Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the two warring governments in Eastern and Western Libya have declared an immediate nationwide ceasefire offering hope for a de-escalation of a conflict that has wracked the country since a 2011 uprising. It started after the UN-backed government in Tripoli, led by Fayez Sarraj, said he had instructed aligned forces to observe an immediate ceasefire and end all combat operations across the oil-rich country. Tripoli also announced that parliamentary and presidential elections will be held in March next year. The deal was welcomed by neighboring Egypt, which backs the eastern government, as well as by the EU. Haftar’s eastern-based forces are supported by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Russia.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 22, 2020 11:37 UTC