Libyan unity government appears elusive

OREANDA-NEWS. January 27, 2016. The latest attempt at creating a national unity government in Libya appears to have stalled.

The Tobruq-based House of Representatives (HOR), which backs the internationally-recognised government of prime minister Abdullah al-Thinni, voted to reject the UN-backed government of national accord (GNA), whose cabinet was announced on 19 January.

Some HOR legislators had complained about the GNA's lack of sufficient representation for eastern constituencies. The HOR's head met with his counterpart in the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC) in Malta in December to voice opposition to "foreign interference" in Libya's political process.

The GNC-backed government of prime minister Khalifa al-Ghawil, based in Tripoli, had already rejected the GNA's legitimacy. Despite lacking recognition by the UN and western powers, al-Ghawil's government has effective control of Libya's central bank and state-run NOC.

Libya is struggling to combat militant groups, including Isis, and plans to increase oil production and further develop the country's energy sector have been repeatedly postponed by persistent insecurity. Protests and armed clashes have frequently resulted in terminal, field and pipeline closures during 2011-15. Argus estimates Libya produced around 380,000 b/d of crude in December, compared with around 1.6mn b/d prior to the 2011 revolution. Libyan crude exports are averaging around 280,000 b/d in January to date, Argus estimates.