After the first Libyan Civil War ended in 2011 control over the military and politically was unstable. Fighting between factions escalated in 2014 with the House of Representatives, in the city of Tobruk, claiming to be the legitimate government of Libya. The House was supported by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National Army. A rival government was later established in early 2016, in Tripoli, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA) with Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj the support of the UN and several other countries. Many attempts were made to negotiate between the two governments and to organize elections. A conference was to be held to recommend to the House of Representatives and High Council of State dates to hold parliamentary elections. The conference also aimed to create a unified government between Sarraj and Haftar as well as creating a framework for a constitution. This Libyan National Conference was set to be held in April 2019 but was postponed due to the advancements of Haftar’s forces and the Western Libyan Offensive. On April 4th Marshall Haftar declared war on the GNA and stated that he would take Tripoli by military force. Soon after Prime Minister Sarraj and the GNA presidential council responded by ordering the mobilization of all security forces.
On February 22nd, 2011 Peru became the first of several countries to cut diplomatic relations with Libya in response to the actions of dictator Muammar Gaddafi and his regime. This severing of diplomatic relations was done in “hopes of highlighting the grave situation in Libya”. Peruvian President Alan garcia condemned the developments in Libya and said ““Peru expresses its most energetic protest at the repression carried out by the Libyan dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi against his people, who are demanding democratic reforms to change a government led by the same person for 40 years.” Peru does not wish to become involved in the issue only to draw attention to it in hopes that something will be done.
Peru does not condone the violence against civilians that is occuring in Libya with the current civil war. Peru believes a no-fly zone should be implemented over Libya to ensure fighter jets are not used against civilians. Peru also suggests that the UN place sanctions on Libya to possibly coerce the country to stop fighting so that negotiations may begin and peace can be restored.
- Nicholas Lagazo
