Cairo: The United Nations-backed government of Libya announced a cease-fire in the oil-rich country on Friday and called for the demilitarization of the strategically important city of Serut. These cities are under the control of rival forces. In a separate statement, Anguilla Saleh, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, formerly of the rivals, also called for a ceasefire. This announcement was made at a time when this struggle, which has been going on for nine years, is expected to increase further.
Fayaz Saraj, the head of the national settlement government in the capital, has also announced to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in March. Both administrations have said that they wanted to see the end of the oil blockade from the military commander Khalifa’s Heftar side from the beginning of this year. Heftar is an aide to the parliamentary speaker. Although there has been no response from the Army like the Army of the ceasefire, Heftar agreed to the efforts made by Egypt in June this year including the ceasefire.
In eastern Libya, powerful tribes loyal to Heftar closed down oil export terminals and closed major oil pipelines early in the year to pressure the Tripoli-based government. The country was engulfed in anarchy following a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Long-time dictator Muammar Qazhafi was assassinated and later assassinated by the rebellion. Since then, the country has been divided into eastern and northern administrations. Both have the support of armed groups and foreign governments.
