Qatar’s Minister of State, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, engaged with Commander Khalifa Haftar of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army on Thursday, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to ending Libya’s protracted political division. The meeting, held during a visit to Benghazi, underscores Qatar’s active role in regional stability and its support for Libya’s sovereignty, a goal previously expressed in a recent statement by the Qatari Foreign Ministry. The visit followed a significant development: Libya, since 2014, has been cleaved into two distinct entities – the Tripoli-based government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the Haftar-backed eastern administration of Osama Hammad. This division stems from a complex history of political maneuvering and a lack of consensus among Libyan stakeholders. Al-Khulaifi met with Haftar, who is aligned with the unrecognised eastern-based government, and discussed regional dynamics and ‘topics of common interest,’ as outlined in a Qatari Foreign Ministry statement. The discussion centered on the implementation of a recently agreed election pact designed to establish a political process reflecting Libyan aspirations while safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. The two officials acknowledged the need for continued dialogue and reconciliation to foster stability and consensus, reflecting the urgency of resolving the situation. Qatar will continue to engage with Libyan political leaders and stakeholders, including the United Nations, to facilitate a political agreement. A document obtained by Al Jazeera Arabic reveals that the ‘4+4’ committee, initiated in Tunisia, has revised Libya’s presidential and legislative election laws, establishing a 24-month deadline for elections. This revision, however, has been met with considerable debate. The agreement, while appearing to establish a framework, faces challenges rooted in differing perspectives and perceived exclusion from key negotiations. The United Nations has labelled the deal as a crucial step towards a political resolution, anticipating the publication of the full text once formally signed. The UN and other mediators have spent years attempting to resolve the split through electoral arrangements, but the practical implications of the agreement remain a significant concern, particularly due to divided state institutions, legal inconsistencies, and lingering political mistrust. Al-Mahdi Kashbour, a Libyan legal expert, cautioned that a significant gap exists between the powers of the parties that signed the agreement and the institutions with the authority to implement it. Elias al-Barouni, a political analyst, emphasized that the pact does not provide concrete plans for the country’s elections, and that the implementation of the agreement poses a complex challenge, especially considering the ongoing instability and divisions within Libya’s political landscape. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing negotiations and a cautious optimism that a sustainable political solution can be achieved.”” ,
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Source: Al Jazeera
