Inside Story

Is Haftar an aggressor or leader in Libya?

Fears of a full-blown battle in Tripoli as renegade General Khalifa Haftar’s forces advance towards Libya’s capital.

Libya has not had a stable government since the country’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi was forced from power and killed following a months-long uprising in 2011.

Since then, violence and insecurity have plagued the oil-rich country, with armed groups jostling for influence with Libya’s two rival governments.

In a surprise move on Thursday, the powerful renegade General Khalifa Haftar ordered his troops west on what he called a “victorious march” on Tripoli. 

The internationally recognised government has deployed its troops in response, raising fears of a major showdown. 

The UN has called for calm and sent Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Libya to meet Haftar on Friday.

Is Libya on the brink of another civil war?

Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria

Guests:

Salah El Bakkoush – Political analyst and senior adviser to the negotiating team of the High Council of State

Anas El Gomati – Director of the Tripoli-based Sadeq Institute

Mansour El-Kikhia – Professor of politics at the University of Texas in San Antonio