National Salvation Government

National Salvation Government
حكومة الإنقاذ الوطني
Provisional Government overview
Formed 6 September 2014
1 April 2016
Dissolved 14 October 2016
16 March 2017
Jurisdiction Libya
Minister responsible
Website www.facebook.com/GOFNSLY/
Libya
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Libya

The National Salvation Government (Arabic: حكومة الإنقاذ الوطني‎) was a government body formed by politicians from the General National Congress's blocs that lost the June 2014 elections in Libya. The NSG was led by Khalifa al-Ghawi.[1] The term Libya Dawn Coalition was used to refer to the armed groups and/or the wider political movement supporting the NSG. The NSG was one of the major sides in the ongoing Second Libyan Civil War from its formation August 2014 until its dissolution in April 2016.[2] [3]

History

Formation

A faction of the General National Congress claimed to be the legitimate parliament of Libya, but does not represent a majority of the membership of that congress, refused to handover the power to the HoR.[4] The majority of the GNC members belonged to groups now participating in the internationally recognized Libyan parliament, the House of Representatives.[5]

The NSG was backed by the Muslim Brotherhood's Libyan party, the Justice and Construction Party, and the "Loyalty to Martyrs Bloc" which consists of other smaller groups allied to the Muslim Brotherhood.[5]

After their landslide defeat in the 2014 elections dominated by low turnout, Islamist parties acting under the leadership of Nouri Abusahmain used two armed groups, the Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room and Libya Shield Force, to take control of the capital Tripoli.[6] In late August, Islamist militias allegedly abducted rivals (whose whereabouts are unknown) and attacked 280 homes.[7] The NSG has rejected affiliation with any of these activities and it is unknown who the exact perpetrators were with both sides blaming each other[8]

The leader of the GNC, Nouri Abusahmain,[8] had appointed Omar al-Hassi then Khalifa al-Ghawi as prime ministers.[9]

Libyan Political Agreement

Members of the House of Representatives and the General National Congress signed a United Nations supported political agreement on 17 December 2015.[10] Under the terms of the agreement, a nine-member Presidency Council and a seventeen-member interim Government of National Accord would be formed, with a view to holding new elections within two years.[10] The House of Representatives would continue to exist as a legislature and an advisory body, to be known as the High Council of State, will be formed with members nominated by the General National Congress. [11]

The Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, arrived in Tripoli on 30 March 2016.[12] The following day, it was reported that the GNA has taken control of the prime ministerial offices and that the GNC appointed Prime Minister Khalifa al-Ghawi had fled to Misrata.[13] On 1 April 2016, the head of the media bureau of the National Salvation Government announced that the NSG has resigned and handed its authority back to the General National Congress.[14] Media reports have also claimed that the General National Congress had "virtually disintegrated".[15]

On April 5, the National Salvation Government of the General National Congress announced that it was resigning, "ceasing operations" and ceding power to the Presidential Council.[16][17] Following the dissolution of the GNC, former members of that body declared the establishment of the State Council, as envisaged by the LPA.[2]

October 2016 takeover

On 15 October 2016, forces loyal to the NSG took over the building of the High Council of State and announced the comeback of the Ghawil cabinet.[18][19] Then fighting occurred between Sarraj loyalists and Ghawil forces.[20][21]

Second withdrawal from Tripoli

The fighting spread to other areas of Tripoli on 14 March.[22] The Pro-GNA forces had recaptured the Guest Palace complex as well as the Rixos hotel. The channel was taken off-air while Khalifa Al-Ghawil was also reported by one of his aides to have been injured in the clashes.[23][24] An agreement called for withdrawal of all armed groups from Tripoli in 30 days.[25]

On 28 May, the 7th Brigade of the Presidential Guard (Al-Kani brigade) from Tarhuna, took over the Tripoli International Airport as a neutral side after Misratan militias loyal to Khalifa Ghwell withdrew from there following two days of heavy clashes.[26] By the next day, the city of Tripoli was fully under control of pro-GNA forces, with all pro-GNC forces withdrawing as a result of clashes with pro-GNA forces.[27]

Prime Ministers of the National Salvation Government

Incumbent Office Since Until
Omar al-Hassi Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government 6 September 2014 31 March 2015
Khalifa al-Ghawil 31 March 2015 1 April 2016
14 October 2016 16 March 2017

References

  1. ↑ "Leaders of Libyan unity govt venture onto Tripoli streets". 1 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016 – via Reuters.
  2. 1 2 "GNC members announce its "dissolution" and creation of the State Council". Libya Herald. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  3. ↑ "Tripoli's National Salvation Government quits - Libyan Express". 5 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Abu Sahmain, Ghariani condemned by Thinni and parliament leader Saleh". Libya Herald. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Libya: The Muslim Brotherhood's Last Stand?". Huffington Post. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Libya – Democracy's Complex Child". International Business Times. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Tripoli residents face dilemma after Libya Dawn take control of capital". The Guardian. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Libya's ex-parliament reconvenes, appoints Omar al-Hasi as PM". Reuters. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Daragahi, Borzou (31 March 2015). "Tripoli authority sacks prime minister". Financial Times. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  10. 1 2 Kingsley, Patrick (17 December 2015). "Libyan politicians sign UN peace deal to unify rival governments". Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  11. ↑ http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2015/12/25/Libyan-deal-on-course-but-who-is-on-board-.html
  12. ↑ "Support grows for Libya's new unity government". Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  13. ↑ https://www.libyaherald.com/2016/03/31/rebel-tripoli-administration-vanishes-ghwell-flees-to-misrata/
  14. ↑ "Tripoli Salvation Government resigns, hands power back to GNC - Libyan Express". 1 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Op-Ed: Libya Herald report claims that Tripoli government 'vanished'". 1 April 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "Libya's Tripoli Government Says Will 'Cease Operations'". ABC News. 2016-04-05. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  17. ↑ "Tripoli authorities cede power to Libyan unity government: statement". Yahoo! New Zealand. 2016-04-05. Archived from the original on 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2016-04-05.
  18. ↑ "GNC retakes parliament compound, High Council of State condemns - The Libya Observer". Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Rival group seizes Libya's UN-backed government offices". Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  20. ↑ "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital Tripoli - Region - World - Ahram Online". Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  21. ↑ "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital". Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  22. ↑ "West Tripoli clashes force evacuation of central business area". The Libya Herald.
  23. ↑ "Libya govt forces overrun Tripoli militia headquarters". Agence-France Presse. Arab News. 15 March 2017.
  24. ↑ "Fighting in Libya's capital as one government seizes another's compound". Reuters. The New York Times. 15 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Ceasefire reached in Tripoli after three days of bloody fighting". Libyan Express. 15 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Tripoli International Airport taken by Tarhuna brigade, Tajouri rejects". Libya Observer. 28 May 2017.
  27. ↑ "Ghwell said his fighters withdrew to prevent further damage in Tripoli". 29 May 2017.
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