A New Installment in the Libya Tragedy

The Libya tragedy that Barack Obama ’s administration unleashed with a U.S.-led NATO military intervention in 2011 has entered yet another violent phase. Forces loyal to Field MarshalKhalifa Haftar, aone-time CIA asset that Washington now opposes, arewaging an offensive against the so-called Government of National Accord (GNA), based in Tripoli. Both theUnited Nations Security Council and the European Union support the GNA and have passed resolutionsdemanding that Haftar ’s troops cease their advance and adhere to thecease fire and plan for nation-wide elections that French President Emmanuel Macron negotiated last year. It is highly uncertain whether Haftar or his adversaries will heed such calls. More than 120 peoplehave perished already in the new conflict, and fierce fighting continues, especially in and around Tripoli.Libya ’s violent reality is a sharp contrast to the optimism that U.S. officials and its news media allies trumpeted when NATO helped a motley rebel coalition overthrow Muammar Qaddafi. Western leaders and pundits believed that Libya wouldenjoy a much better future as a result of U.S. and Western ministrations. As Qaddafi fled the capital, President Obamaintoned: “Tripoli is slipping from the grasp of a tyrant.” He added: “The people of Libya are showing that the universal pursuit of dignity and freedom is far stronger than the iron fist of a dictator.” Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) were equally gratified and optimistic...
Source: Cato-at-liberty - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs