Tag: Conflict
Military Stalemate in Benghazi and Political Deadlock in Tripoli
Threats made by Ansar Al-Sharia in a televised statement, last Wednesday, offered retired General Khalifa Hafter support in his claims to be fighting terrorism. The threats won his “Dignity Operation” additional support in Libya and tacit support in the West....
Western Sahara Spoils Mohamed VI’s Visit to Tunis
Despite official statements from Tunis and Rabat, the Western Sahara issue managed to spoil the king’s first visit to Tunis since Ben Ali was toppled in 2011. It is understood that President Moncif Merzouki’s question why the Maghreb Union project...
League for the Protection of the Revolution dissolved
A Tunis court ordered, Monday, the League for the Protection of the Revolution dissolved and its assets liquidated. The decision was not surprising to Tunisians and observers as the issue was part of the consensus package of the national dialogue...
Libya’s Version of Mutually Assured Deterrence at Work
General Hafter’s “Dignity Operation” is struggling to achieve its declared aim despite the daily upbeat propaganda in some Libyan and Saudi-funded broadcasting and print media outlets. The General National Congress (GNC)’s decision to mobilise the Misrata-based Middle Shield units to...
Testing Times for Libya’s Nascent Army
The bombing of Libya’s oldest historic Sufi tomb of Sidi Al-Wushish in Derna, Benghazi, by an unknown group (believed to be Ansar Al-Sharia) last Wednesday, may have provided an additional reason for retired General Khalifa Hafter to march his “Libyan...
Turbulent Times within Tunisia’s Political Parties
As soon as the Constituent Assembly managed to pass the Electoral Law early this month a series of resignations and crises hit Tunisia’s key political parties. What appeared at first as a victory for Nida Tounes with the non-adoption of...
Former Presidential Guard Chief Released from Prison
Ali Seriati, former director of presidential security under Ben Ali was released last Saturday after three years in prison. Seriati was arrested short after Ben Ali fled Tunisia on 14 January 2014; and was charged of threatening national security. However,...
Ahmed Maetig Elected Prime Minister
Businessman Ahmed Maetig was elected to the premiership post following a controversial round of voting at the General National Congress (GNC). Dr. Maetig, who holds a degree in economics from London and reportedly owns a number of businesses in Libya...