NATO military intervention in Libya between 2011-2024

Abstract

This study examines NATO's military intervention in Libya، from the decision to intervene، through the military operations، and finally to its conclusion. It also discusses the debate over the legitimacy of intervention in developing countries. The study aims to investigate Libya's internal situation، which led to the outbreak of the Arab Spring، examine Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973، and examine the reasons for the military intervention and its consequences for Libya and the Arab world. The study relies on descriptive، analytical، historical، and prospective approaches.

The study concluded that Libya bears the seeds of historical political division. Libya's internal situation and the Gaddafi regime's policies، along with the major powers' desire to end any hostile regimes، and their greed for Libyan oil and gas، are all reasons for military intervention in Libya، which occurred under the overt pretext of the principle of protection. The Security Council issued Resolutions 1970 and 1973، as the Council stated، to protect the people from the violence of the Libyan regime. France and Britain began implementing this resolution، and NATO subsequently assumed this mission، while the alliance and other countries did not intervene in other cases. Among the effects of NATO's intervention are political instability، the collapse of the Libyan army، and the deterioration of the oil sector. The current divisions in Libya are due to conflicting Libyan interests، as well as the presence of regional and international allies with interests in the continuation and perpetuation of the division. The study recommended that Arab countries build effective states based on full citizenship، improve the relationship of their political systems with their citizens، agree on a clear definition of international humanitarian intervention، define the term international protection، and more clearly define implementation procedures.

The study also recommended that the national interest be prioritized. The Libyan people should not be subject to any personal interest، with the Libyan parties sitting at the negotiating table to agree to begin implementing previous agreements to establish a new political system that unites Libyans and fulfills their political، economic، and social aspirations. This should include implementing joint Arab defense agreements، ensuring that intervention does not lead to the destruction of that country's institutions، and expanding Security Council membership to include countries from the Global South.