Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Government of National Accord (GNA) was formed 2015 under an agreement after prolonged discussions between the United Nations and stakeholders. International community expected the GNA would bring peace and progress to a country which was wracked by domestic disputes for several years, but by April 2019, the country has again been pushed into civil war by the reckless attacks by the renegade eastern military man Khalifa Haftar. Haftar drew strong support from some of the countries in the region who wanted to control Libyan affairs against the will of the Libyan people.
Qatar, as always, followed an exemplary and legitimate path by supporting the UN-recognised GNA headed by Fayaz Al Sarraj as the country’s legitimate authority and has been extending every support possible. In this context, the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs H E Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah to Tripoli on Monday and his meeting with President of Libya’s High Council of State, H E Khalid Al Mishri; Chairman of the Presidential Council of the GNA, H E Fayez Al Sarraj, and Turkey’s Minister of Defence, Hulusi Akar, draws importance.
The visit, which comes after a year of turmoil and suffering for the people of Libya, will strengthen its need to achieve stability, which can be possible only by supporting the legitimate government with financial and material aid and training for its vital agencies to lead the country to development and harmony.
Protecting the lives of the civilians, providing them food, shelter, education and more importantly a peaceful atmosphere to live in are the fundamental duties of a government. For Libya, after unspeakable damage it suffered to its infrastructure facilities and human resources, it will not be an easy task to rebuild a democratic state without the help from other willing friendly countries. Since April 2019, the country has been witnessing armed attacks by forces opposing the legitimate government, which resulted in more than 1,000 deaths, bloodshed and displacement of thousands of people from their homes shattering the social fabric.
It is high time the international community heeded the cry of the helpless people of Libya, who despite having enough natural resources to tap, are struggling even for a decent meal. They need the necessary freedom and protection to exploit their natural wealth to fulfill their aspirations. Any country providing support and protection to a renegade force to selfishly hold natural resources, should understand that they are denying the basic right of the people for a decent living.
