Analysis: Field Successes of Haftar in Libya Questions Viability of Truce

Despite that Libya National Army commander, Khalifa Haftar, welcomed the initiative of Russia and Turkey to a cease-fire in Libya, analysts assert that his field successes would hamper a real implementation of that truce, especially before the Berlin conference on the Libyan crisis.

According to analysts, both sides, the Libyan National Army and the militias supporting the Al-Wefaq government led by Faiz Al-Sarraj - are working hard to achieve field gains that would strengthen their negotiating position at the United Nations-sponsored international conference which is due in weeks.

Hours ago, Field Marshal Hafter welcomed the call by Ankara and Moscow for a ceasefire, but at the same time he confirmed the continuation of military operations against forces loyal to the Al-Wefaq government in Tripoli.

The army spokesman, Ahmed Al-Mismari, considered that the armistice initiative "aims to bring peace and stability to Libya." But he declared that "the continued efforts of the armed forces in their war against terrorist groups -classified by resolutions of the United Nations Security Council- which have proven through experience that there is no way to establish a civil state except by its complete elimination, as these groups have seized the capital, Tripoli."

Referring to Turkey, Haftar accused "some countries and governments" of supplying the forces stationed in Tripoli with "military equipment and ammunition of various weapons as well as attacking drones."

Meanwhile, the recent successes of Haftar's forces, especially in controlling the strategic city of Sirte, have prompted analysts to question the viability of the initiative.

On the other hand, Algeria and Tunisia, keen to stay at the same distance from the two war camps in Libya and rejecting any foreign interference in the neighboring country, are making their efforts to find a peaceful solution in Libya.

Amid intensive diplomatic activity, Algeria urged the international community, especially the United Nations, to "assume its responsibilities" to "impose an immediate cease-fire and end the military escalation" in Libya.

Since Turkey's recent decision to deploy troops in Libya, Algerian diplomacy has intensified consultations with a view to alleviating the crisis threatened by internationalization.

AFP quoted the director of research at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations in Paris, Karim Bitar, saying that Algeria, which faces a popular protest movement, is "especially seeking to preserve its stability."

He added that "Algeria has no interest in being at the heart of this war" in Libya.

Algeria and Tunisia, which are consulting on the Libyan file, have the same security concerns. Algeria has about 1100 km of borders with Libya, and Tunisia has 450 km of borders with its eastern neighbor.

Worth noting is that the series of jihad attacks that Tunisia witnessed in 2015 and 2016 were planned in Libya, and ISIS also attempted, from Libyan lands, to seize the city of Benqardan (Medenine Governorate, southeastern Tunisia) in 2016.

The recent visit of Turkish President Recep Erdogan to Tunisia has raised questions as "will Tunisia be used as backdrop for the anti-Haftar coalition, or will it be a mediator in this crisis?," asked the Tunisian government newspaper, "La Presse".

The Tunisian presidency put an end to speculation by asserting that "Tunisia is a sovereign country and will never accept being among any alliance."