In a significant move toward national stability, top military commanders from Libya’s opposing factions gathered in Sirte on Sunday to map out the reunification of the country’s split armed forces.
The high-level talks brought together Khaled Haftar, the Chief of Staff representing the eastern forces, and his western counterpart, Salah al-Din al-Namroush. Officials from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) also participated in the session.
While the specifics of the discussions were kept quiet, a statement issued by the eastern forces described the meeting as “constructive.”
Libya has faced deep political instability and chaos since the overthrow of long-serving leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
In the years following, the North African nation split under the control of two competing administrations: Abdulhamid Dbeibah’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity operating in the west, and Khalifa Haftar’s Government of National Stability directing affairs in the east.
Reunification discussions reportedly gained traction late last year when both factions approached Pakistan to act as a mediator. This diplomatic push has also received backing from international players including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.
Under the proposed framework, a 36-month transitional power-sharing agreement would be established.
Under this arrangement, Dbeibah would remain as prime minister, while Saddam Haftar, son of Khalifa Haftar, would lead a newly structured presidential council. Furthermore, due to the eastern faction’s control over Libya’s primary oilfields and vital economic infrastructure, the plan would grant Haftar’s side authority over the national budget.
