Mounting Tensions in Libya: Armed Forces Mobilize Over Central Bank Control

The United Nations Libya mission has raised concerns over the rapid mobilization of armed forces in Tripoli amid a crisis over control of the Central Bank of Libya. The political and military scenes have significantly deteriorated, with escalating tensions between rival factions vying for power and resources.

The United Nations Libya mission expressed significant alarm on Thursday about reports of forces mobilizing in Tripoli and threats to use force to resolve a crisis surrounding control of the Central Bank of Libya.

Stephanie Koury, the mission's deputy head, informed the U.N. Security Council on Monday that Libya's political and military situations had rapidly deteriorated in the last two months, characterized by successive mobilizations by armed factions. "The display of military power and armed confrontations in densely populated neighborhoods is unacceptable and threatens the lives and security of civilians," the mission emphasized in its Thursday statement.

The latest tensions followed political factions' efforts to oust the Central Bank head, Sadiq al-Kabir, leading to rival armed factions mobilizing. Mohammed al-Shokri, proposed as Kabir's replacement, stated he would accept the position only if both legislative bodies supported him. Libya, a significant oil producer, has struggled with instability since a 2011 uprising. Despite a 2020 ceasefire, efforts to resolve the political crisis have failed. Fighting forces backed by different international stakeholders remain, competing for control of Libya's vast resources.

(With inputs from agencies.)