The Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar engaged in a detailed discussion about the ongoing Libyan political crisis with the German Ambassador to Libya, Michael Ohnmacht.
According to a statement, Haftar and Ohnmacht emphasized the importance of continued communication and joint consultations. The meeting focused on the critical goal of conducting Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Libya.
This meeting follows Ambassador Ohnmacht’s recent interaction with Ageela Saleh, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament. During this encounter, the German diplomat highlighted the significance of the proposal made by the UN Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, regarding the elections. This proposal is seen as a crucial step towards enhancing the political process in Libya.
In a statement shared on X, Ambassador Ohnmacht expressed confidence that “appropriate timing and consensus would lead to substantial progress towards conducting elections, ultimately fulfilling the will of the Libyan people.”
Further shedding light on the evolving political landscape, Bathily, in an interview with the French magazine Jeune Afrique, revealed his intention to present a new proposal on 23 November. This proposal comes after in-depth discussions with all relevant parties, marking a pivotal moment in Libya’s journey towards stability and democracy.
This series of high-level meetings and proposals underscores the international community’s commitment to supporting Libya in navigating its complex political challenges. The focus on elections as a pathway to peace and stability reflects the aspirations of the Libyan people for a democratic and prosperous future.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations, each backed by rogue militias and foreign governments.
The current stalemate grew out of the failure to hold elections in December 2021, and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, who is leading the transitional government, to step down.