Khalifa al-Ghawil

Khalifa al-Ghawil, sometimes transliterated as Khalifa al-Ghweil (Arabic: خليفة الغويل) or Ghwell, is a Libyan politician. He was the prime minister of the General National Congress-led National Salvation Government in Tripoli.[2]

Khalifa al-Ghawil
خليفة الغويل
Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government of Libya
In office
14 October 2016 – 16 March 2017*
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byFayez al-Sarraj
In office
31 March 2015 – 5 April 2016*[1]
Acting: 31 March 2015 – 1 December 2015
PresidentNouri Abusahmain
Preceded byOmar al-Hassi
Succeeded byFayez al-Sarraj
Personal details
Born1964 (age 58–59)
Alma materUniversity of Benghazi
*Al-Ghawil's premiership was disputed by Abdullah al-Thani and Fayez al-Sarraj.

Biography

Prior to 31 March 2015, Al-Ghawil served as a deputy or aide to Omar al-Hassi, the prime minister of the disputed Tripoli-based government.[2][3] After al-Hassi was fired as head of the GNC, Al-Ghawil was asked to serve as prime minister for one month, on a temporary basis.[2][4]

On 1 December 2015, he formed a new cabinet.

The Prime Minister, of the United Nations supported Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, arrived in Tripoli on 30 March 2016.[5] The following day, it was reported that the GNA has taken control of the prime ministerial offices and that the GNC appointed Prime Minister Khalifa al-Ghawil had fled to Misrata. On 5 April 2016, the National Salvation Government, which had been led by Al-Ghawil, announced that it was disbanding and conceded power to the Presidential Council.[1]

On 14 October 2016, the Presidential Guard revolted in Tripoli and proclaimed allegiance to GNC, took over the building of the High Council of State and announced the comeback of Ghawil cabinet[6][7] Then, fightings occurred between Sarraj loyalists and Ghawil forces.[8][9]

On 5 November 2016, he inaugurated the Power Station in Al Khums, a city controlled by forces loyal to GNS.[10]

The fighting spread to other areas of Tripoli on 14 March.[11] The Pro-GNA forces had recaptured the Guest Palace complex as well as the Rixos hotel. The channel was taken off-air while Khalifa Al-Ghawil was also reported by one of his aides to have been injured in the clashes.[12][13] An agreement called for withdrawal of all armed groups from Tripoli in 30 days.[14]

On 28 May, the 7th Brigade of the Presidential Guard (Al-Kani brigade) from Tarhuna, took over the Tripoli International Airport as a neutral side after Misratan militias loyal to Khalifa Ghwell withdrew from there following two days of heavy clashes.[15] By the next day, the city of Tripoli was fully under control of pro-GNA forces, with all pro-GNC forces withdrawing as a result of clashes with pro-GNA forces.[16]

References
  1. "Tripoli's National Salvation Government quits – Libyan Express". 5 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  2. Daragahi, Borzou (31 March 2015). "Tripoli authority sacks prime minister". Financial Times. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  3. "Libya crisis: Head of Islamist Tripoli government fired". BBC News. 31 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  4. Daragahi, Borzou (1 April 2015). "Head of Libya's Islamist-backed government rejects dismissal". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  5. "Support grows for Libya's new unity government". AFP. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  6. "GNC retakes parliament compound, High Council of State condemns – The Libya Observer". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  7. "Rival group seizes Libya's UN-backed government offices". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  8. "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital Tripoli – Region – World – Ahram Online". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  9. "Clashes erupt in Libyan capital". Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  10. "Salvation Government opens Khums Power Station, PC denied access – The Libya Observer". Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  11. "West Tripoli clashes force evacuation of central business area". The Libya Herald. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  12. "Libya govt forces overrun Tripoli militia headquarters". Agence-France Presse. Arab News. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  13. "Fighting in Libya's capital as one government seizes another's compound". The New York Times. Reuters. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  14. "Ceasefire reached in Tripoli after three days of bloody fighting". Libyan Express. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  15. "Tripoli International Airport taken by Tarhuna brigade, Tajouri rejects". Libya Observer. 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  16. "Ghwell said his fighters withdrew to prevent further damage in Tripoli". 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.


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