Libya November 2016 update

Since the downfall of Colonel Qadhafi in 2011, stability has been elusive in Libya. A United Nations-sponsored political process appeared to have had some success, but the agreement announced in December 2015 has not brought an end to fighting. The country remains divided between two main groups of institutions in the east and the west centred on the Government of National Accord based in Tripoli and the House of Representatives based in Tobruk. There are myriad armed groups whose allegiance is fluid. The UN Skhirat process is still trying to bring about the full implementation of the December 2015 agreement.

ISIS/Daesh established itself in several areas in Libya, but recently has been less successful, losing the important central city of Sirte to other armed groups.

The UK provides some support to the Government of National Accord and runs humanitarian and capacity-building aid projects. The House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published a report in September 2016 that was sharply critical of the former Prime Minister David Cameron’s role.