Libya crisis: US caught off-guard by air strikes
August 26, 2014 by bbc
The US was caught off guard by air strikes against Islamist militia in
Libya, a senior official has told the BBC.
The attacks on militia positions around Tripoli airport were reportedly
carried out by the United Arab Emirates from bases in Egypt.
Egypt has denied any involvement and the UAE has not commented.
A militia alliance recently captured the capitals international airport
after a battle lasting nearly a month.
The official told the BBC that the US had not been consulted about the air
strikes and that it was concerned that US weapons may have been used,
violating agreements under which they were sold.
The unidentified war planes attacked twice in the past week during a battle
for Tripolis airport between Islamist and nationalist militias.
A report in The New York Times on Monday said the UAE had provided the
military aircraft, aerial refuelling planes and crews while Egypt gave
access to its air bases.
On Monday, the US, France, Germany, Italy and the UK issued a joint
statement denouncing outside interference in Libya which it said
exacerbates current divisions and undermines Libyas democratic
transition.
The BBCs Barbara Plett Usher in Washington says the air strikes have
exposed another battleground in a regional struggle for power between Arab
autocrats and Islamist movements.
Qatar has provided weapons and money to Islamist forces in Libya and
elsewhere, she says, while Egypt and the UAE along with Saudi Arabia are
trying to roll back Islamist advances.
Violence in Libya has surged recently between the rival groups who overthrew
Muammar Gaddafi in the 2011 uprising.
Libyas police and army remain weak in comparison with the militias.
Over the weekend, Islamist-affiliated forces from Misrata and other cities
took over Tripoli airport from the Zintan militia, which has held it for
three years.
The airport, Libyas largest, has been closed for more than a month because
of the fighting.
Hundreds of people have died since clashes broke out in Tripoli in July.
In another development on Monday, Libyas previous Islamist-dominated
parliament reconvened and voted to disband the countrys interim government.
Correspondents say it leaves Libya with two rival parliaments, each backed
by armed factions.
Elections in June saw the old General National Congress, where Islamists had
a strong voice, replaced by the House of Representatives, dominated by
liberals and federalists.
The GNC, which reconvened in Tripoli on Monday, has refused to acknowledge
the legitimacy of its successor assembly, which is based in Tobruk.
The House of Representatives says the groups now in control of Tripoli
airport are terrorist organisations.
But the Misrata-led brigade, now in control of Tripoli airport, has called
on the GNC to resume work.
Libyas government has repeatedly called for the militia groups to disband
and join the national army. But so far, few have shown a willingness to
disarm.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni
katika machafuko"
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