LnaEdit
The Lna, short for Libyan National Army, is a Libyan military-political organisation that emerged amid the chaos following the 2011 revolution and the collapse of the Gaddafi order. Led for many years by Khalifa Haftar, it grew into the strongest armed force in the eastern part of the country and a central player in Libya’s protracted struggle over sovereignty, security, and the management of national resources. While it presents itself as the legitimate army of Libya and as a bulwark against extremism and chaos, its rise has been inseparable from a decades-long battle over who gets to define the state, its borders, and its oil wealth. The Lna has operated largely outside the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), and its influence stretches across large swaths of land, particularly in the eastern seaboard and in oil-producing areas, where control of infrastructure translates into leverage over the country’s finances. Its backers and opponents have been drawn into a web of regional and international competition, with external powers viewing the Lna through the lens of broader strategic contest in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Khalifa Haftar remains the most recognizable face of the movement, though the organisation is a coalition of former military units, militias, and regional factions rather than a single monolithic command.Khalifa Haftar Libyan National Army Libya.
Origins and identity
The Lna traces its public identity to the Libyan revolution’s aftermath and the effort to restore order in a country fractured by factionalism. In 2014, Haftar and a coalition of units that had formerly served under the old Libyan Arab Armed Forces began consolidating into a force that would contest the authority of the UN-led transitional authorities and the internationally backed Government of National Accord. The movement quickly established bases in urban centers of the eastern region, with Benghazi acting as a key hub, and began projecting a claim of national-level legitimacy despite lacking formal recognition from many foreign capitals at the outset. Its rhetoric emphasised a return to state institutions, security sector reform, and the suppression of militias deemed hostile to Libyan sovereignty and the rule of law. The Lna’s self-description aligned with a vision of a unified Libya governed by a strong central state that could manage the country’s sizeable oil and gas sector, protect the population from insurgent networks, and restore order after years of instability. Khalifa Haftar Libyan National Army Libya.
The organisation blends formal military structures with elements drawn from regional militias and former security forces. Its command structure has been described as centralized around Haftar’s leadership, but with regional contingents that retain a degree of autonomy. The Lna’s approach to governance has often been characterised by decisive, forceful actions intended to deter rival power centers, secure key economic assets, and present a clear alternative to the rival government in Tripoli. As a result, the Lna has played a decisive role in shaping the geopolitics of eastern Libya and, by extension, the broader Libyan conflict. National Oil Corporation Libyan National Army.
Role in the Libyan conflict
From 2014 onward, the Lna became the principal military actor opposing the GNA-backed authorities in Tripoli and their regional militias. It sought to assert control over strategic corridors, ports, and, centrally, the country’s oil operations. Control over eastern oilfields and facilities allowed the Lna to wield substantial leverage in negotiations and to fund military campaigns, creating a practical basis for a political settlement that could accommodate its influence. The fighting featured conventional battles, proxy elements, and a complex mix of local and foreign actors, with warring factions leveraging international backers to gain leverage on the ground. The Lna’s offensives, defenses, and truces significantly shaped the balance of power in Libya for years. Libyan Civil War (2014–2020) Oil in Libya.
In 2020 the conflict entered a new phase when Haftar’s forces mounted a major push toward Tripoli, seeking to decisively defeat the GNA and its Turkish-backed allies. The campaign met intense resistance and ultimately did not achieve its strategic aims, leading to a broader ceasefire and negotiations that culminated in a framework for a political transition. The 2020–2021 ceasefire and subsequent arrangements sought to harmonize competing claims to legitimacy and to set the stage for elections that would reconcile the country’s fractured political landscape. The Lna remained a dominant force in the east, capable of influencing security arrangements, regional governance, and the future of Libya’s security architecture. 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission GNA Turkey Russia United Arab Emirates.
Leadership, organisation, and international ties
Haftar’s leadership has been the most visible marker of the Lna, but the movement’s composition includes a range of factions with local loyalties and varying levels of discipline. The Lna’s capacity to mobilize forces, secure energy infrastructure, and project a sense of order has been a defining feature of its approach to state-building in a country where non-state actors have long filled security gaps. The Lna’s international relationships have been central to its staying power: for example, support from United Arab Emirates and Egypt helped sustain its operations in the early years, while allegations of Russian involvement and mercenary participation drew attention from international observers and Western capitals. The GNA’s foreign backing from Turkey and other Gulf states has highlighted the attritional nature of Libya’s external rivalries. The presence of foreign fighters and contractors—sometimes described in media and policy discussions as mercenaries—has complicated efforts to achieve a comprehensive and peaceful settlement. Khalifa Haftar Libyan National Army Russia Wagner Group.
Governance, legitimacy, and doctrine
From a political-theory standpoint, the Lna’s claim to legitimacy rests on its portrayal of itself as a guarantor of security, stability, and the rule of law, especially in the eastern regions where it exercises real power. Its advocates argue that a strong, centralized state is necessary to curb militias, secure oil exports, and prevent a relapse into factional violence. Critics challenge the democratic legitimacy of a force that has operated parallel to, and sometimes in opposition to, internationally recognised authorities. They point to concerns about human rights abuses, civilian harm, and the potential for a prolonged standoff that would impede elections and deepen the country’s dependence on external security guarantees. Proponents counter that stabilisation and the protection of critical infrastructure can create a conducive environment for reforms and constitutional settlement, arguing that the status quo—which often features lawless zones and competing warlords—undermines Libya’s long-term prospects. In hushed terms, some defenders suggest that Western criticisms can be overly punitive or out of touch with Libya’s security imperatives, especially when viewed through the lens of counter-extremism and energy security. House of Representatives (Libya) GNA.
Economy, energy, and infrastructure
A central aspect of the Lna’s influence is its control over portions of Libya’s oil and gas sector. The country’s hydrocarbon industry has long been a lifeline for the state, and the Lna’s ability to secure facilities, pipelines, and export terminals has given it real leverage in domestic and regional politics. Economic stability—especially in oil revenue—has been a recurring theme in debates about Libya’s future. The Lna’s supporters argue that stabilising energy production and safeguarding infrastructure serves the broader national interest by ensuring steady revenue streams and a predictable environment for investment. Critics worry that prolonged factional control of energy assets undermines market fundamentals, deters foreign investment, and perpetuates a divided economy. The role of international energy actors and the National Oil Corporation (NOC) in negotiations and revenue sharing remains a focal point of policy discussions about Libya’s future. National Oil Corporation.
Controversies and debates
Controversy surrounds both the Lna’s conduct during the conflict and the narrative surrounding its actions. Supporters emphasise the importance of restoring order, suppressing extremist networks, and defending state sovereignty in a country with a history of factional fragmentation. They argue that the presence of a strong, law-and-order oriented force can deter chaos and facilitate a legitimate political process. Critics point to civilian casualties, displacement, and the risks posed by foreign involvement and mercenaries, arguing that such dynamics can erode rights, exhaust resources, and derail elections. In this debate, proponents contend that critiques rooted in liberal foreign-policy frameworks sometimes overlook the concrete security threats and the complexities of governance in a fractured state. They also assert that attacks on the Lna’s legitimacy can ignore the fact that Libyans themselves are seeking a reliable order after years of instability. Where critiques accuse the Lna of authoritarian tendencies or human-rights abuses, supporters contest the emphasis on these issues as potentially selective or out of touch with local realities and security needs. In this context, discussions about legitimacy, constitutional process, and regional stability are deeply intertwined with considerations of national sovereignty, energy security, and regional balance of power. Khalifa Haftar Libyan National Army Russia United Arab Emirates Egypt Turkey Wagner Group.