On Saturday, the UN’s Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, announced that he has reached an agreement with Tunisia’s Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar, emphasizing the urgent need for Libyan leaders to come together.
Their aim is to establish a unified approach to conducting elections, which will pave the way for peace and prosperity in Libya.
In a statement, Bathily expressed his gratitude to the Tunisian government for its pivotal support to the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), and for playing a significant role in promoting peace and stability in the region.
Last month, Bathily introduced an initiative aimed at resolving Libya’s political deadlock. He acknowledged that while the initiative faces considerable resistance, it is a critical step towards national reconciliation.
A key part of this initiative is the proposed meeting of five principal Libyan figures, essential to resolving the crisis. These are Mohamed Al-Mnifi, Head of the Presidential Council; Ageela Saleh, Speaker of the Parliament; Mohamed Takala, Head of the High Council of State (HCS); Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU); and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
This agreement signals a significant diplomatic effort towards bringing stability to Libya. Bathily’s collaboration with Tunisia reflects a broader international commitment to aiding Libya in its transition towards a democratic, and stable future.
The focus of this initiative is to create a consensual and inclusive path to elections, seen as crucial to establishing legitimate governance in Libya. This process is expected to bring together different political factions, addressing the divisions that have plagued the nation since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Tunisia’s involvement is crucial, given its geographical proximity, and its vested interest in the stability of Libya. As a neighbouring country, Tunisia has been directly affected by the instability in Libya, making its support to the UN mission and diplomatic efforts particularly significant.
The proposed meeting of the Libyan leaders represents a potential turning point. It offers an opportunity for these key figures to set aside differences, and work collectively towards a common goal of national unity and progress.