Libya: Regions and Actors

Protests broke out, particularly in Benghazi, and developed into an armed uprising. February 17 became the symbolic date of the revolution.

The National Transitional Council, chaired by Mustafa Abdul Jalil, was established to represent the uprising and manage the transition.

The UN Security Council authorized a no-fly zone and measures to protect civilians. International military intervention followed, with NATO later taking command.

Revolutionary forces captured Tripoli. Gaddafi was killed in Sirte on October 20, and the National Transitional Council declared liberation on October 23, beginning a new phase of institution-building.

Libya held its first parliamentary elections after Gaddafi’s fall, electing the General National Congress.

The National Transitional Council handed authority to the General National Congress, tasked with overseeing the transition and advancing the constitutional process.

Ali Zeidan’s government was formed amid political competition and the growing influence of armed groups.

The law excluded categories of officials associated with the former regime from public office, deepening disagreements over the transition.

Libya elected a constitution-drafting assembly. Ali Zeidan was subsequently removed as prime minister and replaced by Abdullah al-Thinni.

Khalifa Haftar launched Operation Dignity in eastern Libya, establishing himself as a major military and political actor.

The House of Representatives was elected to replace the General National Congress.

The Libya Dawn coalition took control of Tripoli. The House of Representatives established itself in Tobruk, while part of the General National Congress resumed activity in the capital, entrenching institutional division.

The Supreme Court invalidated a constitutional amendment linked to the parliamentary election process. The House of Representatives rejected the ruling, intensifying the dispute over legitimacy.

Signed in Morocco, the Libyan Political Agreement provided for a Presidency Council and a Government of National Accord, retained the House of Representatives, and established the High Council of State.

The Presidency Council led by Fayez al-Sarraj arrived in Tripoli. The Government of National Accord began operating, but the agreement did not end the division with eastern authorities.

Haftar’s forces expanded their influence, particularly in the Oil Crescent and Benghazi, strengthening their position in political negotiations.

The constitution-drafting assembly approved a draft constitution, but it did not become an operative constitution through a referendum.

Libyan leaders met in Paris and agreed to pursue elections within the year. Those elections did not take place.

Haftar’s forces launched an offensive against Tripoli, disrupting the political process and preventing the UN-planned National Conference from taking place.

The Berlin Conference sought to curb foreign interference and support a political settlement.

The withdrawal followed advances by Government of National Accord forces supported by Turkey, shifting the balance of the conflict.

The two sides of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in Geneva, opening a new opportunity for negotiations.

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum adopted a roadmap for an interim executive authority and national elections.

The Political Dialogue Forum selected Mohamed al-Menfi as head of the Presidency Council and Abdul Hamid Dbeibah as prime minister of the Government of National Unity.

The House of Representatives granted confidence to the Government of National Unity in an attempt to reunify the executive authority.

The planned elections were postponed amid legal, political, and security disputes, including disagreements over presidential candidacy requirements.

The House of Representatives appointed Fathi Bashagha to form a new government. Dbeibah refused to hand over power, restoring the division between competing administrations.

Clashes broke out amid the contest over executive authority. Bashagha’s government failed to take control of the capital.

The House of Representatives suspended Bashagha and tasked Osama Hammad with running its appointed government.

A joint committee of representatives from the House of Representatives and High Council of State developed electoral laws. Disagreements persisted over their implementation and the government that would oversee elections.

The dispute over the Central Bank’s leadership highlighted the extension of political competition into public finances and oil revenues.

Representatives of the House of Representatives and High Council of State reached a UN-mediated agreement on new Central Bank leadership to ease the crisis.

Fighting in Tripoli was followed by truce arrangements, underscoring the continuing influence of armed groups over political authority.

UN envoy Hanna Tetteh outlined a roadmap based on a workable electoral framework, institutional unification through a unified government, and an inclusive structured dialogue.

The 4+4 Smaller Convening reached an agreement on steps to implement the political roadmap, particularly the electoral framework and the leadership of the High National Elections Commission.

UNSMIL welcomed the House of Representatives’ endorsement of the agreement, while implementation of its commitments remained necessary.

Sessions in Benghazi approved rotating parliamentary leadership with a maximum one-year term and elected Saleheen Abdul Nabi to replace Aguila Saleh, amid objections over the legitimacy of the procedures.

UNSMIL announced continued engagement with the House of Representatives, its new leadership, and all its members to advance the political process toward elections.