A Libyan coup d'état attempt took place on 14 October 2016. The attempt was conducted by the former head of the "Government of National Salvation" Khalifa al-Ghawil against Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.
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Background
Following the ousting of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by NATO forces in 2011, the country had been in a state of discord and civil war. From April 2016, two rival governments existed, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk. In April 2016, the UN brokered an agreement to create a Government of National Accord (GNA), effectively disbanding the Government of National Salvation (GNS). The latter's former leader, Khalifa al-Ghawil, rejected the proposal and became the subject of EU sanctions.
Other factions in the East led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar also opposed the GNA. His forces had taken over the four key oil ports of Essidra, Ra's Lanuf, Brega and Al-Zueitina, but were cooperating with the GNA to permit oil exports.
In August 2016, a 94-member rival to the High Council of State (HCS) was proclaimed in Benghazi and its members offered to join the official HCS. On 10 October, the HCS's headquarters was attacked by unknown gunmen.
Coup d'état events
Late on 14 October, al-Ghawil proclaimed the reinstatement of the former GNS, having taken over the offices of a key consultative body of the GNA at the Rixos Hotel, a complex of administrative buildings and a television station, with GNA forces pulling back in the late afternoon without violence. The GNS supporters said the GNA was "void" and that they had replaced it. Al-Ghawil also declared all members of the GNA "suspended from their duties." He also said: "The presidential council was given chances one after another to form the government, but it has failed...and has become an illegal executive authority." He called for a new administration to be formed by the former Tripoli and Tobruk governments. He further claimed that all institutions including banks, the judiciary, and local authorities were under their jurisdiction.
The following day, the GNS-supporting militiamen in pickup trucks with mounted machine guns remained in place, though Tripoli was calm after the events. Meanwhile, the GNA posted images on social media showing its Presidential Council and ministers holding a meeting in the main offices of parliament in a different part of Tripoli, though earlier reports suggested they may have been in neighboring Tunisia. The GNA then reacted by threatening to arrest "those politicians who... attempt to create parallel institutions and destabilise the capital," while also condemning "efforts to sabotage the political agreement" and denounced the seizure of the Council of State building by an "armed group."
On 16 October, forces loyal to al-Ghawil sent reinforcements to protect the parliament building. They also seized the Government Palace. On the same day, fighting near a refugee camp in the area of Fallah, near the road to the airport, led to the death of at least one woman. Six other people, including a child, were wounded. The Presidential Guard then also pledged allegiance to the GNS. It was reported by Jeune Afrique that the Presidential Guard dropped the GNA because of unpaid wages.
On 17 October, Ghwail claimed on television that the GNS had fully taken control of the capital. Clashes between Ghawil forces and policemen also occurred.
On 5 November 2016, GNS seized Al Khums. Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades issued a statement calling on the Presidential Council to commit to Skhirat agreement or declare it as a failure, while blaming GNA for deteriorating living and security conditions in Libya. It also urged Khalifa Haftar to be stopped from carrying out a possible coup.
On 28 November, representatives from House of Representatives (HoR) and GNC met in Tripoli to reach a deal and form a new government. On 1 December, Omar al-Hassi announced the formation of the High Council of Revolution, a parallel executive body.
Clashes occurred in Tripoli between the two sides from 1 to 2 December after pro-GNA militias attacked pro-GNS militias. 8 people were killed, including civilians, while more than 20 were wounded. Clashes were reported in many areas including Rixos hotel. A ceasefire agreement was reached the next day. The agreement required two armed groups in the Al-Nasr Park in Bab Benghashir areas to leave and hand the location to the Presidential Security Personnel of the Salvation Government before being transferred to the control of Youth and Sports Ministry. Omar al-Hassi meanwhle announced the creation of a new council called "High Council of Revolution". Clashes erupted again between Tripoli and Misratan militias on 4 December due to disputes over the control of territories.
GNS claimed it had seized the buildings of ministries of defence, labour and the "martyrs and the wounded” on 12 January 2017. A GNA spokesman later confirmed that the militias had tried to seize the buildings, however stated they were unsuccessful.
On 2 February 2017, clashes in western Tripoli district of Janzour near Bridge 17 broke out between Wirshefana militias and the Fursan Janzour brigade, with some sources suggesting up five people have been killed and 15 wounded.
On 10 February 2017, the newly created Libyan National Guard (LNG), which are loyal to GNC, entered Tripoli.
On 24 February 2017, 8 people was killed during fighting between GNA and GNS forces in Tripoli’s Abu Sleem district. Three of the dead were civilians, killed when a missile hit Hamza Street.
Domestic
On 15 October, al-Ghawil was accompanied by Awad Abdul Saddeq, first deputy president of the GNC, and the former head of the Presidential Guard, Ali Ramali, in calling upon Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the interim government in Beida, to join him in forming a national unity government.
On 19 October, Abdulrahman Asswehly, the head of the High Council of State, urged al-Ghawil's loyalist forces to leave the buildings that they had taken over from the GNA.
On 24 October, Fayez al-Sarraj said that he could use force to oust Ghawil forces from Tripoli.
On 5 November, a militia calling itself “The Brigades of Revolutionaries in Libya” rallied in Tripoli's Martyr Square, calling for a national dialogue while rejecting foreign moves to resolve the country’s political crisis. It accused the Presidential Council of deteriorating the situation in Libya while also criticising attacks on and seizure of governmental institutions during the coup.