Khalifa Haftar, Libya’s strongest warlord, makes a push for Tripoli

KHALIFA HAFTAR’S decision would be troubling enough under normal circumstances. On April 4th Libya’s strongest warlord ordered his men to march on Tripoli. His self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) already controls the east and took the south in a lightning offensive earlier this year. Now it turns to the capital, home to a weak United Nations-backed government that has no army of its own. A spokesman claims the LNA already controls three towns along a highway to Tripoli. The closest, Aziziya, is just 40km southwest. “Control” has many meanings in Libya, and the LNA tends to exaggerate its gains; it may be that locals simply let it pass. Regardless, though, it is knocking on the gates of the capital.

In a remarkable stroke of arrogance, the offensive coincides with a visit by António Guterres, the UN’s secretary-general. He is in Libya to prepare for a peace conference this month that, he hoped, would lead to long-delayed elections later this year. If the general does not quickly halt his offensive, the conference will be over before it starts. Libyans and diplomats were stunned by his audacity. One UN official sent a string of confused emojis by way of analysis.