{{Short description|Libyan politician (born 1963)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Khalifa al-Ghawil<br />{{Nobold|{{lang|ar|خليفة الغويل}}}} | office = Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government of Libya | term_start = 14 October 2016 | term_end = 16 March 2017 (disputed) | predecessor = Position re-established | successor = Fayez al-Sarraj (as Chairman of the Presidential Council under the Government of National Accord) | president1 = Nouri Abusahmain | term_start1 = 31 March 2015 | term_end1 = 5 April 2016 (disputed)<ref name="libyanexpress.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/tripolis-national-salvation-government-quits/ |title=Tripoli's National Salvation Government quits – Libyan Express |date=5 April 2016 |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007031311/http://www.libyanexpress.com/tripolis-national-salvation-government-quits/ |archive-date=7 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />Acting: 31 March 2015 – 1 December 2015 | predecessor1 = Omar al-Hassi | successor1 = Fayez al-Sarraj (as Chairman of the Presidential Council under the Government of National Accord) | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1963}} | birth_place = Misrata, Libya | death_date = | death_place = | party = | alma_mater = University of Benghazi | footnotes = Al-Ghawil's premiership was disputed by Abdullah al-Theni and Fayez al-Sarraj. }}
'''Khalifa al-Ghawil''', sometimes transliterated as '''Khalifa al-Ghweil''' ({{langx|ar|خليفة الغويل}}; born 1963) or '''Ghwell''', is a Libyan politician. He was the prime minister of the General National Congress-led National Salvation Government in Tripoli.<ref name="ft">{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/806d5e6e-d7e6-11e4-80de-00144feab7de.html |work=Financial Times |title=Tripoli authority sacks prime minister |date=31 March 2015 |accessdate=31 March 2015 |first=Borzou |last=Daragahi}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name="ft" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32137285 |work=BBC News |title=Libya crisis: Head of Islamist Tripoli government fired |date=31 March 2015 |accessdate=31 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402222600/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32137285 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="ft" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/38cc4400-d861-11e4-ba53-00144feab7de.html |work=Financial Times |title=Head of Libya's Islamist-backed government rejects dismissal |date=1 April 2015 |accessdate=1 April 2015 |first=Borzou |last=Daragahi}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/support-grows-libyas-unity-government-000257765.html |title=Support grows for Libya's new unity government |accessdate=16 November 2016 |agency=AFP}}</ref> 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.<ref name="libyanexpress.com" />
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/gnc-retakes-parliament-compound-high-council-state-condemns |title=GNC retakes parliament compound, High Council of State condemns – The Libya Observer |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022011431/http://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/gnc-retakes-parliament-compound-high-council-state-condemns |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trtworld.com/mea/rival-group-seizes-libyas-un-backed-government-offices-207539 |title=Rival group seizes Libya's UN-backed government offices |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022054456/http://www.trtworld.com/mea/rival-group-seizes-libyas-un-backed-government-offices-207539 |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, fighting occurred between Sarraj loyalists and Ghawil forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/245898/World/Region/Clashes-erupt-in-Libyan-capital-Tripoli.aspx |title=Clashes erupt in Libyan capital Tripoli – Region – World – Ahram Online |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022012511/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/245898/World/Region/Clashes-erupt-in-Libyan-capital-Tripoli.aspx |archive-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-concerned-about-use-of-force-in-libyas-capital/2016/10/16/a26658c4-9386-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |title=Clashes erupt in Libyan capital |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016175054/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-concerned-about-use-of-force-in-libyas-capital/2016/10/16/a26658c4-9386-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html |archive-date=16 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On 5 November 2016, he inaugurated the Power Station in Al Khums, a city controlled by forces loyal to GNS.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libyaobserver.ly/life/salvation-government-opens-khums-power-station-pc-denied-access |title=Salvation Government opens Khums Power Station, PC denied access – The Libya Observer |accessdate=16 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111061002/http://www.libyaobserver.ly/life/salvation-government-opens-khums-power-station-pc-denied-access |archive-date=11 November 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The fighting spread to other areas of Tripoli on 14 March.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/03/14/west-tripoli-clashes-force-evacuation-of-central-business-area/ |work=The Libya Herald |title=West Tripoli clashes force evacuation of central business area |date=14 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007040313/https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/03/14/west-tripoli-clashes-force-evacuation-of-central-business-area/ |archive-date=7 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1068906/middle-east |work=Agence-France Presse |publisher=Arab News |title=Libya govt forces overrun Tripoli militia headquarters |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430222910/http://www.arabnews.com/node/1068906/middle-east |archive-date=30 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/world/middleeast/libya-tripoli-fighting.html |agency=Reuters |work=The New York Times |title=Fighting in Libya's capital as one government seizes another's compound |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110200212/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/world/middleeast/libya-tripoli-fighting.html |archive-date=10 November 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> An agreement called for withdrawal of all armed groups from Tripoli in 30 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libyanexpress.com/ceasefire-reached-in-tripoli-after-three-days-of-bloody-fighting/ |publisher=Libyan Express |title=Ceasefire reached in Tripoli after three days of bloody fighting |date=15 March 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821050431/http://www.libyanexpress.com/ceasefire-reached-in-tripoli-after-three-days-of-bloody-fighting/ |archive-date=21 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/tripoli-international-airport-taken-tarhuna-brigade-tajouri-rejects |title=Tripoli International Airport taken by Tarhuna brigade, Tajouri rejects |work=Libya Observer |date=28 May 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003141538/https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/tripoli-international-airport-taken-tarhuna-brigade-tajouri-rejects |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="withdrew">{{cite web |url=https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/05/29/ghwell-said-his-fighters-withdrew-to-prevent-further-damage-in-tripoli/ |title=Ghwell said his fighters withdrew to prevent further damage in Tripoli |date=29 May 2017 |publisher=29 May 2017 |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003141548/https://www.libyaherald.com/2017/05/29/ghwell-said-his-fighters-withdrew-to-prevent-further-damage-in-tripoli/ |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Omar al-Hassi}} {{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government of Libya | years=2015–2016}} {{s-aft|after=Fayez al-Sarraj}} |- {{s-bef|before=''Position Re-established''}} {{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government of Libya | years=2016–2017}} {{s-aft|after=Fayez al-Sarraj}} {{s-end}}
{{LibyaPMs}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghawil, Khalifa}} Category:Libyan Islamists Category:Living people Category:Prime ministers of Libya Category:1964 births Category:University of Benghazi alumni Category:21st-century Libyan politicians
{{Libya-politician-stub}}