. Following the intervention by the AU High Level Committee, Col Gaddafi has agreed not to be part of the negotiations.

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POLITICAL SITUATION CONTINUES

– A large number top Libyan diplomats, military personnel and Ministers continue to defect to the TNC.

– African leaders have raised concerns about NATO and its alliance continuing to disregard and marginalize the African Union High Level Committee and the proposed AU roadmap in trying to resolve the Libyan conflict.

– The AU has urged NATO to stop the air strikes in order to create space for a political solution to the crisis in Libya.

– The AU framework for negotiation was proposed to the two parties in Malabo, and they were given 14 days to respond to the framework for negotiation.

– The Libyan government requested more time to respond to the framework for negotiation document, whereas the TNC rejected the AU framework document.

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- The expulsion of all diplomats linked to Col Gaddafi in Britain and Canada has further exacerbated the tensions between these countries and the Libyan government.

- Canada and Britain have recognized the rebels as the legitimate interlocutors of Libya, with Britain calling on the TNC to open up offices in Britain.

- The following countries now recognise the TNC as legitimate interlocutors Britain, France, USA, Turkey, Belgium, Canada, Qatar, UAE, Jordan, Morocco, Gambia, Jordan, Senegal, Spain Austria, Japan, Italy, Malta, Australia, Bahrain, Norway, Germany, Greece, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherland, Luxembourg, Poland.

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SECURITY SITUATION

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•The security situation is unstable and volatile.

•Government forces continue to attack rebel forces across the country despite coalition air strikes having disabled the Libyan Air Force

•Reports have surfaced that some countries are arming the rebels in an attempt to force regime change.

•NATO has since intensified its bombardment of Libyan, causing infrastructure damage to structures such as the television antenna and station, Col. Gaddafi's compounds, security building, military command and control centers including school .

• The rebel forces managed to capture and take control of the town Zawiya 50 km west of the capital of Tripol.

• On Saturday 13 August 2011 the USA stated that Col Gaddafi forces launched scud missiles outside the city of Brega. This marks the first use of a tactical ballistic weapon by Col Gaddafi's troops since the conflict started last March.

ECONOMY• Libya’s economy has grounded to a halt, compounded by the armed conflict and the

imposition of sanctions by the UN.

• International sanctions have dried up oil export revenues of the Libyan government’s income.

• Oil prices have gone up due to the shortages in global supply amid soaring demand.

• Hundreds of thousands of foreign workers, once the backbone of the economy, have fled.

• There is shortage of essentials supplies such as food, water, fuel etc.

• Some countries i.e. USA have started talking about the unfreezing of the Libyan funds.

• Netherlands released some of the frozen Libya funds to World Health Organisation, for humanitarian purposes.

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CHALLENGES

• Ending the war and monitoring a ceasefire

• The role and position of Col Gaddafi

• Composition and formation of a transitional government

• Drafting of a new constitution

• ICC indictments, building national unity and reconciliation

• Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration processes

• Reconstruction of infrastructure

• ICC

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THANK YOU

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