General Khairy Al-Tamimi, Secretary-General of the Libyan National Army’s General Command, received a delegation from the African Union, led by Jean Claude Gakosso, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville, at the General Command’s headquarters in Benghazi today, Monday.
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.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.During the meeting, Minister Gakosso delivered a message from Denis Sassou Nguesso, the President of Congo-Brazzaville, inviting Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Commander of the Libyan National Army, to attend the upcoming African Union Summit to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This invitation follows President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s visit to Benghazi last December, where he met with Marshal Haftar, the appointed Libyan Prime Minister Osama Hamad, and Aguila Saleh, the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives.
