Libya: committee warns that violence in the capital will continue

The Committee for Communication, formed by the Tripoli Central Municipal Council, has warned that the capital city of Tripoli is under serious threat due to the lack of a binding ceasefire agreement between armed groups, according to the Libya Observer on June 22nd.

The committee stated that following the outbreak of violence in Tripoli over May 12th and 13th, it had met with the Prime Minister, the General Staff and relevant armed factions.

Continuing and intensifying communication between all parties is essential to protecting the residents of Tripoli, said the committee.

The clashes in Tripoli in early May were initiated by the death of the commander of Support Force Apparatus, an armed group that the Libyan government backs. They are one of the most powerful armed groups in Tripoli, and according to Maghrebi reports suggest that the commander was killed by another powerful armed militia group based in the same area of the city, the 444 brigade.

A ceasefire was called for by authorities on May 12th, but fighting continued and caused damage to public and private property, endangering civilians.

There is a widespread understanding of the need for de-escalations of the conflict, with calls for a ceasefire and the Libyan Prime Minister urging armed groups to align with the government. 

Despite this, the Committee for Communication said that no formal guarantees have been made, and no groups have made clear commitments to ending or pausing the violence.

So far the committee has launched a conflict resolution panel, but their efforts lack the strong backing of the government and military according to the Libyan Observer.

The UN commended the establishment of presidential committees aimed at addressing the surge in violence in Tripoli, and other committees are focusing on human rights concerns related to the conflict.

Libya Observer/Maghrebi