Despite US Support for “Official” Gov of Libya, Competing Gov Led by CIA Asset Benefits from Chaos in Tripoli

U.S. allies the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Israel have been backing the “rogue” government of CIA-asset Khalifa Haftar, which controls Libya’s east as well as many of the country’s most important and lucrative oil fields and ports.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
Khalifa Haftar, third left, leaves after an International Conference on Libya at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France May 29, 2018. Francois Mori | AP

TRIPOLI, LIBYA -- The UN-recognized government of Libya -- officially known as the Government of National Accord (GNA) -- could be in its final days, as recent in-fighting within the GNA has dramatically escalated since it began last week, plunging the country’s capital into chaos. On Saturday, over 20 rockets targeting residential areas rained

Read Full Article

Are the US and Israel Behind the Fresh Chaos in Libya’s Capital?

Trump claimed last year that he would seek to establish a permanent military presence in Libya aimed at “uniting” the country under a single government, a government that would most likely have rival leader Khalifa Haftar at the helm, given his control over most of Libya’s oil fields.

Whitney Webb
By Whitney Webb
The aftermath of recent clashes which took place in Tripoli, Libya. Twitter | Nadia Ramadan

TRIPOLI, LIBYA – As the week began, Tripoli reverted to a state of chaos as armed cadres representing rival factions vie for control of the Libyan capital. Since Monday, local media has reported that five have been killed and 27 wounded in the city, prompting the country’s health ministry to declare a state of emergency. While in-fighting

Read Full Article

US Likely To Establish Permanent Military Presence In Libya

The US officials say that the administration is happy with their increased involvement in Somalia, and is looking to replicate that sudden escalation in Libya.

Jason Ditz
By Jason Ditz
US Senators Libya

U.S. officials familiar with the situation say that the Trump Administration is likely to announce a dramatic “ramping up” of U.S. involvement in Libya, appointing a new U.S. ambassador, and setting up a permanent U.S. military presence in the nation. While the military operation appears primarily aimed at supporting the “unity government” in

Read Full Article

Is Lebanon On The Brink?

Syria-fueled internal divisions coupled with an increasingly tense border with Israel threaten Lebanon’s fragile peace.

Patrick O. Strickland
By Patrick O. Strickland

Following a sharp uptick in violence in Beirut and Tripoli in recent weeks, Lebanon threatens to descend into complete instability. Coupled with the country’s already fragile sectarian divides, the ongoing crisis in Syria is stoking tensions in Lebanon and recalling a violent past. Droves of Lebanese Sunnis have joined the Free Syrian Army and

Read Full Article