The wider implications of the Political Isolation Bill are still not known but the Prime Minister has already acknowledged that it will probably necessitate a major cabinet reshuffle.
Tensions had continued to build during the week to that point. The escalation was considered serious enough for the P3 – the US, UK and France – to urge restraint by all sides to avoid slipping into further violence and instability. Embassies issued renewed travel advice concerning only essential travel in the west and no travel to the east. They have also withdrawn most of their non-essential staff from country and BP have reacted similarly with reductions in their staffing levels announced on 12 May.
Separately on 12 May the office of the Ports Authority in Janzour was attacked early in the morning when it was struck by two RPGs. There were no casualties given the time of the attack but some damage was caused to the building.
Cyrenaica (Eastern Libya)
The travel advice to foreigners not to travel to the east of Libya, in particular Benghazi has been renewed by most of the international community foreign ministries. This was borne out by today's car bomb outside a Benghazi hospital that has killed and wounded many. The motivations behind this latest attack are not clear yet.
The trend of targeting police stations in the east has continued this week with two attacks against them in Benghazi on 10 May with no casualties but damage to their infrastructure and materiel, such as vehicles. And then another two were attacked on 12 May again in Benghazi.
Damage was done to a car pound when an explosive device was thrown into it in Benghazi’s Al-Nahar Street. Many of the vehicles were damaged but it is thought that the intended target was a military police camp next to it.
Derna continues to be a focus for targeted killings against security force members and those who worked for the former regime. This week on 10 May Maziq Mliti was assassinated as he arrived at home. He is believed to have worked at the Interior Security office in Derna under Gaddafi’s reign.
Fezzan (SW Libya)
This week on 9 May there was heavy fighting in Sebha during the night over the tomb of a holy man between his followers and those wishing to destroy it. It is believed that at least one person has been killed and it is just the latest incident of violence in the town in recent weeks.
