Committee: SPECPOL (Libya)
Country: Saudi Arabia
Libya Conflict
Since the ousting and death of Muammar Gaddafi, the former dictator of Libya, in late 2011, the country has spent the last part of the decade embroiled in a conflict of democratic struggle and power. Most pressing to the development of this issue is the over 25,000 Libyans that have been left internally displaced in the midst of this conflict, left without many basic resources necessary to survival. Since the failed 2011 Arab Spring, the country has made a quick descent into chaos. Although the Government of National Accord (GNA) is still internationally recognized by the UN as Libya’s legitimate government, as of September 19, the GNA severely struggled to be recognized by Libya, only able to exert insubstantial control over the capital city of Libya, Tripoli. The opposing Libyan National Army (LNA) and House of Representatives (HoR), led by General Khalifa Haftar, have begun laying siege to the capital in hope for gaining political control. Additionally, an ISIS branch sprung up in the country as well, further complicating matters in the country.
As of April 2019, Saudi Arabia has “promised tens of millions of dollars to help pay for the operation [in support of Haftar].” Saudi Arabia personally believes in the need to eradicate the presence of terrorist groups and militia in the country, a cause Haftar has dedicated himself to since the beginning of the emergence of the Libyan crisis when he was able to declare victory over ISIS in Libya in 2017. Haftar is an avowed opponent of Islamic extremism, an idealism Saudi Arabia earnestly supports. Recently, the GNA has been accused of aligning itself with some Islamist militants and political factions with links to the Brotherhood. Even President Donald Trump reversed US policy in Libya to back Khalifa Haftar, the eastern Libyan commander seeking to capture Tripoli.
That being said, Saudi Arabia would also like to follow the United State’s initiative in encouraging a halt to violence and a return to political talks. Additionally, we support the condemnation of the use of force against civilians and of violations of international humanitarian law, with the credible prospect of international action should such actions escalate. The core of this issue still resolves that Libya must prevent the endangering of its civilians and undermine prospects for a better future for all Libyans.
- Katie Zhao
