Benghazi win could deepen Libya's de facto partition

Significance

The LNA made significant military gains in Benghazi over February 21-23, taking control of key neighbourhoods held by Islamist militias aligned with the Tripoli-based General National Congress (GNC).

Impacts

• Deadlines and agreement on a unity government will be pushed back yet further.
• A unity government is now even less certain than at any previous time.
• The HoR and its government, if they move to Benghazi, may revive efforts to make energy deals independent of Tripoli.
• This will include reinvigorating attempts to set up parallel institutions, such as a central bank and national oil company.
• Military and tribal actors in the east will hinder Haftar from becoming a prime military or political authority.