African Union urges permanent ceasefire in Libya
Published: 05:05 PM,May 24,2025 | EDITED : 09:05 PM,May 24,2025
Demonstrators gather, at the Martyrs' Square in Libya's capital Tripoli. — AFP
ADDIS ABABA: The African Union called for a permanent ceasefire in Libya on Saturday after deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month and demonstrations demanding the prime minister's resignation. The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations.
Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defence Ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were 'ongoing'. On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an 'unconditional and permanent ceasefire'. In a statement on X, the council urged 'inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation', adding that it 'appeals for no external interference'.
Libya is split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east. The country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 Nato-backed revolt.
The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government — the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade. — AFP
Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defence Ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were 'ongoing'. On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an 'unconditional and permanent ceasefire'. In a statement on X, the council urged 'inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation', adding that it 'appeals for no external interference'.
Libya is split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east. The country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 Nato-backed revolt.
The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government — the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade. — AFP