Glimmer of peace in Libya after warring factions agree to ceasefire

Libya has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi

The oil-rich country has two competing administrations: the UN-backed GNA government and the other based in the eastern city of Tobruk

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A fighter for Libya’s internationally recognised government. File photo: Reuters

Published: 7:21am, 12 Jan 2020Updated: 11:16pm, 12 Jan 2020

Libya’s warring factions accepted a ceasefire in a nine-month war that has drawn in Russia and Turkey, following a call by the presidents of both countries to halt the fighting.

Eastern military commander Khalifa Hifter’s forces, who launched the war in April against the internationally recognised government, said they would abide by the ceasefire starting midnight Saturday. The Tripoli-based government said earlier it would comply.

The dramatic announcement by Hifter’s Libyan National Army after a series of gains in recent weeks followed a call for a ceasefire by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Looming over the conflict was a possible Turkish military intervention to defend Tripoli against Hifter’s forces, who are backed by Russian mercenaries, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Khalifa Hifter, the military commander who dominates eastern Libya. File photo: Reuters

The war, which has killed more than 2,000 people and displaced tens of thousands, threatens to further divide an oil-producing country wracked by violence since a Nato-backed revolt in 2011 toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi.