Libyan Crisis: UN-Backed Libyan Prime Minister Angered By "Silence" Of His International Allies

An insurgency led by General Khalifa Haftar is gaining momentum, in what the UN-backed Prime Minister of Libya Fayez al-Serraj described as Haftar being "barbaric and savage".

Fayez al-Serraj has since been incensed by the silence of the international community which he claims has his back. He said that the international community's silence over the worsening situation in Libya could be a result of divisions among themselves. He warned that a repeat of 2011 could be on the way, saying that Libya was abandoned back then and it's the same thing happening this time around.

General Khalifa Haftar is advancing his forces to Tripoli, and has left a massive trail of destruction as both sides are warring. Several other militias also want a piece of the cake. The World Health Organisation says that since the fighting began on April 4, more than 205 people have been killed. 

The more his international allies do not say anything, the more intense turmoil Libya will face. al-Serraj said that this could "have other consequences" and that the Islamic State will capitalise on the prevailing instability. 

The Prime Minister told the BBC, "The public is frustrated by the silence of the international community." The United Nations Security Council has not said anything over the escalating crisis. "The Russians won't accept mentioning Haftar's name even though everyone knows he is the one behind this," the PM said.

General Haftar's eastern forces descended on the capital, seizing Tripoli's international airport. And Fayez al-Serraj describes this as an attempted coup. 

The Prime Minister has accused France pf backing General Haftar, allegations which France has denied. 

The Prime Minister is also concerned with the resurgence of the Islamic State in light of this increased fighting. 

But the most important question people have to ask is that why should Libya now have to depend so heavily on the international community? The West conspired to whittle down Libya's sovereignty back in 2011 when Gaddafi was toppled, and Libya is now in shambles. 

Libya should regain its status as a force to reckon with, and stop taking dictates from the international community. 

The Libyan crisis has been ugly for too long now and sanity and order must be restored in the country.

Header image credit - RFE