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Government
Gaddafi Regime Overthrown - 2011 Revolution. The long-time leader of Libya - Muammar Gaddafi - was ousted from power after a long conflict where the rebel forces were assisted by airpower from Europe and the United States. This event was heralded as one of the "Arab Spring" successes. The United States, along with about 19 allied states, intervened with aerial strikes and the establishment of no-fly zones with the intent of advancing local militias on the ground. Legal cover was provided by Security Council Resoluton 1973. 4.
Split Government (2014). The country has had two governments since August 2014. At this time an Islamist-backed militia took control of Tripoli in western Libya forcing the Libyan parliament to take refuge in the east of the country. Each of the governments is backed by various militia groups that rose up after the removal of Gaddafi. There has been an armed struggle between the two factions that has created a security vacumn which ISIS took advantage of. There are moderates and 'hardline' members in both governments and in the armed militias that support them.
General National Congress (GNC). The GNC was based in Tripoli. Some observers associated the GNC with hardline Islamic groups. The leading faction in Tripoli was called "Libya Dawn". This faction was aided by Qatar and Turkey.
House of Representatives (HoR). The HoR in eastern Libya is reportedly made up of ex-Gaddafi loyalists wishing to return the old regime to power. It is based in the eastern city of Tobruk. Eastern military forces are led by General Khalifa Haftar - a former Gaddafi ally. There are some disunity problems within the HoR that may short-circuit international efforts at a unity government. 1. This faction has been backed by the Russia, Eygpt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
New Government (2016). A United Nations brokered agreement in January 2016 formed a unity government that included representatives from most of Libyas tribes and regions. The new government is called the "Government of National Accord (GNA)". 2. The 'presidential council' of Libya has named a new government - although two of its nine members rejected the government plan. 3. While the international community was hopeful about this new agreement for a national unity government - it did not take traction.
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Endnotes
1. In regards to the disunity of the HoR read "Internal spat in eastern army threaten to derail Libya piece process", U.S. News & World Report, January 22, 2016.
2. See UNSMIL press release dated January 19, 2016 congratulating Libyans on the formation of the Government of National Accord (GNA).
3. See "Libya's presidential council names new government amid divisions", Reuters, January 19, 2016.
4. Read the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 (17 March 2011).
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