2014 Libyan coup d'état attempts

Two coup d'état attempts were reported to have been made in 2014 by forces loyal to Maj. Gen. Khalifa Haftar, the commander of Libyan Ground Forces.

2014 Libyan coup d'état attempts
Part of the Factional violence in Libya (2011–2014)
Date14 February 2014 (First coup d'état attempt)
May 2014 (Second coup d'état attempt)
Location
Tripoli, Libya
Result Large scale collapse of government and the beginning of the Second Libyan Civil War
Belligerents
Libyan Government

Libyan Republican Alliance

  • Forces Loyal to General Haftar
Commanders and leaders
Ali Zeidan
(Prime Minister of Libya)
Abdullah al-Thani
(Prime Minister of Libya)		 Maj. Gen. Khalifa Haftar
(Commander of Libyan Ground Forces)

February 2014

Haftar reportedly took control of Libya's main institutions on the morning of 14 February, before announcing on TV that he had suspended the General National Congress, the government and the Constitutional Declaration. Haftar claimed to be working in the name of the Libyan Republican Alliance, and also that forces loyal to him were in Tripoli, although he also stressed that he was not attempting a coup, but "a correction to the path of the revolution."[1]

Reaction

In spite of the declaration according to the Independent there appeared to be minimal military presence in Tripoli,[2] a claim supported by Reuters.[3] The US ambassador to Libya, Safira Deborah, also released a statement claiming there appeared to be no substance to Haftar's declaration.[3]

Libyan Defence Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni, responding to the declaration, claimed that Haftar's claim to forces loyal to him being in Tripoli was a lie, and also alleged that Haftar had no legitimacy. Thinni also reiterated that there was a warrant out for Haftar's arrest on the grounds of plotting a coup d'état.[1]

Similarly Prime Minister Zeidan announced on public television that "We won't let anyone hijack the Libyan revolution," adding that the Military Command, with help of pro-government militias, has ordered Haftar's arrest.[3]

May 2014
Main article: Second Libyan Civil War

As of 18 May 2014, the parliament building was reported to have been stormed by troops loyal to General Haftar,[4] reportedly including the Zintan Brigade,[5] in what the Libyan government described as an attempted coup.[6]

See also

References
  1. "General Hafter announces coup; politicians react with scorn, order his arrest". Libya Herald. Libya Herald. (subscription required)
  2. "Libyan Government should be suspended, says military commander". The Independent.
  3. "Libya Military Coup Fears: General Khalifa Haftar Calls for Suspension of Parliament". International Business Times.
  4. "Rogue General's Troops Storm Libyan Parliament". Sky News. 18 May 2014.
  5. "Gunfire erupts outside Libyan parliament". Al Jazeera. 18 May 2014.
  6. Fiona Keating (18 May 2014). "Libya: Rogue General Khalifa Haftar Storms Parliament in Attempted 'Coup'". International Business Times.
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