After a full air blockade launched by Libya’s non-recognized Tripoli-based parliament of the General National Congress (GNC), officials from Libya’s UN-backed unity government (Government of National Accord (GNA)) have arrived in Tripoli by boat and have started working from a secured naval base. The aim of the GNC blockade was to prevent the unity government from getting a foot on the ground in the capital to reduce their legitimacy and to bring forward their own National Salvation Government (NSG). Both the UN and Western powers recognize Libya’s unity government as solely legitimate as it aims to end the current political impasse and to form a united front against Islamic State (IS). Before starting a full military operation against IS in Libya, the UN is still waiting for the Government of National Accord to become official by securing a vote of approval from the internationally-recognized parliament, the House of Representatives (HoR) in the eastern city of Tobruk.

The unity Government of National Accord, was created by a political agreement negotiated under United Nations auspices, signed by Libyan leaders in Morocco in December. It is one of three rival governments vying for control of Libya, but enjoys support from the United States, Great Britain, Italy and France. In recent months the United States and others have exerted pressure on the UN and the unity government to establish its legitimacy by moving into Tripoli.

The unity government’s first challenge will be to leave the naval base and establish control of key government ministries across Tripoli. Foreign official believe that a majority of the city’s militias supported the GNA, but acknowledge that alliances are constantly shifting. On the 1st of April, the European Union imposed sanctions on three leaders from the country’s two other parliaments, one in Tripoli and the other in the eastern city of Tobruk as well as the leader from the National Salvation Government. Both the Libyan Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation have reiterated their support for the unity government and said to be waiting for an invitation to meet Seraj.

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For more information on the EU sanctions against the non-recognized Libyan leaders, click here and here.