Members of Libya’s UN-backed Presidential Council on Thursday arrived in Tripoli by boat, after being forced to make the journey from Tunisia by sea.
Airspace around the Libyan capital was closed for several hours on Sunday and Monday. Officials say the aim was to keep them out of the city and prevent them from setting up a unity government.
Seven officials, including council head Fayez Seraj and Libya’s new prime minister landed at the Abusita naval base after a 12-hour journey from the Tunisian port of Sfax.
Security was tight. There are checkpoints and armoured vehicles on the road leading from the base.
The Context
A self-declared government, backed by armed groups, had warned the council and the unity government not to travel to the Libyan capital.
The unity government – or government of national accord (GNA) – is the result of a UN-mediated deal signed last December. Western powers have recognised it as Libya’s sole legitimate government.
The government aims to end Libya’s political impasse, resolve its armed conflict and tackle the growing threat from Daesh militants.
However, there is opposition in the east and west of the country. The 18 members of the GNA have so far failed to secure a vote of approval from Libya’s eastern, internationally-recognised parliament, which is a requirement under the UN-brokered deal.
