U.N. Expresses Concerns about Libya's Escalating Armed Conflicts over Central Bank Control

The United Nations Libya mission has expressed concern about force mobilizations in Tripoli and threats to resolve control issues over the Central Bank of Libya. The political and military situations have swiftly deteriorated, involving armed factions and risking civilian lives, highlighting longstanding political instability in the country.

The United Nations' mission in Libya voiced alarm late Thursday regarding reports of forces mobilizing in Tripoli and threats of using force to resolve a crisis over the control of the central bank. Stephanie Koury, the mission's deputy head, updated the U.N. Security Council on Monday about the rapidly worsening political and military landscape in Libya over the past two months, punctuated by mobilizations from armed factions.

“The display of military power and armed confrontations in densely populated neighborhoods is unacceptable and threatens the lives and security of civilians,” the mission stressed in its Thursday statement. The latest spike in tensions followed attempts by political factions to unseat Central Bank of Libya (CBL) head Sadiq al-Kabir, with rival armed factions rallying on either side. Libya, a major Mediterranean oil producer, has experienced little stability since the NATO-backed 2011 uprising. The country fragmented in 2014 into warring eastern and western factions, eventually involving Russian and Turkish backers.

Major combat ceased with a 2020 ceasefire, but political crises persist, leading to intermittent armed clashes and competition over Libya's vast economic resources. Political leaders originate from elections a decade or more ago or were installed through international peacemaking efforts that have repeatedly faltered. Diplomatic initiatives for national elections to renew Libya's political entities have stalled.

Eastern Libya, home to the parliament, is under the control of commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). Meanwhile, Tripoli and the northwest, where the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) and key state institutions are located, house rival armed factions with a history of conflict. Late July and early August saw renewed mobilization by rival groups in northwest Libya, while the LNA deployed forces to southwest Libya, raising fears of renewed east-west hostilities.

Concurrently, there is a deadlock in the High State Council, one of the internationally recognized legislative bodies, following a disputed leadership vote. The eastern-based House of Representatives has also called for the ousting of the GNU and the Presidency Council. Tensions over central bank control intensified after Presidency Council head Mohammed al-Menfi decided to replace Kabir and the board, a move rebuffed by the parliament.